tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post2395786067519480031..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Hobby or Career?Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-90600446466199806422016-08-19T18:33:50.203+10:002016-08-19T18:33:50.203+10:00A great post Adam. I think it's a learning cu...A great post Adam. I think it's a learning curve no matter where you are in the writing journey. I've had lots of short pieces published, but am editing my debut novel at the moment. It's another whole level. What you say about having that professional attitude and sticking with it is so true. <br /><br />I'm doing an historical novel and there's been a heap of research with that from big things (What was it like for orphans who were transported to Canada in the 1880s? or What's involved in a shipwreck?) to the everyday (What would be on the menu in a Halifax restaurant in 1881?). I still have a heap to do, but each little step is progress. <br /><br />In terms of writing craft, I've tried to read as much as I can. 'The Writer' magazine and 'Writer's Digest' magazine are excellent. I've also tried to do as many writing courses and workshops as I can afford. There's always something new to learn.<br /><br />Good on you for your commitment to your current WIP. I'll look forward to reading it :)Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78616267950597898212016-08-18T12:15:10.950+10:002016-08-18T12:15:10.950+10:00Still great advice. Thanks Adam :)Still great advice. Thanks Adam :)Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-68584210508314482672013-06-20T11:11:07.515+10:002013-06-20T11:11:07.515+10:00Good post Adam. Amazing how much we learn as we go...Good post Adam. Amazing how much we learn as we go along. All the best with your writing journey.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-40061814421802777112013-06-16T07:35:28.683+10:002013-06-16T07:35:28.683+10:00So good to read your journey, Adam. I think it'...So good to read your journey, Adam. I think it's so important to have balance and I can picture your children itching to bang on your office door while you write. I admire you, taking time on Saturdays. I started out only writing at night, after a busy day. Yep, craft needs to be studied continually. My first rejection letter said I had some craft issues. Ha ha, didn't know about POV back then.Tracey Hoffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12228597379311747708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-15305353841330407742013-06-14T15:46:04.873+10:002013-06-14T15:46:04.873+10:00Hi Adam,
I agree when you say "We are all di...Hi Adam,<br /><br />I agree when you say "We are all different and have unique life situations, so I think we should find a schedule that works for our situation." As long as we are consistent with the time we have there is progress. I began writing mainly to express myself but noticed it was always something for someone else (to be shared). I too never expected it to be a career path. <br /><br />Keep up the passion.<br />KayleenKayleen West - Children Author/Illustratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102357041523253163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-16419222239628610802013-06-14T15:25:39.665+10:002013-06-14T15:25:39.665+10:00Great advice Adam. At my age I'm happy to be a...Great advice Adam. At my age I'm happy to be able to say that everything I love to do is a hobby. Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-26984606565906550212013-06-14T13:37:06.258+10:002013-06-14T13:37:06.258+10:00Yeah, it doesn't get much better than that doe...Yeah, it doesn't get much better than that does it. Thanks for the encouragement Anusha.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-21719307151007126682013-06-14T13:35:35.847+10:002013-06-14T13:35:35.847+10:00Thanks Jenny. I hope you find them as useful as I ...Thanks Jenny. I hope you find them as useful as I have.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-17906196639932482222013-06-14T13:34:43.713+10:002013-06-14T13:34:43.713+10:00Thanks Rita. I imagine you've learned a great ...Thanks Rita. I imagine you've learned a great deal from your job that would help with writing. Learning how to say something in a concise way would be a great skill.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-58497183637335485882013-06-14T13:32:17.681+10:002013-06-14T13:32:17.681+10:00Thanks Ian. I think that's really import - pro...Thanks Ian. I think that's really import - professionals show up when they don't feel like it.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-11534616309740111642013-06-14T11:51:22.642+10:002013-06-14T11:51:22.642+10:00Thanks for the well written post Adam. Definitely ...Thanks for the well written post Adam. Definitely a hobby. And definitely a career. I think we writers are blessed because we have a career that is also a much loved hobby. :)Anusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-83352587072396956402013-06-14T11:48:14.464+10:002013-06-14T11:48:14.464+10:00Great post. Thanks Adam. I'm familiar with som...Great post. Thanks Adam. I'm familiar with some of the resources you mention but can see a couple I will seek out. All the best with your work in progress. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-90904040765541833262013-06-14T11:02:40.514+10:002013-06-14T11:02:40.514+10:00Hi Barry. Thanks for dropping by. Glad you found t...Hi Barry. Thanks for dropping by. Glad you found the resources helpful. Here is the two-sentence version of my novel:<br /> "Alana Hamptinh is a young businesswoman from the backwater planet of Kanis. When she receives the surprise revelation that she is the hidden heir to the Coalition of Planets, she heads for the Capital. But when her flight is hijacked by slavers, she is thrust into a desparate struggle to survive, and a journey that will not only bring the fulfilment of a five-thousand year-old prophecy, but show Alana an even greater destiny than the one she was born into."<br /><br />I don't have a date for it to be published. The first draft will be finished by the end of this year. After that I'll be seeking feedback and editing (no idea how long that will take). Then I will start seeking publication. I intend to try pursuing traditional publishing. Failing that I may consider self-publishing.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-84466456982238121502013-06-14T10:05:39.122+10:002013-06-14T10:05:39.122+10:00I couldn't agree with you more on every single...I couldn't agree with you more on every single point, Adam!<br />I guess you'd call my "day job" as scripting radio programs. All have to be timed to a couple of seconds under 5 minutes. So...I l-o-v-e writing scads the way you can with fiction. And isn't the way we can research everything on the web great? As for your computer background that is a big plus for you. Hardly anyone does the longhand in an exercise book anymore(though that's the way I began.)<br />Looking forward to reading your first book.<br /><br />Keep up all the above till it's finishedRita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-89859784218795143632013-06-14T09:53:53.828+10:002013-06-14T09:53:53.828+10:00Good thoughtful post, Adam.
I too thought of my w...Good thoughtful post, Adam.<br /><br />I too thought of my writing as a hobby for many years but after reading Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art", I realised that to have a better chance of success I needed to regard writing as a profession. Don't worry about the fact we may have a full time job.<br /><br />What's different when you call yourself a professional writer is you turn up everyday, just like you do with your paid profession. I found I was always putting off writing or only doing it when I felt like - that's what we do with hobbies.<br /><br />Professionals do all the things you mentioned.<br /><br />Ian Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192687613923596829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-70552844899488794202013-06-14T09:31:41.255+10:002013-06-14T09:31:41.255+10:00Great post! Your story parallels mine, as I am lea...Great post! Your story parallels mine, as I am learning the same things that you've identified. Also, thanks for the resources, I'll check them out. I'd also like to learn more about your novel and when it will be published. <br />Barry Knox Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05095319185905632568noreply@blogger.com