Comments for Brian Hodge

Comment on 5 Undying Myths About Published Writers And Their Eerie Powers by Brian Hodge

Brian Hodge — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:17:42 +0000

Thanks, Bob. Yep, all those negatives you mention are distinct possibilities when someone’s expectations exceed what someone else can realistically deliver.

Comment on 5 Undying Myths About Published Writers And Their Eerie Powers by Robert Jones

Robert Jones — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:33:07 +0000

This is a piece the reading of which would benefit many beginning writers by saving them from much unnecessary effort, frustration and hurt feelings. A fine, useful piece, Brian.

Comment on How Better Happens by Thomas Sullivan

Thomas Sullivan — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:30:41 +0000

Wha hoppen? I remember writing a comment for this, but ’tis gone. Ah, well, glad I checked back. Anyway, “little victories” are indeed the way to grow and overcome, methinks. I like to think of it as “the committee approach,” wherein different aspects of yourself come together over different times to form a consensus of the emerging you. That final product is sort of edited out for its “Best of…” qualities — the victories, if you will — that provice incremental growth.

Comment on Gratitude, And The Reason You Might Never Have Realized It’s Vital For Writers by Joe Iriarte

Joe Iriarte — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 17:27:31 +0000

I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot over the last year, though I think I came at it from a different direction. I was feeling unappreciated in my day job as a teacher, and then I asked myself what Iwas doing to appreciate the wonderful teachers I’d had. So I started to periodically make a point of looking some of these people up on Facebook and sending them the sorts of e-mails I’d wished someone would send me. I ended up re-opening some wonderful relationships, and I know I made their day–if not their month!

It’s an easy habit to fall out of, though. You’ve got that right.

So thank you for the timely reminder!

Comment on Gratitude, And The Reason You Might Never Have Realized It’s Vital For Writers by Bob Jones

Bob Jones — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:11:42 +0000

Sage, enriching advice, Brian, and well put.
Bob

Comment on Laughing Last: Shaking Off The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Criticism by Thomas Sullivan

Thomas Sullivan — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:34:12 +0000

Whatever happened to that little tome Rotten Reviews? Used to have a copy of that compendium which reprinted infamous pans of now-classic work/artists. One can hope for honest reviews. One can hope for objective reviews. But only glowing reviews? Dream on. That said, always happy to throw my own two-cents review on one of your columns, Brian, because they are inevitably far-sighted and brisk with wit and intelligence. You done good again, Bunky! (He said with unabashed temerity.) I recall my most successful novel getting bashed by a high-profile review magazine early-on, and it was obvious that the reviewer hadn’t read past the first chapter, except to skip around, because among other things she got the whole setting wrong. I penned a devastating rebuttal, but my hardcover editor at EP Dutton laughed in my face and convinced me to throw my indignation into the round file. It was that sincere laugh more than her advice itself that taught me to shrug off the fickleness (and sometimes injustice) of this ancillary trade called criticism. There will always be gatekeepers, good or bad, honest or self-promoting, insightful or dull as oatmeal. The worst fate – much worse – is being ignored.

Comment on Ritualize Your Writing: A Shortcut Into Creative Productivity by Martel Sardina

Martel Sardina — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:31:27 +0000

Brian -

Just wanted to say that this post reminded me that I need to pull that plug, too. I’ve been caught up in all of the social networking stuff and have really noticed a dip in productivity because of it. Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Martel

Comment on How To Lose Readers And Alienate People by Brad R. Torgersen

Brad R. Torgersen — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:56:51 +0000

Unfortunately, some authors are just jerks — no matter how you slice it. What I’ve noticed a lot of in the last two or three years, is authors at various levels being deliberate jerks, usually because they have a political axe to grind about something. Ergo, I am of Political Belief A and because of this, I staunchly believe that everyone of Political Belief B is a cretin. And so forth.

As for harboring contempt for the audience — be it loyal readers or aspirants — I think you more or less nailed it. Success is not “zero sum.” Imagine if the many successful authors out there — I found your blog via Dean Wesley Smith’s twitter — took a dump on every person who attempted to ask a question. The publishing world is already a tough place to work and compete. If all the successful folk were hostile to all the want-to-be-successful folk… What an ugly place publishing would be!

I’m fortunate to have had several working professionals who, over the years, were patient and kind and encouraging. You’re 100% correct. That effort on their part has earned them my enduring loyalty, and now that I’m starting to sell, I intend to “pay forward” in a similar fashion. It takes far less effort — for far greater dividend — to offer kindness and a good word, than to be rude or otherwise treat someone poorly.

Comment on How To Lose Readers And Alienate People by Character Shows « The Far Edge of Normal

Character Shows « The Far Edge of Normal — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:22:55 +0000

[...] from someone I have no personal connection with. Third, I ran across this blog post by Brian Hodge Brian Hodge. I’ve come away with a very important [...]

Comment on How To Lose Readers And Alienate People by louise

louise — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:02:33 +0000

When I’m rich and famous I’ll *still* be nice!

Dean Koontz is one of my favourite writers and unlike some people he hasn’t forgotten what it’s like starting out. I don’t think is malicious most of the time, just that people are so wrapped up in themselves they just forget to remember what it was like before they were rich and famous.

Or is that me refusing to believe some people out there can be bloody horrible?