tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post1602018551048814164..comments2024-03-28T19:02:37.054+00:00Comments on More than Writers: A whisper from the enemy - by Helen Murrayauntyamohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213728883228063200noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-31937240658501541102015-04-27T08:29:09.876+01:002015-04-27T08:29:09.876+01:00You're quite right, Mel. There's always so...You're quite right, Mel. There's always something to write, and I'll always be writing something. The difficulty is this particular project and what I'm trying to do - and I don't yet know whether I can do it. I shall take your advice and persevere; I love the idea that one day I'll be discovered! Thanks, Mel. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-59242505499990371002015-04-24T17:08:44.851+01:002015-04-24T17:08:44.851+01:00I do understand what you're saying, Helen, and...I do understand what you're saying, Helen, and I'm sure many will identify with the dilemma. The thing is, though, I can't NOT write. Regardless of whether what I write will be published (and I have to confess to having several complete mss which have not yet seen the printing press) writing is not what I DO. It's who I AM. Having said that, I've had a number of knock backs from the enemy, and nearly lost my faith towards the end of last summer. Persevere, dear friend. Write because you can. Who knows, even if it's not published now, it might, one day, be discovered - like a work of art - and be an inspiration to others.<br />Mel Menzieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05026959995814159600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-14473951463303960582015-04-24T14:44:21.319+01:002015-04-24T14:44:21.319+01:00Thank you, Pen. That helps more than you can imagi...Thank you, Pen. That helps more than you can imagine. xxHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-72625960637387807642015-04-24T11:56:15.188+01:002015-04-24T11:56:15.188+01:00Hooray! Well done you. Looking forward to that day...Hooray! Well done you. Looking forward to that day! :-)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-70569183837783229572015-04-24T10:27:48.142+01:002015-04-24T10:27:48.142+01:00Nothing changes. I am in process of writing the 8t...Nothing changes. I am in process of writing the 8th novel in a series. Last week I read an Amazon review on Book 7 - a lone voice among many encouragements, saying it wasn't very good. It almost stopped me writing the one I'm on. I was on the verge of contacting the publisher to say I'd send back the advance. I almost convinced myself I had nothing left to say and had lost the ability to express anything. I know only one way out of that bind - a piece of teamwork, part done by others, part done by me. They undertake to pray for me, and I undertake to write a thousand words a day. And I let the publisher decide if the result at the end is good enough.<br />May God bless and prosper your writing. May your stories be told and your work sell. May you write not just this one book but many more. May the enemy be treated to a reading of himself as a fictional character in your novel.<br />Proceed, friend. You'll get there. xxPen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-77934299608597871122015-04-24T10:14:00.586+01:002015-04-24T10:14:00.586+01:00I did it. Words on paper and everything. You reali...I did it. Words on paper and everything. You realise that one day, when we are utterly and fabulously published we too will be able to write books on how to write books. By telling, not showing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-16725833392860416772015-04-24T09:13:39.218+01:002015-04-24T09:13:39.218+01:00Thank you, Joy, for your kind words and reassuranc...Thank you, Joy, for your kind words and reassurance. I hope that's it! Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-81666831572866196572015-04-24T09:12:09.253+01:002015-04-24T09:12:09.253+01:00Fiona, me too! A couple of months ago I was all fi...Fiona, me too! A couple of months ago I was all fired up, determined, confident, energetic, even. How things change... but people here have been so wonderfully encouraging I have a renewed purpose. <br />Keep writing yourself! I want a signed copy. xHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-45384637755789165122015-04-24T09:10:16.747+01:002015-04-24T09:10:16.747+01:00Thanks, Shirley. Glad it's not just me. It wou...Thanks, Shirley. Glad it's not just me. It would be so nice if there was a God-given guarantee of success, wouldn't it? I've asked the same question, and had the distinct sense that God said, 'Well, you're wasting time, but you're not doing much writing...' <br />Best get on with it, do you think?! Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-67893976667302892422015-04-23T20:00:47.605+01:002015-04-23T20:00:47.605+01:00Helen, I too applaud your honesty and courage in l...Helen, I too applaud your honesty and courage in laying bare your fears. Believe me, you speak for all who have this urge inside of them to weave words. And maybe the enemy is giving you such a hard time because he knows you're about to write a wonderful book and he'll do anything to try to stop you. Don't listen to him. Keep at it, my friend. I will buy and read it and so will many more.You are a writer.. full stop!! And we love reading your words. :) xJoy Lentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-43618786887686223532015-04-23T16:05:22.363+01:002015-04-23T16:05:22.363+01:00Hi Helen, I'm so glad I'm not the only one...Hi Helen, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. Two months ago I felt like the end was in sight (at least of my first draft), but now it feels like one big mess again. I think I might print out your last two sentences and stick them on my laptop. Please keep writing! (And I'll buy it, too.) xxFiona Lloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01803986871462903904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-33313395487652692962015-04-23T16:00:13.909+01:002015-04-23T16:00:13.909+01:00Helen, you have written the story of my life but d...Helen, you have written the story of my life but don't let my life BE yours. Go on with your novel. I once asked God if I was wasting my time writing. The answer disappointed me - it was 'I'm not going to tell you whether you will ever have a novel published. I'm not interested in that. What does interest me is that you should stop calling yourself a would-be writer and get on with writing!' I wanted to be told my novel would win every prize going etc. etc. But I knew He was right and I'm still writing - sometimes. I think I'll call my autobiography 'The Disobedient Christian.'Shirley Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079350605161802703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-74572240916124141692015-04-23T13:24:41.786+01:002015-04-23T13:24:41.786+01:00Tania, what a wonderfully kind and encouraging thi...Tania, what a wonderfully kind and encouraging thing to say. Thank you so much. Really. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-49035237507719637622015-04-23T13:23:21.649+01:002015-04-23T13:23:21.649+01:00Thanks, Fiona. I am feeling very encouraged. You a...Thanks, Fiona. I am feeling very encouraged. You are all so generous and lovely. Thank you. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-26008305040328098962015-04-23T13:22:12.481+01:002015-04-23T13:22:12.481+01:00Ooh, that sounds very methodical. I bet one thing ...Ooh, that sounds very methodical. I bet one thing that comes up frighteningly often is the need to get the words down on the paper, isn't it? I, too, spend lots of time reading how to do it and, lately, not enough actually doing it. This must change..... <br />Thanks for your lovely comment. Hope the way is clearer by school run time! Let me know! Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-88188175280804102782015-04-23T13:20:15.750+01:002015-04-23T13:20:15.750+01:00Thanks, Philip. It's a deal.
You are lovely.Thanks, Philip. It's a deal. <br />You are lovely. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-45796885999094751982015-04-23T13:18:52.895+01:002015-04-23T13:18:52.895+01:00Mandy, you have not 'mucked about' with yo...Mandy, you have not 'mucked about' with your book! You are crafting it in a loving manner; honing it...' I am looking forward to reading it.<br />Thank you. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-17761645868195612732015-04-23T13:17:40.513+01:002015-04-23T13:17:40.513+01:00Yes, you're quite right, Tanya. Nothing for it...Yes, you're quite right, Tanya. Nothing for it but to write the ***** thing... I feel like the little engine that could - 'I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.' Can I do it?! Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-81732130875702633182015-04-23T13:15:34.801+01:002015-04-23T13:15:34.801+01:00Thanks, Wendy. I suspected as much but it's gr...Thanks, Wendy. I suspected as much but it's great to know it's not just me. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-41980356497758914632015-04-23T11:44:40.652+01:002015-04-23T11:44:40.652+01:00Helen, Yes you can! That's all there is to it ...Helen, Yes you can! That's all there is to it - Nothing can snatch away what God has created. I love the way you write, this post is like I was sitting across the kitchen table with you having a coffee. If your novel is even a patch on the way you blog, it will indeed Whoosh! xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01925242441001910367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-37322750463351560332015-04-23T11:07:38.800+01:002015-04-23T11:07:38.800+01:00Keep at it, Helen! Give him the old right jab. And...Keep at it, Helen! Give him the old right jab. And hold onto that mantra - you will only know if you try.Fiona Veitch Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09149126168135123118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-89362517498675752792015-04-23T10:02:31.602+01:002015-04-23T10:02:31.602+01:00Well said Helen. I'm getting through so many &...Well said Helen. I'm getting through so many 'how to write' books I am tempted to write a spoof... Actually when I say getting through, I mean going online and renewing them repeatedly from the library. Because every good novelist must make use of their local library, clearly. Today's blitz task is going to be to make several spider diagrams of key elements that come up in all of these books and return them on the school run. Ulp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-7383406188679574942015-04-23T09:42:39.693+01:002015-04-23T09:42:39.693+01:00I LOVE this, Helen. You're right, in that I do...I LOVE this, Helen. You're right, in that I don't know yet if books 2, 3 and 4 are any easier, but the main thing for me is that I'm still enjoying my stories. And if that's the case, who cares what the enemy says? I'll make you a deal: if you write a novel, then I'll buy it and read it. As you say, who knows how good you'll be until you try? Don't end up with the regret of never even having tried. Go for it! :-)Philip S Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09309352158459853854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-23451472359564643462015-04-23T08:57:38.086+01:002015-04-23T08:57:38.086+01:00Very well said Helen. Can totally relate to this -...Very well said Helen. Can totally relate to this - you know how long I've agonised over and mucked about writing my book! And thanks for the reminder that books get written one sentence at a time.Mandy Baker Johnsonhttp://www.mandybakerjohnson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-77686523077600257232015-04-23T08:53:01.033+01:002015-04-23T08:53:01.033+01:00I love your honesty here! This is basically my tra...I love your honesty here! This is basically my train of thought but for the memoir. I think there's something in trusting the prpcess of writing. The fact you have ideas is a huge head start. Just write the thing, worry about the world's reception to it at a later date. That's what I come back to (on a disturbingly regular basis) - just write the ***** thing. :-)Tanya Marlowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987731615948337720noreply@blogger.com