tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post3400630160039506989..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Insecure Writer's Support Group Post 2Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-15146777606862524242011-10-07T12:08:26.988-06:002011-10-07T12:08:26.988-06:00to old to go down the one peg being perfect fit fo...to old to go down the one peg being perfect fit for all - but certainly when I was younger I suffered from society trying to squash me in a round hole - I never did fit - insecurity i am coming to believe is a spur for us to continue trying to perfect our craft - it is hard not to get down - but hey thats why we are all here<br /><br />keep smilingalberta rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132420168908365099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-38728357661404628512011-10-06T16:32:17.952-06:002011-10-06T16:32:17.952-06:00Yeah, I had to go a step beyond the whole square p...Yeah, I had to go a step beyond the whole square peg thing.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-75811661536356143822011-10-06T13:06:38.605-06:002011-10-06T13:06:38.605-06:00It seems there are very few who are not square peg...It seems there are very few who are not square pegs being shoved into round holes. The ever present but elusive "they" who dictate. <br /><br />As for Eminem...I think he is a modern poet. He is so beautifully lyrical.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524878248746427258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-73531540666814885792011-10-05T23:14:41.541-06:002011-10-05T23:14:41.541-06:00Eminem has a most interesting background. I love h...Eminem has a most interesting background. I love his interviews, especially from the early days when he was just breaking out and becoming well known.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-4154850374270092232011-10-05T23:14:09.779-06:002011-10-05T23:14:09.779-06:00"The trouble is...not all of us fit so easily..."The trouble is...not all of us fit so easily into the pre-drilled holes that society has made for us. And when we fight those molds, things can get ugly pretty fast."<br /><br />Totally with you there Michael. <br /><br />I suffer self doubt every time I refer someone to my short story publication in Bewildering Stories. I'm sure nobody is reading it; and I'm equally sure it was just luck that I got the one story published. What if I submit again and get rejected?<br /><br />Your foot is in the door Michael. You have succeeded where so many others have not. I am impressed with Double Dragon Publishing. Your story must be intriguing to have found a home with them.<br /><br />Thanks for the Eminem song. I like him too, and have listened to a lot of his songs. I don't like it all, but I like enough of it. And darn, the song has ended so it must be time to move along :)<br /><br />......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-54046125297641829022011-10-05T21:47:22.212-06:002011-10-05T21:47:22.212-06:00Self-esteem is one of my biggest problems, but I t...Self-esteem is one of my biggest problems, but I think I'm overwhelming it by listening to P!nk. You have to listen to her latest song "F**kin' Perfect" :D<br />Wow, Eminem is a great talent! His words really matter.<br />Good luck to everyone! Thanks :)Javid Suleymanlihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12430891752669525863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-4120948590714777992011-10-05T21:42:00.145-06:002011-10-05T21:42:00.145-06:00I like Eminem because of his unapologetic nature--...I like Eminem because of his unapologetic nature--he's not the classic rap success story and yet, he is a huge star. I think the most fascinating people are those who aren't the interchangeable characters in a black and white ad, but the people who have some depth and are more than just a pretty face. The mold may sell the "flavor of the moment", but those who break it persevere.julie feddersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06621537183935460781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-63347253622855179262011-10-05T21:15:44.628-06:002011-10-05T21:15:44.628-06:00Well, I hope you take some comfort knowing that so...Well, I hope you take some comfort knowing that someone believes in you - in this case a real life publisher. Sure, they may not pull Stephen King off the shelf to make room for you, but at least your in the game. And you never know, somebody has to be the next big thing.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-43842105489333157192011-10-05T21:15:44.105-06:002011-10-05T21:15:44.105-06:00Well, I hope you take some comfort knowing that so...Well, I hope you take some comfort knowing that someone believes in you - in this case a real life publisher. Sure, they may not pull Stephen King off the shelf to make room for you, but at least your in the game. And you never know, somebody has to be the next big thing.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-3195409425743947862011-10-05T20:34:21.000-06:002011-10-05T20:34:21.000-06:00I read tons and tons of books from all genres. The...I read tons and tons of books from all genres. There are always some that I feel didn't deserve publication and that helps me believe I'm good enough to be published.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-50699313163111460462011-10-05T20:10:26.919-06:002011-10-05T20:10:26.919-06:00I'm not a huge Eminem fan (or a rap fan in gen...I'm not a huge Eminem fan (or a rap fan in general), BUT...I can appreciate that the man has talent, for sure! And if he keeps you on track with your determination, then all the better!Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-53524984149407752542011-10-05T19:53:01.519-06:002011-10-05T19:53:01.519-06:00Hi Michael. I realize I don't actually know y...Hi Michael. I realize I don't actually know you, but Eminem surprises me about you. I just didn't expect that...which is cool. Sounds like a song that could grow on me.<br /><br />This was a really interesting analogy. Always the old division of the classes, eh? I wish you could see that you're a rockstar. Getting published with a mid-size publisher is amazing, a dream. So relish it and don't worry about that shelf---we don't need no stinking shelf; we've got the internet. ;)<br /><br />P.S. Thank you for your advice at my ePlace. I shall take it.Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-28315477243192109162011-10-05T19:15:47.040-06:002011-10-05T19:15:47.040-06:00...self doubt is a morbid creature that causes us ......self doubt is a morbid creature that causes us to hesitate despite knowing with absolute certainty what our next maneuver should entail. <br /><br />It causes us to sometimes think too much, overwork an otherwise easy process, to stumble over a crack in the sidewalk. Confidence is the antidote, and a steady dose of success may be the only way of achieving it.<br /><br />Great post,<br /><br />ElElliot Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-88796765823670641102011-10-05T17:50:48.748-06:002011-10-05T17:50:48.748-06:00A and F ads and stores - ick! Not only do they mak...A and F ads and stores - ick! Not only do they make the mere mortals of the real world feel like they don't fit, they also stink - literally. Or at least the one at our local mall does - spraying perfume out of the doors and all over the place. I've only been in one once . . . and I felt like I needed to immediately wash all my clothes and my hair afterwards. One of my daughters' friends calls it the Night Goggles and Gas Masks required store. <br />We'll all been slimed by overzealous advertisers trying to sell us perfection, and any writer worth their words has felt some self-doubt. Don't let the big 6 or A and F get to you. Write on!Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-61028850136686725902011-10-05T17:44:55.568-06:002011-10-05T17:44:55.568-06:00I hate the monster of self-doubt. Curse him! But w...I hate the monster of self-doubt. Curse him! But we all have him. In fact, I love this post because how you feel is exactly how I feel. It's scary. It's hard. But if we work for it I truly believe it will be worth it. I love the voice in your posts. I'm sure you have a talent with whatever else you are writing too. :) Glad eminem is keeping you going. I haven't listened to him for a while - I need more mellow music, but he really is talented.Abby Fowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567978659174723198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-74085248466674268142011-10-05T17:04:58.953-06:002011-10-05T17:04:58.953-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.RaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-11599147575912423992011-10-05T17:04:51.559-06:002011-10-05T17:04:51.559-06:00One size does not fit all. Great analogy. I'm ...One size does not fit all. Great analogy. I'm sure your book is fab!!!RaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-89945915698803628712011-10-05T16:45:57.233-06:002011-10-05T16:45:57.233-06:00I suppose because I haven't reached that point...I suppose because I haven't reached that point in the process yet, never really thought of the comparison.<br /><br />Never listened to Eminem . . .Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-84186923883496606482011-10-05T16:11:43.952-06:002011-10-05T16:11:43.952-06:00IWSG is fab. I hear you and second your doubts. I ...IWSG is fab. I hear you and second your doubts. I have them, too.<br /><br />But you know what happens when you get out there? You make a fan or two who don't think you suck and ask you when you're next release will be out. And they're people you don't know. That's our validation. It doesn't suck at all.<br /><br />We build our beach one grain of sand at a time, no matter how we publish.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-9837328019226363062011-10-05T15:53:40.710-06:002011-10-05T15:53:40.710-06:00mostly agree, mike... except for that last bit... ...mostly agree, mike... except for that last bit... <br /><br />too old to give a rat's ass about that kinda stuff... does not mean you, and others, should not, tho, it's just not for melaughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-52848156281340981622011-10-05T15:14:21.586-06:002011-10-05T15:14:21.586-06:00I guess my insecurity has more to do with somehow ...I guess my insecurity has more to do with somehow finding success in the query process. The only thing from stopping me from getting my writing out there is someone else.<br />There are so many amazing authors out there-- yet to be discovered. And many who have been and have their books out are in no way better-- just got an agent first.<br /><br />But persistence will triumph. Right? (=Jo Schafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-57352770999348542992011-10-05T15:01:40.771-06:002011-10-05T15:01:40.771-06:00I think it depends on one's goals. I never wan...I think it depends on one's goals. I never wanted to be a career author. Didn't want the pressure. I'm happy with my small publisher. Now, if someone wants to make a movie out of my books, well I'm fine with that!<br />And I want to know where they are displaying ads like that!!!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19449035700594574072011-10-05T14:17:55.423-06:002011-10-05T14:17:55.423-06:00Michael, you've introduced a theme anyone who ...Michael, you've introduced a theme anyone who creates art can relate to. Even when we do our best and stay true to ourselves, there is no guarantee that the world will support us. I've often wondered if those who do succeed fought against the norm or if they conceded to it. <br /><br />I have learned that it is great to have dreams, but a part of me must also be ready to accept failure. That may be the self-doubt speaking, but even if I have all the confidence in the world, that doesn't mean I'll reach my dreams or that I deserve to.Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-29436767522486511162011-10-05T14:16:15.906-06:002011-10-05T14:16:15.906-06:00I really like Bruno Mars and the duet worked well....I really like Bruno Mars and the duet worked well. It's more important to write from the heart, then to look good in a pair of jeans. Be proud of what you've accomplished, and your positive energy will shine through JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-87081579960055864582011-10-05T14:07:39.040-06:002011-10-05T14:07:39.040-06:00I avoid preconceived stereotypes. My personality a...I avoid preconceived stereotypes. My personality and ghetto booty would never fit anyway, no matter how hard I tried to shove them in. It might mean I'll never sell a book, but at least I know I'm staying true to myself.Laura M. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07118305776404765529noreply@blogger.com