tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post8810987722403319345..comments2023-09-25T10:55:50.854-05:00Comments on Hilary Wagner: WRITERS: What are YOUR Great Expectations?Hilary Wagnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-63619330968588641542010-04-04T20:00:33.610-05:002010-04-04T20:00:33.610-05:00Honestly, I can't remembe who or what made me ...Honestly, I can't remembe who or what made me want to write. I've been writing stories since I was very young--I used to write plays, actually. But I've always been inspired by Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, two very different love stories--both moved me so much. I always wanted to create characters that felt as passionately about one another as Heathcliff and Cathy and Jane and Mr. Rochester. The hardest thing about writing thus far has been maintaining my patience and my confidence.<br /><br />Love Dickens, btw. Classic work that has inspired so many other great works.Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-70790431048600526632010-03-29T05:49:52.956-05:002010-03-29T05:49:52.956-05:00Hi Hilary. Great post and great blog. I love the...Hi Hilary. Great post and great blog. I love the sound of Nightshade City, can't wait to pick up a copy.<br /><br />As to your question it was Tolkien who made me want to write, but it wasn't until I read the story behind Christopher Paolini's getting Eragon published that I actually realized I could be a writer too.<br /><br />The hardest part for me is finding representation. Writing the novel was easy. Visit my blog to find out more about my own query hell.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-80956171491160981842010-03-28T11:31:43.962-05:002010-03-28T11:31:43.962-05:00Hello. I left a blog award for you on my blog.
ht...Hello. I left a blog award for you on my blog.<br />http://sharifwrites.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-68720952160626879902010-03-26T14:27:44.754-05:002010-03-26T14:27:44.754-05:00#3 - hardest part for me is finding the patience t...#3 - hardest part for me is finding the patience to wait and the courage to slow down.Shelli (srjohannes)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17123227845032402600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-569147878218746352010-03-26T10:34:40.801-05:002010-03-26T10:34:40.801-05:00Not really so much a book as movies. I love action...Not really so much a book as movies. I love action and amazing twists and turns. But a few books have made me insanely jealous, as I wish I could write something just as good. Such as "The Men I Didn't Marry" -Janice Kaplan, The Georgia Nicolson Series -Louise Rennison, The Nancy Drew Series -Carolyn Keene, "The Outsiders" -S.E. Hinton, "The Yellow Wallpaper" -Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "she being brand new" -e.e. cummings. These are some amazing authors, but movies really sparked my interest in writing amazing plots.<br /><br />Writing has become a passion of mine ever since my Junior year of high school. I had an english teacher who was a douche bag of a person but a very good teacher. I learned a lot about writing and get no less than a B on my college papers now. Also, I have a vivid imagination. That inspires a lot of my writing.<br /><br />The hardest part is sharing my work with others, because once you give it someone else to read, you subject it to their opinions and judgements. That is very scary to me. In fact -- I can't tell anyone what my story is about out loud, I let them read the synopsis or manuscript. It is a bit easier inquiring agents because they aren't people you have to see everyday, but friends and family are different. The only thing that scares me with agents is rejection, even though I know there is a lot of it, I can't help but feel small. I would like to have at least one piece of work published.T.J. Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13916627399622909282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-34717303590028754602010-03-26T08:54:24.210-05:002010-03-26T08:54:24.210-05:00I absolutely love Dickens as well. I Think I felt...I absolutely love Dickens as well. I Think I felt inspired by authors like Mary Shelley. Frankenstein was so interesting to me because it was both horrible and moving (kind of like Dickens). I love a good story where the characters are fighting against the accepted morality of the day. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo. The classic greats!Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13658962630981643176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-17724114795495851362010-03-25T20:53:00.199-05:002010-03-25T20:53:00.199-05:00Black Beauty of course
now after saying that, that...Black Beauty of course<br />now after saying that, that book is written in first person... the POV of the horse and I can not write first person... or rather I can't write anything worth reading in first person. My writing future is here in Zip City Alabama if I don't get off my behind and finish one of my three manuscripts. All are in different stages and I would like to finish one before I die, or lose my mind ... which ever comes first.<br />I would be a liar if I said my ego doesn't whisper vane notions to me every day but in my heart I write because I can't stop. I'm a story teller and I live and breathe telling good stories.<br />My one secret wish... Y'all don't tell anyone...I want to write a picture book, wait I have written several let me edit my statement... I want to write a picture book and get it published. And I will one day.Patricia J. Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06044354515656710902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-5750027375009332272010-03-25T17:18:38.364-05:002010-03-25T17:18:38.364-05:00Wow, so much good stuff to think about. I have bee...Wow, so much good stuff to think about. I have been inspired by too many books and writers to count. The ones that stand out: All the Narnia books, Jane Austen, especially Sense and Sensibility, Katherine Paterson, David Eddings, Robin McKinley. They are inspiring because they carry me away. I just love disappearing into a book and finding myself changed by the experience. I also love the feeling of connecting with a character from another time and place, and finding that we share a feeling or e sense of the world, even though we are only connected by those words on the page. Finding the universal in the personal, that's what I love about it.<br />The journey to publication is hard, and it feels slow. But that also feels right. I wouldn't want it to be too easy. I like knowing that the publishing world has high standards. It will bring out the best in me and my work.<br />GREAT post!Molly Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00750066072893963735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-60418002191850979322010-03-25T17:05:10.953-05:002010-03-25T17:05:10.953-05:00Theresa, I have a bachelors in painting, yes, pain...Theresa, I have a bachelors in painting, yes, painting! I didn't tell anyone I wrote until I had an agent. Looking back, I feel silly about that, but I usually feel pretty silly, so no biggie! ;)<br /><br />JK created an awesome world! I would love to live there!<br /><br />xoxo -- HilaryHilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-37911428915549206862010-03-25T17:01:16.644-05:002010-03-25T17:01:16.644-05:00This is a great question. I always wanted to writ...This is a great question. I always wanted to write, but didn't think I could because I didn't major in it. After ignoring it for too many years, I heard another author speak at my school's library. She spoke about hiding her writing for years. I hadn't written much, but each time I did, I hid it too. So I began to write, thinking about the whimsical world that J.K. Rowling created. I wanted to reach out to young readers like she did.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-1307357572537420432010-03-25T11:28:42.182-05:002010-03-25T11:28:42.182-05:00Samantha,
I'm totally going to plug my buddy ...Samantha,<br /><br />I'm totally going to plug my buddy Dawn Lairamore's book! It's called Ivy's Ever After! It debuts this May! It's a beautiful fairy tale that I'm sure you will love!!! :)<br /><br />Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Ivys-Ever-After-Dawn-Lairamore/dp/0823422615Hilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-29241754693097486282010-03-25T11:14:35.201-05:002010-03-25T11:14:35.201-05:00I read tons of fairy tales growing up. Loved any s...I read tons of fairy tales growing up. Loved any story with a knight in it--especially if that night was a girl. The adventure of it all inspired me, the idea that life is more than daily responsibilities. :)Samantha Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15712749844855298929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-3647923772856894202010-03-24T21:34:04.827-05:002010-03-24T21:34:04.827-05:00Hilary--I'm glad someone is having good waitin...Hilary--I'm glad someone is having good waiting. :)Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-87549022935778996932010-03-24T15:52:25.919-05:002010-03-24T15:52:25.919-05:00T.D. NO essays! :)
Elana, I don't think you k...T.D. NO essays! :)<br /><br />Elana, I don't think you know what downhill means!!! ;)<br /><br />Merissa, sometimes it's hard to put into words why we loved a book so much (which is ironic, since we're writers), but I know exactly what you mean! What's the expression? "I don't know good art, but I know what I like." :)<br /><br />Carmelina, If she only knew her books were being turned into zombie mash-up novels...hmmm. ;)<br /><br />Debra,<br />Congrats on going on sub!!! How exciting! As for Twilight, I've never read it myself, but know a lot of YA writers who adore it, even it the writing style bugs them! You are not alone!<br /><br />Void,<br />Yes, I know what you mean. No particular book pushed me, per se. It was more of a feeling I got from the writing. Dickens writing just takes me to some other place, where I'd like to stay for a while. :)<br /><br />Adam,<br />So happy to meet another Dickens fan! My writing has been called Dickensian many times over. I think Hope even mentioned it in an early comment. My book comes out in October. I'm wondering if reviewers will pick up on it, and if so, will that be a good or bad thing? To me, it's very, very good! :)<br /><br />Lydia, I'm so glad you became inspired! JK's story is really amazing! It proves hard work really does pay off! :)<br /><br />Medeia, wouldn't that be incredible! A book published every year! That's my goal! Of course, I write fast, so I'll take every six months!! Ha, ha! :)<br /><br />Karen, <br />I cry in the sad spots of my own writing! Is that bad? Not quite sure! For the books I truly love, I remember crying while reading them and/or laughing out loud! :)<br /><br />Sharon, I've never read Homeplace. I'll have to check it out! The waiting never ends! Even after you land an agent or a book deal! It's good waiting though! :)<br /><br />Natalie, that's amazing! 6 1/2 years! Wow! Good luck with querying! I know your hard work will pay off! My rats feel it in their tails!<br /> <br />Zoe, <br />Your the 2nd or 3rd person to mention King! He is awesome and he was rejected A LOT! Note to all kids out there: Do NOT read IT until you are all grownup and maybe don't read it after that! Scariest book ever! ;) <br /><br />xoxo -- HilaryHilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-63081143589584744032010-03-24T12:37:04.738-05:002010-03-24T12:37:04.738-05:00I think it was lugging around my big ol' copy ...I think it was lugging around my big ol' copy of THE STAND in 10th grade that solidified two things for me: 1) Stephen King told stories I wanted to read and<br />2) I was gonna try like hell to do the same.<br /><br />So far, I'm still thumbing it on the road to publication, and cars are still whizzing on past. But my writing is cleaner and stronger every day, so it's alle gut!Zoe C. Courtmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00642503770758938774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-90831001903416396862010-03-24T06:35:30.564-05:002010-03-24T06:35:30.564-05:00Reading the first Harry Potter book inspired me. I...Reading the first Harry Potter book inspired me. It rekindled my love of fantasy. I had an idea, started writing, and got hooked.<br /><br />After about 6 and 1/2 years, I am almost done with my manuscript and am hoping/scared to start querying agents.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-15031019617174069682010-03-23T22:00:07.166-05:002010-03-23T22:00:07.166-05:00Super post, Hilary! I love Oliver Twist! You'...Super post, Hilary! I love Oliver Twist! You're right Dickens takes you there...<br />1. HOMEPLACE by Crescent Dragonwagon<br />2. It's a picturebook that takes you back to your childhood...exploring and imagining who used to live in a deserted rundown home...<br />3. I think the hardest part in this journey is taking the time to research who to send your work to and waiting...Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-11016854037730647712010-03-23T21:02:37.892-05:002010-03-23T21:02:37.892-05:00Oh there are so many great authors that have inspi...Oh there are so many great authors that have inspired me. It's hard to only name a few. But yes, I'd love to capture readers from the first page. That's a great thing to aspire to. I'd also like to make a few readers cry. Happy tears, but still. It would be great to have someone connect that deeply with one of my books.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-35352994667721610802010-03-23T20:52:24.204-05:002010-03-23T20:52:24.204-05:001. What book and/or author inspired you to write?
...1. What book and/or author inspired you to write?<br /><br />In my high school years, Stephen King and V.C. Andrews.<br /><br />2. Why did you feel so inspired?<br /><br />Their writing was moving and entertaining. They made me understand the power of reading and writing.<br /><br />3. What is the hardest and/or best part about your road to publication? Where do you see your writing future going?<br /><br />The hardest part was getting my foot in the door. The best part is that I'm enjoying the process of being a debut author. I'd like to get a book published every year or two. *fingers crossed*.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-87963859006629265912010-03-23T19:47:53.108-05:002010-03-23T19:47:53.108-05:00Jk Rowling did it for me. I loved that she was a m...Jk Rowling did it for me. I loved that she was a mom and published despite the odds. And I thought, I could never do that, I have no ideas. And then one, an idea popped into my head. And that was the beginning of my obsession. I keep going because I have a vision of how my WIP is supposed to be, how it will read, how the characters will be alive. And I can't stop till I fulfill those expectations I set. Not sure if I exactly answered the questions, but there you have it!<br />Great post!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-51721950910956438912010-03-23T17:46:31.875-05:002010-03-23T17:46:31.875-05:00Thank goodness for this post - SO many writers and...Thank goodness for this post - SO many writers and readers tell me they can't stand Dickens. Sometimes it seems like the only author it's cool to like in this scene from before 1950 is Jane Austen. I've been inspired by many authors, but no one hits me harder than Dickens. I breathe better when I'm reading him. And I borrow from him quite a bit; there are references (sometimes big ones) in all of my books. No reviewer has ever noticed, to my knowledge.<br /><br />"Tale" is sort of underrated. Maybe because it's the most commonly assigned book, and isn't as epic and sweeping as some of the "major" works, like Copperfield and Bleak House. Then again, Great Expectations is short, too, and THAT'S certainly no minor work.Adam Selzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16068653440362135301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-39069023578923115732010-03-23T17:42:12.343-05:002010-03-23T17:42:12.343-05:00That's funny... none of his books were able to...That's funny... none of his books were able to keep me interested at all! <br /><br />That's the great thing about opinions... they are unique to each individual. Some people will like it and some won't.<br /><br />As for a book that inspired me to write, honestly I don't know if any one book pushed me. I've always wanted to write a novel as a dream of mine.Voidwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688751100806767843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-72608373509757115642010-03-23T17:06:34.269-05:002010-03-23T17:06:34.269-05:00Wow, that's a tough one--I really have no clue...Wow, that's a tough one--I really have no clue which book made me want to write initially, just that I've been an avid reader since..forever. But the book that made me try again after a long hiatus was....wait for it...<br />TWILIGHT!<br /><br />(why do I feel like everyone is staring and pointing right now, lol?)<br /><br />Whatever the faults, I just really got sucked into that emotional intensity, and wanted to replicated it somehow in my own story.<br /><br />As far as publication road--well, I'm only halfway there. I have an agent and am hoping to go on sub within the next few months, once revisions are done. Let me check back in later. :DDebra Drizahttp://www.houndrat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-56285350354456234652010-03-23T16:44:21.045-05:002010-03-23T16:44:21.045-05:00i'm a jane austen lover...the beauty of the la...i'm a jane austen lover...the beauty of the language..how it's written..always captures my interest!<br /><br />ciao bella<br />carmelinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189127202681971190.post-34852224792130058842010-03-23T15:41:22.395-05:002010-03-23T15:41:22.395-05:00Great Post!
I've always written off an on, bu...Great Post! <br />I've always written off an on, but one book that blew me away and really made me want to write for other people and not just myself was David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty Someday. Love the voice, and he made it accessible, somehow. Errm--having a hard time explaining what I mean. I'll just back away from the keyboard slowly...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04342262917285991152noreply@blogger.com