tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748832844228334272.post5070280659490042758..comments2024-02-16T01:19:34.964-05:00Comments on The Walk of Words: Self-Publishing, Traditional Publishing, and forcing yourself to editRebekkah Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06684711663696588263noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748832844228334272.post-22051629141582767902013-12-21T21:31:01.560-05:002013-12-21T21:31:01.560-05:00Hard work indeed--I'm working through edits ri...Hard work indeed--I'm working through edits right now, too. Worth it when I think about how much I'm improving, though. Good luck on your edits, and I wish you luck and many sales when you're ready to print this one, too! Rebekkah Nileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06684711663696588263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748832844228334272.post-57039642545097471422013-12-21T21:23:43.953-05:002013-12-21T21:23:43.953-05:00I agree, any artistic field requires self-motivati...I agree, any artistic field requires self-motivation! And digital art is a competitive field, so you've always got to be on your toes and open to improving if you want to survive. <br /><br />I suppose learning to set your own deadlines is a skill not everyone picks up, and although everyone has big dreams, you've got it right--not everyone teaches themselves the discipline to fill those dreams. Good intentions, but it takes more than good intentions to succeed.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting, and good luck in your work!Rebekkah Nileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06684711663696588263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748832844228334272.post-60350049099907125022013-12-21T01:43:02.389-05:002013-12-21T01:43:02.389-05:00I self-published and am about to do my second nove...I self-published and am about to do my second novel -- after I'm done with the copy edits notes I have from a Beta reader who is also a librarian. I'll do the next list from my editor soon. I wouldn't leave home without out them. I want my novels to be the best. It's hard work, but I'm seeing the results already.historywriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07646517639758524668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748832844228334272.post-11268594319317929592013-12-20T23:19:35.799-05:002013-12-20T23:19:35.799-05:00I love your astute analysis! I totally agree with ...I love your astute analysis! I totally agree with you! Companies can attempt to coerce an individual to act professional, but ultimately it is the individual's choice.<br /><br />I think the reason the issue comes up is because many people have a hard time taking on responsibility if there is not an outside force directly encouraging it, even if they know that in order to succeed they'll have to take on that responsibility anyway. Like studying a subject in college even if all the textbooks are available for free at a public library or online. You know you'll have to learn all that material if you want to do it professionally, but some people just don't discipline themselves enough to follow something through unless someone else is at least somewhat forcing (or encouraging) them. I.e. deadlines and grades in college.<br /><br />So in this sense, I understand *why* people could feel like it takes being traditionally published in order to be motivated enough to finish or edit a book, but I still agree with you. If someone does not discipline and motivate themself, they will not get very far in a challenging career, for the reasons you stated; whatever route you go, you'll have to hold yourself accountable in order to improve.<br /><br />As far as being professional in other careers, I'm a digital 3D artist, and that totally holds true for my field. Being responsive to critique and not taking it personally is imperative. And the technology changes rapidly enough that it takes diligence to keep up with current standards and new techniques. The most successful artists are the ones who are always making efforts to improve, often by researching the industry and working on personal projects outside of work. If someone sticks to the bare minimum, eventually their work will start to look pretty outdated, and they will have a hard time finding or keeping a job.<br /><br />For my field, being willing to learn and improve because you want to, not because you have to, is pretty crucial. I suspect that holds true for writing, and for most creative professions.<br /><br />Thank you for the insightful and thought-provoking post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com