tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post1330888491704740915..comments2023-09-20T03:40:25.128-07:00Comments on Leigh Russell: Leigh Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-43129459959214584362007-11-09T06:32:00.000-08:002007-11-09T06:32:00.000-08:00Hi Gladys and thank you for visiting my blog.I sup...Hi Gladys and thank you for visiting my blog.<BR/><BR/>I suppose the design is a bit disturbing.... and I agree, some things are definitely best kept buried. You're lucky to have a strong faith to support you when you're feeling vulnerable. You <I>know</I> you are loved, whatever, and that's a wonderful feeling.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing your feelings about speaking in front of an audience. You sound like an inspiring preacher.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-86447688617720715132007-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:002007-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:00I hear what you say about today's culture. Of cour...I hear what you say about today's culture. Of course, at the age of 75 I can honestly say things were different years ago! <BR/>As for being nervous about our writing, I can appreciate that. Telling a story to the kids at school is one thing, reading to a critical audience who are there mostly to appraise the author's work, is something else.<BR/>Being basically a shy person, it was much the same for me when I started preaching and then conducting funerals. But an appreciative word from those present gave me confidence. Of course the situation is totally different, but the fear of rejection is the same whenever and wherever we open ourselves up for others to explore our thoughts and feelings. When the situation is immediate — eye to eye — only the most confident of 'performers' will be without 'nerves'.<BR/><BR/>Oh, but when all goes well and there is a meeting of 'souls' what joy! (In a ministry situation this can be quite overwhelming.)<BR/><BR/>As to your book cover design, Leigh: It seems to me to be simple and incredibly effective. In fact, quite meaningful.<BR/><BR/>(But I have to admit, I have a personal problem with the red tear - blood and eyes brings up buried emotions which are better kept to myself)Gladys Hobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01947126912910545535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-67562930168072346392007-11-07T02:45:00.000-08:002007-11-07T02:45:00.000-08:00I'm dyslexic and was introduced to mind maps throu...I'm dyslexic and was introduced to mind maps through doing an OU course. I never quite managed to get to grips with them I found the old "list the ideas out and then re-sort them" the only way I could get ideas to go forwards! I am so full of admiration for someone who is able to creatively write, I find it difficult enough writing about the day to day things!Mimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15347739764524842718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-67015289107564814052007-11-07T02:39:00.000-08:002007-11-07T02:39:00.000-08:00Hello again...The museart blog is a collective blo...Hello again...<BR/><BR/>The museart blog is a collective blog,That I and Anna-Lys started up from an idee from her we are a cuppel of people who try to do something together with a lot of musing, we have a really a good time...I have another blog where it is only me and with a lot of help from my visitors and comments I keep on creat posts...<BR/>"FANCY SWEDEN"FANCYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608983168583167889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-6466999176756123692007-11-07T02:33:00.000-08:002007-11-07T02:33:00.000-08:00IWILLGETTHERE - Thank you for visiting. I've repli...IWILLGETTHERE - Thank you for visiting. I've replied on your blog.<BR/><BR/>Hi JULIE and thank you very much for your comments. Yes, I think writing can be a very positive and healthy way of expressing yourself. If I wasn't WRITING about murder..... no, let's not go there!! I'm a totally non violent person in real life, and not at all creepy.... My publisher asked me once how I sleep at nights, but as it happens I sleep extremely well. I very rarely wake up, or have bad dreams. I did have a nightmare recently, but unfortuately it was similar to a plot I'd already written, so I couldn't even use it!Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-42069475422275955172007-11-07T01:29:00.000-08:002007-11-07T01:29:00.000-08:00Leigh, thanks - I'm fascinated by this real blog f...Leigh, thanks - I'm fascinated by this real blog fizz you've generated - expect the books do the same...!<BR/><BR/>Interesting feedback on mindmaps and how you use them; I find them easier when sorting out a mass (or mess) of pre-existing material. <BR/>Agree they're a bit unwieldy.<BR/>Think Buzan is doing a 30 day trial of imindmap software on their site if anyone's interested.<BR/><BR/>If you teach English you'll have come across Jamison's Touched with Fire - on creative temperament? Gather it's possible to moderate mood variations through consistent journaling or writing.<BR/><BR/>Have a good day<BR/><BR/>Julievirtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-17816955591243447222007-11-07T01:10:00.000-08:002007-11-07T01:10:00.000-08:00What a difference a day makes! I guess some days ...What a difference a day makes! I guess some days are going to be tough and that's the process. I am thankful for all the support I am getting because when it feels tough, I need that support so much.<BR/>Wish me luck today!iwillgettherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664121678305556550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-26359889861074889922007-11-07T00:18:00.000-08:002007-11-07T00:18:00.000-08:00SHELI - thank you very much. Part of me cringes at...SHELI - thank you very much. Part of me cringes at the thought of people reading my book which is silly, I know. I think the experience has been so unexpected, I wasn't really prepared for it. Hopefully any criticism I receive will be constructive ... or maybe everyone who reads it will love my book (I do write fiction, remember!) Thank you again for visiting and keep in touch.<BR/><BR/>FANCY - I didn't quite follow what you said about the Jantelaw. I certainly don't think I'm better than anyone else but I'm luckier than some writers who haven't yet managed to get their work published. Thank you very much for your good wishes. It's lovely to hear from bloggers all round the world. Please keep in touch.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-48639358268278838582007-11-06T23:58:00.000-08:002007-11-06T23:58:00.000-08:00Hello Leigh...First I have to congratulate you to ...Hello Leigh...<BR/>First I have to congratulate you to your book.<BR/><BR/>We have something in Sweden who is called the "Jantelaw" ...I have not meat it anywhere ells, until now...The Jante Law are built upon 10 rules than together constitute "Don't think you are anyone special, or better than us"...I feel of what you are telling me here that just to think that we are someone or that we have done something really good can other just with words or by act shut down. If we don't believe in our self who should?! <BR/><BR/>Good luckFANCYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608983168583167889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-85600405739546368902007-11-06T15:54:00.000-08:002007-11-06T15:54:00.000-08:00I like your cover and wish you the best of luck wi...I like your cover and wish you the best of luck with your book!! How exciting, and yes, nerve wracking sending your first novel out into the big bad world!Shelli Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04655090278459446392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-49124405515250657522007-11-06T12:46:00.001-08:002007-11-06T12:46:00.001-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-41938610780863571252007-11-06T12:46:00.000-08:002007-11-06T12:46:00.000-08:00Thanks for all the comments. It's so lovely to rec...Thanks for all the comments. It's so lovely to receive so much feedback. <BR/><BR/>JULIE - Yes, I think that's right about the pendulum. I haven't swung down as my first book's not out yet. <BR/>Mindmaps are a great idea. I have several plots in my books so to begin with I mindmapped them in different colours with all their intersections. Then my wilful characters went off in their own directions so I had to revise my plans. Now I don't plan so carefully... It's a bit like life!<BR/><BR/>ROSA - thank you for visiting. I wish I could be visually creative but my imagination doesn't work that way at all. I teach English (did you guess?) <BR/><BR/>BILL - I wish I was on holiday!!! Blog soon. <BR/><BR/>HEATHER - thank you. I'll try to email you but I'm not sure I can manage that via the blog. I know, I know, it's easy. Any idiot can do it.... but you're dealing with a technophobe here!<BR/><BR/>MICHELE - thank you for dropping by. Keep in touch.<BR/><BR/>DMM - yes, I'm excited that my book will be available in the USA. I don't know why I had the idea it wasn't. Apart from having some family and friends there, I've come across such friendly bloggers in America.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-73777129780273874502007-11-06T10:24:00.000-08:002007-11-06T10:24:00.000-08:00I am so happy to see that your book will be availa...I am so happy to see that your book will be available in the US.<BR/><BR/>I will be looking for that one!!DMMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06442813559725828851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-1567862501862752472007-11-06T09:44:00.000-08:002007-11-06T09:44:00.000-08:00Hi Leigh,Thanks for the lovely comment you left at...Hi Leigh,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the lovely comment you left at my blog, I appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>Congrats on your book! Way to go ;0)<BR/><BR/>I'm not one to really read/watch spooky things, but your cover is nicely done and fitting to your writing style and I wish you the best!<BR/><BR/>Smiles & Blessings,<BR/>MicheleMichelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14815778079892773244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-54563544361510292752007-11-06T08:51:00.000-08:002007-11-06T08:51:00.000-08:00Leigh, Thanks for the post - I will check back on ...Leigh, <BR/>Thanks for the post - I will check back on Wed. I write my blog posts on Monday's - so we can check out one another's weekly posts. :)<BR/><BR/>Your book sounds fabulous! Please keep us posted. I'm working with an agent and would love to pick your brain about a couple of things. Email if/when you have time. <BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Heather :)HStranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06286138130629616216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-66649630769778093262007-11-06T06:14:00.000-08:002007-11-06T06:14:00.000-08:00Hi, Leigh!It's Tuesday morning here in the States,...Hi, Leigh!<BR/><BR/>It's Tuesday morning here in the States, and election day to boot. Personally, I'm only going to vote for writers! ;-)<BR/><BR/>Are you OK? Haven't seen any comments from you recently, either here or elsewhere. Please let us know what's up. Maybe you're on holiday?<BR/><BR/>All best,<BR/><BR/> BillBill Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01828998021246511869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-89212853493713947662007-11-06T01:32:00.000-08:002007-11-06T01:32:00.000-08:00Thank you for your comment!Wish I could be a write...Thank you for your comment!Wish I could be a writer too! The only thing i sem to be able to write about is my life, favourite movies/cartoons or dreams I've had. Glad you like my glitter graphics-i actually did that through a website called Blingee, where i just uploaded my wedding pic then painted the weding dress black and added an orange background for a halloween effect. Im quite artistic, i like taking pics and then manipulating them with various programs and i like drawing too, mostly cartoons. :) I love glittery stuff too:) Youre a teacher too? What do you teach?<BR/><BR/>If youve already seen this comment, sorry bout that-still not sure how the comments work exactly!:)Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04639042934697326207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-375661434607779382007-11-06T01:21:00.000-08:002007-11-06T01:21:00.000-08:00Hi Leigh - cheers. re blog this time - you touched...Hi Leigh - cheers. re blog this time - you touched into a lot of issues re changes in society; just to pick up one strand - is there a creative pendulum swing going on here with writers? ie, the buzz of the project followed by mild burnout (and associated dint in self esteem?) Temperaments vary?<BR/><BR/>Side issue I'm pursuing is organizing creative flow for key ideas - looking at mindmaps. <BR/>Tend to write nf, but have written fiction - came out like screenplay.<BR/>People write what they read?<BR/><BR/>Holy Island - (and Iona) are both atmospheric places to visit.<BR/><BR/>Julievirtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-26775909518155434562007-11-05T12:50:00.000-08:002007-11-05T12:50:00.000-08:00Hi Julie and thank you for visiting my blog. I've ...Hi Julie and thank you for visiting my blog. I've never been to Lindisfarne, although it's on my wish list. Sounds like you've got the perfect setting for an atmospheric novel of your own. Congratulations on the BBC interest. That's impressive. Keep in touch.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-58178884183209774652007-11-05T12:48:00.000-08:002007-11-05T12:48:00.000-08:00Hi Angela, and thanks for visiting and commenting ...Hi Angela, and thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. It's reassuring to hear it gets easier... although I'll believe that when it happens! Good luck with the paperback. I'll be looking out for it - please remind me nearer the time.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-2799163507273848222007-11-05T12:46:00.000-08:002007-11-05T12:46:00.000-08:00er, thanks Susan.... I'm not sure that makes me fe...er, thanks Susan.... I'm not sure that makes me feel much more confident.... but it's good to hear from you and please keep in touch.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-4844236043041412662007-11-05T07:55:00.000-08:002007-11-05T07:55:00.000-08:00Leigh - Not directly relevant to post, butthanks f...Leigh - <BR/><BR/>Not directly relevant to post, but<BR/>thanks for your q on my blog - quite a surprise as I'd just launched it. Lindisfarne could be thriller territory with the massacre of the monks on the beach.<BR/><BR/>All the best - you sound like a natural.CQ Flow experience might interest you in passing.(I recently read Harry Alder 'Boost your creative intelligence'). I journal, and out of interest ghosted a War Veteran's biography a few years ago - the Beeb picked it up off the Internet and based a docu on part of it. You just never know...<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed Stephen King on writing,- see you've already read it.<BR/><BR/>Jvirtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-81180798177501055712007-11-05T07:52:00.000-08:002007-11-05T07:52:00.000-08:00I think the fear is internal - we are our own hars...I think the fear is internal - we are our own harshest critics. We always notice what doesn't work in our work and skim over what does. <BR/><BR/>So, when reading, we expect what's outside to reflect what's inside. <BR/><BR/>But I have discovered that, as time goes by and I haven't died from the reactions to my first novel (it was published in hardback in March 2007), my own belief in its survival out there in the world is strengthened. And so my nerves about the paperback publication (March 2008) are hugely diminished.<BR/><BR/>But there's something else, too. Every reaction to a book is subjective, and it's very very important, for our writing health, taht we remember that.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comments on my blog, Leigh, and the very best of luck with your novel. (And yes, it is my first.)Angela Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708737998692926877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-55147678976679991522007-11-05T05:24:00.000-08:002007-11-05T05:24:00.000-08:00I am so NOT surprised to see you've got 80 comment...I am so NOT surprised to see you've got 80 comments to this one!<BR/><BR/>Reading my own work aloud? Well, I've been a lector in a huge parish, spoken publicly as an activist, appeared in tv and radio interviews, and have won awards for my writing. But if you invited me to read my own work aloud, I'd rather be stripped naked and dissected without anaesthesia in the middle of King's Cross Tube Station at rush hour.<BR/><BR/>It would feel the same.<BR/><BR/>Go figure!<BR/><BR/>SusanSusan at Stony Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385202649291774852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-10192841486386056152007-11-05T01:04:00.000-08:002007-11-05T01:04:00.000-08:00The development of a pattern has its pros and cons...The development of a pattern has its pros and cons. As I am now expecting it, I am dreading it so I need to find a way of overriding it. A nap would be wonderful and in the past (when normal!) it would definitely be my choice. Unfortunately sleep is impossible during these dips because of the anxiety. I'm leaving a post so you can understand what type of person I am. If you like, to quantify myself.iwillgettherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664121678305556550noreply@blogger.com