tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post5451623644580597628..comments2024-02-13T22:49:43.759-05:00Comments on My Name Is Not Bob: The Second Most Important Thing a Writer Can Do: 5 Ways to Experiment as a WriterRobert Lee Brewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-46885562766500609002012-01-21T19:49:52.675-05:002012-01-21T19:49:52.675-05:00Bob, I love this post. Going to keep it for future...Bob, I love this post. Going to keep it for future reference. I especially love tip #1. Imitation is how we all learn how to write, and as a previous commenter said, in the process of revising, the work becomes our own.Nicole Alexanderhttp://nicolealexanderauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-25795533846392392792012-01-21T00:41:26.220-05:002012-01-21T00:41:26.220-05:00I found your article through a Writer's Market...I found your article through a Writer's Market email, and it was a nice reminder that it's wise to be short and sweet. <br /><br />I also believe in the importance of experimenting -in almost any realm of life. It takes a lot of courage and heart -to drift off to unknown places, without knowing what's on the other side.<br /><br />I wish you all the best. I shall try and visit your blog, again, as I know it's inspiring when there's someone else ... on the other side ;)<br /><br />Love & GraceAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05079037369731783785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-82307047989184151472012-01-20T15:36:26.696-05:002012-01-20T15:36:26.696-05:00Chava, yes! That is exactly what I'm trying to...Chava, yes! That is exactly what I'm trying to get at with the excess. For instance, I love writing sestinas (39-line poems) to happen upon a line or two that I can use in another (more concise) poem.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-13095514746477364962012-01-20T15:30:45.064-05:002012-01-20T15:30:45.064-05:00Well said. I love the one about stripping it down...Well said. I love the one about stripping it down, because it can be the hardest thing to do, but in my professional writing, I've had bosses who insist on 2 sentences to explain something rather than the 1 page. I need to learn more about the add, add, add, but again, stripping it down after adding might be what you're after, too, so that it's all there, and then we take out what we don't really need and use the best. Love your reference to Yogi; I find myself using it also and it made me smile. Great post. Love it.Di Eats the Elephanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12067737807348338927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-85094734823142525252012-01-20T14:03:14.698-05:002012-01-20T14:03:14.698-05:00No doubt, Mollie. I learned things in my professio...No doubt, Mollie. I learned things in my professional writing and copywriting courses that helped with writing fiction and poetry--and ultimately my job as an editor.<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to comment, Hannah! It means a lot to me.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-89855667919859415922012-01-20T12:16:38.833-05:002012-01-20T12:16:38.833-05:00Quality post, Robert. Thanks again!Quality post, Robert. Thanks again!Hannahhttp://wordrustling.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-42672834906636918402012-01-20T08:29:23.565-05:002012-01-20T08:29:23.565-05:00Fantastic post. I love the idea of stripping thing...Fantastic post. I love the idea of stripping things down. I've often said that every writer should take a poetry class, even if you're a nonfiction or fiction writer. But perhaps that statement could and should be taken further--take classes in, write in, and experiment with different techniques and forms. It will make you a better writer.Mollie Bryanhttp://www.molliecoxbryan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-2871168634046793552012-01-20T07:48:10.482-05:002012-01-20T07:48:10.482-05:00Thank you for commenting, Diane. The first is my f...Thank you for commenting, Diane. The first is my favorite too.<br /><br />If the writing doesn't stretch the writer, then it probably won't stretch the reader, Joanne. Thanks for dropping the Castaneda quote.<br /><br />K, I think those are great places from which to draw. Everyone can learn something from somewhere. In fact, many writers pull directly from nature--or from advertising and marketing.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-20044605434356643252012-01-20T00:29:23.769-05:002012-01-20T00:29:23.769-05:00When you talk about applying concepts from other a...When you talk about applying concepts from other art forms, does that include movies/TV and pop music/theatrical artists and stage shows? Because I find watching that type of stuff, and reading books about social criticism (things like gender, sexuality, religion, pop culture etc.) influence my writing.K. Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11679639282279407647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-33059088366855198702012-01-19T22:29:17.836-05:002012-01-19T22:29:17.836-05:00Your comments echo Carlos Casteneda, " It is ...Your comments echo Carlos Casteneda, " It is important to do what you do not know how to do...to see your skills as keeping you from learning what is deepest and most mysterious. If you know how to focus, unfocus. If your tendency is to make sense out of chaos, start chaos." Writing should push us, stretch us beyond where we stared from. Enjoyed your post...but then I always do. Thanks, Robert.Joanne Eddyhttp://joanne.eddy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-22911280456559136202012-01-19T12:55:29.627-05:002012-01-19T12:55:29.627-05:00Great ideas. #1 is my favorite method to get a poe...Great ideas. #1 is my favorite method to get a poem going. The end result never in any way resembles the model poem. During the many drafts, the poem becomes mine. <br /><br />The excuses you include that some writers offer are covers for laziness.Diane Lockwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07614479152159652577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-51199938390347610742012-01-19T11:10:08.089-05:002012-01-19T11:10:08.089-05:00That's a great quote, Andrea.
For my poetry, ...That's a great quote, Andrea.<br /><br />For my poetry, Kathleen, I will sometimes turn to those Taschen art books for inspiration. Also, I love to doodle and draw.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-28100757304876970842012-01-19T11:02:10.811-05:002012-01-19T11:02:10.811-05:00Nice nudge to get us out of our comfort zones! I&#...Nice nudge to get us out of our comfort zones! I'm learning to sketch as a way of shaking up my vision asa writer.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633583410829524075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-34945113649596681092012-01-19T10:49:17.229-05:002012-01-19T10:49:17.229-05:00Experimenting is key. It's important to be adv...Experimenting is key. It's important to be adventurous and take risks in your writing. I always save the first draft of my poems so I can always go back to its original form if need be. <br /><br />"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." - H. Jackson Browne<br /><br />Thanks for this post, Robert!Andrea (Andee) Beltranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02200735123058256864noreply@blogger.com