tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post849673714438309991..comments2024-02-13T08:31:03.541-08:00Comments on Terri Tiffany: Writing Stories You Remember: What's your ticking clock?Terri Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-85862399992642060262010-07-09T05:54:08.588-07:002010-07-09T05:54:08.588-07:00My ticking clock was crazy in retrospect but ultim...My ticking clock was crazy in retrospect but ultimately worked out. <br /><br />I stopped teaching at the end of the 2009 school year with no writing prospects other than four mid-grade manuscripts, seven picture book manuscripts, and a novel-excerpt win at a local writing conference. At that point, I'd been writing for eleven years. I'd saved enough money to try at writing full time for a year.<br /><br />I signed with an agent in October and sold a novel in March.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-90855668858684177602010-07-08T07:19:23.195-07:002010-07-08T07:19:23.195-07:00My ticking clock is my age. I just started gradua...My ticking clock is my age. I just started graduate school at 45. I should be done by 47, but I keep wondering if I'll have the time to do the work that I want to do before I'm too old! Great post!Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064097529819037135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-8682556189257428842010-07-07T13:26:38.233-07:002010-07-07T13:26:38.233-07:00Great question. I hear and feel the clock ticking ...Great question. I hear and feel the clock ticking all the time. Both my age (too close to 60) and the fact that I need to make money while pursuing this elusive dream of creating a story that matters enough to find its way onto book shelves and into hearts. Most days I manage to refuse to listen, but it still ticks away.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-88509862631189537052010-07-07T10:07:05.161-07:002010-07-07T10:07:05.161-07:00Hmm. I don't know that I have a ticking clock ...Hmm. I don't know that I have a ticking clock because, simply put, I will keep writing whether I get published or not. I guess there are times, though, that I fear I won't be able to write as many books as I want to before it's my time to meet the Lord. :-)Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-68299227832778306502010-07-07T04:01:07.220-07:002010-07-07T04:01:07.220-07:00I love the plot idea of ticking clocks! They reall...I love the plot idea of ticking clocks! They really make for a suspenseful read! And I think it's good for us to give ourselves goals and deadlines too--they keep us on task and motivated--at least they do me! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-36674621497226723442010-07-06T16:35:16.165-07:002010-07-06T16:35:16.165-07:00My ticking clock - the very real possibility that ...My ticking clock - the very real possibility that I'll lose my idea when I get around to developing it, opr that I'll never get around to developing it.Warren Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956713921509659993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-27912482359022158422010-07-06T16:23:42.699-07:002010-07-06T16:23:42.699-07:00Great post! I don't necessarily have a clock, ...Great post! I don't necessarily have a clock, right now I'm just enjoying the moment. I would say when that enjoyment leaves that's when the clock stops ticking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-58108795862965579852010-07-06T16:10:18.901-07:002010-07-06T16:10:18.901-07:00I think age and time itself is my ticking clock. ...I think age and time itself is my ticking clock. I keep worrying that I am going to run out of time and soon it will be too late!WritingNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326756274887055685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-63417717770311343312010-07-06T16:05:40.614-07:002010-07-06T16:05:40.614-07:00I think of my age as my ticking clock. I wish I ha...I think of my age as my ticking clock. I wish I had started writing sooner. I want to see my stories published and on the bookshelf and in the hands of children. The publishing business is so slow. I have signed a contract, but it's not scheduled to be out until Spring 2010.Janethttp://creativewritingintheblackberrypatch.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-49333132889809571442010-07-06T14:22:26.729-07:002010-07-06T14:22:26.729-07:00I had a ticking clock, but it grew so loud that I ...I had a ticking clock, but it grew so loud that I had to smash it:) <br />I try to set goals and stick to them, but if life happens to get in the way I try to just regroup and go on. I've learned the last thing I need is to put more pressure on myself because it causes me to just shut down:)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-20280356983898880482010-07-06T12:26:09.910-07:002010-07-06T12:26:09.910-07:00Sometimes timing works and sometimes it doesn'...Sometimes timing works and sometimes it doesn't. I think that sometimes I need to set a limit for myself or a goal and it's helpful. When it stops being helpful? I start to ignore the clock.<br />Right now writing feels like a luxury and I hope it always does.Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04630744737142051232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-54081576971587525322010-07-06T08:48:39.393-07:002010-07-06T08:48:39.393-07:00Good thoughts! I've wondered about my ticking ...Good thoughts! I've wondered about my ticking clock as I'm definitely in a go with the flow mode right now. Not sure if that's where I should be, though. Hmm, Terri you always challenge me and get me thinking.<br /><br />Sending you a sweaty 100 degree Phila. hug! :-)<br />KelliKelliGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00261710060954867880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-64527225182666339852010-07-06T08:28:05.590-07:002010-07-06T08:28:05.590-07:00I actually do my utmost best to avoid clocks. For...I actually do my utmost best to avoid clocks. For me, they instill pressure & stress to a situation; often unnecessarily so. And if they're absolutely necessary, I do my other utmost best to move in their direction hours or days ahead of an alarm going off.<br /><br />I much prefer living intentionally, regardless of the time, and knowing that everything - ultimately - works to my benefit. That means I plan my work, and work my plan; allowing for interruptions and detours (every good plan has them).<br /><br />Good stuff to ponder!Kathleen https://www.blogger.com/profile/05245926913888212148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-44020632265320772882010-07-06T07:10:04.020-07:002010-07-06T07:10:04.020-07:00I've never thought about a deadline for my wri...I've never thought about a deadline for my writing interest. I'm afraid I'll still be writing at 90 even if I've never gotten published. But, oh, that sounds sad.<br /><br />Maybe I should get a ticking clock . . .Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-35467407314952655762010-07-06T05:57:26.772-07:002010-07-06T05:57:26.772-07:00LOL. Capture on paper the stories God gives me b/f...LOL. Capture on paper the stories God gives me b/f the gray matter ceases working. <br />I like what Susan said!<br /><br />Blessings, Terri, for a great class. Camy is a wonderful teacher.pattihttp://www.pattilacy.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-31842536306083915722010-07-06T03:01:23.029-07:002010-07-06T03:01:23.029-07:00Terri..though I have never put a clock on my writi...Terri..though I have never put a clock on my writing projects, for some strange reason I have done it for my current WIP(MG fantasy Fiction).I have decided to finish it by my birthday by the end of the month.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-55648394890142362872010-07-05T19:25:10.702-07:002010-07-05T19:25:10.702-07:00I set the deadline for August 1, before I return t...I set the deadline for August 1, before I return to medical school! Otherwise, I could literally put this off and take my time forever!Saumyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517289532769906489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-31242068111890576742010-07-05T18:57:40.879-07:002010-07-05T18:57:40.879-07:00My whole life is a ticking clock! Well, so is eve...My whole life is a ticking clock! Well, so is everybody's. I always have deadlines for finishing projects, too. Sometimes I meet them and sometimes I don't. Schedules keep me sane, though. I wish I could make a deadline for publishing. Wouldn't that be great?Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05536293384635588296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-78395920930468642742010-07-05T18:31:01.373-07:002010-07-05T18:31:01.373-07:00Terri...never give up on your dreams...writing is ...Terri...never give up on your dreams...writing is your passion...I think He's getting you ready...Hey...and think about Abraham and Sarah...they found their dream in their late 90's... ☺Nikki (Sarah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13731200601840020130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-13615179408966008802010-07-05T17:03:17.579-07:002010-07-05T17:03:17.579-07:00I set a deadline for myself, but I didn't work...I set a deadline for myself, but I didn't work well with the stress. I want to take as much time as needed to write the best novel I possibly can. Age, smage. Who cares how old you are?Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-37603581920339451782010-07-05T16:52:17.259-07:002010-07-05T16:52:17.259-07:00I put a clock on my last project. I had readers i...I put a clock on my last project. I had readers in place waiting for each chapter. I posted a new chapter every Friday. It worked very well for me. Now I'm in the editing and need to re-instate the time clock because I'm not moving nearly as quickly as I could.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758737470750841665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-48474694784621493542010-07-05T12:54:20.820-07:002010-07-05T12:54:20.820-07:00Great question, Terri. And one that interests me, ...Great question, Terri. And one that interests me, since you and I are the same age. <br /><br />I'm often stared down by the fear that I won't live long enough to accomplish my writing goals, which are to publish at least one book, have my column syndicated, and to speak at several writers conferences. So. <br /><br />I must try, even if Jesus returns or I die before these goals are born. If I make just one star shine brighter in the process of trying to shine the moon, I'll be happy. <br /><br />Love you, dear one, <br />JenJeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-73377933548737487532010-07-05T12:19:36.239-07:002010-07-05T12:19:36.239-07:00Wow, good question. In some ways, my ticking clock...Wow, good question. In some ways, my ticking clock is the pressure I put on myself to produce something of value. Other ones are deadlines and perceived expectations. I need to ponder and pray about this; thanks for the food for thought!<br />Blessings,<br />Karen<br />P.S. You're not old:)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-21862409916752655312010-07-05T11:40:55.750-07:002010-07-05T11:40:55.750-07:00I used to set goals and there's always been th...I used to set goals and there's always been this internal pressure in me to be published by a certain age (which I just passed), but I'm realizing more and more that it hasn't helped me one bit. Setting writing goals is one thing, but setting larger goals about when I should be published or what should be published is me trying to control something that isn't mine to control. God knows this path and knows the points which it diverts or cumulates toward that larger goal.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-20601557968534269202010-07-05T10:29:44.646-07:002010-07-05T10:29:44.646-07:00I think I do but God knows the truth. He is far mo...I think I do but God knows the truth. He is far more patient than I can ever hope to be and I know all good things in His time! I can't wait! And yes, see you in class!Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.com