tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post2714508641695487480..comments2023-12-25T10:15:06.156-06:00Comments on Brant Flakes: On Competition and WritersMarilyn Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-8544235340507140072011-01-04T00:34:39.786-06:002011-01-04T00:34:39.786-06:00Caryn, I agree about the potential for alienating ...Caryn, I agree about the potential for alienating people with that attitude... Everything happened on very small scale at the signing, but I do think the reader that came up to us was taken aback by the writer's comments. It was my first time meeting that author, though, so maybe it was just an isolated incident rather than a consistant behavior. I hope so ;).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-66650118034474925472011-01-03T21:41:07.645-06:002011-01-03T21:41:07.645-06:00Well said! That's a much better attitude than ...Well said! That's a much better attitude than the competitive woman had. Lots of authors help promote each other, and it benefits them both. Plus if she alienates people, then that can have serious negative results - on book sales, on her number of friends, etc.Caryn Caldwellhttp://www.caryncaldwell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-32597310023171497902010-12-31T15:06:33.972-06:002010-12-31T15:06:33.972-06:00Robin, likewise!! {{hug}} Thanks for always being ...Robin, likewise!! {{hug}} Thanks for always being so caring and supportive and for bringing such sparkly brightness to both the virtual and the real world ;). Wishing you only happiness and fabulous things in 2011!!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-52618440195997009032010-12-31T14:15:25.338-06:002010-12-31T14:15:25.338-06:00Marilyn, you are a true gem, and your words of wis...Marilyn, you are a true gem, and your words of wisdom and honesty and caring always mean so much to me. This was another awesome post and I feel so very lucky to know you. I admire you so much and am sending you the very best wishes for 2011. Thanks for being such a special friend to me!Robinhttp://www.robinbielman.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-41146250984571007602010-12-31T13:38:02.193-06:002010-12-31T13:38:02.193-06:00Pamala, I am so lucky to have you in my life as bo...Pamala, I am so lucky to have you in my life as both a friend and a writing chaptermate -- you've shared so much with me over these past couple of years, and I greatly look forward to continuing to celebrate with you every exciting milestone along your personal publishing journey. I wish you a *very* happy one and hope 2011 brings you even more gifts than 2010! You know I'm here for you ;).<br /><br />Judy, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your tremendous wisdom with all of us in your blog posts and comments -- I always enjoy and appreciate your perspective. I especially loved the way you phrased this: "personal ambition can co-exist with kindness and support" -- YES!! I can already picture holding one of your future novels in my hands ;). May many dreams come true for you in 2011!!<br /><br />Tonya, the author next to you at that signing was very fortunate, and I hope she continued the chain of generosity and supportiveness :). I wasn't upset by the author who was next to me -- she wasn't at all mean or antagonistic (*that* would have made me mad!) -- she just seemed caught in a worldview that struck me as shortsighted. Wishing you LOTS of luck -- and good Karma! -- as you begin your new online adventure. I'll be sure to check it out!<br /><br />For anyone out partying out somewhere tonight -- please drive safely!! And may you all have fun ringing in the New Year :).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-14567926453392483762010-12-31T07:48:00.440-06:002010-12-31T07:48:00.440-06:00Oh your post makes me sooooo sad! I can't beli...Oh your post makes me sooooo sad! I can't believe another author would do that. I had a multi author signing and I was telling all my peeps about how great the author next to me was and is. This is exactly why I started my new adventure beginning tomorrow! It's all about Karma, quid pro quo, I'll scratch your back....etc....<br />http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com/<br />I love your dignity and composure. AND yes, you have won!!tonya kappeshttp://tonyakappes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-53297459713771670382010-12-31T01:46:50.571-06:002010-12-31T01:46:50.571-06:00Marilyn, this is simply a beautifully written and ...Marilyn, this is simply a beautifully written and true post. It resonated so deeply with me on so many levels. Here in South Africa 2010 and the soccer world cup showed us how much we can achieve if we all work together despite our many, many differences. The same can apply, I think, to the writing/publishing world. Competitiveness is a sad and demeaning state of existence; personal ambition can co-exist with kindness and support. It's all in the attitude. And, as a published author, your attitude is one that is inspiring and admirable. When I grow up into a Published Author, I want to be like you!!! <br /><br />May 2011 bring you much joy and happiness and many victories in those personal battles over Fear and Self-Doubt, the real enemies in the writing world.<br /><br />Hamba khale<br /><a href="http://judycroome.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Judy (South Africa)</a>Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-1114669723974149952010-12-30T23:48:42.008-06:002010-12-30T23:48:42.008-06:00The penguin pictures are lovely but they don't...The penguin pictures are lovely but they don't hold a candle to the words in this post. Like last year's post, this one resonates with hope, wisdom and pathos. For all the struggles you've endured while pursuing your career, I wish you an double amount of success. And the fabulous thing is that I know you'd be happy with much less and that is truly the key--you're so happy with what you've already been blessed with. I'm sad that others can't or won't see that about you.<br /><br />Again, I'm so lucky to have your friendship and largesse in sharing your journey with not only me, but everyone who stops in to read your thoughts. May 2011 bring you great joy in all your endeavors.Pamala Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823051545160002135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-543089916922751322010-12-30T14:57:48.979-06:002010-12-30T14:57:48.979-06:00Susan, the blessing of having you enter my life in...Susan, the blessing of having you enter my life in the past year is one I'll always be grateful for! Hugs and thanks for everything, my friend ;).<br /><br />Kwana, huge thanks to you for always being so warm, supportive and kind! I'm so glad you thought my long ramble made a little sense... This journey is just so relentlessly hard, I'm really thankful I know you and other wonderful writers who share how they feel during all the ups and downs. May 2011 bring you only good things!!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-52880099920005686642010-12-30T13:49:53.429-06:002010-12-30T13:49:53.429-06:00Marilyn, What a wonderful post! You have said so m...Marilyn, What a wonderful post! You have said so much that I needed and so many folks I think need to hear. This should be our own journey and for me the biggest competition should be with fear and kicking it's butt big time! Nothing else should matter. <br />Thank you for this and for being such a great talent and a supportive presence.Kwanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428954660974395117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-32244455900514237062010-12-30T13:26:00.838-06:002010-12-30T13:26:00.838-06:00Marilyn! So wonderfully stated! You have your he...Marilyn! So wonderfully stated! You have your head on straight, girl, and that's one of the reasons I like you so much (and think you're one of the nicest human beings on the planet). As you know, I am ever grateful your friendship came into my life this past year. It has meant the world to me. :-) So keep on doing what you're doing, writing and spreading your love of words. You are a bright light for all of us!Susan McBridehttp://SusanMcBride.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-6338502871110829322010-12-30T13:12:55.557-06:002010-12-30T13:12:55.557-06:00Maggie, it's wonderful to hear from you!! Than...Maggie, it's wonderful to hear from you!! Thanks so much for stopping by, for your lovely New Year's wishes and for being such delightful company at that RWA dinner this summer! And YES on NYC -- looking forward to catching up with you in person again ;).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-28440115651968038932010-12-30T13:02:20.364-06:002010-12-30T13:02:20.364-06:00This was really pretty perfect, and should be requ...This was really pretty perfect, and should be required reading, LOL. Thanks for writing it.Happy new Year! Hope to see you in NYC. :)Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12585076626818354332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-86854641900464838472010-12-30T12:49:27.749-06:002010-12-30T12:49:27.749-06:00Much peace, love and happiness to you, too, Bretts...Much peace, love and happiness to you, too, Brettski!! And thank you for our 20+ years of friendship -- priceless ;). p.s. You think Madison has a lake?! I was once in Minoqua and...LOL.<br /><br />Edie, thank you. Your positive, supportive attitude toward other writers has been inspirational to me ever since we "met" online. I'm honored to count you as a friend and wish you wild success in EVERY sense of the word! To me, you've achieved a tremendous amount of it already, but I hope 2011 has many happy surprises for you, too ;).<br /><br />Thank you, too, Maria!! You've bolstered my spirits on more than one occasion this year...and I'm so fortunate to have you in my life. Happy New Year :).Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-63965237225959128662010-12-30T11:36:40.651-06:002010-12-30T11:36:40.651-06:00Marilyn, this is exactly what I needed to hear (or...Marilyn, this is exactly what I needed to hear (or rather read) today. You are the best:) Thank you for everything.Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-57291614775742349682010-12-30T11:33:23.532-06:002010-12-30T11:33:23.532-06:00Marilyn, I went back to read Criticism and Writers...Marilyn, I went back to read Criticism and Writers, and then this one, and Wow! You know how to dig deep. <br /><br />Perhaps because I'm the middle child of 5, all of us close in age, that I don't feel in competition with other writers. I'm not denying envy, but I don't feel another writer's success will mean that I won't achieve success one day. On the contrary, I think if I'm celebrating the success of an author, that means I believe it can happen to me, too. So the more friends of mine who become successful, the more likely I will be a success. <br /><br />And, Marilyn, I hope you'll be WILDLY successful. You have the talent and the grace, and I'm grateful to know you.Edie Ramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084144940233965447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-30343000457014507222010-12-30T11:30:55.181-06:002010-12-30T11:30:55.181-06:00You make so many good points in this post, Marilyn...You make so many good points in this post, Marilyn! Most humans do tend to be very competitive by nature, and it's frustrating when soooo often it pans out in such meaningless ways. I always get a chuckle when people "battle" over the climate in their part of the country/world in a conversation that goes something like this: "It's X degrees here today. It's so cold!" "You call that cold? It's Y degrees HERE." (or insert "hot" or "snowy" or whatever in conversations happening all over the place). <br /><br />Anyway, thanks for reminding us to cherish things that REALLY matter in our lives and ourselves and let go of some of those exhausting battles.<br /><br />Much peace, love, and happiness to you (and your readers!) in the new year, Marilyn!Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687341793770432328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-14358675597915674912010-12-30T10:00:31.405-06:002010-12-30T10:00:31.405-06:00Pamela, you know your friendship and supportivenes...Pamela, you know your friendship and supportiveness has been a gift I've been so grateful for over these past few years...thank you!! I wish you the best 2011 imaginable -- personally and professionally -- and send you virtual hugs and a steaming mug of chocolate chai from Chicago ;). xoMarilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391820021882341461.post-18490736135242262452010-12-30T08:52:19.449-06:002010-12-30T08:52:19.449-06:00Like your Criticism and Writers post, I'm prin...Like your Criticism and Writers post, I'm printing this one off to hang over my computer. And just like last year, I am amazed by your grace and patience, your support and goodwill. If every author were like you in both amazing writing and selfless spirit, this publishing world would be a more beautiful place.<br /><br />Here's to a wonderful and happy 2011 for all of us!Pamela Caynehttp://twitter.com/PamelaCaynenoreply@blogger.com