tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904837152437915711.post5182928494175341269..comments2012-05-25T17:24:47.718-04:00Comments on Darrell B Nelson's writing: Artistic RespectDarrell B. Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851443183217238218noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904837152437915711.post-44292753293166822182012-02-03T12:49:04.882-05:002012-02-03T12:49:04.882-05:00"I have to say I don't think I've str..."I have to say I don't think I've stretched my boundaries nearly enough. My stuff all sounds like me, but it isn't different enough. I haven't really varied enough to be "great". Not yet."<br /><br />That attitude is something that we share with the actors I named, Sinise and Jones. They have both said in interviews that the reason they take some of the really out there roles sometimes is even though it might hurt their careers in the short term, expanding their skills is worth it and helps in the long run.Darrell B. Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02851443183217238218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904837152437915711.post-39437346549380063352012-02-02T18:02:22.098-05:002012-02-02T18:02:22.098-05:00Not to toot my own horn, but that's one of the...Not to toot my own horn, but that's one of the most common comments about my work. "Stephanie, they're all completely different but they all sound like you." Even in college, where I took effectively NO English classes prior to managing to take a Creative Writing the course, the teacher despaired. "You already have a distinctive voice and your own style. I don't know why you're here." He already said it was distinct enough he had "no choice" but to give me an A. <br /><br />And he was an ass. <br /><br />But I have to add two things. I didn't get to where my unpublished butt is now without a lot of hard work. I first wrote poetry (great for learning to wring emotion from words, appreciating the sound of what you're writing and forcing you to find the RIGHT word) through short stories (for quick character development, effective dialog, setting the stage and drama in just a few pages) to finally novels. <br /><br />And my "first novel" will never get out of the drawer. I've grown too much since then. You have to hone the skills, read, learn and be open to looking for your own flaws. If you can't do those things, you'll never get better. <br /><br />Lastly, even though it seems like I'm completely conceited, I have to say I don't think I've stretched my boundaries nearly enough. My stuff all sounds like me, but it isn't different enough. I haven't really varied enough to be "great". Not yet.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.com