Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post & Giveaway with Laurie Viera Rigler, Author of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

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Please join me in my excitement of welcoming Laurie Viera Rigler, author of her newest novel Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict and Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict to Peeking Between the Pages. Anyone who reads my blog knows how crazy I am about both of these books and I just reviewed Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict not long ago and you can peek at it here. I loved it and anyone who has worked with Laurie knows she’s just the best! So, of course I was excited to have Laurie come and share with us a post on A Real Writer Writes Every Day, and Other Myths…enjoy…

The very first thing I like to address in my writing workshops are some of the myths and misconceptions many people have about writing and writers.

“A Real Writer …[fill in the blank with your dogma of choice].”

Some common examples:

“A real writer must suffer for his/her art.”
“A real writer is always a mirror of his/her protagonist.”
“A real writer needs to be hard to read.”
“A real writer is helpless in real life.”
“A real writer is a recluse and a drunk.”

… and the big ones:

“A real writer writes at least X-number of pages per day,” or:
“A real writer writes every day,” or:
“A real writer always feels compelled to write.”

You get the picture.

There was a time when I would read those last three assumptions in various books and articles and invariably felt defeated. Second rate. And definitely not like a real writer.

Why? Well, I’ll make a confession: I do not write every day. Sure, I go through periods where I write every day and often all night (fueled by inspiration, looming deadlines, or both), and then I take a day off. Or days off. Or several weeks. It really depends on how the story is flowing at any given moment, how motivated I am, how uncluttered my brain is, the state of my deadline, what else is going on in my life and commanding my time, and a myriad of other factors.

My Turning Point came when I heard Zadie Smith speak at UCLA, and she very nonchalantly and completely unrepentantly admitted that she does not write every day. Some days she is even watching daytime TV or perusing Gawker.com.

Zadie Smith’s offhand remarks were a revelation. Zadie Smith, one of my idols, the brilliant author of On Beauty, a masterpiece that was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize—Does. Not. Write. Every Day. That meant that I no longer had to be ashamed of not being a “real” writer. Because if I were to give credence to so ludicrous a definition, then neither was Zadie Smith.

Who’d want to be a “real” writer anyway, if it means being confined by dogma and compulsion? My teacher very wisely suggested that I start calling myself a storyteller rather than a writer, because the word “writer” is laden with all that baggage of what “Real” writers are supposed to be. Storytellers, however, are free of all such restraints. They get to sit around the fire weaving tales and mesmerizing their listeners.

Therefore, after two published novels, I may not be a “Real” writer, but I am most certainly a storyteller. And proud of it.

I hope this little confession is helpful to anyone out there who writes, sits around the fire telling stories, or has ever thought about what it takes to do so.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the myth of what a “Real Writer” is and any other misconceptions about writing and writers that you can think of. Are we drunks, self-absorbed fools, exactly like our protagonists, simply a little bonkers, or all of the above?

In return for your comments, I’ll be giving away one signed copy of my new novel, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, and Darlene will be giving away one copy of my first novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. (Personally, I think that Darlene should consider running a giveaway in which the prize is a chance to spend the day with her dog Buddy. Because after seeing all of those adorable photos of Buddy here on the blog, I think a day with him would be the best prize of all. My cat, however, would most certainly disapprove.)

Thanks for inviting me here, Darlene!
~~~~~~~
Thanks so much for joining us today Laurie but no way are we including Buddy in the prize! Besides he’s such a mama’s boy that he’d drive someone else crazy trying to get back to me -lololol.
~~~~~~~
Before we move on to the giveaway I’d also like to share the brand new book trailer out on Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. Enjoy…


~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

As Laurie mentioned she is very graciously offering up a copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict to one lucky winner and I thought it would be really cool that if the winner hadn’t already read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, then they could win both so I went out and bought a special hardcover copy to give away also.

So, the winner will win one copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict from Laurie and one copy of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict from yours truly. You are welcome to enter for one or the other but if the winner is someone who hasn’t read either, then they will get both. If they only want one of the books then I will draw a separate winner for the other. Sound good?…great…then this is what you need to do…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries share with Laurie and I something from her guest post that interested you or answer the question she asked.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only and I will draw for the winner on Sunday, August 9, 2009. Good luck to you all!

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Comments

  1. How about, "Everyone's first novel is autobiographical." I know this isn't meant literally, but my brain is so literal that it always makes me laugh.

    Great guest post, I truly enjoyed it. I haven't read either of these books, so I would really love to win.

    gypsyrover21@yahoo DOT ca

  2. I'd love to win these. I'm not a writer but it sounds like Laurie is a wonderful storyteller and a real writer as well!!

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  3. Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

  4. I would love to win both books – they have been quite anxiously waiting on my TBR list on goodreads!

    mommablogsalot (at) gmail (dot) com

  5. I loved Laurie's guest post – it was actually quite refreshing to hear from a "writer" who doesn't write every day – if she and Zadie Smith can do it, maybe I can, too? Very inspiring.

  7. Oh cool… I love anything Austen. I think that I will start a collection of Austen spin offs. Anyway, great guest post. I have on occasion read some books about how to write and they give those silly exercise things to get your juices flowing. And yes, they always say that you should write EVERY day even if just stream of consciousness stuff. I am glad that it is only a myth!

    I would love to win both as I have not read either and I could blog about them for the Everything Austen Reading Challenge.

    Email: thereadingjourney[at]gmail[dot]com

    I will also post about the giveaway on my blog sidebar: http://thereadingjourney.blogspot.com

    Fingers crossed…

  8. I haven't read either of these books but have been wanting to read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict for a while now. A myth I've often heard is that writers are mentally ill and live life through their characters. I've read some books where I would question the author's sanity but I think most writers are normal people with fantastic imaginations.

    melacan at hotmial dot com

  9. This looks fun! Please enter me!

    I love that she doesn't consider herself a "real writer".

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  10. Don't enter me in the giveaway. Happily, I have both books and LOVED them!! Laurie is such a talented writer/storyteller/AUTHOR 😀

    I kind of like "storyteller". I read for enjoyment and love a great story.

    And, yes, Laurie, I think Dar should consider the "day with Buddy" giveaway!

  11. I enjoyed the sincerity and reality that Laurie shared in her guest post! Writers, authors, storytellers (love that title) are talented people who have a gift and are not all the "same". I like that they are each unique otherwise books and reading would be very boring!!

    I am SO excited to read these books. I just ordered Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict for the Everything Austen Challenge and after the rave reviews from Dar and Mary!

    So, please add my name to the giveaway for Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict.

    A day with Dar and Buddy would be a great prize, I agree!! I'm adding this to my sidebar and am going to send a tweet about it.

  12. Hi- Loved this post!!

    I haven't read either of these although this past month I've been so tempted to get them!! And, that's ever since I've entered the Challenge- so now I'm so into everything Austen. Please enter me Dar:)

    so, to answer the question..(although, so far I'm merely a technical writer..but an aspiring storyteller that's for sure:)- I will say that writers are 'all of the above'- cause after all you do have to place yourself in your character's mind, heart, feelings, body, setting- I mean everything..A writer must go through all of the sensations in order to bring it out to the readers…I'd rather say a writer is a chameleon and certainly prefer the term story teller. Thanks.

    I'm going to tweet about this. Have a great day:)

  14. + I learned from Laurie's post that I'd much rather read a book from "a storyteller" than a "writer" anyday. Great post ~ thanks.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  15. Laurie is awesome – her guest post is great.

    I met an author last night who explained that it takes her months to fully capture who her character is. It's a process where the character unfolds itself little by little which can take months even. I definitely don't think that writing everyday makes you a "real" author… it's the finished product that counts.

    You don't have to enter me in the giveaway as I've already read Confessions and, if I'm not mistaken, Rude Awakenings should be arriving soon for review. I can't wait.

  16. Though I am a European reader, I had to comment on this great post LOL
    It is so encouraging for someone who tries to write novels, that some of the profs don´t write frantically every day. With my job (part-time teaching) and my handicap (chronic fatigue) it is simply not possible for me. But who says people who are chronically ill cannot write novels? At least I am doing my best to prove that we can!

  17. I haven't read either of these books, having been hesitant to try Austen who isn't really Austen. But considering that the author considers herself a storyteller convinces me that I should give these books a try. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. I haven't read either of these books, but would love to. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

  19. I think the term Storyteller is so much better than writer. Storytellers have flare and can twist a story to make it absolutely absorbing. Its very interesting how "labels" can effect us.

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

  20. No need to enter me. Just wanted to say I thought it was a great post. I certainly don't write everyday and I like to think I'm a "real," though unpublished, writer.

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  21. Hi, would love to win this book!

    janicu [at] gmail [dot] com

    The one misconception that comes to mind is something I see a lot of writers complain about: the idea that writers make a lot of money? That's probably one misconception!

  23. I am not a writer but it was cool to see you debuff a couple of "myths". If I was a writer, I probably would not write every day. It seems to me that writing would come spurts or maybe that is my personality. 🙂
    I enjoyed reading this post.

    I posted about this giveaway on my blog's sidebar.
    http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/

    ibeeeg(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Laurie certainly is a "real writer!" I haven't read either book, so I'd like to be entered for both. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  25. I think that's one of my biggest hurdles. I would love to publish a book one day, but then seeing those rules – especially, the outlining one and making sure you write everyday – throws me off…because I don't do either of those. Breaking away from the 'rules of writing' is something that's going to be a bit of a challenge. That..and self editing when I write. :p

    I haven't read either of the books, but I've heard great things about them. Please enter me in the giveaway as well.

    – I've also left a link of your giveaway on my sidebar.

    Thanks!

    ~ Popin
    proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com

  26. I'd love to win this novel

    Thank-you for your great giveaways, Dar,

    madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

  29. a real writer? definitely CREATIVE in a way I am amazed at, particularly fiction writers…to be able to get into print a story that has twists and turns and characters that live is a gift!!

    (when I win, just click on my URL for my email address 8-))

  30. I haven't read either book but love, love Jane Austen. I think it would be great fun to read them back to back. I always enjoy hearing about the writing process–every writer's experience seems to be different. I've always wanted to write but heard again and again that you must write every day and I never could figure out how you get inspired to do that. Laura, I would hope that every author isnt' a drunkard or bonkers!

  32. Laurie considers herself a storyteller. Well, I'd like to read her stories!

    dlodden(at)frontiernet(dot)net

  33. How refreshing it was to read your blog post! I'm almost finished with my first novel but have recently found myself stuck. Every day that I don't write the guilt just seems to accumulate until I get so down on myself and feel like a poor excuse for a writer. I find myself thinking crazy thoughts like "I bet Hemingway never skipped a day of writing,"or "I bet Stephen King NEVER goes 3 days without writing!" I'm so glad to hear that other writers don't write every single day. All I can say is what a relief to hear that!

    I'm dying to read the second book so please enter me to win. Thanks!

    hapa774@yahoo.com

  34. I'd love to read her books, count me in! I know I answered #2 first, sorry!

    dlodden(at)frontiernet(dot)net

  35. I agree, Buddy's awfully darn cute!

    Please enter me to win–I'd love to read either of these.

    JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks.

  36. Please enter me to win both books.

    I am totally in awe of writers and have often wondered how they put their thoughts on paper. What has to happen creatively? I think that is says a great deal that Laurie considers herself a storyteller.
    Fascinating!
    Mariag

  37. oh goodie, I have had this on my "eye it at the bookstore and always mean to get it….then somehow dont" list for way too long. Would love to get a copy of the first one as well. Excellent giveaway.
    wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

  39. what a great guest post and video! thanks. i'll enter- bibliophile at bostonbibliophile dot com. 🙂

  40. Do not enter me for the giveaway because I'm not in the US or Canada (what a shame!) but I do want to say Hello to the Ms Rigler! 🙂

  41. What a great post! I like the idea that Laurie's teacher told her to be a 'storyteller' and not a writer! I think that even though a writer has to "know her proper grammer", the motivation for an idea shouldn't be wrapped in grammer, but painted with a pencil first!

    I haven't read either of these, but I love Jane Austen! Please enter me in your giveaway!

    Thanks for the wonderful and special giveaway!
    Suzanne
    quzy {at] mac [dot] com

  42. Ooh count me in! I like that in the interview Laurie says that she may not be a real writer but she is a storyteller.

    That is a cool way to put it!

    I have read neither of these books.

    journey through books @ gmail dot com

  43. I love her!! I can't wait to dive into the first one and if I won book#2 that would be fantastic!!!

  45. What a great guest post! I would love to read BOTH – I'm definitely a Jane Austen addict.

    ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

  46. "I'll make a confession: I do not write every day."

    *gasp* *choke*

    Say it isn't so! lol

    Everyone is different so there couldn't be "one way" to write… I know that I write in spurts. If I could write every day I would, but my toddler would have something to say about that… 🙂

    I enjoyed this post!

  47. I loved learning about how Laurie writes, yes, I admit I had preconceived notions of what a "writer" is like. Rumpled clothes and wild hair…with a drink in hand. I love the "storyteller" moniker, much nicer without the preconceived ideas.
    I haven't read either of these books and would love to read them.
    I have two little toy poodles that would love to play with Buddy!

    Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

  48. I loved learning about how Laurie writes, yes, I admit I had preconceived notions of what a "writer" is like. Rumpled clothes and wild hair…with a drink in hand. I love the "storyteller" moniker, much nicer without the preconceived ideas.
    I haven't read either of these books and would love to read them.
    I have two little toy poodles that would love to play with Buddy!

    Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

  50. Great interview! I worked for a writer who so much fit the stereotype of a "writer" that people often imagine — eccentric with a capital E 🙂 But I suspect most writers don't fit that — we just hear more about the ones who do 🙂

    marielay@gmail.com

  51. I'm not sure there's a difference between a real writer and a storyteller. The creation of art doesn't happen on a schedule. I'd say Laurie was indeed a real writer.

    I'd love to win both books. I listened to the first book on audio, which I borrowed from the library — so it'd be great to have a copy of each. I've been wanting to read Rude Awakenings!

    BFish (dot) Reads (at) gmail.

  52. What a great post! I would think making yourself write every day, like a 9 to 5 job, would become tiresome, boring, and not creative at all. Kind of defeats the purpose.

    I read your first book and loved it. It was a nice twist on an old classic. Also kudos to you for going to those regency balls 🙂 Too funny and cool.

    Thanks for the contest.
    Jennygirl73(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  53. Nice post. I agree Lauries books are great and she's a sweetheart.

    I think one common misconception about 'real writers' is that they are all introverted hermits who stay locked up in thier homes typing away till the wee hours of the morning.

    No need to enter me in the contest Dar, I have both books already 🙂
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  54. OMG how awesome of a giveaway is this one?! And it goes perfect for the Austen challenge :))

    Sign me up!

    Oh and I thought that it was interesting that Laurie distinguished between writer and storyteller. I definitely think that storyteller has more interesting connotations than writer!

    If I had twitter, I'd tweet ya. (Haha, I always hear Rockin Robin when I type tweet).

  55. Laurie asked "Are we drunks, self-absorbed fools, exactly like our protagonists, simply a little bonkers, or all of the above?"

    I'll take "all of the above", and note that makes them just as complicated as everyone else :-).

    I enjoyed her first book, and would love to win a copy of her second. That will certainly advance its position on my TBR list :-).

  56. I wanted to be a writer once and I was going to use it as an excuse to be a recluse and a drunk. Alas, it didn’t work out. It’s nice to hear Laurie say that she is okay about not writing everyday. It can take a lot out of a person trying to live up to stereotypes or follow a set of so called rules so it’s good to be reminded that you need to find what works for you.
    I would love to read (and win) both of these books.
    I blogged about it here:

    http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/07/jane-austen-addict.html

    thanks
    rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

  57. I just tweeted, but please don't enter me. Because then we'd have to add to the list "A real writer is greedy and enters contests for her own books." Pretty pathetic.

    Loving all of these comments and very grateful for all the kind words.

    The bottom line is that everyone has his or her own methods that work and that dogma is counterproductive to creativity–for some it works to write every day without fail, for others to write in spurts, for some to work with bedhead hair and pjs; for others in a crisp shirt and perfect make-up (I would hate to be caught on Skype in some of my working outfits) 🙂

  58. 1. Contact info: LauraHartness@gmail.com

    2. I can't relate to the issues of a writer, but I definitely have thought of the similar idea that I'm not reading a "real book" unless it's hard to understand. Somehow reading Harry Potter doesn't count as legitimate, but reading Tolkien might be. No matter! I loved "Confessions" and hope to read "Rude Awakenings" soon!

    3. I re-tweeted on Twitter as well. My @ is @LHartness

    Have a good weekend!

  60. I found it refreshing to read that Laurie takes a day off from writing, it's so zen!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

  61. This sounds like a good one. I'd like to enter

    Jennmarie68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    I've also posted a link to this contest in my sidebar at justjenniferreading.blogspot.com

    Thanks

  62. I have not read either of these books. Thank you for the giveaway.

    denise_22315(at)yahoo(dot)com

  63. Great post…Would love to read both of these books. Please add my name to this giveaway.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

  64. I haven't read either of these books yet. I first heard about them in this blogging community and have wanted to read them ever since! I just adore Jane Austen's books so when I read the plot of both books I was tickled pink! Thank you so much for offering both books in this giveaway!

    Amy
    Aimala127@gmail.com

  65. I was thrilled by what Laurie said in her post. I've often heard that a real writer often struggles when they are writing and that the work is often painstaking and so on and so forth. I was an english major and a law school grad, I have always loved to read and I write a little bit: a story here and there or an essay, I have bits and pices of longer writings all over the place. But I never really thought I could be a real writer because I don't "suffer for my art" and I don't toil at it everyday. To hear that neither Laurie nor Zadie Smith, one of my favorite authors, writes every single day or fulfills any of those other wierd myths applied to real writers, is a tremendous relief. It's good to know that when I do write, if I enjoy it and am still able to function in everyday life, it doesn't mean I can never be a real writer. I certainly consider Zadie Smith and Laurie Viera Rigler real writers!

    Thank you for your wonderful words, Laurie!
    Amy
    Aimala127@gmail.com

  67. Looks interesting. Please enter me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

  68. I've always heard the myth about a real writer writing x number of pages a day. Its refreshing to know that this is not the only path to success. I think it is more important to write when you feel inspired.

  70. The myth about writers that always makes me grimace is the one about madness and writers (or rather, madness and creativity). I don't think so! But it's funny how that myth still occasionally gets an airing.

    I'd love to be entered in the draw, and I haven't read either book yet!

  71. First of all I am chompin at the bit to read both of the books.

    Second of all.. THANK goodness for dispelling some of the myths… I think I always got sucked into the "writer writes everyday.." And how some people don't consider an easier to read book "literature." I loved the guest post.

    Thirdly.. I will try to tweet when I can keep my eyes open. Great post, and giveaway. Thanks

  73. I love how she says that after 2 published novels she may not be a "real" writer, but she is a storyteller, and proud of it. I think there is something very important in those words.

    I posted on my sidebar. harlequintwilightsbookblog.blogspot.com

    HarlequinTwilight@gmail.com

  74. I find it interesting that even after two published books she still prefers to define herself as a storyteller rather than a real writer. But I understand the distinction since I suspect that there are many writers out there who deserve the appellation of "real" who don't have anything published and yet are completely stymied when they announce that they are a writer only to be asked what they have written (meaning published).

    I'd love to win! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.

    whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

  77. Please include me in your giveaway.

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat – join us at CoolCanucks.ca

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

  81. Please enter my name in your contest. I have not read either book. Thanks for sponsoring this great giveaway.

    margotDOTpeckATgmailDOTcom

  82. Ooooohhhh! I'd love to read both books. Jane is really "hot" right now, so they sound really interesting!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

  83. I loved how Laurie talked about not conforming to the rules of being a "real" author. I've often wondered about those authors who say they write 2000 words per day. How often to they just re-write that same section again the next day?? It's good to know that authors come in all shapes, sizes and disciplines!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

  84. Sounds like an interesting book I would love to read. I have always loved Jane Austen.
    Enter me please.
    jrs362 (at)hotmail(dot)com

  86. know someone who would love this book. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  89. Nope. I have never read these! Please pick me! I would LOVE to win!

    *Maria Delgado*

    mariadelgado32302 at yahoo dot com

  90. I was happy and relieved to see that one who aspired to write didn't fail if they weren't writting at every waking second. It's more enjoyable to see yourself as a story teller than a hard core legalistic (I must write ALL TTIME) writer. Ya know?

    *Maria Delgado*

    mariadelgado32302 at yahoo dot com

  94. I always see writting as a fine tuned art that cannot be rushed and cannot be completed under pressure. It's like someone who sits to their crosstitching. If they are shaking from stress or perhaps they have someone peering over their shoulder waiting for the finished product it'll just hurt the art itself. It won't be something that the creater will take pride in. Should all writters be proud of their work? Proud, not pressured.

    *Maria Delgado*

    mariadelgado32302 at yahoo dot com

  95. I've always thought the best writers were supposed to be the most tortured souls on the planet, digging to their personal depths and so on. I'm glad to hear this isn't the case, that people don't have succumb to such literary restrictions in order to get published. It leaves me with some hope that if I ever manange to get my thoughts on paper, that I don't have to do it all in one sitting and I have the potential for sharing with the masses.

    wondermom18(at)gmail(dot)com

    passing on the word at seolmara(dot)blogspot(dot)com, too!!

  96. Ooo! Heard about these books from Jane Austen Today, but my library doesn't have them yet. So, please, sign me up for the contest!

    inkylou (at) gmail (dot) com

  97. Well I never knew there were such ideas about a "real writer"!! jeez! I won't lie… I have thought about writing… and thought that i was a great writer writing my life stories in a dairy 😀
    But reality stuck me and I am very happy to tell you that i have no notions of perusing writing… I am happy reading such wonderful books by wonderful authors like Laurie!

    It was really interesting reading your post Laurie! Thank You for sharing 🙂

    Thank You Dar for this 🙂 and please don't enter em for this 😉

  98. I haven't read either book so please enter me in the giveaway.
    I always enjoy reading details about how the mind of an author works. I know I don't have the imagination to be a writer…..but I can be a reader!!

  99. I would love a chance to win these books. I have been reading reviews of them everywhere, and have been hearing very good things about them both. Please enter me in this contest!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  100. Hello,
    I just found your blog,,and would love to be entered,,I work at a book store and have heard great reveiws of her books,,I would like to say anyone can be a story teller but it takes someone special to be able to write them on pages and have them publish..I wish you the best of luck and hope you continue being a great storyteller…
    Devon

  101. Laurie & Darlene:

    I haven't read either book but I am looking forward to reading them!
    I have always loved Jane Austen and am an avid reader.

    I am a writer, an aspiring author writing my first novel and enjoying the process! I was glad to hear that it is not necessary to write every day to be a writer, wow, what a relief.

    By the way, my first novel is pure fiction so that takes care of another myth!

    I would love to win both of these books, so please enter my name.

    Best of Luck Laurie and thanks Darlene for the opportunity and your blogspot.

    Debra

  102. As a non-published writer, I like hearing that it's not necessary to live one's life as if "that's all there is". I have a family and other interests and, although, writing is what "centers me", I can't and don't do it all the time.

    I have not read either of these novels and would love to win them!

    My e-mail addy is on my profile.

    Thanks for the opportunity!

  104. I haven't read either book, but your reviews made me put them on my wish list!

    I love that Laurie calls herself a storyteller instead of a writer. Preconceived ideas are sometimes the hardest things to overcome.

    I also blogged about this in my right sidebar at:

    http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com

  105. Please count me in. I haven't read anything by this author but she sounds hilarious.

    I attended my first writing seminars recently and it was both fascinating and intimidating. I heard that writers do write everyday. Some outline obsessively while others lay out their characters and "just write". The process seems so mysterious to me.

    +1 comment

    +2 comment on interview

    +3 posted contest on my blog's sidebar
    http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  108. I think a "real" writer is someone who writes everyday even when they feel that there is nothing to write, or they don't want.

    Thanks for great giveaway!

    allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  110. I loved this guest post — and I think it would be a much better thing to be a storyteller than a writer. Writing is just one medium to tell a story — a true storyteller has many modes at her disposal. What's important is the story!!!

  111. I woujld love to win this!Soujnds mysterious and sexy, hmmmmmmmmmmm, very intriguing, LOL. Love it!!

  112. I would love to win these; I love the idea, and I haven't read either. Thank you!

    lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com

  113. And I LOVED Laurie's guest post: as an aspiring writer, I often judge myself when I don't write "enough" each day, or enough "good" stuff each day, so it's refreshing to hear Laurie say that she–a published author–doesn't have to judge herself by "real" writer standards to essentially be one. It helps me rethink how I should look at my own writing process.

    Thank you, Laurie!

    lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com

  115. Am happy that this post resonates with so many people. I appreciate and find fascinating all of your comments and thoughts on what a "real writer" is. And isn't. 🙂

  116. Great post, I really enjoyed it. I haven't read either of these books, so I would love to win.

    kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net

  117. Wonderful guest post, thoroughly enjoyed reading the myths of a great writer. Would love to read "Rude Awakenings"; please enter me in the drawing!

    mrshedgy@yahoo.com/www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com

  120. having not read either, i will take either!
    and just from the titles they sound like such good fun. as does she!

    spvaughan yahoo com

  121. i am demented. i never thought about what a "real writer" was vs and "story teller". i do know i have had the misfortune of getting a novel and being so disappointed in it i could have cried! they were duller than dishwater or dryer than toast! i think there are just good storytellers/writers and bad ones. you sound like one of the good ones. this little bit of you tells me the odds are in your favor.
    spvaughan yahoo

  126. I haven't read any of these two. I would be happy to win any of them. I love Jane Austen:)

  127. I haven't read either book and she sounds like a great author so I am sure they are both great reads!
    Thanks
    Sarah
    believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

  128. I have not read either book and would love to read them both. I am a Jane Austen addict!

    I liked the guest post so much. I especially appreciated the concept of not being a writer, but a story teller. I think I will start collecting my stories and see if I become a writer.

    moonkee2 AT yahoo DOT com

  129. I haven't read these two books and I'm so excited to read them. Please count me in!!
    linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com

  131. Another myth 'A real writer has a set writing routine and removes all distractions when they are writing'. Good luck with that 😛

    Thanks for the contest!

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

  133. I haven't read either of the books and would love to be entered in your draw to win them.
    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

  135. Storyteller. I think that best fits most of the real writers I read. How can one convince the authors of my History books to skip the boring and go with the story?

    I'd enjoy both of the books. I am an addict.
    http://www.bowen4flag.blogspot.com See my comments there!

  136. My dd is a huge Jane Austen fan; I would love to win both these books to give to her for her 18th bday.

    reneesuz82(at)msn(dot)com

  137. Wow, I have not read either of these books, though I have heard so much about them. I would love to be entered.

    I love that her teacher advised her to be a storyteller rather than writer because it would free her up to weave story lines together, etc. I think that is a beautiful way of looking at the craft.

    Wonderful… here's hoping I win both books! 🙂

    o, and I will post in my sidebar as usual.

    savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

  138. hmmmm

    I guess I have sort of been guilty of the misconception that "real" writers would write everyday. Well, at least everyday while they were working on a book, unless they had a "reason", like hitting a verbal roadblock. I never considered that "real" writers would choose to take some time off from a book, but why not? They're entitled!

    Please count me in for both books! I'll be blogging it tomorrow. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  139. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    While I haven't had the pleasure of reading either book, now I sure do want to 🙂 Please count me in the giveaway and thank you so much for opportunity to win 🙂

  144. I loved reading the interview as it just proves that not all people that write books are the same 🙂

  147. I've never read either book and would love to win them! Thanks!

    amandasandico at yahoo dot com

  148. I would really like to read both of these books — haven't read either one yet. Thanks for a great giveaway and interesting author interview 🙂

  151. I'd love to be entered! Thanks for the giveaway! skrishna [at] skrishnasbooks [dot] com

    I also like her comments on the difference between a storyteller and a writer.

  154. I am not eligible for this draw but am most envious of those who are in the running!!!!

    Mystica from Sri Lanka

  159. I have not read either book and I would be happy to win either one. Thanks for the opportunity to enter this Giveaway.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  160. (Entry #1)
    Something interesting from the guest post is the part that "real writers don't write everyday". I kind of like this because it shows that "real writers" are just like the rest of us. They sometimes have trouble coming up with what to write about next.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  161. (Entry #2)
    Something interesting from the guest post is the part that "real writers don't write everyday". I kind of like this because it shows that "real writers" are just like the rest of us. They sometimes have trouble coming up with what to write about next.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  166. It has been truly inspiring reading all of your comments and thoughts about what a real writer is and isn't. Thank you all, and thank you, Darlene, for hosting me on your blog and running this giveaway!