I laughed so many times during reading this – I just had to comment. It’s like that for me for many of things I love doing.

When I’m at the golf range – Often their are people who have suggestions about my swing or my technique (I’m a 9 handicap, so I’m fairly solid on the golf course).

When I’m at Makers meetings – there is Almost always someone trying to tell me I’m not building something right or programming something right (I’ve been building and making things for almost 30 years and have actually co-founded two Makers communities).

Now writing is different – I don’t have the experience here, but since I have done the Twitter challenge, and continue to work on my platform, there has been no shortage of people there to HELP to steer me away from the icebergs. All have been appreciated and I have learned so much in a short period of time. I am grateful that they would take a moment of their lives to try and help me – even if I sometime decide to perhaps not heed their advice.

It goes back to the video Lee posted from Simon Sinek – It’s all about community and who do you trust.

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

Oh Man – I am glad you asked that question LoriMarie. I have been hurriedly, and probably haphazardly, trying to burn through the lessons. I was worried that I would have to finish this week and I was pushing it. I still need to stay on top here, but I feel a bit of relief that I don’t have to rush to get it all done immediately.

I probably aught to try and do better on meeting deadlines though.

Thanks for the Info Sunny.

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

Lee: I read this early this morning, after a night of reading stories from Joe’s anthology book Showoff, and so I feel like I’m in kind of in tune with stories like this at the moment.

OK – I like the foundation for this story very much. The characters are easy to empathize with and the loneliness and regret that both characters are feeling is palpable. There is something here for sure and I think it is relatable to people when the read this.

I will say – for me – it was not always an easy read. The first part I think I followed OK, but then the story jumped around and I got lost in who was talking about who. I needed to read the back part a couple of times, and I’m still not sure I completely understand it all. Was Betty in love with Preston, when married to William. Were the relationships ones where William was really in love with Georgia and Betty was really in love with Preston. I have to be honest and say I didn’t really follow. If Georgia was glad that Preston had moved to Florida, why did she still sleep with his shirt? There is something here but there seems to be a “Knot” right in the middle that has to be untangled a little.

Now I will say – you are very good at laying out the scene. Your descriptions a crisp and vivid. It’s easy to picture the A frame and the loneliness of the condo in Arizona – you can see that, you can feel that. I had a picture in my mind of William alone in the snowy woods. I could hear the emptiness in the condo with Georgia. That was very well done.

Again – There is something here Lee. I think that maybe some issues with POV and tightening up the flow so it’s easier to follow can be easily corrected and then you have a really good story here.

I like it Lee – Again some really good stuff.

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

First of all Elise – Thanks for this. It’s a great idea and your daughter reviewing YA is great. I am currently writing a YA book called UNCLE. It’s not really in the genre’s she listed. It’s a Sci-Fi/Fantasy book. It may be a while before it hits Hardback status, but if she is interested in reading early drafts – I would love to get her opinion. No pressure – just conversation. I got both http://www.eliseabram.com and britbear.eliseabram.com bookmarked

Thanks for offering this service to people. BTW – Got on your site – your novel is called The Revenant – it sounds intriguing. Also checked out your blog tour – I’ll do my best to pop by some of the dates. Good luck to you and go get’um!!

P.S. ARCHEOLOGY IS SO ABSOLUTELY, INCREDIBLY, COOOOL!!

Sincerely,

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

Wow this is really good stuff Lee. I had to go download his book Start with Why after watching this. This is EXACTLY why I think we are here. Before Story Cartel – I read book after book after book on writing. While I found great information in all those books, it was only after I found the support of a community that I even would venture to take a risk and attempt some of the things we are attempting. I find that people who have passion, are passionate helpers. They want to to succeed. They are there to root for you and push you on when you feel like stopping.

“What’s a community? What’s a culture? It’s a group of people with a common set of values and beliefs… And we we are surrounded by a group of people who believe in what we believe, something remarkable happens. ”

Over these last eight weeks or so I have come to sincerely appreciate the value of community and culture. That alone, is reward enough for me.

Thanks again Lee – and thank you too Joe.

Oh gosh Lori – I’m so sorry. I hope that everything is alright. I know how difficult things get when you or a loved one is going through some health issues. I just was wondering if everything was alright because I hadn’t heard from you for a while and that just didn’t seem like you.

I’m still around – still doing the Twitter thing so drop me a tweet when the mood takes you. I’ve given myself 3 months to try this and see if it works for me. I’m honestly not big fan of Social Media, but it seems to be a necessity for today’s writers. We’ll see.

I hope your husband is doing better and that things will get back to normal for you both ASAP.

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

Hey Ann – 2 months ago you and I didn’t even know each other – now we’re friends. Just do that again 10,000 more times. Piece of Cake!!!

-James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

I totally agree with Ann. I am learning that IT’S PARAMOUNT a writer actively work to market their books. How you choose to go about that is important to consider.

Nowadays, Agents and Publishers all want to know – “what does your platform look like”. How many Followers do you have, how many reviews did you get for your book, who are some of the “Known” writers who can vouch for you. Yes, book tours and interviews are still a part, but there is just so much that a writer needs to do outside of writing and most probably on their own initiative.

Again Ann is right. If you put work out there that has no pride and no soul just to turn a buck – you’re probably selling out. If you don’t care, no one else will care. Just take the time to get to know people and let them know you – people will WANT to read your books.

A writer friend recently told me that marketing is all in how you approach it. If you dread it, people will know it. But if you say, hey I’m going to have good time with this, have some fun, let my hair down (for me that’s figuratively speaking) and just enjoy the process it will be reciprocated and people will respond.

This is a Signature post here Lee. You really went to the core of why we are all here. You certainly managed to put things into perspective for us. Many wouldn’t have the courage to do what you have done, much less face the obstacles that you face. It means a great deal that you would share this and I thank you for it.

Stories, like this one, add meaning to our existence, both as writers or just as people. Talking about everyday life is just another facet of being a writer. Telling me about what you see, listening to me tell you about what I see – that’s the real value here. Not the writing so much really, but to know there are people listening. I’ve connected with so many great people on this site. My life is better because of what you have written. You have so much more left to tell. We are all here listening.

It’s never over, until it is over. Dylan Thomas is right beside you.

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT! RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT!!!!!

Hey I got you followed. We are making progress. I also took the time and tweeted out the URL for the project http://www.thecartelcollaborative.com – I figure I might as well start doing what I can to generate whatever buzz I can.