❤️ I went back and read the rest of this today, I had it saved. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was so inspiring and I can't wait to read your fiction. You're an incredible writer.
Thanks FIona. I need another draft (or two) I think, but hope to launch this book sometime next year, early if it's ready, or Fall because it's set in September/October.
The craft here is unseen, which means it's working. You don't flinch from the stuff that makes you look bad and that's what makes the rest of it succeed. Most writers would sand those edges down. You left them jagged. That's the difference between a piece that works and one that's just pretty. Justin, you have my deepest sympathy and respect. Thank you.
Thank you. That’s sort of a quirk in my personality though. Drives people nuts when I’m trying to sell a solution though, I always bring up the burs. I could never be a used car salesman.
This was... well, it's hard to put in words how strong this writing is. My heart hurts for you. Thank you for sharing and your courage for stepping up throughout your entire life. ❤️
You're a true trooper, and I'm glad to have met you/read this. I hope you are doing well and in a better mental space in these days. ☺️ Sending much love to you.
Really enjoyed reading this. My uncle told me to bleed on the page. I am so so sorry for your losses. It's a lot to carry and I hope it gives you a bit of peace taking it out of hiding.
Personal mapping is something I hit on by accident, instinctively. I do it in everything I write, even with dream sequences and over-the-top fiction. I agree that this is a necessity for good storytelling, and it does improve a readership experience.
The story about yourself and your brother and the rest of your family is pretty wild. It’s all very tragic, but it’s real life, isn’t it? Rod Stewart sang about some guys have all the luck. On the opposite side of the spectrum some guys have no luck. Your early personal story pretty well illustrates all these tragic possibilities when you accidentally land on the difficult side of fate.
They say tortured souls make the best writers. Keep up the good work, sir.
It goes up and down. I wish this is the worst it could be, but it isn't, and I've had a lot of the other kind of luck too. Sometimes that good luck came from the bad luck. There's another story embedded in the tail. My mother's death was tragic, but also a blessing. I saw my life as being her caretaker for as long as she lived, so her death brought a mixture of sorrow and release. I'm saving that for book 2/3.
Thanks for sharing this. Illustrates your point exactly - how can any person who has a sliver of compassion not get drawn into your personal story and therefore your fiction?
Thanks also for articulating what we're trying to do as mentors at Story Grid, JZ...
I have tears in my eyes. I felt this on a soul level. Having a son with type 1 diabetes who went into a coma age 11, I feel seen. Thank you for bringing all of you.💜
Yes, that's scary. I knew it was going to be one of them, but when Keira collapsed in the bathroom, nobody was prepared. Then Willow went into DKA a month after she turned 2, which was entirely unexpected, but we already had glucose kits so once we realized her issue wasn't "constipation", we were able to get her to the hospital. She's also L3 autistic, so we learned a lot about managing it with a non-verbal child.
❤️ I went back and read the rest of this today, I had it saved. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was so inspiring and I can't wait to read your fiction. You're an incredible writer.
Thanks FIona. I need another draft (or two) I think, but hope to launch this book sometime next year, early if it's ready, or Fall because it's set in September/October.
The craft here is unseen, which means it's working. You don't flinch from the stuff that makes you look bad and that's what makes the rest of it succeed. Most writers would sand those edges down. You left them jagged. That's the difference between a piece that works and one that's just pretty. Justin, you have my deepest sympathy and respect. Thank you.
Thank you. That’s sort of a quirk in my personality though. Drives people nuts when I’m trying to sell a solution though, I always bring up the burs. I could never be a used car salesman.
This was... well, it's hard to put in words how strong this writing is. My heart hurts for you. Thank you for sharing and your courage for stepping up throughout your entire life. ❤️
You're a true trooper, and I'm glad to have met you/read this. I hope you are doing well and in a better mental space in these days. ☺️ Sending much love to you.
Thanks Cory. I’m rising up.
❤️
This was hard to read. So much heart and emotion. It couldn't have been easy to write. Thank you for sharing it.
Really enjoyed reading this. My uncle told me to bleed on the page. I am so so sorry for your losses. It's a lot to carry and I hope it gives you a bit of peace taking it out of hiding.
Thank you.
Wow. What a powerful thing to tap into for your fiction. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Thank you!
A life of nightmarish grief - worst even than Hitchcock or Sterling. But not necessarily written that way. Written as a matter of fact.
What's blood magic without a little blood?
I’m all about blood.
😂 thanks man.
Personal mapping is something I hit on by accident, instinctively. I do it in everything I write, even with dream sequences and over-the-top fiction. I agree that this is a necessity for good storytelling, and it does improve a readership experience.
The story about yourself and your brother and the rest of your family is pretty wild. It’s all very tragic, but it’s real life, isn’t it? Rod Stewart sang about some guys have all the luck. On the opposite side of the spectrum some guys have no luck. Your early personal story pretty well illustrates all these tragic possibilities when you accidentally land on the difficult side of fate.
They say tortured souls make the best writers. Keep up the good work, sir.
Well, you’re a good son for taking care of her.
It goes up and down. I wish this is the worst it could be, but it isn't, and I've had a lot of the other kind of luck too. Sometimes that good luck came from the bad luck. There's another story embedded in the tail. My mother's death was tragic, but also a blessing. I saw my life as being her caretaker for as long as she lived, so her death brought a mixture of sorrow and release. I'm saving that for book 2/3.
My first question is, how does one become a mentor for Story Grid? I might’ve be interested. You can DM me if you want.
I’m still reading. Will comment when finished.
I'll DM you (bug me if it's been a few days). There is a path, mine was different, and it's new so I gotta find the entrypoint.
Thank you for finding words and Story Justin. Just thank you.
Thanks Krista!
Just.....stunned.
Thanks for sharing this. Illustrates your point exactly - how can any person who has a sliver of compassion not get drawn into your personal story and therefore your fiction?
Thanks also for articulating what we're trying to do as mentors at Story Grid, JZ...
Thanks man. I hope this helps some of our writers find that connection.
I have tears in my eyes. I felt this on a soul level. Having a son with type 1 diabetes who went into a coma age 11, I feel seen. Thank you for bringing all of you.💜
Yes, that's scary. I knew it was going to be one of them, but when Keira collapsed in the bathroom, nobody was prepared. Then Willow went into DKA a month after she turned 2, which was entirely unexpected, but we already had glucose kits so once we realized her issue wasn't "constipation", we were able to get her to the hospital. She's also L3 autistic, so we learned a lot about managing it with a non-verbal child.
Thanks!
Thanks man.