tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post2289843069258270207..comments2023-10-17T08:55:54.647+01:00Comments on this writer's life: Vanessa Gebbie writes a letter to herselfTeresa Stensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-18403157768114017782013-11-09T20:17:07.070+00:002013-11-09T20:17:07.070+00:00Thanks, Perry. It's great isn't it. I mean...Thanks, Perry. It's great isn't it. I mean they're both great. Letter and book. Having a happy time revisiting this. Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-40002135149526693332013-11-09T19:17:15.816+00:002013-11-09T19:17:15.816+00:00I missed this before, but I want to add my appreci...I missed this before, but I want to add my appreciation of both the letter and the novel. In both cases, well worth reading.Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02427952228859939998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-73201510241129442602012-04-23T00:05:32.998+01:002012-04-23T00:05:32.998+01:00Thanks Teresa! Sorry it took so long for me to re...Thanks Teresa! Sorry it took so long for me to respond but I don't always have access to a computer.Dora Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053336278338283781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-83123499060116991812012-04-08T12:16:53.847+01:002012-04-08T12:16:53.847+01:00You're welcome, Chillcat. Glad you enjoyed.
*...You're welcome, Chillcat. Glad you enjoyed.<br /><br />*NOTE* - as far as I can see, the only person who's said they don't want to be in the draw to win a copy of The Coward's Tale is Martha. <br /><br />I'll be randomizing on Thursday - still time to comment if anyone else wants a chance to win this super book.Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-56037679314315750972012-04-07T08:22:32.852+01:002012-04-07T08:22:32.852+01:00Great idea for a blog post. Tricky and enlightenin...Great idea for a blog post. Tricky and enlightening. Thanks to both of you.chillcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10360989103518880339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-18295066080303637002012-04-06T18:26:30.711+01:002012-04-06T18:26:30.711+01:00You're v.welcome, Dora - thanks for sharing yo...You're v.welcome, Dora - thanks for sharing your story here, so inspiring that you are embracing who you are! Not that easy to do for most.<br /><br />...just poppin my nose in to say...<br /><br />THANK YOU Rachel, Nuala, John, Lesley, (not John Lesley, though, eh?) Laura, Tania, Dorothee, Shaunag, Essie, Margaret, Martha, Lauri, Dora, Kim, Zoe and Merc (phew!) for commenting and being part of this post. <br /><br />I'm so pleased this went down well - I know I've said that already - but I am, and I'm happy Vanessa took the idea on - when I emailed the suggestion I was thinking - is this a really good idea or a really crap one? I couldn't tell. Bit like the writing process for me, actually...Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-77590729921635975922012-04-06T17:23:26.814+01:002012-04-06T17:23:26.814+01:00Thanks Vanessa! You are so right -- it comes a tim...Thanks Vanessa! You are so right -- it comes a time when a person has to stand up for what they believe and stop wanting to be everything to everyone. I don't want to sound as if I'm blaming them - I'm not - there were many other obstacles put in my way and a lot of them were self-inflicted. English is my second language and I've always felt 'less than' native speakers and writers. Also despite wanting to write from an American perspective, my stories took place where I grew up and this was something I struggled with -- writing something that would be acceptable to the English-speaking market -- basically telling myself who'd want to read or publish what I wrote? Especially in short stories, etc., not realizing there were, and are, many literary magazines one could send to. Now I realize that I probably would have been published sooner because I did write from another perspective (or so I'd like to believe)!!! Also, like you said, writing is a craft which takes practice and more practice. I'm now embracing my "otherness" and doing lots of practice because I've become rusty with time. My 'wasted' years as I'd like to call them weren't wasted at all as they've given me the maturity to see what I've been doing wrong! <br /><br />Thanks to you and Teresa for this lovely and eye-opening blog!Dora Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053336278338283781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-89826031277304843022012-04-06T07:36:38.132+01:002012-04-06T07:36:38.132+01:00Mrs King, ain't that right - and if Budgerigar...Mrs King, ain't that right - and if Budgerigars are to be believed, your imagination is extremely healthy!<br /><br />(one day, people, you will read a story called Budgerigars, and never forget it, just like I didn't... (!) )Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-90046075754449593842012-04-05T21:56:34.038+01:002012-04-05T21:56:34.038+01:00Terrific letter about what it´s about. Big ta!Terrific letter about what it´s about. Big ta!Merchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15011150737394796331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-58429327450397583072012-04-05T19:06:05.603+01:002012-04-05T19:06:05.603+01:00Zoe King has had trouble posting a comment, so she...Zoe King has had trouble posting a comment, so she emailed this and asked me to post it. I shall - and then I MUST go back to my bar shift or the boss'll have me guts for garters.<br /><br />Zoe King's letter to herself:<br /><br />Dear Me, <br />You should listen when Vanessa Gebbie says, 'You must write more'. When she says, 'Don't waste such a gift'.<br /><br />Haven't you always said Vanessa Gebbie is the hardest working writer you have ever met? That she is single minded, determined, totally committed to what she's doing? <br /><br />Yes, ok, she has the kind of imagination you would kill for, but that's not the whole story! Besides which, yours isn't so shabby - the difference is that she allows hers, she grows it, whereas you run away from yours far too often. <br /><br />For heaven's sake, take her advice, just DO it! <br /><br />Love, Me.Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-37354272515174306202012-04-05T19:04:32.671+01:002012-04-05T19:04:32.671+01:00Dora - my family ridiculed me as well - not at fir...Dora - my family ridiculed me as well - not at first, but when I started taking it very seriously, and occasionally asking someone to take second place to a writing commitment. Or to my own writing schedule. But I figured they were all old and ugly enough to cope!<br />They, or rather the status quo, was being threatened. By something that didn't make money, something they didn't understand (my husband does not read fiction...and my sons don't read the sort I write, mostly!)<br />Now, it is a different story. They are amazingly supportive, and proud. Maybe we have to earn it? Dunno - anyway - that was my experience. xxxVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-44977089290348478802012-04-05T18:52:21.521+01:002012-04-05T18:52:21.521+01:00Wow - thanks so much everyone - I'm at work al...Wow - thanks so much everyone - I'm at work all day so I'm not able to reply properly but I will be along tomorrow. Really pleased y'all dig this!Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-12525652923899166302012-04-05T17:20:17.108+01:002012-04-05T17:20:17.108+01:00I'm feeling so inspired! I'm working my wa...I'm feeling so inspired! I'm working my way through Short Circuit and this interview is a wonderful reminder that writing takes time and tenacity.Kim Murdockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130420517496838166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-12451687239332721222012-04-05T17:14:54.398+01:002012-04-05T17:14:54.398+01:00I am so moved by Vanessa's letter as I'm i...I am so moved by Vanessa's letter as I'm in my 50's now and my writing journey has just started. My own journey hasn't been easy - between my family ridiculing my early efforts + loathing myself for even trying, I am now standing up for what I've always known: I'm an artist + proud of it. I will continue to unearth the layers of self-doubt so that my words can stand on their own + illuminate what I've kept hidden for so long.Dora Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053336278338283781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-77345401628716324012012-04-05T17:12:49.592+01:002012-04-05T17:12:49.592+01:00Thanks peeps, for all the comments here - it is am...Thanks peeps, for all the comments here - it is amazing, really - all this is just honest natter to my younger self - and yet it seems to hold some good advice for others too. Hop its useful. xxxVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-26578664394607822112012-04-05T16:49:44.420+01:002012-04-05T16:49:44.420+01:00Lovely idea, damn jealous I didn't have it fir...Lovely idea, damn jealous I didn't have it first. And who was the cow who gave you the list of four stupid things, V??? May their underwear fill with leeches!!! No one- NO ONE- knows who will be a success. Even publishers, even agents (yeah I said it!!) so no one should be saying such crap. <br /><br />Very nice letter BTW.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-67313879256096420732012-04-05T15:58:32.388+01:002012-04-05T15:58:32.388+01:00Gorgeous post -- thanks for sharing! M (ps I have...Gorgeous post -- thanks for sharing! M (ps I have my copy in my hand, not here for the draw!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-85217509013421627982012-04-05T15:58:13.460+01:002012-04-05T15:58:13.460+01:00This is a lovely idea - touching and thought-provo...This is a lovely idea - touching and thought-provoking. Well done Vanessa and Teresa for this take on a blog visit. MargaretMargarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03987149631769284336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-92124741772218730212012-04-05T15:44:15.693+01:002012-04-05T15:44:15.693+01:00Fantastic, great idea for an interview and very in...Fantastic, great idea for an interview and very inspiring result :-)essygiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266026399933108451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-59541787940866294222012-04-05T14:05:07.417+01:002012-04-05T14:05:07.417+01:00Great letter, thought-provoking and insightful, th...Great letter, thought-provoking and insightful, thanks. I identify hugely with a lot of what you say, V. Esp the last bit, to keep on writing.After all that *is* what being a writer is - *writing*.shaunaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03663581840988709608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-1820892241101216412012-04-05T13:34:44.023+01:002012-04-05T13:34:44.023+01:00Great letter. Now I am curious for the book. Loved...Great letter. Now I am curious for the book. Loved this line about the 4 things. Like obstacles in a tale, and there it is: a Coward's Tale turned into a book.Dorotheehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17071668426716077347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-13050478926511303112012-04-05T12:26:59.625+01:002012-04-05T12:26:59.625+01:00How lovely! I've done the writing letter to fu...How lovely! I've done the writing letter to future self thing, but not backwards. This is very poignant, thanks both.Tania Hershmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15781460794034586895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-36515286158108198732012-04-05T12:07:26.104+01:002012-04-05T12:07:26.104+01:00This is a wonderful idea for an interview, and you...This is a wonderful idea for an interview, and your letter made me cry, Vanessa.Laura Wilkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05123567406016946332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-23974073144598129982012-04-05T11:13:14.757+01:002012-04-05T11:13:14.757+01:00Thank you for this refreshing interview, and thank...Thank you for this refreshing interview, and thanks for reminding me of 'The House of the Sixty Fathers' - it must be nearly 40 years since I read it. Great writing does stay with you, but age makes you forget the titles.Lesley Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682717188979792073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968546507603375440.post-71821449324208286492012-04-05T10:40:06.229+01:002012-04-05T10:40:06.229+01:00Whatever it takes, you've got it, Vanessa. A g...Whatever it takes, you've got it, Vanessa. A great letter!John Ravenscrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162919104601595204noreply@blogger.com