tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post8827177759896305196..comments2024-03-27T13:16:32.943-05:00Comments on Western Fictioneers: THE HELP YOU GET ALONG THE WAY--by Cheryl PiersonWestern Fictioneershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683314579075461026noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-61746995887700081262013-02-02T17:00:52.957-06:002013-02-02T17:00:52.957-06:00Ray, I'm glad to hear of yet another writer wh...Ray, I'm glad to hear of yet another writer who was encouraged by teachers along the way. Friends, family, teachers--even fans that write to tell you how much they have enjoyed your stories--it all adds up to a whole lot of encouragement that we should always remember to "pay forward" with others, right? Thanks so much for your comment!<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-15605794963777720632013-02-02T16:26:05.192-06:002013-02-02T16:26:05.192-06:00I never found the two English teachers who reckone...I never found the two English teachers who reckoned that I had it in me to write. But I never forgot them and I named them on my blog. My mum had more faith than my dad - just as well but dad was a western fan so the influence was somewhere else. Ex-girlfriends and my wife played their part. And when everything went pear shaped for me there was a group of guys who gave me a lot of encouragement.<br />They know who they are - and they know how grateful I am. Writing isn't always a lonely profession.Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18154296143024548830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-82255320754632528162013-02-02T13:15:51.410-06:002013-02-02T13:15:51.410-06:00Hey, RW! Thanks so much for those very kind words ...Hey, RW! Thanks so much for those very kind words about Fire Eyes--I'm so glad you enjoyed it. <br /><br />My parents, too, always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. They just wanted me to do something I could make a living at, and back then, writing wasn't an option. I always say, the three things a woman was expected to choose from then was secretary, nurse or school teacher. My mom's great dream was for one of the three of her daughters to become "an interpreter for the U.N."--I am sure there had been a big push for that since the U.N. wasn't very old at that time. None of us ever did.LOL <br /><br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-39582471113919187702013-02-02T12:34:20.990-06:002013-02-02T12:34:20.990-06:00Wonderful post. The person who gets your book will...Wonderful post. The person who gets your book will be lucky indeed. I enjoyed it as you know. <br /><br />I was a lucky one, both parents always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. That kind of beginning helps. I just have to get out of my own way.Renaissance Womenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045401344374224512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-13485341060933971052013-02-02T12:26:59.388-06:002013-02-02T12:26:59.388-06:00Sarah...you brought tears to my eyes with your com...Sarah...you brought tears to my eyes with your comment. You should NEVER run into writer's block or feel like you don't have a story to tell, my friend. You have a million of them, just waiting to me set free. You are a dear, dear friend and I wish we lived closer so we could meet in person. Your writing stands on its own, and I'm so glad I was able to help, and that Rebecca was, too. She knew a good thing when she saw it, right? LOL<br /><br />I think it's so amazing what a good teacher can do for his or her students just by giving a word of encouragement here and there, don't you? I'm so glad you had teacher that recognized your talent and abilities and was there to give you that encouragement. I had at least one of those--my 8th grade teacher, as I mentioned. But I know there were others along the way as well. Thanks again for your comment. It means the world to me.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-30594092334676436982013-02-02T12:22:11.356-06:002013-02-02T12:22:11.356-06:00Meg, I know Cheryl. She is a gem. A very meticulou...Meg, I know Cheryl. She is a gem. A very meticulous writer and one I admire very much. She's also kind-hearted and I don't think she'd tell a new writer anything that would discourage them because she's so positive. To me, it's amazing to sit back and reflect on people who might have said the smallest thing that encouraged us, and maybe they never even realized it.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-77483902835711329932013-02-02T12:19:36.490-06:002013-02-02T12:19:36.490-06:00Keith,
I had two bosses through the years that tol...Keith,<br />I had two bosses through the years that told me I should become a hostage negotiator. LOL I'm glad I didn't follow their advice. No matter what happened in the early years, NOW you probably have a lot of people who encourage you and admire your work. I know one of them--ME. Your opening for WC Bloody Trail was just masterful, and I truly admire you for being such a "Renaissance Man"--you know so much about so many things, that writing is just 2nd nature to you, I think. I'm glad you "plugged away" and followed this part of your dream.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-52455838924242726502013-02-02T10:03:04.119-06:002013-02-02T10:03:04.119-06:00This post really spoke to me. Like most writers, I...This post really spoke to me. Like most writers, I fell in love with story telling when I was a child, but I didn't think anyone ever noticed until my senior year in high school. In front of an entire class of kids, most of whom I felt were better at everything than me, my teacher told the class that he had a student in his class that he felt would be a professional writer one day--and to my shock and utter joy, he said that pperson was me. He was the first person who recognized something special in me. <br />I've had much support over the years--sometimes from surprising sources. One person in particular helped me when I felt I had hit a real low, smothered by writer's block and self doubt and working with a publisher who wanted stories I didn't want to write. This person encouraged me to take a leap and submit my book to Rebecca Vickery and offered to edit it. She also helped me resolve a burdensome situation to set me free. That person was you, Cheryl. I will forever be grateful for your support and positive input.You're the best. Sarah J. McNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749991094677728042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-19475667522658402452013-02-02T09:11:30.728-06:002013-02-02T09:11:30.728-06:00I just read your story about the 8th grade teacher...I just read your story about the 8th grade teacher who predicted your success! WOW! fabulous. It's amazing how we struggle on, with or w/o help, and keep following the dream.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10734148270217773194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-23608366580377982682013-02-02T09:07:34.715-06:002013-02-02T09:07:34.715-06:00Great post, Cheryl, and so true! I have to say the...Great post, Cheryl, and so true! I have to say the author Cheryl St. John helped Double Crossing -- she judged it in a contest waaaay back, and her kind words plus suggestions to do more research on Omaha really helped me see it wasn't "ready for prime time." And my daughter and long-time CP Sharon are both big time supporters and helpers as proofers and plot analyzers. :-)<br /><br />What would we do without our "team" behind us?Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10734148270217773194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-89072494363960102762013-02-02T08:57:45.510-06:002013-02-02T08:57:45.510-06:00I enjoyed your post, Cheryl. Sadly, I never had an...I enjoyed your post, Cheryl. Sadly, I never had anyone tell me that I should become a writer, so I just plugged away on my own, following the dream.Keith Souterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15206349930107528691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-40064123347396317442013-02-01T23:21:32.117-06:002013-02-01T23:21:32.117-06:00Patrick,isn't it a shame that some of the peop...Patrick,isn't it a shame that some of the people we've known might not ever know how they've touched our lives? I think of that perfect line in Jackson Browne's song "For a Dancer"--"go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own, and somewhere between the time your arrive and the time you go, may lie a reason you were alive that you'll never know." We just never know what small kindness or remark might impact the life of another so remarkably. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting--I love stories like yours.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-62962266121039817052013-02-01T22:57:53.026-06:002013-02-01T22:57:53.026-06:00The help . . . The idea . . . The moment . . .
I ...The help . . . The idea . . . The moment . . .<br /><br />I can point to one moment in time, 47 years ago in January 1966 when my 9th grade English teacher, Bob Bass, returned a book report to me with a note scribbled in the margin. It said:<br /><br />"I like the way you have presented this material. Have you ever tried writing fiction? If you are interested in writing, I would be happy to help and advise you as writing is one of my interests also."<br /><br />Little did he realize that he had created a monster. I went home and began my first novel that very afternoon. He had given a 14-year-old boy what everyone needs--a dream.<br /><br />It's a dream I still live every day.Patrick Dearenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983713166654854463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-56795250101584807012013-02-01T20:36:13.398-06:002013-02-01T20:36:13.398-06:00Like you, Jacquie, my friends have been there for ...Like you, Jacquie, my friends have been there for me in so many cases. Online friends as well as friends I'd known "back in the day"--I feel the same way--bless 'em all for saying they liked them. LOL<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-56434889023802909422013-02-01T16:19:46.298-06:002013-02-01T16:19:46.298-06:00My oldest daughter has helped me with publicity an...My oldest daughter has helped me with publicity and is the only female in the family who enjoys my books. The men seem to like them better.<br /><br />My husband is my staunchest supporter--my proofreader, my cheerleader, and my IT wizard. I have some friends, both in person and online that have kept me going. I have never stuck with one field for very long and usually lose interest about the time I get good at something, so most of my close friends are astonished I'm still plugging away. :) Bless 'em all for reading my books and telling me they like them (whether true or not).Jacquie Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361793932364487636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-27690716126130143162013-02-01T11:56:55.873-06:002013-02-01T11:56:55.873-06:00Celia,
I do understand. It's so wonderful to h...Celia,<br />I do understand. It's so wonderful to have Jim to be such a staunch supporter and cheer you on. I've discovered that there ARE a lot of people who just don't "get it" -- and it really hurts when those people are close to you. But I think of all the wonderful people I've "met" who have become such good friends--even though I've never actually met them in person--and have given me such encouragement throughout the years.<br /><br />I had an 8th grade English teacher who gave us the assignment of choosing one of 4 pictures she provided and writing a short story about what had happened. I will never forget the look on her face when she was glancing through them. We had to do it in class and turn it in at the end. When she came to mine, she was so enthusiastic. I told her I wanted to write more on the end but didn't have time. She said if I wanted to, I could do it that night and bring it back to her the next day. When I did, she read the whole thing to the class. "I predict Cheryl's going to be a writer someday." I will never forget that--it's all I'd ever wanted to be.<br /><br />Thanks so much for coming by today, Celia. I count you as one of those dear friends who's helped me along the way.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-69726372715945411172013-02-01T11:49:48.006-06:002013-02-01T11:49:48.006-06:00Jerry, you're so right about how important it ...Jerry, you're so right about how important it is, and what a blessing it truly is to have that support. I so often wish that my parents could have lived to see my writing accomplishments. They both passed away after I had sold a few short stories, but before I sold Fire Eyes.<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-35523360923608946862013-02-01T11:48:08.178-06:002013-02-01T11:48:08.178-06:00Linda, that's great! My husband is my tech sup...Linda, that's great! My husband is my tech support guy, but as far as anything else--he's not much involved at all. That's so wonderful to have a cheeleading squad right there in your own home like that. Thanks for the congrats. I was so proud to have been a finalist!<br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-26726151947922893312013-02-01T11:47:47.783-06:002013-02-01T11:47:47.783-06:00Cheryl--I can honestly say, no one helped me. Exce...Cheryl--I can honestly say, no one helped me. Except for my husband, who actually barely understood that I was writing novels, one after the other. No one knew I was doing this! I never had a dream of being an author--it just happened in my older years and I was having a blast doing it!<br />Of course, now my husband is my staunchest supporter. No member of of my family, not even my own children, care one whit about my books. Don't get me started there, or I will cry.<br /><br />One family member wanted to read my books--beside my dh--and that was 9yrold grandson, who saw all my books stacked on his granddads' bookshelf in his office. He told me, Grandmother, I saw a stack of books in Granddad's study, and all of them had your name on them. Can I read them?" (this child is the most voracious reader you have ever seen.) I had to say,"No, sweetheart, they're books for adults. When you become an adult, you may read them.". Okay, he said, with his famous movie star grin that never fails to melt my heart. <br />Even when I decided to go to college at age 27 and with two young children, my only supporter was my husband. You see why we're so close? Everyone else in my family-my mother and my sisters--did nothing but criticize.<br />And so...I felt validated when I received my very first review, and it was a Five Star--I cried my eyes out. I still remember those words, and have that review safely saved in a special file.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-46478435808683462462013-02-01T11:37:41.167-06:002013-02-01T11:37:41.167-06:00Nice post Cheryl, believing in one's self plus...Nice post Cheryl, believing in one's self plus getting the support of family, friends and business associates is a blessing indeed.<br />JerryJerry Guinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17074197803776713004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409887812566625284.post-35237709935440448752013-02-01T11:14:55.990-06:002013-02-01T11:14:55.990-06:00Hmm, I guess I'd have to say my husband. I pop...Hmm, I guess I'd have to say my husband. I popped of once while reading a romance and said, "I bet I could write one of these." His response was, "Why don't you?"<br />And so the seed was planted, but it took about 12 years of learning before I got published. <br /><br />Congratulations on your first novel being an EPIE finalist. That is a real accomplishment.Linda LaRoquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16672522522233696282noreply@blogger.com