tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post3034373400534777361..comments2024-03-10T05:06:25.309-04:00Comments on Livia Blackburne: Five hundred! Call for Introductions and FeedbackLivia Blackburnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-22007268860219736162010-05-31T10:16:04.830-04:002010-05-31T10:16:04.830-04:00Charlotte - I admire people who write both fiction...Charlotte - I admire people who write both fiction and nonfiction. It seems like it'd be good for keeping well balanced writing muscles.<br /><br />Margo -- Yeah, it was probably twitter. So it's pretty counterintuitive sometimes to think about the connections from parts of cells to neurons to everyday complex behavior. I have a lot of trouble wrapping my head around it, and I think most neuroscientists do too. We kind of cop out by focusing on a certain level -- some people do neurons, I do larger brain systems....<br /><br />Andy -- Dang. You're a true renaissance man. <br /><br />Richard -- that's an amazing story. I'm glad the neurologist was able to help you. Good luck with your writing!Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-81813366476961781372010-05-30T07:21:17.520-04:002010-05-30T07:21:17.520-04:00Livia:
I only just joined your fan club.
Like yo...Livia:<br /><br />I only just joined your fan club.<br /><br />Like you and several other posters, I have a degree in science, and was studying medicine when I decided to drop out to become a winemaker. I never quite made it to UC Davis, taking a detour into journalism, and writing about wine, food, and the arts in the early 1990s. I was building my career nicely, and happy with how it was working out.<br /><br />Cue the ominous music. I developed a mysterious illness that was characterized by daily migraines — and a host of other problems — and it literally stripped the ability to write from my life. With one or two exceptions, I wrote nothing of consequence for 14 years. <br /><br />In 2006, I found a neurologist who knew exactly what had caused the unending years in purgatory, and he put me on the road to recovery. When the physical pain subsided, I discovered the plots for two young adult novels waiting for me, like a gift.<br /><br />I’ve only recently been able to free up time to write the first, and hope to have a polished first draft (I know, a contradiction in terms!) by the end of June. And then, after rewriting and revisions, we’ll see. I’m not the writer I once was — my work needs way more fine tuning than it used it — but I see signs of encouragement here and there. I’m blessed in having the world’s most gifted editor at the computer right beside mine in our little home office.<br /><br />I’m here for the intelligence of the conversation, and for the community (which really seems to matter to you). It would be cool to connect with other, like-minded YA writers. <br /><br />So I’d tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll keep reading happily.<br /><br />RichardRichard Levangiehttp://richardlevangie.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-28931375898141366802010-05-27T22:38:50.555-04:002010-05-27T22:38:50.555-04:00Enjoy your thoughtful integration of science and s...Enjoy your thoughtful integration of science and syllables. Similarly, each of my professional loves has greatly informed the other: songwriter/musician, management consultant/speaker, and Ph.D. psychology/neuroscience. However, I've learned most from my wonderful wife and daughters - my steps are forever happier knowing theirs. To observe and be a part of the wonders of life is truly a gift, and writing seems such a natural way to share. Working on a novel, children's books, and country/pop/rock tunes that reflect travels from petri to Peoria, lysome to London, and many discoveries inbetween. Wishing you joy on your journey. And thanks for sharing your helpful insights along the way.<br />-AndyAndyhttp://mysongwriter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-76066661195948112802010-05-27T22:25:57.527-04:002010-05-27T22:25:57.527-04:00Hi Livia,
I'm scouring my brain (ha) and I can...Hi Livia,<br />I'm scouring my brain (ha) and I can't remember how I heard about your blog! I usually blame, er, attribute most every foggy connection to Twitter. ;)<br /><br />As you know, I write YA as well. My fascination with your field and your unique take on writing is its flip-side view on human nature. What most of us think is a mysterious reaction could actually have a basis in biology, or something...? :) Really, I just think it's cool because I love to learn. <br /><br />Thanks so much for this blog, Livia. Even though I may not comment as much as I should, I read every entry.Margo Rowderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894653672801960682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-60697477026955972672010-05-26T12:02:07.073-04:002010-05-26T12:02:07.073-04:00I'm a new reader to your blog, and fascinated ...I'm a new reader to your blog, and fascinated by your new approach to writing. I'm a journalist and business writer by day and an aspiring novelist by night, so am really interested in both your fiction and non-fiction posts.<br /><br />Thank you for such a great blog!Charlottehttp://www.charlotteotter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-8746719144511555372010-05-25T20:29:21.693-04:002010-05-25T20:29:21.693-04:00Ann Marie -- Yeah, that Simon, such a trouble make...Ann Marie -- Yeah, that Simon, such a trouble maker...<br /><br />Claudie -- Well, there's plenty of room for good biochemists in neuroscience :-) Welcome!Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-37336926981313143972010-05-25T20:02:08.614-04:002010-05-25T20:02:08.614-04:00So, I just found this blog out, but it seems I mig...So, I just found this blog out, but it seems I might not be too late for the call of introductions. True, I've read two articles as of now, but I believe I will stick around. <br /><br />Why? Well, I'm currently studying in Biochemistry and was brought there by my love for neuroscience. Plus, I spend all of my free time writing. <br /><br />You CAN'T title something "A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing" without having me hooked. <br /><br />So... *wave* Hi. :)Claudie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-10157376634969457232010-05-24T06:56:57.923-04:002010-05-24T06:56:57.923-04:00YES - Simon has been responsible for many things i...YES - Simon has been responsible for many things it seems - I came over from his blog, too!<br /><br />As others have mentioned, I love the combination of brain and writing - absolutely essential when sculpting characters.<br /><br />As a teacher - I also find the scientific part of your blog fascinating....now if only I can put the theory into practice...<br /><br />CONGRATULATIONS on your HUGE following! You deserve it you brainy person - you!Ann Marie Wraighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524746255813452836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-56616315700261806352010-05-21T22:34:10.568-04:002010-05-21T22:34:10.568-04:00Lady Glamis - Good for you! I'm always a fan ...Lady Glamis - Good for you! I'm always a fan of fantasy. And it's a good choice to self pub the novella -- those seem hard to sell.<br /><br />dirtywhitecandy -- ghostwriting seems like an interesting process. What's it like?<br /><br />Mary - If you add up your sons, students, and cat, you get 21. Which seems like nifty number somehow.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-60645209371822480842010-05-21T22:31:13.639-04:002010-05-21T22:31:13.639-04:00I write for a local women's magazine. My curr...I write for a local women's magazine. My current WIP is a drama set in a coffee shop. I have a novel in the works, but I have shelved it for now. I have four sons, 16 piano students, one cat, and many nurturing friends.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-6211415359690699642010-05-20T09:40:36.257-04:002010-05-20T09:40:36.257-04:00I'm a writer with lots of ghosted novels publi...I'm a writer with lots of ghosted novels published and now I'm represented under my own name. As writing is my job as well as my passion I'm interested in what helps or blocks me. I also critique writers, published and unpublished, and see that a lot of the time they are making life more difficult for themselves than they need to! I blog about this and have written Nail Your Novel, a methodology for novel-writing, which uses all sorts of tricks from project management to cognitive behaviour therapy and sports psychology.<br /> <br />Preamble over - your posts on the brain science aspects of writing are exactly up my street! Quite often you've unearthed some interesting piece of psychology or brain science that has given me an aha moment!Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088813423467048081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-59903519369788128072010-05-20T00:08:43.885-04:002010-05-20T00:08:43.885-04:00I think either Simon Larter or Davin from Lit Lab ...I think either Simon Larter or Davin from Lit Lab sent me over here. You've got a great blog, and wow at all your followers! <br /><br />I'm currently working on my fourth novel, which is actually a novella, and it's fantasy, which I've never written before, and I will be self-publishing it, which is something I never thought I'd do. Lots of firsts. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-81220216934182376092010-05-19T19:10:28.544-04:002010-05-19T19:10:28.544-04:00Livia,
Yep, I'm pro phonics here as well. I ...Livia,<br /><br />Yep, I'm pro phonics here as well. I think whole language comes into play later (once the student looks at the word instead of letters), but for the initial reading stage, it's definitely phonics. Why, yes, I've taught elementary students. Why do you ask? :)Jami Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957122956518765455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-49119575593916761312010-05-19T16:57:39.862-04:002010-05-19T16:57:39.862-04:00Jami G - For what it's worth, I'm definite...Jami G - For what it's worth, I'm definitely pro phonics.<br /><br />exclusive_remedy - Yay Neuro :-)<br /><br />Raphael - Nice to meet you. A friend of mine lived in South Africa for several years.<br /><br />Jaleh - Lol, yup, nothing like old textbooks to fend off the apocolypse<br /><br />Patricia -- I find translation to be fascinating. Getting all the nuances right seems like an interesting challenge<br /><br />Michele - Welcome to the blogosphere. Good for you for learning all about this web stuff.<br /><br />Simon -- I charge for additional Neuro love scenes.<br /><br />lotusgirl - good luck with querying!<br /><br />DL - Good luck with querying as well! I'm hoping to be able to query by the end of the year.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-4930191237861683222010-05-19T16:23:54.917-04:002010-05-19T16:23:54.917-04:00I've been around for awhile and comment occass...I've been around for awhile and comment occassionally. :) I've written two books (one of those thrown under the bed) and several short stories. I'm editing my second novel and preparing it for the query process sometime before the end of the year.DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-6039555550832306652010-05-19T15:36:31.682-04:002010-05-19T15:36:31.682-04:00I'm in revisions on my first WIP in preparatio...I'm in revisions on my first WIP in preparations to query and rough drafting the 2nd WIP.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-44390804949981421072010-05-19T14:20:59.437-04:002010-05-19T14:20:59.437-04:00I'm not a writer. I've just been play-acti...I'm not a writer. I've just been play-acting for the notoriety, y'know. I follow your blog because of the occasional steam neuroscience love scenes, which I think you should post more of. <br /><br />That's my only recommendation for the future. You're welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-47791393075925697652010-05-19T13:13:00.738-04:002010-05-19T13:13:00.738-04:00Hi, I love your blog. I just found you the other d...Hi, I love your blog. I just found you the other day, this is exciting, this is like one of my first comments in blogging land. I am a senior citizen, stay at home mom for our entire almost 39 year marriage, eager to learn all I can about writing, copywriting, marketing, web design, anything related to making a living on the internet. We appreciate your efforts.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18283354378152713443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-51695740713311913842010-05-19T11:24:06.922-04:002010-05-19T11:24:06.922-04:00Like Jaleh, I have a degree (BS) in biology I'...Like Jaleh, I have a degree (BS) in biology I'm not currently using, along with an MA in German literature. (So I'm qualified to be what, exactly? -- a writer, of course!) I've co-authored a nonfiction book and I'm editor in chief of the webmagazine Tales from a Small Planet. I also translate professionally. But my real love is reading and writing science fiction stories. Thanks for your fascinating blog, and congratulations on reaching 500 readers!Patricia Lindermanhttp://www.talesmag.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-25107553382013914252010-05-19T09:01:38.921-04:002010-05-19T09:01:38.921-04:00I'm glad I have a degree in anything. Some job...I'm glad I have a degree in anything. Some jobs want any kind of 4-yr degree. So, far the jobs I've found for biology require being in a lab (didn't like that for my classes) or coursework I didn't have access to. History, especially ethnology, has been more interesting lately. But between the science textbooks I've saved, plus my husband's anthropology, history, and archaeology texts from his degree, and our assorted low tech, applied tech, and how-to books, we are set either the apocalypse or colonizing another class M planet. Or writing a story about either one.Jaleh Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942272578488986874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-57863712750501453972010-05-19T06:10:05.372-04:002010-05-19T06:10:05.372-04:00I only found this place a few weeks ago. Through ...I only found this place a few weeks ago. Through a Writer's Digest article, I think.<br /><br />I subscribed here because I've always been fascinated with the human mind, and I have a strange interest in psychology. I’m a South African student in English Lit.<br /><br />I’ve never actually been published anywhere, but I’m getting there, I hope. All attempts at a novel usually get scrapped at chapter 2.<br /><br />This blog is a very interesting concept that combines two of my interests. I love figuring out how characters work inside, and Loading the First Impression for Quick Characterization hooked me from the start. (the first post I read)<br /><br />I look forward to seeing more, hopefully improving my writing along the way. Hm.Raphael Foxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-24046327601441988982010-05-19T03:13:33.799-04:002010-05-19T03:13:33.799-04:00Also, I wrote my comment without proofreading so p...Also, I wrote my comment without proofreading so part of it makes no sense. I swear I have great command of the english language, just not so much at midnight I guess. Haha. Sorry.exclusive_remedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796385980297690380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-40426191757611075162010-05-19T03:09:40.690-04:002010-05-19T03:09:40.690-04:00I read an article you had written somewhere (can&#...I read an article you had written somewhere (can't remember where) and saw the title of your blog and had to come read it. I myself have a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and although I currently work in research I love writing fiction. I think you have great insights posts articles on a variety of topics and I have enjoyed reading the small amount I have read in my short time following you. Keep it up!exclusive_remedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796385980297690380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-59672241076380835682010-05-19T00:22:06.806-04:002010-05-19T00:22:06.806-04:00I think I first 'heard' of you through Sim...I think I first 'heard' of you through Simon, or maybe it was Iapetus. Hmm... Don't know, it's been a long day.<br /><br />I'm pretty new to the blog, so I'm just now catching up on some of the old posts, but I've always been fascinated by brain function works (how kids learn to read and the whole phonics vs. whole language debate, for example).<br /><br />As far as where I am in the writing process, I've sent out a couple of queries for my WIP, but I think I got auto-rejected for word count (120K). So I'm doing a major hack-n-slash before querying more.<br /><br />Keep up the good work! :)Jami Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957122956518765455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-69649582230257625292010-05-18T22:16:10.492-04:002010-05-18T22:16:10.492-04:00Tiny Urban Kitchen -- Tell you what. I help you w...Tiny Urban Kitchen -- Tell you what. I help you with your writing, and you help me with my cooking.<br /><br />Jaleh D - Nice to hear from a fellow biologist. Are you still glad you got the degree even if you don't use it?<br /><br />Anonymous -- Thanks for the links. I'll have to check them out.<br /><br />Shoshana - Yup, I remember taking the T back with you.<br /><br />Jemi - Cool, I didn't know you were a teacher. I was first interested in the brain from an educational standpoint too. Well, I guess I still am, since I study dyslexia. But I'm pretty theoretical these days.<br /><br />Amie - Yeah, it's fun meeting writers online, isn't it. A good outlet for nerdy writer jokes.<br /><br />maybe genius - Yeah, when you think about it, literature and psych are pretty similar in that they study people and how they act.<br /><br />Brendan -- Maybe we'll run into each other at a Boston are event one of these daysLivia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.com