tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post5443859902727272420..comments2024-02-04T04:40:23.122-08:00Comments on Harlequin Heartwarming: Everything I need to know I learned by watching "American Idol" by Syndi PowellPamela Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-6718940730531852342014-03-06T15:14:58.063-08:002014-03-06T15:14:58.063-08:00Unbelievably, I've never once watched American...Unbelievably, I've never once watched American Idol, but I absolutely love everything you said here, Syndi! This is sound writer advice! :)Cerella Sechristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05627773842494621678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-41301610788795132302014-03-06T09:11:52.625-08:002014-03-06T09:11:52.625-08:00I don't watch regularly, but I love your point...I don't watch regularly, but I love your points and agree that these types of competition shows serve as great examples and lessons for writers.Rula Sinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-25380824528212645442014-03-05T16:29:24.032-08:002014-03-05T16:29:24.032-08:00So many of the judges will tell the contestants th...So many of the judges will tell the contestants that saying no now doesn't mean no forever. That they heard a lot of "nos" before they got their first "yes". We can relate, right? Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-75080997397506374052014-03-05T16:27:56.860-08:002014-03-05T16:27:56.860-08:00Muriel, that's a wonderful point about giving ...Muriel, that's a wonderful point about giving up. Can you imagine how bland our lives would be if the great writers/musicians/artists had given up after the first rejection? And how much richer would life be if those who gave up had kept going?Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-24235594933181588392014-03-05T16:26:36.178-08:002014-03-05T16:26:36.178-08:00I'm in the same boat. Those first three chapte...I'm in the same boat. Those first three chapters are a good beginning, but the bigger picture can change by the time you get to the end of the book. I always think I know where the book will take me, but there are always insights on the journey that affect the first pages.Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-56023479026197218252014-03-05T16:24:16.296-08:002014-03-05T16:24:16.296-08:00Pamela, you crack me up. We record the shows then ...Pamela, you crack me up. We record the shows then watch them before we go on any kind of social media just in case they reveal any spoilers. And there's a lot of them out there!Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-87392680602775276892014-03-05T16:23:15.390-08:002014-03-05T16:23:15.390-08:00Melinda, that's another good point. I loved he...Melinda, that's another good point. I loved hearing Matthew's speech the other night. My heart warmed when he started tearing up while talking to his wife that it's because of her love and support that he's able to do what he does, that they are the ones he wants to make proud of him. SWOON.Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-30438318039413264922014-03-05T16:21:41.723-08:002014-03-05T16:21:41.723-08:00Karen, that's a great point about heroes in ro...Karen, that's a great point about heroes in romances. Those guys aren't in my lane either. I like the accountants, business owners, etc. To me, those are the real men.Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-24961173937566883812014-03-05T16:20:19.300-08:002014-03-05T16:20:19.300-08:00Thanks, Anna. Sometimes the knowing who you are is...Thanks, Anna. Sometimes the knowing who you are is the hardest part for an artist. As writers, we may want to write what's "popular" rather than what resonates in our soul. Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-86095720327337310492014-03-05T16:19:17.927-08:002014-03-05T16:19:17.927-08:00That is a great point, Dana. If you don't know...That is a great point, Dana. If you don't know who you are then it's hard to hang on to what is real and true about yourself and allow trends/fads to take over.Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-82184644721344445042014-03-05T16:18:28.901-08:002014-03-05T16:18:28.901-08:00It's hard to find a balance between learning f...It's hard to find a balance between learning from the criticism and maintaining your own voice. Syndi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15749555878197507030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-77829159188741521992014-03-05T12:49:06.802-08:002014-03-05T12:49:06.802-08:00I love the stories like last years winner - who wa...I love the stories like last years winner - who was kicked out in a previous season during Hollywood week but came back and won the whole thing a year later! Never give up. If you don't win this contest or that one, doesn't mean you won't win it the next time if you keep working and keep trying. :)Amy Vastinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10370234907973582544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-66166171156046072562014-03-05T12:08:22.446-08:002014-03-05T12:08:22.446-08:00Same thing happens to me!Same thing happens to me!Muriel Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065629068634892645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-90168023385255480452014-03-05T10:22:22.124-08:002014-03-05T10:22:22.124-08:00Trust yourself (I guess that equates to knowing yo...Trust yourself (I guess that equates to knowing yourself), work hard, keep smiling, and remember that failure and non-success aren't the same thing. Non-success isn't failure until you give up.Muriel Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065629068634892645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-1950907117434619752014-03-05T10:13:56.771-08:002014-03-05T10:13:56.771-08:00You guys are all so insightful! lol:) I'm just...You guys are all so insightful! lol:) I'm just reading...nodding along...taking notes:):) <br />Pam-it's funny you mention that because just a few weeks ago I mentioned to Victoria that I actually prefer getting notes on the whole, instead of the first three chapters, because by the time I write The End-I often have to go back and change/improve those beginning chapters anyway:)Jennifer Snow https://www.blogger.com/profile/11612858248083325495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-14145847590578204302014-03-05T09:23:40.207-08:002014-03-05T09:23:40.207-08:00My first thought is that Idol is one of the shows ...My first thought is that Idol is one of the shows that won't do well on DVD because you'll know the winner. I never get to watch TV <br /><br />Roz is so right. I know writers who seek so much approval on their first three chapters that they never write the book.<br /><br />Me, I'd go on Idol in a heartbeat and sing my heart out and then, when it's over, I'd critique myself.Pamela Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-50187757966283618092014-03-05T08:49:57.001-08:002014-03-05T08:49:57.001-08:00I would also add that you can learn from anyone ar...I would also add that you can learn from anyone around you (I believe I got this from The Biggest Loser). A child may have a game changing perspective that you hadn't thought of. Your competition may have a strength that you can work toward. And probably my most recent epiphany came from Best Actor Winning Matthew McC (can't spell this early in the morning). He said he'd been MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-51146257536272414202014-03-05T08:48:13.499-08:002014-03-05T08:48:13.499-08:00I've been watching AI since Season 2! I love t...I've been watching AI since Season 2! I love the show and there are a lot of valuable takeaways that apply to all artists. One thing they always tell singers is how important song choice is and I think the same is true about the stories you tell. There is a lot of pressure to tell stories with firemen/Navy Seals/FBI guys in them... and I admit- they are very very appealing. But I know they Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-57318202019295850702014-03-05T07:30:55.596-08:002014-03-05T07:30:55.596-08:00I love this post, Syndi--so much resonates with me...I love this post, Syndi--so much resonates with me, especially the "know who you are" (like Dana said). I kind of equate that with a writer finding their voice, knowing the stories they want to tell and working to make it happen. I haven't watched IDOL in a long time, but the fact that most of the success stories are those who didn't win the contest...I've always found that Anna J Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17147693615384740106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-11743679542156633262014-03-05T07:30:04.347-08:002014-03-05T07:30:04.347-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anna J Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17147693615384740106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-71593063200668877642014-03-05T07:11:16.948-08:002014-03-05T07:11:16.948-08:00I think the "know who you are" element p...I think the "know who you are" element probably helps those folks who do make it actually keep their sanity. The younger celebs who haven't figured that out yet, often seem to fall prey to the expectations and "unreality" of living life as a superstar. Thanks for the post! Dana Mentinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366110757864439082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-56307188345743310362014-03-05T06:56:30.329-08:002014-03-05T06:56:30.329-08:00Syndi, those are all good points that stand an art...Syndi, those are all good points that stand an artist of any kind in good stead. I think especially the one about listening to a coach, but don't let them change your work too much. I've certainly seen that happen to writers who have a lot of skill and potential, but who lack self confidence. Sometimes a single critic can make a person so doubt themselves that they give up. rozdennyfoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506701706951201107noreply@blogger.com