tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post6981611361193986507..comments2024-03-18T05:16:12.864-04:00Comments on Pimp My Novel: Prithee, Inform Me: The Rules of WritingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-73813183200152504972019-10-23T03:55:17.846-04:002019-10-23T03:55:17.846-04:00It as nearly impossible to find experienced people...It as nearly impossible to find experienced people about this topic, <a href="http://www1.agencft2288.org/agen-kungfu-chicken/" rel="nofollow">s1288</a> but you sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanksgabrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01302873937767335014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-26550613451503371362019-10-12T04:02:07.738-04:002019-10-12T04:02:07.738-04:00idn poker<a href="http://www.daftaridnpoker88.net/daftar-idn-poker/" rel="nofollow">idn poker</a>jonethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15911560923291919347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-1394010504328571742019-09-17T04:38:40.480-04:002019-09-17T04:38:40.480-04:00Hi there. Very cool site!! Guy ..Wonderful .. I wi...Hi there. Very cool site!! Guy ..Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to locate so much useful info right here in the article. Thanks for sharing…<a href="http://www.sbobet7sports.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sbobet7sports.com/</a>Laurens99https://www.blogger.com/profile/02867116381047873959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-13739718503934519852011-03-21T16:08:47.244-04:002011-03-21T16:08:47.244-04:00Great post. I agree that it's helpful to see a...Great post. I agree that it's helpful to see a writer's list that focuses on the reader's experience. <br />My favorite piece of writing advice is from James Baldwin: write every sentence "as clean as a bone."lahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241202051199204819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-37282075393898070012011-03-20T14:48:28.506-04:002011-03-20T14:48:28.506-04:00Fantastic stuff. Thanks for sharing!
I read a qu...Fantastic stuff. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />I read a quote, well a paraphrase actually, that's stuck with me:<br />"Murder your darlings"<br /><br />That's something I've always felt was a good recommendation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-69999709523332765752011-03-17T07:24:11.459-04:002011-03-17T07:24:11.459-04:00When embarking on the first draft - Don't get ...When embarking on the first draft - Don't get it right, get it written.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07917371469590205800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-69722249414399577552011-03-16T22:27:51.715-04:002011-03-16T22:27:51.715-04:00Where do I start?
Never violate a character's...Where do I start?<br /><br />Never violate a character's core principles without serious consequences. Superpowers cause problems, they don't fix them. Keep your promises - if you mention it, make it matter somewhere down the line.<br /><br />I've not only learned wonderful 'rules' (principles is a better word) of writing from Holly Lisle's Writer's Boot Camp courses, I have learned how to keep them.<br /><br />There's a button to her stuff on my site, or just Google. I highly recommend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-49343264139625200662011-03-16T10:44:54.169-04:002011-03-16T10:44:54.169-04:00Don't worry about the rules when writing the f...Don't worry about the rules when writing the first draft. Focus on the story and character developemnt -- You can fix everything else later.<br /><br />Disagree with #8. Suspense can be (I didn't say "is") essential. Not everyone achieves the big payoff when trying to build tension, but when we do it's an awesome thing.<br /><br />As for authors I admire, there is one who stands out: Dashiell Hammett. No muss, no fuss. Story, action, sparse narrative... He offers just enough detail to let you know where you are and leaves the rest to your imagination, all the while packing his short stories and books with memorable characters and fast-paced action.Mark Feggelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13378318592424889688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-63639471982434710892011-03-16T10:01:28.732-04:002011-03-16T10:01:28.732-04:00Writing what I want to read. Bad habit, but I read...Writing what I want to read. Bad habit, but I read a rather wide range of genres, so it works for me.<br /><br />No.8? Arguably, I think it depends on the type of story. If I am writing a short story or novella, I believe it is vital to provide pertinent information as soon as possible. Succinctly or in detail, whatever works. Just get it out of the way, readers can refer back to it if necessary (but it shouldn't be), and then you can focus on characterization, build-up, climax and resolution.Red Haircrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10560786713243853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-20104951613455093622011-03-15T17:28:19.005-04:002011-03-15T17:28:19.005-04:00I too love these rules, I'd like them posted w...I too love these rules, I'd like them posted where I write; especially love #6 since it's hard for me to do because I'm always afraid I won't know how to get them out of the bad stuff.<br />A writer that has inspired me is Jacqueline Carey and her "Kushiel" series of books, as well as Guy Kay and his "Sarantium" books. So well written, the characters rich and all want something. Carey's heroine, Phedre, is a particular favorite since her very existence is at times a trial. Highly recommend them.Trish Loydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07839494951706070596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-29326235923950700502011-03-15T17:21:36.186-04:002011-03-15T17:21:36.186-04:00(Elmore Leonard)leave out the bits the reader will...(Elmore Leonard)leave out the bits the reader will skip; don't use "suddenly."<br />(C.Dickens) make them laugh; make them cry.<br />(?)(at opening)don't warm up your enginesM Clement Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14422621517381625768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-51730194841505405402011-03-15T16:42:34.049-04:002011-03-15T16:42:34.049-04:00"Develop a built-in bullshit detector." ..."Develop a built-in bullshit detector." Ernest HemingwayIdiot Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11865748428499401466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-76780292361189390512011-03-15T16:14:11.154-04:002011-03-15T16:14:11.154-04:00I have deconstructed the writing process to its mo...I have deconstructed the writing process to its most fundamental mechanics. Here are my tips. I beg your indulgence.<br /><br /><br />1. Have an idea. This is not absolutely necessary but it helps. If you don't have an idea, following these procedures will still result in quality writing<br /><br />2. Have a place to sit. Alternatively, a place to stand will suffice so long as it's<br />reasonably private. Many great writers with hemorrhoids did their work standing up.<br /><br />3. Have a device that produces marks that conform to the alphabet of your chosen language. Mate that device with a surface or medium to record the device's impressions.<br /><br />4. Remain stationary for a long period of time while operating the aforementioned device. The recording medium or surface should be placed to maximize comfort. When the recording medium can't be comfortably placed, many great writers have alleviated their discomfort with whiskey, vodka and tobacco.<br /><br />5. If you begin with an idea, it's optimum to use the language-marking-device to elaborate upon that idea. If you do not have an idea, it's best to use the language marking equipment anyway, because great success has been enjoyed by authors without ideas.<br /><br />6. Assuming that words are being employed, it's always best to put the words in a particular order, using the idea as a guidepost. If you do not have an idea it's still desirable to put words in such an order as to be modestly intelligible.<br /><br />7. It's okay to have ideas change in mid-writing. If you can't incorporate the original idea into the new idea, start over. If this happens frequently, do the opposite: keep the original idea and all subsequent ideas. Put the ideas into an arbitrary or improvised order. Famous writers like Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs have used this technique to good effect.<br /><br />8. If you have had experiences that were interesting, dangerous or humorous, you can use them as dressing to fill out the original idea or non-idea.<br /><br />9. If you have not had any such experiences, you may borrow them from other people so long as they have not yet appeared in a widely circulated book or story .<br /><br />10. A tip for young people looking towards a writing career in the future: learn to write with a quill and keep a good quill sharpener handy at all times.Art Roschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06372735901771660621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-69096043650485741682011-03-15T16:02:23.027-04:002011-03-15T16:02:23.027-04:00"Tension on every page--in every sentence, if..."Tension on every page--in every sentence, if possible."<br /><br />People keep reading because they want to know what happens. Thus, you want every sentence to be a promise that things are escalating, that a blow-up is inevitable.<br /><br />"Show, don't tell."<br /><br />I try to always do this, because "telling" is simply flat and dull writing. That said, "telling" can be the fastest way to speed past the boring bits of the story--to "leave out the part that readers tend to skip", as Elmore put it. "Telling" has its place in the writer's toolkit.jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-44208631538650436522011-03-15T15:24:16.930-04:002011-03-15T15:24:16.930-04:00My quote of the day:
It's doubtful that anyon...My quote of the day:<br /><br />It's doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction. -- Jonathan Franzendphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02688830656066868613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-69320387735047560592011-03-15T13:18:49.996-04:002011-03-15T13:18:49.996-04:00I love these! I picked up Bagombo Snuff Box for a...I love these! I picked up Bagombo Snuff Box for a dollar at a thrift shop, which was the cheapest writers' training ever.<br /><br />I come back to #1 again and again. It's the fundamental rule from which the others spring. If you truly respect your reader and appreciate their investment in your work, you need to see everything from their point of view. It takes the writer's ego out of the equation. I love #6, too.Brendan Gannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379472014944324868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-17431211866166937382011-03-15T12:57:24.729-04:002011-03-15T12:57:24.729-04:00Loved #3. I'll have an Evian, please.Loved #3. I'll have an Evian, please.K.B. Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510886155613873085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-57809109534712315922011-03-15T10:01:02.117-04:002011-03-15T10:01:02.117-04:00I tend to see most rules more as guidelines.
No,...I tend to see most rules more as guidelines. <br /><br />No, I don't go around willy-nilly and breaking rules. I just bend them where I see that they will do damage to the story. <br /><br />:-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-8693007286459202832011-03-15T09:00:29.765-04:002011-03-15T09:00:29.765-04:00my wife printed these rules out for me and put the...my wife printed these rules out for me and put them on the wall in my writing room for me. i think they cut to the heart of the matter, as vonnegut so often did so well.<br /><br />(hmmm... i wonder if my wife was trying to tell me something.)<br /><br /><br />-- <a href="tommfranklin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Tom</a>Tom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-31763470912679704772011-03-15T03:09:31.931-04:002011-03-15T03:09:31.931-04:00"Write what you love."
I don't know..."Write what you love."<br /><br />I don't know who said it. Hopefully everyone. <br /><br />My grandpa loves to tell a story about a friend of his who loved graphic design, but everyone told him that it was a waste of time. There was no money in it etc. So he spent years and years studying architecture abroad. He was good, but he never loved it. Lo and behold, he eventually came back to the states, and saw with the advent of computers, graphic design had exploded, and he'd missed the boat. <br /><br />Applicable to all sorts of things. Today: writing.Christine Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711726941768571495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-71212094647559833042011-03-14T20:54:33.722-04:002011-03-14T20:54:33.722-04:00I love these rules, great post!I love these rules, great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18421928919601722343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-56520384298577519922011-03-14T19:45:52.670-04:002011-03-14T19:45:52.670-04:00Jordon, Hitchcock called it a McGuffin (sp).
Best...Jordon, Hitchcock called it a McGuffin (sp).<br /><br />Best book for writers:<br />Lawrence Block's, Make Every Word CountCarolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-5138920563517504692011-03-14T18:03:31.374-04:002011-03-14T18:03:31.374-04:00Excellent post! Thank you. No. 8 does give me paus...Excellent post! Thank you. No. 8 does give me pause as well, then again I have no reason to suspect cockroaches will eat the last few pages, and if they did, I'd have more pressing problems.Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-77628693709743124762011-03-14T17:30:26.263-04:002011-03-14T17:30:26.263-04:00Broke most. My editor kept me on track. Write some...Broke most. My editor kept me on track. Write something (the present story in progress) everyday is what got my two books finished. My third book is a neglected child. This one I had my hand slapped a few times - "Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action." - Thanks will print these out in hopes of becoming a real writer some day & not just a kiddie-on one.June, The Pen Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03988780121735492198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-71164936155941928192011-03-14T17:26:54.090-04:002011-03-14T17:26:54.090-04:00Great rules :) Kurt's short rules are a great ...Great rules :) Kurt's short rules are a great place #8 could be taken to an over-detailed place. It's impossible to care, in the opening paragraph, unless you know a little about the character you are meant to empathise with.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459671422564355990noreply@blogger.com