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http://theweek.com/cartoons/745256/poli … -christmas

Take care. Vern

Well, somebody will appreciate global warming. Went to see The Last Jedi this afternoon and it certainly wasn't the best. Almost constant action, but the plot is a bit lacking. Did enjoy a few moments of humor and I'm always up for a good laugh. Saw it in that RPX format (or something to that effect) whatever that stands for; didn't really pay attention except for the ten bucks charge and designated seating). And despite leaving the house early, because of the traffic I got there too late to stand in the long line for popcorn -- my main reason for going to movies -- or else I couldn't find my seat in the dark with everyone yelling at me to sit down, so that didn't help my disposition. But my wife did meet me afterward for supper, so all was well. Still, next time, I'll probably wait for the TV version. Take care. Vern

Merry Christmas -- to all and to all a good night.

Here (just bringing back up for MJ)

It comes down to "There are no concrete rules" for creative writing other than to use common sense. If something can be shown/explained/etc. without the use of a word which is often repetitious with most writers, then use a little "creativity" to rearrange the sentence into another way of saying the same thing (perhaps better) without making it shout out, "Look at me; I didn't use was here." And the debate goes on.... Good thing IS, we have a new addition to the country. Alabama just voted to rejoin the union. Take care. Vern

I think we're swimming in quicksand. Take care. Vern

I'm probably one of the last one might consult about "grammar" issues, but my observation is that the overuse of "was" presents the story more as "telling" as opposed to "showing" which of course is the cardinal sin of creative writing so to speak. There is nothing wrong with the use of "was" per se and a story without any "was" would probably be rather poorly written from the reader's perspective since most any good narrative section detailing something of a past nature (a large proportion of stories being told) will use "was" to denote the action has already happened.

Fortunately there are also other ways to produce a sentence without always having to resort to "was" to relay the information. I think what trips up or causes "problems" for some reviewers (as well as agents/ editors, etc.) is using "was" to the exclusion of those other methods of saying the same thing, thus making the "was" stand out in the reader's mind through repetition. A good exercise might be to go through your work and look at cases where the sentence could easily be stated differently to eliminate the over reliance upon "was" and make the story a bit more active showing. You could pull some sentences out and post them in this thread to get different ideas of how to rearrange them to that end. That's it in an elongated nutshell from my non-expert perspective. The ultimate decision will still be up to the author. Take care. Vern

Edited to add "elongated" as you might surmise, lol.

Welcome, CG, beyond the previous suggestions, I would add that you might want to put this (and possibly more) personal info in your profile as this thread will soon disappear into the back pages never to be seen again. Take care. Vern

Probably not Sam's best moment/quote. Take care. Vern

I was just curious about her methods for future reference as I don't have anything published at the moment. I do have some novel ideas I will share once I have tested them at some future date, hopefully. Take care. Vern

Well, since we've been waiting for several months for the contest which would be announced "next week" I don't think it matters a dither who suggests the idea if Sol can't come up with one on his own. The suggestion of an idea doesn't give the "suggestor" any advantage that I can see. Every contest idea comes from someone and no matter where the idea comes from there are plenty of varied and original responses which anyone who might have suggested such idea probably never dreamed of fitting the idea. There is a reason why you can't patent an idea. No matter what it is, it must be executed. Just an idea doesn't make a good story. The execution of the idea does. I could have an idea for a story and spend twenty years on it and it not be as good a story as someone else might present.

My idea is to have a contest period regardless of subject matter or who suggested it.  Just my opinion. Others may differ and I'm sure they will just as  I have disagreed with the suggestion within this post. Take care. Vern