I'm back. Older and probably not wiser. Good to see so many old friends, I do more reading than writing these days. Some of the new authors on Amazon put comas in odd places, and use passive verbs when action is screaming to jump off the page. The TNBW crew write better stories.
2 2019-08-05 21:55:09
Re: Carnage in Singapore Now Published (13 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Hay Randy, I'm going to look it up and down load it.
3 2018-10-06 17:45:51
Re: A Different Kind of Feedback (3 replies, posted in Additional Writing Feedback)
A Different Kind of Feedback. I have started reading novels that have a completed version posted. I largely ignore minor punctuation errors and grammar. What I am interested in is how well the book works. I have completed three books and I am impressed with the writing being done by my fellow members on this site. I read a few reviews at random. It is clear that both the inline and regular critiques are helpful to the writer. Most of the chapters have been edited to take advantage of appropriate suggestions made by the reviewers.
There are many different levels of writhing being submitted on this site. Some of the writers arrive with a great deal of experience, others are just starting out. Many authors have a good story to tell but need help in catching grammar and punctuation errors. Some are still learning how to tell a story.
It seems to me that on the old site we had a place to review finished work and make comments. Would this group work for this?
4 2018-10-06 16:42:59
Re: the elusive malaphor (2 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)
Metaphors vs malaphors. Even though, I have never set out to construct a malaphor the concept is intriguing. Let's give it a try. (The bridegroom dressed like a penguin waddled down the isle quacking all of the way.) Is 'dressed like a penguin' a metaphor or a malaphor? The bridegroom may consider it malicious.
5 2018-01-22 21:53:17
Re: The Shred Group (55 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
We each have a personality and a style. Our normal way of writing or reviewing will change for the better through feedback on a site like this. Having a Shred group will not protect new writers. Reviewers get frustrated with common mistakes that come from lack of experience. Each of us as an individual has a responsibility to work toward being fair, polite, and honest. We must not forget, we are here to help. Sincerely, John
6 2017-09-27 15:05:13
Topic: A Voyage to Guinea (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I started this book years ago. Some of the writing is rather awkward. I hope I've learned a few things in the mean time. The number of detailed critiques I have received on this chapter alone justifies my membership fee. I have received suggestion on everything from punctuation to sentence structure. I am a little embarrassed by some of the things I let slip by. I really did review this chapter before I pushed the publish button.
I use a split screen and go through each review and edit my text. Some of the critiques are very detailed, so it may take a while before I get to everyone. I usually respond, in some fashion, to each in-line note.
Right now the second chapter is a mess, and I will need some time to make it presentable. I have my work cut out for me.
Thanks to everyone who has made the effort, and taken the time to review the first chapter of A Voyage to Guinea.
7 2017-09-25 18:42:43
Topic: Points (1 replies, posted in Historical Fiction)
I have noticed some new interest in Historical Fiction. I just posted the first chapter of my historical fiction work "A Voyage to Guinea." When I posted to the Historical Fiction group I noticed it was a no points group. No wonder people don't read books published in this group. Is there some way the Historical Fiction category can be changed to the points system?
8 2017-09-04 16:45:43
Re: Moving a Story Forward (40 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Sherry, I found your posts on TNBW about moving a story forward. You haves started a great discussion. I have read all of the replies, and your answers. I feel I've learned a lot.
9 2017-08-30 16:54:03
Re: Basic Stages for Crime Scene Investigation (2 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
I went to the site. It is very good. I will need to revisit my crime scene chapters in Murder at Midnight.
10 2017-08-10 13:44:43
Re: Dilemma (10 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I have this same concern when I do reviews of chapters submitted by new TNBW members. Some of the stories are so riddled with basic mistakes one does not know where to start. I don't want to discourage new writers, however, I feel an obligation to point out issues that need to be addressed. Those members who have reviewed my writing and pointed out the basic rules I've ignored have helped me immensely.
11 2017-07-30 22:27:07
Re: I Did It (2 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
Great to see you again. I look forward to reading your fictionalized autobiography. Welcome back. John
12 2017-04-14 01:05:05
Re: Download eBook (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks, It worked.
13 2017-04-13 14:54:45
Topic: Download eBook (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I can't find any instructions on how to use TNBW download eBooks. I clicked on it and nothing appeared to happen. I can remember posts from people who used it to format material for online publishers. I formatted a book for Create Space a few years ago using a different tool. Does this make it easier? I'm sure there is something simple that I have missed.
Sincerely, John
14 2017-04-11 20:55:26
Re: YAY! (26 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
ronald quark wrote:
Have you vetted Moonshine Cove? You might want to read this thread through: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthr … Publishing
I went to this site and loved it.
15 2017-04-10 20:30:26
Re: New Writing Contest (107 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
What is a fanfic?
16 2017-04-05 17:37:17
Re: A happy note (14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Congratulations! Finding a publisher, to me, appears to be daunting task. However, this gives me hope.
17 2016-03-22 22:31:44
Re: How Little We Know (27 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Jack, I bought a kindle copy of How Little We Know. I'm reading it right now. I like it. I think you writing is right up there with the best of them.
Sincerely, John
18 2016-03-01 18:50:27
Re: Write the first sentence of this novel. (30 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
"I've reconsidered Madeline. Will you take one-hundred pounds for the painting?"
19 2016-01-08 23:28:21
Topic: I'm back (4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I want to apologize to everyone that I owe a review or a comment. I am back on line and should be catching up with you soon. Sincerely, John
20 2015-12-16 03:26:45
Topic: Getting behind (0 replies, posted in Cop Shop)
I appreciate all of the reviews. It may take a few days before I can process them and reciprocate. My 94 year old father-in-law, who my wife and I have been caring for, fell on Sunday and is in the hospital. We have been a little disorganized the last few days. Sincerely, John
21 2015-10-31 17:51:45
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
L A: I have read lesson 5 and I am ready to select a snippet of a scene to re-imagine.
22 2015-10-31 17:38:59
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 4 (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
L A, I have updated Revised Dialogue Lesson 4 and incorporated your suggestions. Sincerely, John
23 2015-10-29 18:26:07
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 4 (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
I have posted Revised Dialogue: Lesson 4. Sincerely, John
24 2015-10-26 19:37:03
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 3 (16 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Good afternoon, LA. Go to the Dynamic Dialogue group--scroll down to new group postings and my work is there, right along with all the rest. Sincerely, John
25 2015-10-26 14:26:39
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 3 (16 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Hello LA. Exercise re Lesson 3. Post your understanding of tags, and the role of character movement/description as it pertains to dialogue.
I read some of the earlier responses. Wyatt nailed character movement. Randy's response is good and is closer to what I would have written. I have used a few action tags in the past to indicate character movement. However, in reading other how-to-write books I found that action tags must be few and far apart. I think the same is probably true of character tags. What I understand to be a character tag tells the reader something about a characters metal state. It might answer questions about her honesty, or show a mean streak. I have started making a conscience effort to employ beats for movement and background description as conversations take place. I am also concentrating on using simple tags appropriately. I find that I use tags in places they are not needed and simply slow the reader down.
PS In regard to the sample dialogue you requested as a part of lesson 3, I noticed a message indicating you want this to be written at the moment and not a copy from old material. I missed that part earlier. Fortunately, I am just getting to the project. I am assuming we are looking at 500 words, plus or minus.
Sincerely, John
