j p lundstrom wrote:1. Dorothy Parker
2. Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.Robert A. Heinlen said this.
Memphis Trace
Where's the quote for us to identify?
1. Dorothy Parker
2. Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.
Very informative and quite readable. We should all pay close attention to this one. No excuses!
Re: Head-hopping
I agree "seemed to..." gets repetitive and annoying for the reader if used too often. The very first story I posted here hopped back and forth between a little girl, a serial killer and the girl's father. When one of the reviewers pointed that out, I realized the story would be much better told from a single POV. Only thing is, I still haven't figured out which POV would be best to use. Despite that, the story was published by a crime magazine, and I enjoyed fifteen minutes of satisfaction, if not fame.
No, you don't have to chain yourself to a single POV. Most times, the reader won't notice it, but if you flip around too much, the reader begins to feel like a spectator at a tennis match. It can get confusing, and downright tiring, trying to figure out just who's thinking/ feeling what.
I think it's a matter of style, and discipline, to create new and better ways to show what a character's feeling or thinking, rather than use "seem" over and over. We just have to get creative.
And if that scares someone away, I am truly sorry. As I've said before, we didn't join tnbw for pats on the back. I really welcome suggestions for improvement, and open discussion is what we're here for. If this thread gives someone the information they need to improve their skill, then we've accomplished what we set out to do. And if we disagree, well, that's life, and that's what gives readers such a banquet of written works to choose from. What's that they say about variety?
So go ahead--hop from head to head, or not, as you see fit, and as it fits your story. God bless.
An ex tNBW member once penned this within conversation on the forum of the old site. I kept it. I like it.
“Study the art of storytelling rather than the art of writing. In the way an actor must study acting, rather than the word perfect repetition of scripted dialogue.
Many of the greatest selling stories are not that well written, but they are excellent stories. Many potentially good stories fail because although the technical writing is strong, the story-flow is weak or implausible. (Mainly because the story is written within the authors head rather than within the readers).
Take articulation over grammar perfection every time. At the end of the day we humans remember the story. It is the yarn that resonates and prevails, not the grammar expertise.
Follow the ‘rules’ implacably along with perfect execution of grammar and you’ll have no voice. Robot voice. Corporate Memorandum voice. A good story can be killed by stiffness. Obviously the articulation still needs to be of a very readable standard, but in fiction there is no division between narrative and dialogue. The author’s narration is as much dialogue as the verbalization of any character, merely a different voice.”
YOU'RE DEFLECTING. The article didn't say anything about telling/not telling a good story. It points out common mistakes writers make that confuse/bore/turn off readers. Do this too often, and your book winds up in the trash. Not a good way to write a best-seller.
And if you're one of those who write for their own pleasure, there's nothing more satisfying/fulfilling than to know you've written well. That's something we're all working on.
Well, let's see...there was John Foster Dulles of airport fame,
and Madelyn, you know, what's-her-name,
and the one who went hunting and shot his friend.
I guess it's true what I've heard them say
Applies to both VP and Secretary of State
Take office, and you're never heard from again.
Goddamnit..., I write comedy, for chrissakes! It might be a bit too petulant and profane for your taste, JP, but it's "supposed" to be funny. If you know what I mean and for whatever it's worth. Anyway, there have been a few TNBW'ers who've composed some pretty comical prose over the years. I'd rate Rachel Parsons (Rhiannon) as one of the more active members plying that trade.
By the way, if you want "romantic" comedy...
I'm so good in bed that I can do it with my eyes closed. And I hardly ever fall out.
Is that funny? Probably not. Okay. Carry on...
Cheers
John
Hi, John--It's been a long time! Sorry if I've neglected your work. I'll read one of yours today. Thanks for the reminder.
I'll check out some of Rachel's writing today, also
As for romance--if that's a sample, don't quit your day job. JP
Congratulations, SB! That's way more than OK!
I remember this lesson from class. Capitalize the title when addressing the person, as in
Good morning, President Johnson. OR Good morning, Secretary Kissinger. But as you can see, to use the entire title in addressing him would be too cumbersome for natural-sounding dialogue.
When talking or writing about the person in office, do not capitalize. For example
The president picked up his dog by its ears. OR The Secretary of state played the press like a violin.
The only times I can think of in which the title is capitalized might be when you're writing a list of past or possible secretaries of state, or when you're painting the title on his/her office door.
Thanks,Bill. I still get a laugh out of your fifteen-year-old self trying to speak French in Paris.
I wonder how many others are writing comedy? Maybe Sol should offer a class!
Is anyone on this site writing romantic comedy? Or how about just something funny? I know, I know,comedy is hard, but I would sure like to take a break from all the doomsday, apocalyptic, (wait a minute--that's the same thing, isn't it?) futuristic, phantasmagoric stories we're all writing.
Not trying to cast any blame. My stories wouldn't be called humorous, either. I do enjoy a bit of light reading from time to time, though. If that's your thing, I'd like to know. I could use some comic relief.
I hope to hear from you. JP
1. Tyrion! Game of Thrones.
2. "... never did we dream that thought could arise from the lonely animals who cannot dream each other's dreams.”
Looks like you've stumped everybody. Care to enlighten us? Sorry, there's no prize for beating us--this is a friendly game. JP
"Like a fish" for anything someone says which you don't believe (late fifties -- could've been regional, don't know.) Take care. Vern
Sounds like the cry of "rabbit!" we'd hear from the jocks (1960s) whenever they got someone to believe a falsehood. This was in college, where things are so much more cerebral.
Funny, I don't remember hearing those. That's not too hard to believe, though, since I was a nerd (1970s TV sanitized version of the real word, which was 'turd').
Of course, all the bad boys wore their hair in 'ducktails.' I never heard DA; I read it later on.
Cool, Sideman. Those sound like over-the-top (1990s) slang from the 1950s to me. You know--exaggerated, playful. I'm working my way through the forties and fifties. When I'm done, I'll have one for every year. Reliving my youth, one might say. At the rate I'm going though, who knows?
Thanks for your help.
Here's the challenge: 1) Identify the quote, AND 2) post a new quote for the next person to identify. I'll start with this:
"I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot."
Thanks, Randy. It's encouraging to receive support from a fellow writer.
... and beats their wife whilst she repeats "Thank you sir, may I have another." after each blow. Then refers to him as Daddy-O and recounts the incident as 'a fine how do you do.'
Word from the bird is that a Saturday Nite knuckle sandwich is not such a drag.
Wow. I'm not sure where that came from, but thanks. As to the suggestions-- the quote: 1800's (not slang); daddy-o: 1950s; 'a fine how-do-you-do': good one; 'word from the bird' (from a song) and 'knuckle sandwich' early 1960s.
Thanks. Keep 'em coming JP
Be sure everyone smokes cigarettes.
The main character does. And because smokers have an unpleasant aroma, I have to make him forget his cigarettes, run out of them, or just have showered before every romantic scene.
Not everyone smoked. My dad quit when I was still a tot; my mom never did.
Thanks Bill, Al, and Dirk. I appreciate your suggestions. JP
Does anybody besides me remember being taught in school not to use words like 'okay' (instead of all right), 'guy' (in reference to a man or boy), and of course, the ever-unpopular 'ain't'? My story takes place during the 1940s, and I want to be accurate without getting weird.
Are there any other no-nos (1950s) I should know about? Thanks. JP
Way back in the day before the home computer and Amazon, my best friend was a devoted fan of Ray Bradbury. She waited impatiently for every new release, and pre-ordered his latest, which (she had read) was supposed to be called Dark Carnival. What a disappointment when she finally picked up her long-awaited purchase, got it home, and opened it! The woman at the book store had ordered something called Dark Cavalier. My friend ranted and raved for days.
I believe that book was released under the title Something Wicked This Way Comes. Whenever I hear that quote, I think of that story.
Randy--How do you do it? Super califragilisticexpialidocious! JP
Thanks, Rachel. I hope you enjoy it. JP
I'm confused.
How is it that a resident of Dayton, Ohio is caring for a cat from Fort Worth, Texas in Boulder, Colorado? The cat needed a vacation? JP
Just finished uploading 'At the Movies'. Look for it tomorrow or the next day.(They're usually pretty fast.) Read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/At-Movies-Ferrar … amp;sr=1-1
Now I've got a bunch of other stuff to finish! JP
