What Crime Fiction Stereotype Would You Make Disappear? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T11:10:31Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/what-crime-fiction-stereotype-would-you-make-disappear?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A344475&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI believe this is called the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-15:537324:Comment:3459552012-06-15T01:59:08.906ZBenjamin Sobieckhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
<p>I believe this is called the "Murder She Wrote" Syndrome.</p>
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<p>If you see Angela Lansbury coming, run the other way as fast as you can.</p>
<p>I believe this is called the "Murder She Wrote" Syndrome.</p>
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<p>If you see Angela Lansbury coming, run the other way as fast as you can.</p> Yep, observance is a good key…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-14:537324:Comment:3455572012-06-14T12:12:23.413ZJonathan Francescohttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonathanFrancesco
<p>Yep, observance is a good key. I try to be observant without letting it drive me too crazy. I am trying to dilute my influences as much as possible. Then again, it was likely never as reliant on one thing as I sometimes thought. </p>
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<p>Nope, definitely doesn't get you strong critique. Even classroom critique is limited in it's usefulness. But I think more than anything, it's the fact that it's already published that keeps me from sharing it online. I think I am getting at least a…</p>
<p>Yep, observance is a good key. I try to be observant without letting it drive me too crazy. I am trying to dilute my influences as much as possible. Then again, it was likely never as reliant on one thing as I sometimes thought. </p>
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<p>Nope, definitely doesn't get you strong critique. Even classroom critique is limited in it's usefulness. But I think more than anything, it's the fact that it's already published that keeps me from sharing it online. I think I am getting at least a little bit better at seeing which critique is helpful and which isn't. I do have an editor/mentor I trust, but she's not online much anymore so I am learning to try and get it done by myself. I am always open to sharing samples with trusted people to get their takes, if only to see if it agrees with everyone else's critique or if they see something somebody else missed. I am noticing myself critiquing my reads a little more now than I used to. I'm noticing things that I never would've before. And I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, it's good cause it means I am learning. On the other hand, it'd make it harder to enjoy fiction if I'm always looking for/noticing errors. (And it was already pretty hard to hook me with a book.) <br/><br/>But I suppose as long as it helps my writing in the end, it's all alright. I see a lot of good stuff out there but I've yet to find too much that has the feel my writing does. I could easily just be overlooking it, or maybe mine just isn't that good. I guess I'll see one day. I am hoping my writing is commercial enough to fit in but still feel like it's a fresh approach.</p>
<p></p> it doesn't really matter wher…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-14:537324:Comment:3456482012-06-14T10:41:36.184ZCaroline Trippehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CarolineTrippe
<p><strong>it doesn't really matter where your inspiration comes from.</strong></p>
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<p>Re: character development---life is the best teacher of all. Observation. Even though you are writing fiction, if you know how people behave in different circumstances, (and not just crime scenes :) what makes them tick---that really goes a long way towards making your characters convincing. If you are going to be a writer, then reading is important too---and not just mysteries. I can tell, when I…</p>
<p><strong>it doesn't really matter where your inspiration comes from.</strong></p>
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<p>Re: character development---life is the best teacher of all. Observation. Even though you are writing fiction, if you know how people behave in different circumstances, (and not just crime scenes :) what makes them tick---that really goes a long way towards making your characters convincing. If you are going to be a writer, then reading is important too---and not just mysteries. I can tell, when I read my favorite writers, that they are also well-read---they know the classics, the Bible, Shakespeare<strong>, </strong> and more. The more you know, the less you will be inclined to imitate. (I find this true in all the arts). <strong><br/></strong></p>
<p>I have a feeling that publishing on websites doesn't really get you the kind of critiquing you need, so you are probably wise to stay away from that. Sharing with too many people early on could be confusing.</p>
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<p><strong> </strong></p> Priesthood is different from…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3456452012-06-13T20:53:34.783ZCammy May Hunnicutthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CammyMayHunnicutt
<p>Priesthood is different from that. Priests tend to feel their vocation from an early age. The whole set-up in which ANY sex is just as bad as homo-pedophilia, no legitimate sexual outlet allowed, a hierarchy in which that sort of behavior is coddled rather than punished, and--frankly--a fairly gay imagry set and vocabulary is used around the whole spiritual experience have got to be a big factor.</p>
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<p>It's kind of like, guys don't go to prison to get gay sex, but being there…</p>
<p>Priesthood is different from that. Priests tend to feel their vocation from an early age. The whole set-up in which ANY sex is just as bad as homo-pedophilia, no legitimate sexual outlet allowed, a hierarchy in which that sort of behavior is coddled rather than punished, and--frankly--a fairly gay imagry set and vocabulary is used around the whole spiritual experience have got to be a big factor.</p>
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<p>It's kind of like, guys don't go to prison to get gay sex, but being there could pressure them in that direction</p> IJ, I agree with much of what…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3453442012-06-13T20:17:57.420ZSusanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Susan
<p>IJ, I agree with much of what you say and I don't care to harp on this issue. However, I find the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church, and some of its followers, disgusting. FYI: as a professional musician I played 300-400 Catholic weddings and got to know some of the priests rather well. A couple of them were great individuals, but many others were piously sanctimonious. And my one area of disagreement is the celibacy issue. At least one prominent Catholic priest has estimated that half of…</p>
<p>IJ, I agree with much of what you say and I don't care to harp on this issue. However, I find the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church, and some of its followers, disgusting. FYI: as a professional musician I played 300-400 Catholic weddings and got to know some of the priests rather well. A couple of them were great individuals, but many others were piously sanctimonious. And my one area of disagreement is the celibacy issue. At least one prominent Catholic priest has estimated that half of all priests are gay and many others have unresolved sexual issues. Yes, pedophiles are everywhere, but celibacy IS an issue that does not arise for public school teachers. </p> There are a lot of good chara…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3454162012-06-13T17:03:55.945ZJonathan Francescohttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonathanFrancesco
<p>There are a lot of good character-writers around. I'm trying to find some that feel like good fits for my tastes. Considering looking into John Hart a lot more. I liked The Last Child a lot. I probably don't read for leisure as much as I should. But I suppose my literary philosophy is a bit rebellious anyway. I feel that when it comes to things like character development, it doesn't really matter where your inspiration comes from. As long as you get it. And for me, I have found that good…</p>
<p>There are a lot of good character-writers around. I'm trying to find some that feel like good fits for my tastes. Considering looking into John Hart a lot more. I liked The Last Child a lot. I probably don't read for leisure as much as I should. But I suppose my literary philosophy is a bit rebellious anyway. I feel that when it comes to things like character development, it doesn't really matter where your inspiration comes from. As long as you get it. And for me, I have found that good movies and the like still provide plenty of character inspiration for me. I still am trying to read more though and am always looking for some good books. Right now I'm checking out the new release from fellow Crimespace member David DeLee. I don't fancy myself a harsh book critic, but it's also kind of hard for me to stay interested in a book. I'm a visual writer, and so for me, visual mediums always seem to be more help for inspiration. </p>
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<p>But I am not one to underestimate the importance of a good book. It does help, especially when it comes to the language of writing. And hopefully I can find some writers whose works fit. </p>
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<p>I like psychological suspense too. I am still working on plausible ways for the cops to figure everything out. It's hard to ride the line between borderline-psychic deduction and being totally clueless as to the obvious. Right now, I often get the who out of the way pretty quickly, and I go back and forth on the how and why sometimes too. I've often kept one hidden for awhile, but sometimes I just lay it all on the table as well. It's fun to play with procedure to see if you can still make it work. </p>
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<p>Well, if I am completely honest, the answer is 'yes.' Technically, anyway. I've stopped sharing stuff on public websites because it essentially makes it already published in the eyes of publishers. There is a lot of old stuff from before I started writing novels that's out there, but, while it still means a lot to me, it's honestly quite horrible. Even if there's some good plot going on there, I've changed my writing styles so much since then that I honestly cannot recall how I ever thought the drivel that IS out there was ever good. </p>
<p>The stuff I do feel has a chance at being good isn't posted. I usually only share it one on one with people. </p>
<p>However, I should mention that one of my short stories was accepted to a local new lit mag. It's supposed to be primarily an e-zine, so I imagine it'll be available online when it's released in October. This story isn't really a "crime fiction" piece, but I suppose it's not too far removed as to be irrelevant here. The only other thing I ever had published was in my college's lit mag. (And by total accident, I sent them a less polished version of it.) That's not online at the moment. Although I can send something one on one if you're interested. <br/><br/></p> Elizabeth George has said tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3451442012-06-13T16:46:16.678ZCaroline Trippehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CarolineTrippe
<p>Elizabeth George has said that her mysteries always revolve around "character." And, I've read almost all of I.J.'s novels, except maybe the most recent, and she's also very good at character---as well as setting (medieval Japan). This also makes her stories seem fresh and believable. There are so many good people out there to learn from.</p>
<p>Including one of my all-time favorites ( and still going strong, with two new novels coming out later this year)---Ruth Rendell/Barbara…</p>
<p>Elizabeth George has said that her mysteries always revolve around "character." And, I've read almost all of I.J.'s novels, except maybe the most recent, and she's also very good at character---as well as setting (medieval Japan). This also makes her stories seem fresh and believable. There are so many good people out there to learn from.</p>
<p>Including one of my all-time favorites ( and still going strong, with two new novels coming out later this year)---Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine. </p>
<p>Oh, and I'm not saying that because you're "only" 20----I think that all committed writers want to keep on learning, no matter how long they've been at their craft. :) </p>
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<p>I'm one of the readers for whom psychological suspense is the best kind---the "why." And also, in those novels where you know beforehand who the killer is, the "how"---the way the detective (or whoever) uncovers the "who" and the "why." </p>
<p>Good luck to you! Anywhere on line we can read any of your stories? Please let us know when and where!</p>
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<p></p> I agree with that. It's proba…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3454862012-06-13T13:26:08.093ZJonathan Francescohttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonathanFrancesco
<p>I agree with that. It's probably why I rarely focus too much on the mystery of who does it and more on how it impacts my characters.</p>
<p>I agree with that. It's probably why I rarely focus too much on the mystery of who does it and more on how it impacts my characters.</p> I sometimes think I super-imp…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3453362012-06-13T13:09:15.374ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
<p>I sometimes think I super-impose a mystery plot on the lives of my characters. It's not so much what happens, but rather how what happens affects them.</p>
<p>I sometimes think I super-impose a mystery plot on the lives of my characters. It's not so much what happens, but rather how what happens affects them.</p> The fact of the matter is tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-06-13:537324:Comment:3454852012-06-13T13:06:03.362ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
<p>The fact of the matter is that pedophiles seek out professions that put them in touch with children, especially pofessions which promote trust between child and adult. It's for that reason that priests are frequently guilty of pedophilia (Celibacy may at one time have added additional impetus, but I don't think it is the true cause). In the same way, there have been recent cases of fundamentalist preachers and of Boy Scout leaders and football coaches. If it weren't for the fact that most…</p>
<p>The fact of the matter is that pedophiles seek out professions that put them in touch with children, especially pofessions which promote trust between child and adult. It's for that reason that priests are frequently guilty of pedophilia (Celibacy may at one time have added additional impetus, but I don't think it is the true cause). In the same way, there have been recent cases of fundamentalist preachers and of Boy Scout leaders and football coaches. If it weren't for the fact that most elementary school teachers are female, we might have more pedophilia there also. The onus on the Catholic church is not that there are pedophile priests, but rather that their activities have been hidden by the church authorities in order to protect the Chruch from the sort of scandal that eventually rocked it.</p>