Writer's How To Guides - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T08:48:19Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:163657?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI do enjoy reading about how…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-25:537324:Comment:1781972009-01-25T22:28:53.158ZEDWARD C MORGANhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
I do enjoy reading about how a writer's life experiences have impacted his or her writing, which is why I enjoyed King's book. And I have no issue with reading a book that spells out grammar or helps with the "business" of writing.<br />
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When I was a teenager, I consumed "how to" books, but looking back, wonder where I'd be if I spent that time writing instead of reading about writing.
I do enjoy reading about how a writer's life experiences have impacted his or her writing, which is why I enjoyed King's book. And I have no issue with reading a book that spells out grammar or helps with the "business" of writing.<br />
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When I was a teenager, I consumed "how to" books, but looking back, wonder where I'd be if I spent that time writing instead of reading about writing. Thanks, Clay.
I see this gen…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-25:537324:Comment:1781352009-01-25T15:28:24.852ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Thanks, Clay.<br />
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I see this generated a slew of objections. Let's understand that a writer without a knowledge of how language works has no business writing. So grammar and spelling and diction rules are clearly not what I was talking about.
Thanks, Clay.<br />
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I see this generated a slew of objections. Let's understand that a writer without a knowledge of how language works has no business writing. So grammar and spelling and diction rules are clearly not what I was talking about. I have always agreed with Ing…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-25:537324:Comment:1780982009-01-25T00:27:35.489ZEDWARD C MORGANhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
I have always agreed with Ingrid on "how to" books. I found King's interesting, as I did Terry Brooks' book. But those two, especially King's book, showed more how influences and life experiences helped shape his novels.
I have always agreed with Ingrid on "how to" books. I found King's interesting, as I did Terry Brooks' book. But those two, especially King's book, showed more how influences and life experiences helped shape his novels. How high are the snow drifts?…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-15:537324:Comment:1767932009-01-15T01:35:58.383ZSusanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Susan
How high are the snow drifts?? :)<br />
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OK, OK, I feel your pain. I talked to my daughter in Boston last night. She said high temps would be in the teens, snow arriving on Friday.<br />
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Meanwhile, here in New Orleans, I actually had to turn my heat on!! Temps in the hi 30s this morning.
How high are the snow drifts?? :)<br />
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OK, OK, I feel your pain. I talked to my daughter in Boston last night. She said high temps would be in the teens, snow arriving on Friday.<br />
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Meanwhile, here in New Orleans, I actually had to turn my heat on!! Temps in the hi 30s this morning. It's 16 degrees outside her i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-12:537324:Comment:1763912009-01-12T18:12:51.930ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
It's 16 degrees outside her in Jersey. I'm very jealous.
It's 16 degrees outside her in Jersey. I'm very jealous. I agree! Her book is great an…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-12:537324:Comment:1763162009-01-12T02:23:49.324ZSusanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Susan
I agree! Her book is great and her 4 Arc system is a great way to organize the structure of almost any novel! Thanks for bring up Carolyn Wheat and her book.<br />
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Susan (home to much nicer climes and temperatures in New Orleans)
I agree! Her book is great and her 4 Arc system is a great way to organize the structure of almost any novel! Thanks for bring up Carolyn Wheat and her book.<br />
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Susan (home to much nicer climes and temperatures in New Orleans) Killer Fiction by Carolyn Whe…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-01-12:537324:Comment:1763112009-01-12T00:53:47.579ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
<i>Killer Fiction</i> by Carolyn Wheat is a great book on craft for mystery and suspense writers. She defines the elements of each, gives great examples of building tension and conflict, and offered some eye-opening tips on storytelling (she likes fairy tales and tells you why).
<i>Killer Fiction</i> by Carolyn Wheat is a great book on craft for mystery and suspense writers. She defines the elements of each, gives great examples of building tension and conflict, and offered some eye-opening tips on storytelling (she likes fairy tales and tells you why). I'm with you about sarcasm be…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-12-29:537324:Comment:1740632008-12-29T21:39:11.792ZPate Grantwellhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PateGrantwell
I'm with you about sarcasm being okay. It can get tricky to work with though. Got to make sure you use it at the right time and situation. I'll be sure to check my mouth next time to make sure my foot is not in it, before I write anything that could remotely be construed as sarcastic.
I'm with you about sarcasm being okay. It can get tricky to work with though. Got to make sure you use it at the right time and situation. I'll be sure to check my mouth next time to make sure my foot is not in it, before I write anything that could remotely be construed as sarcastic. I apologize for not making my…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-12-29:537324:Comment:1740592008-12-29T21:35:15.378ZPate Grantwellhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PateGrantwell
I apologize for not making myself clearer. When I said you'd written more or less the same thing in regards to A F Waddell's statement, I was referring to this statement you made in the thread in this section called, "What's the point?"<br />
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"In the end, it's just best that I write to the standard that satisfies me and hope for the best."<br />
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That's the statement you made, and that I was referring to when I said above that you'd said more or less the same thing yourself. Just me and my big mouth.…
I apologize for not making myself clearer. When I said you'd written more or less the same thing in regards to A F Waddell's statement, I was referring to this statement you made in the thread in this section called, "What's the point?"<br />
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"In the end, it's just best that I write to the standard that satisfies me and hope for the best."<br />
<br />
That's the statement you made, and that I was referring to when I said above that you'd said more or less the same thing yourself. Just me and my big mouth. Didn't mean any harm. Okay, getting back to the cru…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-12-29:537324:Comment:1740572008-12-29T20:58:46.587ZSusanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Susan
Okay, getting back to the crux of the question: what's the best writing advice you ever got ... or something like that ... here's mine.<br />
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Never answer the question.<br />
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I got this quote from a scriptwriter course by Dan Decker. It holds especially true for those who write suspense novels (like me). But it's equally applicable to all fiction, in my opinion.<br />
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As in ... no backstory and no flashbacks until the problem (crisis, first plot point) is presented. So many aspiring novelists want to dump all…
Okay, getting back to the crux of the question: what's the best writing advice you ever got ... or something like that ... here's mine.<br />
<br />
Never answer the question.<br />
<br />
I got this quote from a scriptwriter course by Dan Decker. It holds especially true for those who write suspense novels (like me). But it's equally applicable to all fiction, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
As in ... no backstory and no flashbacks until the problem (crisis, first plot point) is presented. So many aspiring novelists want to dump all kinds of info about their characters in the first chapter. Not necessary. If you learn all about the characters from the git go, why bother to keep reading?<br />
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Never answer the question ... until the last page.<br />
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Just my 2 cents worth. :)<br />
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Susan (vacationing in the frigid north of Boston, anxious to go home to New Orleans to get warm)