What are your rules for writing? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T16:00:25Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/what-are-your-rules-for?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A195649&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe best story is no good unt…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-29:537324:Comment:1965692009-04-29T16:43:50.778ZJohn Desjarlaishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDesjarlais
The best story is no good until it's on paper. Finish it.
The best story is no good until it's on paper. Finish it. If it's immersive, it's worki…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-29:537324:Comment:1965172009-04-29T11:23:39.843ZAndrew Kenthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/AndrewKent
If it's immersive, it's working. Exposition, dialogue, plot -- they all matter, but they can be wielded very differently to great effect. My main goal is to get a reader into the page and make them not want to leave, make the page a memorable place they want to return to. So, "read through" is a really important concept to me. If something breaks the flow or doesn't improve the flow, it's gone.<br />
<br />
The basic blocking and tackling of plotting is vital. You have to have a plot that is constantly…
If it's immersive, it's working. Exposition, dialogue, plot -- they all matter, but they can be wielded very differently to great effect. My main goal is to get a reader into the page and make them not want to leave, make the page a memorable place they want to return to. So, "read through" is a really important concept to me. If something breaks the flow or doesn't improve the flow, it's gone.<br />
<br />
The basic blocking and tackling of plotting is vital. You have to have a plot that is constantly flowing, as well, and an ending that rocks. If the ending is implausible, dull, or leaves too many unanswered questions, that's bad. It should provide a satisfying conclusion to long dramatic arcs and an interesting plot.<br />
<br />
Read a printed version at least 3-4 times and edit this heavily, no mercy. I like to have mine printed out in book form with spiral bindings at the local copy shop. Feels and reads like a book, so it seems that problems jump out more and I'm less forgiving than if it feels like manuscript. I go into my reading mode more completely, so problems leap out.<br />
<br />
Have fun! If you're not, your readers might sense it. It should be fun! 1) Permit myself to write som…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-24:537324:Comment:1957692009-04-24T16:55:53.057ZCharles A. Kinghttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/jeeks43
1) Permit myself to write something really crappy. Or stupid—like my short story The Turkey Carol. (3 ghostly turkeys visit a man on Thanksgiving eve in hopes of giving him a life lesson.)<br />
<br />
2) Shoot for excellence, not perfection.<br />
<br />
3) Don't check email, or go to message boards before ... oops.<br />
<br />
CKing
1) Permit myself to write something really crappy. Or stupid—like my short story The Turkey Carol. (3 ghostly turkeys visit a man on Thanksgiving eve in hopes of giving him a life lesson.)<br />
<br />
2) Shoot for excellence, not perfection.<br />
<br />
3) Don't check email, or go to message boards before ... oops.<br />
<br />
CKing Excelsior!
I hereby adopt th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-24:537324:Comment:1956522009-04-24T07:28:39.670ZminervaKhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/minervakoenig
Excelsior!<br />
<br />
I hereby adopt these rules as my own.<br />
<br />
MK<br />
<a href="http://www.minervakoenig.com">www.minervakoenig.com</a>
Excelsior!<br />
<br />
I hereby adopt these rules as my own.<br />
<br />
MK<br />
<a href="http://www.minervakoenig.com">www.minervakoenig.com</a> Write and keep writing, read…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-24:537324:Comment:1956492009-04-24T05:48:17.142ZEvehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Eve
Write and keep writing, read obsesively, be interested in everything.
Write and keep writing, read obsesively, be interested in everything. I guess I lump all of that to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-23:537324:Comment:1955802009-04-23T18:21:19.098ZJon Loomishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonLoomis
I guess I lump all of that together under the subplot heading.
I guess I lump all of that together under the subplot heading. I use subplots (additional pu…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-23:537324:Comment:1955762009-04-23T18:08:18.786ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I use subplots (additional puzzles/crimes), but I also have a secondary, larger plot involving the protagonist's private life.
I use subplots (additional puzzles/crimes), but I also have a secondary, larger plot involving the protagonist's private life. I think these are excellent,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-23:537324:Comment:1954952009-04-23T14:06:17.175ZJude Hardinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I think these are excellent, Reece.
I think these are excellent, Reece. Is this different in some fun…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-23:537324:Comment:1954872009-04-23T13:50:16.648ZJon Loomishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonLoomis
Is this different in some fundamental way from subplot? It's always good to have an interesting subplot or two cooking along--essential, even.
Is this different in some fundamental way from subplot? It's always good to have an interesting subplot or two cooking along--essential, even. This has worked very well for…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-04-23:537324:Comment:1954852009-04-23T13:26:38.250ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
This has worked very well for me. It means that there are several stories going, and possibly several mysteries, some of them quite small.
This has worked very well for me. It means that there are several stories going, and possibly several mysteries, some of them quite small.