Yeah. I have a few of those...hopefully I fixed them.ETA: What does this mean? type sentences. As I write crime, maybe I want my sentences to be too short, too.
We're taking a moment ... and we're done.
Oz ,'Chosen'
The Great Write Way, Chapter Two: Twice upon a time...
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
erikaj - May 03, 2005 8:06:41 am PDT #1687 of 10001
I'm a fucking amazing catch!--Fiona Gallagher, Shameless(US)
deborah grabien - May 03, 2005 8:08:45 am PDT #1688 of 10001
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Heh. I just don't get how and when and where and why the idea that taking a complete thought of fifteen words, and deciding that it reads better as four tiny incomplete sentences, became so desirable.
Truth to tell, I go red-pen manic over those, unless they're rare, and in dialogue.
Betsy HP - May 03, 2005 8:09:47 am PDT #1689 of 10001
If I only had a brain...
This is why every writer has, at one time or another, been tempted to buy a rubber stamp that reads "Stet".
erikaj - May 03, 2005 8:10:40 am PDT #1690 of 10001
I'm a fucking amazing catch!--Fiona Gallagher, Shameless(US)
They think they're being staccato, Tarentino, and edgy, Deb.
Susan W. - May 03, 2005 8:11:33 am PDT #1691 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
(I think I'm a natural-born copy editor and NSM a natural-born critic, but didn't realize it until recently, when I started judging writing contests. Those scoresheets, for all their flaws, force me to figure out and explain why some stories wow me and others leave me yawning and saying, "Bored now." Which is making me a better critique partner, but it's a learned process for me.)
deborah grabien - May 03, 2005 8:12:10 am PDT #1692 of 10001
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Furthermore, "I have no idea what this sentence means" (which I have been known to write on close friends' betas) is absolutely a craft issue.
Lordy, yes. A thousand times, yes.
They think they're being staccato, Tarentino, and edgy, Deb.
Ah. Then I'm reaching for the wrong weapon when I reach for the red pen. Now, where's my Glock...?
Connie Neil - May 03, 2005 8:12:16 am PDT #1693 of 10001
brillig
the "cut every possible thing out, it's all fat anyway" school
Ah, the Hemingway-esque school. Has he been dethroned yet as the Holy Grail of stylists? I'm voting for Carson from Queer Eye.
Nutty - May 03, 2005 8:14:52 am PDT #1694 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
It's one of my bigger weaknesses as a writer. Many commas, and not a period to be found for inches.
It could be worse. You could be Henry James.
You know, while I can see how that might be useful, I think my first reaction would be to grit my teeth.
Mine too. This is why I am grateful that beta is not often done in person, because after some thinking, I did come around to her point of view.
Betsy HP - May 03, 2005 8:16:04 am PDT #1695 of 10001
If I only had a brain...
Oh, yeah. All major edits require a stiff drink and a healthy dose of private rage, after which I sheepishly admit that the editor is 90% right, and the other 10% definitely needs fixing.
erikaj - May 03, 2005 8:17:01 am PDT #1696 of 10001
I'm a fucking amazing catch!--Fiona Gallagher, Shameless(US)
"1974 called. It wants its syntax back."(tosses effort) Bye!
The Writer says " But they compare me to Hemingway."
"If I wrote that, I'd shoot myself, too." Queer Eye For The Writing Guy with Carson Kressley