And you're sure this isn't just some fanboy thing? 'Cause I've fought more than a couple pimply, overweight vamps that called themselves Lestat.

Buffy ,'Lessons'


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.


Beverly - Mar 11, 2008 9:51:38 pm PDT #9879 of 10001
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.

When I was writing longer stuff, I'd read it walking. I know it sounds weird, but I'd pace up and down the deck and read aloud. It highlighted some awkward phrasing, pointed out things that a cold reader would find unclear, and helped me with pace, either building suspense or excitement, unfolding clues or sharing intimate secrets. The reading while walking sort of shook things into place--and pointed out where they were out of place.


Laga - Mar 11, 2008 10:09:04 pm PDT #9880 of 10001
You should know I'm a big deal in the Resistance.

I am loving the writing tips. Keep 'em coming.


Anne W. - Mar 12, 2008 2:17:08 am PDT #9881 of 10001
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.

The reading out loud is a good way for me to find some of my more common mistakes (awkward phrasings, infelicitous repetitions, etc.)

The best thing for me, though, is to let things sit for about a week and then go back and read through. That tends to give me enough distance to notice places where what I wanted to say didn't come through clearly, but not so much that I wonder "what the hell was I trying to say/imply/hint at" here?


Miracleman - Mar 12, 2008 7:42:52 am PDT #9882 of 10001
No, I don't think I will - me, quoting Captain Steve Rogers, to all of 2020

Neat little exercise in coming up with a plot:

[link]

Though the link to the sf cliches is dead. Google works, though.


Typo Boy - Mar 12, 2008 12:44:55 pm PDT #9883 of 10001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

Its not ethical to ask for a blurb from someone who has not read the book is it? Even if someone they trust has read it, liked it and is willing to say so? No, I thought not. Sigh.


Miracleman - Mar 12, 2008 2:13:32 pm PDT #9884 of 10001
No, I don't think I will - me, quoting Captain Steve Rogers, to all of 2020

Its not ethical to ask for a blurb from someone who has not read the book is it? Even if someone they trust has read it, liked it and is willing to say so? No, I thought not. Sigh.

Depends on what the blurb says. I would think

"I heard it was pretty good from a guy...what was his name?...we were both on that panel about...what was that about? Fuck. I gotta stop hangin' in the hotel bars at cons, man, you know? Just way too much trouble. But then I get bored all alone up in my room and spend way too much on hotel pay-per-view porn...

...anyway. Yeah, somebody said it was okay. So, uh...read it."

...would be perfectly acceptable.

...

In some respects.


Miracleman - Mar 13, 2008 4:35:33 am PDT #9885 of 10001
No, I don't think I will - me, quoting Captain Steve Rogers, to all of 2020

Readers:

Insent.


Deena - Mar 14, 2008 1:46:58 pm PDT #9886 of 10001
How are you me? You need to stop that. Only I can be me. ~Kara

Gar, can you send them a copy of the manuscript in email?


Typo Boy - Mar 14, 2008 6:46:17 pm PDT #9887 of 10001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

They've had a copy for two years. They don't have to time to read it. I now know the particulars (which I did not when I last posted), and they have an ongoing family tragedy, and simply will never have time to read it. I'm just going to have to do without their blurb. I knew even asking for a blurb for a book they will never rad would be wrong, but I was so fucking tempted to ask, because a blurb from them would pretty much ensure publication.

I can't speak for anyone else, but sometimes I really feel the impulse do something I know is wrong. Rather than wrestle with alone, I find it helps to say it out loud to friends. Sometimes the result of that is a verbal kick in the ass when that is exactly what I need.

I still think I will get this published. And if not, well there are a whole lot worse things in life than never being published. I now know why a particular person is not reading my book - it is because he is going through one of those things; all I can do is wish for the best possible outcome for that particular family, knowing the best possible outcome is still pretty awful.


Deena - Mar 15, 2008 8:49:31 am PDT #9888 of 10001
How are you me? You need to stop that. Only I can be me. ~Kara

Oh that's heartwrenching.

I think everyone feels the impulse to do things we know are wrong. I'm not sure we'd be human if we didn't.