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[tree]

i've begun to think of writing as a sort of building project. first comes the base and the frame: bare, not very pretty, and completely underwhelming. "how on earth will this ever become a house?" one wonders in despair. but then on the second go-round you add things like walls, floors, plumbing. it looks a little better now, a little less like

Comments

[julie_vw]

I love lists like these. Especially since I don't write :).

I'm seriously tempted to post this comment by M. Atwood (<3) next time there's another 'oh, we poor authors' discussion going on in jaff. "Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don't whine." Ha.

[tree]

oh please, please do it. PLEASE!

[todayiamadaisy]

Yes, Elmore Leonard no. 3 (about not using a speaking word other than 'said')! I was just thinking today how much I hate it when characters 'cry', as in, 'Hello!' she cried. I mean, maybe if she's shouting it from the top of a cliff to someone below, but otherwise it's just too loud for normal conversation.

Also, yes to your thoughts on Philip Pullman. I've never managed to read more than the first few chapters of the first book of His Dark Materials. Just not my cup of tea.

[tree]

hmm. i think that the verb thing, like the adverb thing, ought to be used judiciously. it's one of those good rules of thumb so that writers don't go wild with abandon and start relying on the wrong things to tell the story for them, but there's nothing inherently wrong with them. adverbs in particular get a bad rap since they're so often overused. poor lambs. but it we couldn't use adverbs or verbs other than 'said' how on earth would mrs bennet in pride and prejudice ever cry shrilly at mr bennet? ;)

the ideas being explored in HDM are very interesting, and i enjoyed looking at them from a critical perspective. i also really enjoy seeing some of the elements from that world in fusion with other worlds in fanfic. but the man himself is still a wanker. i'm amazed he can actually fit inside a room with that ego. sheesh.

[todayiamadaisy]

It's otherwise sensible people crying, 'Hurrah! Let's go to the zoo!' (or whatever) that annoys me. Mrs Bennett comes across as someone who does speak rather more loudly than she needs to, so that's acceptable. :-)

[tree]

i take your point.

though, i was about to say "hey, i would cry 'hurrah! let's go to the zoo!'" and then i realised you prefaced it with "otherwise sensible people" -- so i don't qualify. hrmph.

[translucent]

i loved reading the whole of this.

[her_new_day]

Some of these are hilarious. The advice from Joyce Carol Oates and Calm Tobin. Expect the worst, no going to London. Thank you, that was so helpful. I have that covered.

I like Zadie Smith, though. All that matters is what you leave on the page.