tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post8676722829079282480..comments2024-03-28T16:52:31.923-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: So Wrong Yet So RightEdie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-55626226715094360212015-02-17T17:31:58.612-05:002015-02-17T17:31:58.612-05:00Excellent article, Alton! Thank you for writing it...Excellent article, Alton! Thank you for writing it. Blessings to you today and always, DiannaDianna T. Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15049018383368837230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-72743930686735868052015-01-22T18:41:08.193-05:002015-01-22T18:41:08.193-05:00Henry, Steven James has a good take on all this. O...Henry, Steven James has a good take on all this. Of course, what he means is that the writers should love story over conformity. Fiction writers break usage "rules" all the time, but they do it intelligently, with reason, and because a particular scene requires it. The story is what matters most.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-24930124111469797822015-01-22T18:38:31.990-05:002015-01-22T18:38:31.990-05:00Hi Sylvia. Professional writers often bemoan the &...Hi Sylvia. Professional writers often bemoan the "ruined my read" experience. We tend to analyze more than read. If we're reading a subpar book, we notice all the areas; if we're reading some outstanding work, we start to make mental notes to use in our own writing. I hear chef's have the same problem with meals.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-45294451286118442362015-01-22T18:35:58.921-05:002015-01-22T18:35:58.921-05:00Great, now I'll have that song on my mind all ...Great, now I'll have that song on my mind all day. :-) You're observation is spot on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-42365157499691064292015-01-22T18:35:00.595-05:002015-01-22T18:35:00.595-05:00"Head hopping" used to be quite acceptab..."Head hopping" used to be quite acceptable but it's viewed as a source of confusion these days. You're right, most readers won't notice but they may find something confusing in the book they can't identify. I still think a close point of view is the way to go.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-69518952009665849182015-01-22T18:32:59.195-05:002015-01-22T18:32:59.195-05:00There appears to be a different philosophy in Chri...There appears to be a different philosophy in Christian publishing. In many ways, writing in the that market has surpassed the typical secular book. It is not uncommon to see the things you mention in the general market. The goal, I think, is write the best we can no matter what others do--even if that means bending a "rule" now and again. Thanks for the comment, Joan.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-42998935059807512412015-01-22T18:29:53.243-05:002015-01-22T18:29:53.243-05:00My pleasure. Glad you found some encouragement in ...My pleasure. Glad you found some encouragement in it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667813633640798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-30947482261850736232015-01-22T13:58:20.931-05:002015-01-22T13:58:20.931-05:00I'm reminded of Steve James' craft book, S...I'm reminded of Steve James' craft book, Story Trumps Structure. A few years ago, I heard him teach these concepts but then he titled it Story Trumps Rules.<br />What I've learned along the way is it's OK to break the rules but know which rule you're breaking and why you're breaking it. Break the rule if it gets in the way of the story.Henry McLaughlinhttp://www.henrymclaughlin.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-60669367238802892912015-01-22T12:17:31.785-05:002015-01-22T12:17:31.785-05:00Before, when I was just an English teacher ground ...Before, when I was just an English teacher ground in grammar and punctuation rules, reading was such a pleasure. Now I find that "knowing" more of the rules for writing (and getting published) actually takes away from the pleasure of reading and enjoying a good book especially by an author I already love. I hate that. Perhaps the rules make it easier for agents and publishers to do their jobs. Perhaps the rules are necessary to break into the traditional world of writing. Perhaps some rules help new writers learn how to tell a story. For me as a reader, story still tops rules any day. For me as a writer, I try to follow the rules without hindering the story. I enjoyed this post.Sylvia A. Nashhttp://sylviaanash.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-31198535757440006912015-01-22T11:35:52.131-05:002015-01-22T11:35:52.131-05:00All of a sudden I heard Kenny Rogers in my head: &...All of a sudden I heard Kenny Rogers in my head: "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." The same is true of writing. We need to know when to keep the rules and when to break the rules. Johnnie Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-64088209712999310292015-01-22T11:31:19.992-05:002015-01-22T11:31:19.992-05:00I've read a few books written by a certain wel...I've read a few books written by a certain well-known, very popular author and noticed she head-hopped a lot. Most readers don't seem to notice, or care, about rules being broken. Linda Strawnhttp://www.lindastrawn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-81685068971773621712015-01-22T06:33:50.700-05:002015-01-22T06:33:50.700-05:00As I study more about the craft of writing, I find...As I study more about the craft of writing, I find myself being more critical of published works. A couple of years ago, I reread "The Hobbit." I was surprised at how often JRR Tolkien used the exclamation point. <br /><br />For years, I've enjoyed reading Mary Higgins Clark and most all her books shoot to the top of the NYT best seller list. However, in at least one of her books she used a lot of adverbs to describe a character's emotions rather than showing them. <br /><br />Still, for both of these writers, their method worked. However, I try to stick with the "show don't tell" motto. In fact, I feel I'm often guilty of using too much dialogue. Joan Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16430939897829160498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-34039959042710757192015-01-22T06:32:34.516-05:002015-01-22T06:32:34.516-05:00This is so encouraging. Thanks for posting it.This is so encouraging. Thanks for posting it.Lillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687362333583126684noreply@blogger.com