Comments for All About Writing

Comment on Beginnings: The First Few Pages by Jocelyn Adams

Jocelyn Adams — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:11:18 +0000

I completely agree with you about starting with conflict. It took me a while to learn that, but now my novels usually start off with a bang, right in the middle of something intense.

Equally important are the questions that are raised in the readers’ minds during that first chapter. Why did that person have a snide look on their face? Why did that character say THAT? Where did the MC get his scar?

Along with the entertainment of being the fly on the wall as the characters sort out the conflict, it will be the desire of answers to questions that will keep a reader flipping pages.

Great post.

Comment on Beginnings: The First Few Pages by Vikki

Vikki — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:09:50 +0000

Some great advice there honey, thanks

Can I ask, what do you think about prologues?

My current WIP starts with a 1 page prologue, a first person POV description of a guy committing suicide. The first chapter starts on the day of his funeral and centres around his widow. I’ve had some people say I should keep it in, and others say that people often skip a prologue (when I’m reading I always read the prologue!).

Just wondered what your opinion is

Xx
Vikki recently posted..Free Writing In Bath

Comment on What are Your Words of Wisdom for Writing by Estrella Azul

Estrella Azul — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:15:13 +0000

Love this post and the pic!

Funny, I just blogged about my favorite piece of advice a few weeks ago. It’s from Anne Lamott.
“What people somehow forgot to mention when we were children was that we need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here – and, by extension, what we’re supposed to be writing.”

http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/my-favorite-piece-of-advice-that-ive-been-given/
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Comment on What are Your Words of Wisdom for Writing by Nic Widhalm

Nic Widhalm — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:30:13 +0000

“Creativity is subtraction.” Don’t know who said it, but it’s great advice for writers. Great post.

Comment on What are Your Words of Wisdom for Writing by mare

mare — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:15:58 +0000

I’ve been writing for 30 years. Best advice I’ve received is that, outside of good grammar, etc, you write for yourself. Your words must be true for you. Even with fiction, write what is authentic for your characters. The other dictate that I’ve thought of often is a quote from another writer, I don’t know whom: “An artist (writer) never finishes her work, she abandons it.” That has been great advice for me. I tend to keep editing and editing, until I can’t tell what’s good anymore. There’s my two cents worth!
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Comment on What are Your Words of Wisdom for Writing by Vikki

Vikki — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:08:49 +0000

The quote I LOVE which I use on my blog is from Horace….

“Never a day without a line”

It’s my mantra

Xx
Vikki recently posted..Because We All Need Ideas

Comment on The Week’s Best Writing Posts: Friday, May 4, 2012 by Vikki

Vikki — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:30:54 +0000

Wow, now I know what I’ll be doing over the weekend lol

Xx
Vikki recently posted..Critiquing With Confidence

Comment on Writing a Book Backwards by Katharine@10minutewriter.com

Katharine@10minutewriter.com — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:51:10 +0000

I just blogged about this last week. I saw big dramatic scenes, that the characters would have to make a decision in and then asked myself how did they get there? What was their emotional state? What was the setting? What three events had to happen first? I feel like I am going faster with this ms because I’m looking at things from a different perspective.
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Comment on Writing a Book Backwards by Vikki

Vikki — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:30:19 +0000

I have terrible problems with endings, so I can really see the benefits in working this way. I think I should try it

Xx
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Comment on Too Much Stress – Why do I do this? by Nicole Humphrey Cook

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:19:17 +0000

@Dana, I have to agree about the confusion. I would rather have the productivity than just being busy all the time. I definitely do both, and I have been shutting things off lately, I am far too easily distracted. Thanks for your kind words.

@Mare – I don’t relax on Sunday’s too often either. Because I work from home and my job operates pretty much on time and inspiration, I have to take it when I can, and yes sometimes that means 7 days a week. It’s good to take time for yourself though, so I figure as long as we keep shooting for some, we’re bound to succeed at some point, right?
Nicole Humphrey Cook recently posted..I is for Inspiration – Writing Inspiration