fiction writing
November 9, 2009
- I recently came to the startling realization that my current writing project isn’t working out — not the way I’d like it to, anyhow. I’ve actually spent time over the past few weeks staring at my manuscript pages, thinking: I’m sorry, but it’s just not working out between us and I need some time to think things over and Perhaps we should spend a little time apart.And, finally: It’s ...
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October 27, 2009
- After I stopped writing for the GL project last month, people asked me “What are you going to do next?” I almost wanted to tell them “I’m going to Disneyland!” I didn’t because it sounded snarky, also I didn’t even have the money to go to Disneyland. However, it is time for a new writing project, and a new blogging project as well. First off, the writing ...
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October 18, 2009
- I never took a full-fledged course in Shakespeare. Rather than pine for something interesting I missed, I'm taking a class at UCLA Extension, taught by the knowledgeable Dr. Russell Stone. I thought I would be one of the older people in the course, but there seem to be many older than me. They may have had my same motivation, which the clown Touchstone offers in As You Like It:"It is ten ...
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September 26, 2009
- Now that it is finished, it is time to separate the pieces, and take a look inside.First, what are the parts of a story?The most basic are opening, middle, and ending.The opening should have a hook to make the reader want more. Let the reader know enough about the central character to make the person seem real and interesting. The writer should also give the reader a glimpse of what upsets or ...
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September 19, 2009
- As it worked out, not knowing the end when I started this story allowed imagination to dictate conclusion. In addition, for me, writing is about imagining people, places and things, so this worked out in the best way possible.I think a story should build from an idea, a vision, a picture, or even overheard words. If I envision an ending when I begin writing, fine. I will try to reach that ending, ...
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September 16, 2009
- All summer I've been scribbling in my lovely Clairefontaine spiral notebook. All year I've been researching angles and pasting info into my computer journal. Now fall is here and the moment of truth has arrived. How the hell am I going to start my novel?This should be easy. I've published seven novels and have five more in a drawer. I've finished lots of them and am not afraid of the process. So ...
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August 31, 2009
- Until today, Seattle did not, to my knowledge, have a medical center called Bayview Hospital (though I believe there is a similarly named veterinary clinic). However, it does now. I’ve just created it.I’m not a billionaire philanthropist (unfortunately) — I am simply a fiction writer who, in the middle of a scene, realized I needed to put one of my characters in a trauma center. And while ...
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August 31, 2009
- My plan was to present the written story. Now I'm not because I cannot decide how to end it.Knowing the end is the second part of story writing, the first being the original idea.Since I failed to conceive an ending before, or soon after the plot idea gelled, the plot is dangling precariously over the precipice.Due to this, I'm presenting the story as it stands now, and will let it sit for a few ...
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August 19, 2009
- Writers hear those words frequently, but rarely will the phrase be accompanied with an example.One of my favorite sayings is "Keep it simple." I am sure you've heard it spoken.I am going to write an example of Show me, don't tell me and do my best to keep it simple.Here is my Tell me. Jonathan stood at the edge of the cliff and peered into the valley. A spark of light caught his ...
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August 18, 2009
- I begin with a mental image.Rule number one for me. Let the image write the story. I do not force it, or attempt to direct its flow. If I am stuck, I will stop and find something else to do. The story will usually pull me back.The following example began when a misplaced sheet of paper in my office grabbed my attention. As I walked past, I saw the color red and printed words.In my mind, this ...
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