tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post5284247943544973171..comments2024-03-28T15:01:21.285-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: Harlan Ellison Wrote in PublicLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-78689059712116569772020-05-27T04:21:09.368-04:002020-05-27T04:21:09.368-04:00We must understand that our lack of motivation thu...We must understand that our lack of motivation thus far has little to do with our talent and abilities. Deep down we know that we can do it, heck, we're probably very good too, but our negative thoughts and feelings, our fear of failure, are holding us back, preventing us from seeing our work through to fruition. Do thoughts follow feelings or do feelings follow thoughts? This is the classic chicken and egg scenario. Either way, we have to find a way to control both. If, like I, you are not as yet relying on your writing to pay your bills, then half a page of writing a day is not something to look down your nose at. It is a means to an end. We are establishing a new writing habit. It will be a stepping stone towards the new, positive you. <a href="https://www.authorsunite.com/" rel="nofollow">Authors Unite</a><br />hammadshaikhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02192822369971412926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-71638236043633004722018-07-29T10:59:40.216-04:002018-07-29T10:59:40.216-04:00Dean Wesley Smith doesn't believe in editing, ...Dean Wesley Smith doesn't believe in editing, but in FIXING. There are always things that need fixed. I suggest you read his book Writing Into The Dark. He explains the techniques he uses and how he used White-out by the gallon back in the typewriter days. And the difference between fixing and rewriting.<br /><br />Harlan Ellison fit right in there with these ideas. Perfect? No. But what is?<br /><br />One last thing. You don't have to throw out your outline. That varies from person to another.1LLoydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16963814112725103971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-17120581422749210072018-07-29T08:48:09.807-04:002018-07-29T08:48:09.807-04:00I’ve never heard Dean Wesley Smith say he “[doesn’...I’ve never heard Dean Wesley Smith say he “[doesn’t] like getting edited” and I’ve never heard him say ANYONE can or could “whip out a perfect first draft without ever reaching for the Wite-Out.” Just sayin’.Harvey Stanbroughhttp://harveystanbrough.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-34202017606649902692018-07-28T20:23:15.535-04:002018-07-28T20:23:15.535-04:00Wow! Ellison!Wow! Ellison!Jeff Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316081079528920123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-55925223325682504052018-07-28T10:45:09.076-04:002018-07-28T10:45:09.076-04:00I seem to recall HE saying that some people were s...I seem to recall HE saying that some people were so offended by him doing it in public that it seemed like they were confusing writing with a different "doing it."Robert Loprestihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08844889305615182897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39070444726233498712018-07-27T20:35:14.917-04:002018-07-27T20:35:14.917-04:00Thanks for the comment everyone.Thanks for the comment everyone.O'Neil De Nouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03142721824657611738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-63861054509082712572018-07-27T10:35:31.607-04:002018-07-27T10:35:31.607-04:00I don't know that I could ever write with peop...I don't know that I could ever write with people looking over my shoulder, but I have written stories when someone else provided the first line/lines. (My favorite is probably a confession that began with one character telling another, "I can't. I can't. I'd be too embarrassed." which is what a friend said when I asked her to give me an opening line. She thought she was begging off the challenge but actually provided a great opening.)<br /><br />And long ago I sold a few stories that were written first draft on the typewriter and then gone over once with a pen to correct typos. I've also sold several that were close to one pass on the computer.<br /><br />The dilemma with the discussion of rewriting/revising/re-editing is that we don't all mean the same thing when we use the terms. How much work do you need to do to a manuscript draft before it becomes a revision? And what about while the manuscript is being written?<br /><br />Michael Brackenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01072019804281421944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-75391027136063439562018-07-27T10:26:41.366-04:002018-07-27T10:26:41.366-04:00Great story. He was one of those super-prolific w...Great story. He was one of those super-prolific writers, like the late, great Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens, etc., who couldn't stop writing. Me, I need caffeine. Eve Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015761600962360110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-33727474322863969882018-07-27T08:58:30.140-04:002018-07-27T08:58:30.140-04:00Fascinating story, O'Neil. Wish I could'v...Fascinating story, O'Neil. Wish I could've been there!!<br /><br />I too am one of those folks who have to edit and re-edit what I've written before it's ready for public consumption. I envy those who can do it right in a first draft.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-82152346127565895322018-07-27T08:52:48.468-04:002018-07-27T08:52:48.468-04:00This is always amazed me, and I think other writer...This is always amazed me, and I think other writers of his generation who cut their teeth writing for the pulps or "midcentury erotica" like Lawrence Block and Don Westlake were capable of this, but those of us who learned with a backspace key may have trouble replicating it. You have time to fully form the sentence in your brain as you punch away at a manual (I used one, in another age) that you often lose with an electronic machine. We self-edit. <br />Just because Dean Wesley Smith doesn't like getting edited doesn't mean everyone can whip out a perfect first draft without ever reaching for the Wite-Out.Thomas Pluckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17008022962076648740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-55049742216837023082018-07-27T07:11:07.248-04:002018-07-27T07:11:07.248-04:00I quite envy you for getting to see Ellison at wor...I quite envy you for getting to see Ellison at work. But I am convinced that there is no one "proper" way to write. His method would certainly intrigue the public, though.janice lawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-23193973628399621742018-07-27T05:01:45.893-04:002018-07-27T05:01:45.893-04:00I don't know how Harlan E. could write like th...I don't know how Harlan E. could write like that, O'Neil. He must have had amazing powers of concentration. I could never study in libraries and I can't write in public places. Too many distractions. Plus, like you, I like to hone and hone and hone. To each his/her own I guess.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.com