tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post6808686770134408170..comments2024-03-28T15:01:21.285-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: "Rules" and CommentsLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25029922036049801242014-10-16T00:09:58.866-04:002014-10-16T00:09:58.866-04:00On Writing is a favorite of mine!On Writing is a favorite of mine!Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-58162622321303660222014-10-13T16:45:52.091-04:002014-10-13T16:45:52.091-04:00Dixon and Eve, even though retired, I have days th...Dixon and Eve, even though retired, I have days that day-to-day life expectations cut drastically into writing time. I also have days when I just don't feel like going back to what I was working on which is one reason I've been working on two novels at the same time. I have a friend who has designated a certain part of each Saturday as writing time which he spends in the local BAM since he has a busy household. Don't you think King was blessed to be successful enough early enough to devote a major portion of his time to reading/writing?Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-12093966252525695292014-10-13T16:11:41.399-04:002014-10-13T16:11:41.399-04:00I agree, Dixon - I'd love to get 3 months to j...I agree, Dixon - I'd love to get 3 months to just work, but laundry, cooking (small town, few restaurants), and people (from husband, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors) give me only a short window each day where I can actually concentrate on nothing but writing. <br />Eve Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015761600962360110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-64889797790893699772014-10-13T13:42:43.351-04:002014-10-13T13:42:43.351-04:00The three month rule would probably work for me if...The three month rule would probably work for me if I were actually able to cloister myself away during that time. However, running a household in the day and sometimes working at night, after helping a kid with homework in the afternoon, tends to spread that three months out for me. LOL<br /><br />--DixDixon Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11220791609338404147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-76544116600914919482014-10-13T13:17:34.820-04:002014-10-13T13:17:34.820-04:00Herschel, I agree that there are times and places ...Herschel, I agree that there are times and places where adverbs are needed, and recently, I've stopped deleting as many of mine as I did previously. So far as Velma is concerned, she's like my character Callie. They do whatever they please whenever they please. Thanks for commenting.<br />Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-82086201884833417452014-10-13T12:29:19.932-04:002014-10-13T12:29:19.932-04:00For the most part, these are great "rules&quo...For the most part, these are great "rules". I cannot agree, however, with his aversion to adverbs. I run across them all the time. Some of my favorite writers use them. If they are not to be used, why do we have them in the language? (The note about Velma, our corporate secretary, contains two adverbs. Shame!)Herschel Cozinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06097703750150309319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-21717350976792377072014-10-13T12:02:00.759-04:002014-10-13T12:02:00.759-04:00Melodie, the beautiful thing about number nineteen...Melodie, the beautiful thing about number nineteen is that when one reaches my age, plenty of time to read and write comes with retirement. (Of course, I still make time to shop, lunch, and have dinner and dancing with my favorite critic.)Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-23641287827819340012014-10-13T11:58:39.303-04:002014-10-13T11:58:39.303-04:00Leigh, thanks for reminding me that many bad write...Leigh, thanks for reminding me that many bad writers like number six blame everything on "style." I've also have a literary writer who constantly chides me for "wasting time writing genre material." There are a lot of literary writers whom I read and admire, but this particular fellow's writings put me to sleep.<br />By the way, you never struck me as "slow." Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-87213020169751993522014-10-13T11:54:55.870-04:002014-10-13T11:54:55.870-04:00Catherine, glad you appreciated the reminders. Wr...Catherine, glad you appreciated the reminders. Writing this blog actually made me pull out my copy and read it again.Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39992224245006600092014-10-13T11:53:54.087-04:002014-10-13T11:53:54.087-04:00Eve, I'm glad you've met those folks menti...Eve, I'm glad you've met those folks mentioned in number six, too. After I posted this, I thought that comment might sound mean, but sometimes the truth isn't pretty. I imagine this guy is still cursing editors and if he's in another writer's group, heaven help the other members.<br />Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-4948076769362064152014-10-13T10:45:54.949-04:002014-10-13T10:45:54.949-04:00I refer to these in the Crafting a Novel course I ...I refer to these in the Crafting a Novel course I teach at Sheridan College. And I'm with Bradley - no. 19 is the rule my students need to learn the most. No time is perfect for writing. Writing takes time. If you are going to be a writer, you are going to have to give up something. Melodie Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870938103759179132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-90308081695299264672014-10-13T10:28:25.993-04:002014-10-13T10:28:25.993-04:006. I agree with you that it’s not fear, but hubris...6. I agree with you that it’s not fear, but hubris that makes for bad writing. I had one guy tell me his (bad, bad) writing was “his style, so get used to it.” Sorry, not I.<br /><br />9. Not watching television isn’t a problem… I don’t have a TV! However, Susan Slater, Vicki Kennedy, and others have raved about some of the programs on the telly.<br /><br />10. I’m a slooooow writer… or rewriter. I edit forever and let the story rest several times. One early story I can’t seem to get right. (sigh)<br /><br />Fran, I liked his ‘rules’ and enjoyed the commentary you included.Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-13318291512213335452014-10-13T10:16:02.904-04:002014-10-13T10:16:02.904-04:00Loved his book from long ago so I relish reading t...Loved his book from long ago so I relish reading these reminders. Thanks for sharing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-45295305172781852832014-10-13T10:10:49.031-04:002014-10-13T10:10:49.031-04:00Favorite suggestions (with which I agree 100%) Rea...Favorite suggestions (with which I agree 100%) Read, read, read; kill your darlings; take a break (I walk a lot; slowly - note that I do use adverbs - but a lot); and write, write, write. <br /><br />The one that made me crack up? #6. I, too have met those people whose writing is truly horrendous and who KNOW that it is only evil oppressive editors that are keeping them from fame and fortune. <br /><br />Kill your darlings. And a few who aren't. Great job, Fran!<br />Eve Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015761600962360110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-49110403900484370872014-10-13T09:50:34.851-04:002014-10-13T09:50:34.851-04:00John, thanks for commenting on other helpful books...John, thanks for commenting on other helpful books. I've never read SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS, but I will definitely seek that out. I'm on the fifth time through the book I'm working on now, and every time, I find something I should have caught on the last go-round.Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-29527797877093099932014-10-13T09:47:52.254-04:002014-10-13T09:47:52.254-04:00Bradley, those are two of my favorite suggestions,...Bradley, those are two of my favorite suggestions, too. I believe reading was the only writing instruction many of us older writers had because there were no writing courses per se when I attended college. We had English classes which were a little about writing, but mainly reading. So far as writing to please myself, that's what my next two books are all about. Thanks for commenting.Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-21249946103733388612014-10-13T09:20:24.170-04:002014-10-13T09:20:24.170-04:00There are a few writing books that I simply love, ...There are a few writing books that I simply love, including <i>Telling Lies for Fun and Profit</i>, <i>The First Five Pages</i>, and <i>Self-Editing for Fiction Writers</i>, but King's <i>On Writing</i> is by far the best, and probably always will be.<br /><br />As you said, King's rules and Leonard's rules overlap in places, as they should--but King's are more helpful.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-28667655729726802752014-10-13T08:48:14.883-04:002014-10-13T08:48:14.883-04:00I discovered many writers this side of the pond la...I discovered many writers this side of the pond later in life including Stephen King, but I like Rule #19 the best. Time is not 'found' to read and write - Time is MADE (emphasized intentionally). <br /><br />Either both are important enough for a person to do or they become just bric-a-brac on the shelves (conversation pieces) which just sit there.<br /><br />I also like #8. I had to stop being concerned about people liking or not liking what I wrote to open up my mental blood vessels.<br /><br />Thank you, Fran, for this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-30256956960891344912014-10-13T08:46:17.374-04:002014-10-13T08:46:17.374-04:00Janice, I agree with you on King's book on wri...Janice, I agree with you on King's book on writing. It is especially useful when working with very young writers because the personal anecdotes keep them reading and most of them internalize some of the advice. Thanks for commenting.<br />Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-24986724066138382032014-10-13T08:07:21.738-04:002014-10-13T08:07:21.738-04:00I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but I think h...I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but I think his book on writing is the very best. Unpretentious, useful, and interesting. Well written, too!Janice Lawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-60378437930386999232014-10-13T08:07:16.934-04:002014-10-13T08:07:16.934-04:00I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but I think h...I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but I think his book on writing is the very best. Unpretentious, useful, and interesting. Well written, too!Janice Lawnoreply@blogger.com