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mary rosenblum
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Hello all!
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mary rosenblum
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I hope you had a great
Thanksgiving and are now enjoying the creative challenge of all those
leftovers.
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mary rosenblum
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We've settled into a real
Oregon winter weather pattern right now..
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mary rosenblum
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COLD steady rain. Good weather
for workign on the computer.
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t green
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whooo creative challenge! soups,
stews, sandwiches, pot pies, casseroles, turkey chili... mmmmmm
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mary rosenblum
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Yeah, sigh. I went out with my
stepmom...gonna have to make a turkey just so I can have leftovers!
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mary rosenblum
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This is our After Hours Forum,
with me, Mary Rosenblum, your web editor. This is an open question night
for any and all writing-related questions. I’ve published seven novels
(number eight will be out next year) , more than 60 short stories, and will
do my best to answer any questions you have. If you’re new here, remember
that you need to click on the ‘Ask a Question’ button or the ‘word bubble’
next to the red question mark at the top of the screen in order to ask a
question. Your regular ‘send’ bar won’t reach me! Or you can use /ask and
type your question into the regular send bar if that works better for you..
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sweett
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Are you doing a Christmas
contest this year?
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mary rosenblum
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I'm not sweett. I have a
couple of publishing deadlines and I'm not going to have the extra time to
devote to it.
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mary rosenblum
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I'll probably do another theme
anthology later in the year.
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mary rosenblum
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I'm already hearing from Nano
finishers!
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mary rosenblum
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Paminapa, and Paja have both
finished.
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info
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perhaps valentines day
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mary rosenblum
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That's a thought, info.
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mary rosenblum
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Or spring.
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mary rosenblum
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I'll have to see what moves
me. :-)
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speckledorf
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I passed 40K this afternoon...
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mary rosenblum
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alright, speck!
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mary rosenblum
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You all are awesome.
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carla
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you collect the research data
for a novel you are working on ... but gather way to much information for
what you need any suggestions on keeping the documentation in easy format
to refer to for later potential projects
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mary rosenblum
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More info than you need is
very good, Carla! :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Usually, I try to organize it
into categories. World, Culture. Town history.
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mary rosenblum
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Sheriffs Department.
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mary rosenblum
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Family history.
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mary rosenblum
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And then individual character
files for main characters.
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mary rosenblum
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That sort of thing.
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mary rosenblum
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Then you don't have quite so
much digging into piles of paper to do.
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trainer
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Passed 38k this morning, so its
getting there
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mary rosenblum
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Keep at it, trainer!
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mary rosenblum
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Remember all, the words don't
evaporate on Dec 1...you can finish later!
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carla
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the research is on herbs that
needed to ensure mixtures in story were valid and plausible swears could
write a book on herbaology now is literally 4 in stack of paper --- you
saying just store as herb information
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mary rosenblum
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Tell you what, Carla, I'd wait
if I were you...you CAN end up with about a phone books worth of info
there...
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mary rosenblum
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and go ahead and write the
book putting in the needed herb blends but mark the spot...
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mary rosenblum
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with something you can find
with your search tool later. I use xxx to mark spots in my ms...
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mary rosenblum
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and then type [insert herb
details here]
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mary rosenblum
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Once you have finished. you
will know which herbs you need to know about...herbs for pneumonia or what
have you...
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mary rosenblum
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and you can THEN research what
you need.
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mary rosenblum
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I do that a lot with research.
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mary rosenblum
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If the plot does not depend on
the details, they can go in later.
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cherley
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Is Third person or first person
better to use in a mystery
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cherley
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I'm having trouble moving back
and forth from 1st to 3rd person which one is better.
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mary rosenblum
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Are you switching back and
forth in the same story, cherley?
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mary rosenblum
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That can be problematical.
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mary rosenblum
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As to 'better' they are both
quite valid.
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mary rosenblum
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Depends on which works better
for your mystery.
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mary rosenblum
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Now hardboiled noir mystery
(think Dashell Hammet and Raymond Chandler) has a tradition of first
person.
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mary rosenblum
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But it's not cast in stone.
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cherley
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Yes I am, not meaning to.
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mary rosenblum
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Try both and see which works
better. Then stick to that one.
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info
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when you are working on a story,
say for nano or something else and you have only one mc and a backup mc,
could that be enough with one or two minor characters
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mary rosenblum
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Sure info. Long as the story
works.
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mary rosenblum
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And keep working on that nano
project. Deadline or no!
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cherley
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So neither is preferred just
whichever feels better
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mary rosenblum
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Yes. Most of us are better
with one POV or the other. Write what works best for your story and
usually, at this stage, it will be whichever POV you prefer.
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mary rosenblum
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I did get an email question,
Let me get that in here:
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mary rosenblum
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How do I find a good critique
group? How do I know when I've found one? I know I'm supposed to listen to
the critique groups comments, but how do I know if their advice is good or
bad?
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mary rosenblum
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Laura G asked this and it's a
good question.
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mary rosenblum
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finding a group can be as
simple as hanging out on the LR website if you want an online group.
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mary rosenblum
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You can put up signs at your
local library branch or at independent bookstores and START a group.
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mary rosenblum
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Most libraries have free
meeting space you can use.
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mary rosenblum
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As to the 'good or not'...that
is up to you.
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mary rosenblum
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do you feel that the comments
help you write a better story?
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mary rosenblum
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Do you leave the group session
feeling like a failure, that you'll never do well?
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mary rosenblum
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That's not good.
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mary rosenblum
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Do the people in the group
seem to get what you're writing or does it go right past 'em?
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mary rosenblum
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Do they focus on nitpicky line
edits or work with the story's strengths and weaknesses?
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mary rosenblum
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Most importantly...do you WANT
to go every time? Or do you DREAD it?
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mary rosenblum
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If you dread it...QUIT!!!!!!
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mary rosenblum
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This is our After Hours Forum,
with me, Mary Rosenblum, your web editor. This is an open question night
for any and all writing-related questions. I’ve published seven novels
(number eight will be out next year) , more than 60 short stories, and will
do my best to answer any questions you have. If you’re new here, remember
that you need to click on the ‘Ask a Question’ button or the ‘word bubble’
next to the red question mark at the top of the screen in order to ask a
question. Your regular ‘send’ bar won’t reach me! Or you can use /ask and
type your question into the regular send bar if that works better for you..
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sailor
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Pictures I need for an article
include a minor. Her parent signed a model release form. I have not yet
sold the article and the girl has turned 18. Do I need now need her to side
a model release form so I can use the picture?
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mary rosenblum
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Boy, sailor, I would say that
since you acquired the photo when she was a minor, and her acceptance was
implied by Mom's signature you don't have any worries.
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mary rosenblum
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But I'm not a lawyer. BUT...is
she likely to get upset and sue you over this?
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mary rosenblum
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It should be enough for an
editor who wants that release.
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mary rosenblum
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As to whether...if it came to
court for some reason...it's actually airtight, I don't know.
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sailor
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No - I interviewed her and she
has appeared in other pix elsewhere.
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mary rosenblum
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If it's easy, I'd get a new
release just in case an editor with a case of nerves objects. That's the
only reason. If it's not easy to get a new one, don't bother.
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carla
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when you write example the novel
for the nano thing ... do you watch the tense and POV or do you just write
then go back and fix after ....is it more difficult to fix after? Is this a
bad habit to get into
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mary rosenblum
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I strongly suggest that you
just get the story down. Don't worry about ANYTHING else.
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mary rosenblum
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YOur editorial brain and your
creative brain don't normally work at the same time.
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mary rosenblum
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Create first. Edit later.
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mary rosenblum
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You should do several
revisions of a novel first draft in order to give your novel the strength
it potentially has.
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sailor
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A pay on pub magazine accepted
one article of mine 18 months ago and a second article 13 months ago.
Neither has yet appeared in print. Is is ok to ask the editor if she still
plans on using them and when they will appear?
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mary rosenblum
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It is indeed, sailor. Figure
that most large circulation print mags have a six month lead time...if they
use your article RIGHT NOW it'll show up in six months.
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mary rosenblum
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It is probably already slated
for an issue and it's fine to ask.
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mary rosenblum
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I never hear from editors
about which issue my stuff will show up in.
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mary rosenblum
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If I want to know, I'll ask.
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mary rosenblum
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Most of the time, for large
circulation print mags, your piece iwll appear in print about a year later,
plus or minus.
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cherley
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I would have to do an online
group. Or an individual to exchange stories with.
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mary rosenblum
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Just ask around, Cherley.
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mary rosenblum
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You'll find someone.
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mary rosenblum
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Or if you don' t mind posting
your email address, ask for people who want to join a group to contact you
on the Post A Note board.
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carla
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is there a downside to writing
under assumed name
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mary rosenblum
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Yes, Carla. :-) People don't
look over your shoulder in the Post Office line and say, 'Wow are you the
writer?" (Yes, it happened to me).
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mary rosenblum
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But you do have more privacy
if that is important to you.
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wingedwarrior24
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I have trouble carrying out a
scence for a good length, any pointers
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mary rosenblum
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Well, winged, if your scene
works then it is at the right length.
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mary rosenblum
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ASk yourself if it obeys the
Rule of Three:
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mary rosenblum
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Does it Advance the
Plot/Deepend the Characterization/Enrich the Setting.
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mary rosenblum
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If it does, does it balance
action with visual details and dialogue (and that depends on the pace and
the nature of the scene).
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mary rosenblum
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If your scene does all three
things and it has adequate visual details then it's probably fine no matter
what the length is.
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mary rosenblum
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There is no STANDARD length
for a scene.
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cherley
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I don't care who has my email
address.
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mary rosenblum
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Well, post on the board,
Cherley and be patient. Try 'writing Buddies' That's what that topic string
is for.
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mary rosenblum
|
This is our After Hours Forum,
with me, Mary Rosenblum, your web editor. This is an open question night
for any and all writing-related questions. I’ve published seven novels
(number eight will be out next year) , more than 60 short stories, and will
do my best to answer any questions you have. If you’re new here, remember
that you need to click on the ‘Ask a Question’ button or the ‘word bubble’
next to the red question mark at the top of the screen in order to ask a
question. Your regular ‘send’ bar won’t reach me! Or you can use /ask and
type your question into the regular send bar if that works better for you..
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ashoak
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Are writing conferences helpful
for unpublished writers?
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mary rosenblum
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absolutely!!!
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mary rosenblum
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I started going to conferences
before I published and they really advanced my career much more rapidly.
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mary rosenblum
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AND I sold more stories
earlier because of it.
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mary rosenblum
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They offer many benefits.
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mary rosenblum
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They always have panels on
writing, publishing, breaking in, agents, rights, etc.
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mary rosenblum
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You can meet writers and
editors. Chat with them, become a real person to them.
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mary rosenblum
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Networking is very valuable in
this business.
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ashoak
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Are there any you particularly
recommend--West Coast?
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mary rosenblum
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What genre, ashoak?
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trainer
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That's how I found my local
writers group. I went to the Oklahoma Federation conference. Also gave me
the chance to rub elbows with publishers, editors, published authors
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mary rosenblum
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Yep...that is another good way
to find out about established local groups.
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ashoak
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fiction--maybe mystery
especially
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mary rosenblum
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Willamette Writers does a big
one in the summer here in Portland.
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mary rosenblum
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Bouchercon is in Madison
Wisconsin..that is the biggest mystery con.
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lorib
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Does LRWG ever host conferences?
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mary rosenblum
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They don't lorib. They don't
really have the facilities for it.
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lapart
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how do you use dates and places
in your story?
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mary rosenblum
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Lapart, I just use them where
they're needed. If you're going to use a real place as a setting, you do
need to get the details right...major ones anyway.
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mary rosenblum
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Can you be more specific about
what you're unsure of?
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wolf122
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In a modern story, can you use a
trademark (say McDonalds) in the story, or do you have to get permission
first?
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mary rosenblum
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Technically you are not
supposed to use a trademarked name. Your character, technically, cannot
drink a coke. He can drink a cola flavored beverage.
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mary rosenblum
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You know what? My characters
slug back coke and they xerox copies for their boss.
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mary rosenblum
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The trademark police will not
knock on your door. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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YOu really have to use
trademark names or your details are laughable.
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robastor
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I mention real things
constantly. Someone once said it was like free advertising.
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mary rosenblum
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Well, companies really don't
like it. They don't want Hannibal Lecter savoring his Diet Pepsi! LOL
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mary rosenblum
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But they're not going to sue
you.
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mary rosenblum
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Now Disney...that is another
story.
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mary rosenblum
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Keep your paws off Disney's
characters. They have a BIG legal staff just for that.
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mary rosenblum
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Don't use songs unless you are
sure that nobody owns 'em.
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mary rosenblum
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The labels are nasty, too.
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mary rosenblum
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YOu need to pay attention to
that Rob, if you want to use real music in your stories.
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lapart
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quotes and saying from other
people do you need permission?
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mary rosenblum
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Don't libel.
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mary rosenblum
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That's the bottom line.
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robastor
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With songs, you can write to ask
permission of the publishers or performers. In some cases it's a matter of
a letter of intent to use that covers that base.
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mary rosenblum
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Exactly, and surprisingly, you
will frequently get an automatic turn down from major labels.
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mary rosenblum
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It is perfectly okay to use
real people in your fiction as long as you do not libel them.
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mary rosenblum
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I don't consider it ethical
myself and I won't do it.
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mary rosenblum
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Even in personal narrative, I
would use a made up name instead of the person's real name in a nonfiction
piece.
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lapart
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is it ok to use overheard
conversation to use as a topic?
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mary rosenblum
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Oh, lapart, we writers are
TOTAL voyeurs!!!! LOL I LOVE cell phones!
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mary rosenblum
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I get to listen to so many
personal conversations in public places.
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mary rosenblum
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Thank you thank you public!
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mary rosenblum
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And of course I use 'em in
stories.
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mary rosenblum
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If they minded, they wouldn't
fight with their mistress in public now would they?
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mary rosenblum
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heheh.
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mary rosenblum
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I look through uncurtained
windows, too. From the street. :-) BUt if you want me to take a look at how
you live and what you're doing, that's great!
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mary rosenblum
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I spend my time in airports
staring vacantly into space and listening to and noticing every interaction
going on around me. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Character watching is the
foundation of strong characters.
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mary rosenblum
|
This is our After Hours Forum,
with me, Mary Rosenblum, your web editor. This is an open question night
for any and all writing-related questions. I’ve published seven novels (number
eight will be out next year) , more than 60 short stories, and will do my
best to answer any questions you have. If you’re new here, remember that
you need to click on the ‘Ask a Question’ button or the ‘word bubble’ next
to the red question mark at the top of the screen in order to ask a
question. Your regular ‘send’ bar won’t reach me! Or you can use /ask and
type your question into the regular send bar if that works better for you..
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lorib
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Thank you Mary, now I dont feel
so bad!
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mary rosenblum
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LOL we're just peeping toms
who put our observations to a legitimate use.
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cherley
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If you use a fictional name most
people won't recognize themselves anyway. LOL.
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mary rosenblum
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True Cherley and so is the
converse...I've had people 'recognize' themselves in my fiction. No matter
what I tell 'em.
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mary rosenblum
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Oh well, whatever.
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mary rosenblum
|
This is our After Hours Forum,
with me, Mary Rosenblum, your web editor. This is an open question night
for any and all writing-related questions. I’ve published seven novels
(number eight will be out next year) , more than 60 short stories, and will
do my best to answer any questions you have. If you’re new here, remember
that you need to click on the ‘Ask a Question’ button or the ‘word bubble’
next to the red question mark at the top of the screen in order to ask a
question. Your regular ‘send’ bar won’t reach me! Or you can use /ask and
type your question into the regular send bar if that works better for you..
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cherley
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If you list the names of
someone's children should they come up again later in the novel?
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mary rosenblum
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Good question, Cherley.
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mary rosenblum
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Let's talk about guns on
mantlepieces and 'necessary details'.
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mary rosenblum
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We're all trained as readers
to look for clues and plants.
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mary rosenblum
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And if you bring something in
that seems to be important...a gun on the mantlepiece is the classic
example...
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mary rosenblum
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somebody needs to fire it by
the end of the story.
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mary rosenblum
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What that means is, if
something seems important it needs to be important.
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mary rosenblum
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If it has no importance at all
to the story, leave it out.
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mary rosenblum
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If your character's kids play
no part in this story, why name them?
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mary rosenblum
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We'll think they matter.
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mary rosenblum
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We meet Joe, he makes a
comment about his three kids or we see them disappearing around the back of
the house...
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mary rosenblum
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and they never show up again.
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cherley
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What if some of them do and some
of them don't
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mary rosenblum
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Well, the kids that matter to
the story will be introduced to us somehow. Now YOU need to name the kids,
you don't have to name them all in the story.
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mary rosenblum
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YOu many not ever need to
mention Billy's name...we see him once on his way to the rec room
downstairs...
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mary rosenblum
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but Bobby becomes part of the
main plot so of course we'll find out his name.
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cherley
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Is Third person the same as the
author's voice?
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mary rosenblum
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Only if you are writing
narrative.
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mary rosenblum
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There are several types of
third person.
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mary rosenblum
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Narrative: Author's Voice
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mary rosenblum
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LImitied Third: Character's
vocabulary
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mary rosenblum
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Cinematic: neutral affect
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cherley
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So if she has five kids and only
two are coming up later you only name the two.
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mary rosenblum
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Don't name anyone until that
name crops up on its own Cherley.
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mary rosenblum
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You don't stop and TELL the
reader what the kids are named.
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mary rosenblum
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But if one kid walks up to our
POV and says, hey, mister, who are you? I'm Billy...
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mary rosenblum
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we know he's Billy.
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info
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if you mention how a teen is
pick on in the story and the whole purpose of mentioning is to give the
reader a bit of background to the character, do you need to show them or
give the reader an example of how?
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mary rosenblum
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I wouldn't tell the reader
that kid was picked on. Then we have to take your word for it.
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mary rosenblum
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I'd show that kid get harassed
at his locker. We see someone knock his books out of his hands and push him
down as he bends to get 'em.
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mary rosenblum
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You don't have to say a word.
As five or six kids stand around and laugh we'll get the message.
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mary rosenblum
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The kid's reaction will tell
us volumes of backstory.
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mary rosenblum
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And if he's the POV, his
thoughts can add to it.
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cherley
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I think what I am actually
trying to write in is limited Third instead of first.
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mary rosenblum
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Limited third...good limited
third with zero narrative distance...is almost indistinguishabel from
first.
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mary rosenblum
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There are people who have read
some of my third person and remembered them as first person later. :-)
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sailor
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Is there any problem making a
character a member of an organization such as the Shriners or the Sweet
Potato Queens?
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mary rosenblum
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As long as it's not Hannibal
Lecter, sailor. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Realistically, unless you
somehow libel the organization you're fine.
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lapart
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if you re unsure about libel
whats the best way to check?
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mary rosenblum
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Well, you can hire a publishing
lawyer, but in order to prove libel, the injured party has to prove that
his/her reputation and/or career has suffered.
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mary rosenblum
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If you say your next door
neighbor molests children ...that's libel.
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mary rosenblum
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If you say your next door
neighbor is fat, he may punch you, but it's not libel.
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mary rosenblum
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Questions about publishing?
Markets? (prompt prompt0
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lapart
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how can you tell when youre
drifting from your theme or plot
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mary rosenblum
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That's something that is worth
cultivating, lapart...because it's costly to you in time and effort..
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mary rosenblum
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to get 450 pages along in a
huge ms and then realize that you deviated from your original plot idea
about...
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mary rosenblum
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250 pages ago. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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One way to do that is to write
down your plot.
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mary rosenblum
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What is yoru story arc?
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mary rosenblum
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Give yourself a short
paragraph ONLY to summarize where you mean to go.
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mary rosenblum
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Then refer to that frequently.
Am I still on my arc or am I drifting off on a tangent?
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mary rosenblum
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Now if your 'tangent' seems
like a stronger story than your original plot...
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mary rosenblum
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think about revising your
plot.
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mary rosenblum
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But beware of tangents that
just meander off into the distance forever...
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mary rosenblum
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That can yield the 1000 page
novel that never ends.
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mary rosenblum
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And never gets published
either!
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geezer
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I'll soon need to find an agent.
How do I start?
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mary rosenblum
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http://www.aar-online.org/index.html
Association of Authors’ Representative homepage
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mary rosenblum
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Start there, geeze.
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mary rosenblum
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Actually, www.aar-online.org
will get you there.
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mary rosenblum
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That is the 'agents guild'
with a code of ethics. The website educates new writers on how to acquire a
legitimate agent.
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mary rosenblum
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Writers conferences are a
GREAT place to get agents.
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mary rosenblum
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Agents hide from you...they
just meet with their author clients.
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mary rosenblum
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But authors will refer you to
their agents at times.
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sweett
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How many drafts is a norm before
you start sending out proposals on a novel?
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mary rosenblum
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Depends on you.
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mary rosenblum
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Some writers do nine or ten.
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mary rosenblum
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Mary shudders
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mary rosenblum
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I do about three solid drafts
and a polishing draft to pick language nits.
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cherley
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I'm still on bringing a family
in. If the people are going to be in the novel later you should wait until
later to bring their names in?
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mary rosenblum
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Cherley if you bring up things
that are not part of this scene, YOU are TELLING the readers about it.
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mary rosenblum
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When the scene demands info,
put it there.
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mary rosenblum
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Don't just dump it in because
it might be needed later.
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ltsonya
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for Nano I wrote out a blurb and
that really helped me stay focused.
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mary rosenblum
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Good for you, sonya. I always
do that...with both short stories and novel length stuff.
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info
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generally speaking, when a
writer searches for an agent, we do have to treat them as an editor in a
sense don't we? I mean, tell them we have this story we are trying to
publish and what it is about, ect.
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mary rosenblum
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EAch agent has 'submission guidelines'
They tell you what they want.
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mary rosenblum
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Usually it's a query or query
and synopsis.
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mary rosenblum
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You give that agent what
he/she asks for.
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mary rosenblum
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And....this is why the
conference networking references help.
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mary rosenblum
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An agent whose client has
referred you will probably look at your ms rather than a query.
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lapart
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normally do you should you
finish your outline before writin
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mary rosenblum
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Shorthand. :-) Well, lapart,
everybody has to do what works for him/her.
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mary rosenblum
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It is a very good idea to know
where you are going when you start.
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mary rosenblum
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BUT...if the only way you can
work is to start and see where the novel takes you...do that.
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cherley
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Can you move from limited third
to first? Like "I soothed the frantic woman." Dale gently pulled
her away from the body?
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mary rosenblum
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To be honest, Cherley, I doubt
you can pull that off without totally and utterly confusing your reader.
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mary rosenblum
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It is potentially doable, but
not in the manner you just posted...and it would be VERY difficult to do
well.
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mary rosenblum
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Remember...you do something
like that because it makes your story stronger, not because it's easier for
you.
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mary rosenblum
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Story comes first.
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mary rosenblum
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Always.
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mary rosenblum
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Always.
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mary rosenblum
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Always.
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cherley
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Thought that the reader needed
to know his actions as well as his words.
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mary rosenblum
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You do actions in first
person, Cherley. There are some articles on using first person effectively
on the website.
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mary rosenblum
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Writing Craft:
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mary rosenblum
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Let me show you:
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mary rosenblum
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Here's your example in first
only:
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mary rosenblum
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I soothed the frantic woman. I
pulled her from the body, trying to be gentle. Since she weighed three
hundred pounds or so, gentle is a debatable word, but I did try to
be..well..empathetic.
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mary rosenblum
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Okay...I stretched your
example a bit. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Couldn't resist it.
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mary rosenblum
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This is how you do action in
first person. Our POV tells us what is going on.
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cherley
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Too cute
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mary rosenblum
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LOL...blame it on Oregon rain.
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speckledorf
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How about some info on revising
that first draft? Mine is going to need a bit of work to get it ready for
public eyes.
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mary rosenblum
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Quite a few nano drafts are,
LOL.
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mary rosenblum
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I should do a Forum on that.
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mary rosenblum
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Well, the main thing to
remember with novel revision is that it's a BIG story.
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mary rosenblum
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It's unlikely that you can do
it all in one pass.
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mary rosenblum
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So don't try. You want it
GOOD, not FAST.
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mary rosenblum
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Your first draft is the BIG
picture...you got the story down.
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mary rosenblum
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Now look at
structure..dramatic peaks, subplots, does everything fit, do you need to
take out some subplots...
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mary rosenblum
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can you add subplots to add
interest to slow spots.
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mary rosenblum
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Do that on revision 1.
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mary rosenblum
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Revision 2: focus on
characters...are they real, does each MC behave realistically, what does
he/she think here? How would he react? Like this? IS she too distanced?
Should she be more upset here?
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mary rosenblum
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Revision 3: Words.
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mary rosenblum
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Enough visuals? Too much?
Better verbs? Watch out for to be verbs, passive voice.
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mary rosenblum
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Revision 4 : Polish
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mary rosenblum
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Logic errors. Is the blue
pickup in chapter4 green in chapter 10?
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mary rosenblum
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Does Jenny have brown eye son
131 and blue eyes on 322?
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mary rosenblum
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watch for typos, polish words.
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glider
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Okay, call me dumb, but what is
a "nano draft"?
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mary rosenblum
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National Novel Writing Month
'NANO' is a contest...write a novel in the month of November, 50,000 words.
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mary rosenblum
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No prize...you just get your
name and book title listed on the website if you do it.
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mary rosenblum
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It's a fun challenge and a
great way to actually write a novel.
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gbeesley
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does this nano contest happen
every year
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mary rosenblum
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I think that's the intent,
bees. I think this is what...third year?
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mary rosenblum
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It should be going next year,
too...it's getting national attention.
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mary rosenblum
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I heard two interviews with
people connected to it on the radio.
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speckledorf
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Yes..it is yearly. I think this
is 7th year.
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mary rosenblum
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Oh, it's been going longer
than I thought.
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fiction_scribe
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- www.nanowrimo.org and March is
NaNoEdMo for editing I believe
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mary rosenblum
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Thanks, fiction.
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mary rosenblum
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I was hoping someone would
post the link.
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gbeesley
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cool maybe i can in on it then
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mary rosenblum
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You should.
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mary rosenblum
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It has a lot to offer in terms
of a goal, lots of support, you get to upload your progress...
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mary rosenblum
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and you then know that you CAN
write a novel.
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lapart
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mary i got cold feet when it was
time to start
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mary rosenblum
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Next year, lapart. :-) If you
don't finish on time, so what?
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mary rosenblum
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Several people I've heard from
will finish after the Dec 1 deadline, but you know what? They STILL have a
novel!
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wolf122
|
Any good places to send off 26K
word fantasy stories? I've prowled ralan.com and a couple of the fantasy
mags. . .but they all seem to want smaller stories. Any hints?
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mary rosenblum
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Wolf, 26K is novella. I think
F&SF takes that length but to be honest, it will have to knock an
editor's socks off. YOu're going to take the place of say three pro
stories.
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mary rosenblum
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So the editor will have to
think your story is THAT good.
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mary rosenblum
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And it may be.
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mary rosenblum
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That can happen.
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mary rosenblum
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A Clarion student sold a
novella to the top SF market of the day...he was unpublished..
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mary rosenblum
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and it was an incredibly good
story.
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robastor
|
Will Asimov's accept stories
from virtual unknowns?
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mary rosenblum
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Absolutely!!! That's where I
made my first sale. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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ALL...repeat this ALL
magazines will buy from unpublished.
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cherley
|
Did you have any rejections
before your first sale?
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mary rosenblum
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Of course, Cherley. Sheesh!
Everybody gets rejections! LOL
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mary rosenblum
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We all pay our dues, dear.
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mary rosenblum
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and I STiLL get rejections.
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mary rosenblum
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Gordon at F&SF just said
no thanks to a story I sent him.
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mary rosenblum
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I'll sell it to someone else.
He just didn't want it.
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mary rosenblum
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so?
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mary rosenblum
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You never stop getting
rejections.
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mary rosenblum
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Not unless you are writing
'safe' and never trying anything new.
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cherley
|
If you get a rejection maybe bad
timing can you re submit it to the same place?
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mary rosenblum
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Not if it's the same editor,
Cherley.
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mary rosenblum
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They remember and if they
didn't like it on the first try, they won't like it when you resub it.
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mary rosenblum
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If the editor changes, yes.
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lapart
|
can you send the same article to
more than more magazine?
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mary rosenblum
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You mean more than one, right,
lapart?
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mary rosenblum
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Only if they take simultaneous
subs.
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mary rosenblum
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The guidelines will tell you.
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mary rosenblum
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A lot of ezines and small
press accept simultaneous subs.
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mary rosenblum
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Big circulation mags generally
do not.
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robastor
|
Is it okay to send the same
story to multiple magazines at the same time/ I've never had a clear answer
on this.
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mary rosenblum
|
I know you posted this as I
typed the above...
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mary rosenblum
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but you do need to check.
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mary rosenblum
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Now..ahem...lots of people do
it anyway. BUT...if you get two acceptances and have to turn down one
editor...
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mary rosenblum
|
who has already committed
space in an issue for this...you have put yourself...
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mary rosenblum
|
on that editor's black list.
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mary rosenblum
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Not a good idea. If you are
the next Stephen King, no big deal.
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mary rosenblum
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If that editor doesn't HAVE to
buy your stuff, he may not. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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BUT...when it takes an editor
five months to say no...seems reasonable to submit to multiple mags.
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mary rosenblum
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Just realize you can get
burned.
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cherley
|
I thought simultaneous meant
more than one to them, but it means to other mags?
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mary rosenblum
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Means one piece to several
markets, cherley.
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mary rosenblum
|
Well, this was a fun Oregon
hour!
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mary rosenblum
|
Do come by on Sunday to our
casual chat...
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mary rosenblum
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same time, same place.
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mary rosenblum
|
If you think of a question
five minutes after you log off, bring it then.
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mary rosenblum
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And come play.
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glider
|
Can you give an editor a time
limit when submitting?
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mary rosenblum
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Well, glider, if you are
unpublished, and that editor doesn't have much reason to buy from you
anyway...
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mary rosenblum
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it is likely to earn you a
VERY quick response, like by return mail, and with a rejection attached.
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mary rosenblum
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Better make sure you story is
dynamite before you do that.
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mary rosenblum
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To be honest, editors are
SWAMPED with stories...to the tune of 1000 per month for big mags..
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mary rosenblum
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and they read slush on their
own time a lot.
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mary rosenblum
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They're not just being snotty.
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mary rosenblum
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They DO care a lot about waht
they do and they are overworked.
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mary rosenblum
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They WANT you to make it.
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mary rosenblum
|
I give editors a lot of slack,
myself.
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mary rosenblum
|
Okay, I'll post this in
Writing Craft: Forum Transcripts.
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mary rosenblum
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See you all Sunday!
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mary rosenblum
|
Happy Turkey Tetrazini!
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mary rosenblum
|
Bye all!
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