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Author Craft / Re: The Illusion of Danger
« on: July 27, 2006, 10:55:39 PM »
I completely agree. 
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Author Craft / Re: Beginnings
« on: July 26, 2006, 06:38:11 PM »
This is why I shouldn't make grand generalizations. In my personal experience, I've found that most novels that lack that special something to grab your attention at the start tend to be lacking in other areas as well. It might be the writing, the characterization, the plot, all of the above, etc. Good writers, however, tend to know that the beginning is important to a story, and thus start a novel off right, simply because they are good writers. The beginning doesn't have to be bombs-exploding, ninjas-dueling epic or anything, but it needs to capture your imagination. That's what I mean when I say a book needs to "start off with a bang": it doesn't necessarily have to be an action-packed start; it just needs to have a hook of one kind or another--it has to be interesting.
^This, right here, is exactly what I'm talking about. It's not a fight to the death or "a flash and a bang" kind of start, but this opening grabs your attention and makes you want to read more to find out what's going on. That's what I meant by an interesting opening. An opening can be both artful and still hook you like a fish.
In my personal experience, I've found that most novels that lack that special something to grab your attention at the start tend to be lacking in other areas as well. It might be the writing, the characterization, the plot, all of the above, etc. Good writers, however, tend to know that the beginning is important to a story, and thus start a novel off right, simply because they are good writers. The beginning doesn't have to be bombs-exploding, ninjas-dueling epic or anything, but it needs to capture your imagination. That's what I mean when I say a book needs to "start off with a bang": it doesn't necessarily have to be an action-packed start; it just needs to have a hook of one kind or another--it has to be interesting.QuoteThe book sits on my nightstand, innocent in its trappings: a simple diary, encased in a simple cloth, the muted floral print stained and dirty. The small brass lock is jammed in the open position. The whole ensemble gives the impression of a child's diary, lost in the sandbox in school.
It scares the hell out of me.
The mist comes and we dare not separate. That was how we lost Charles.
^This, right here, is exactly what I'm talking about.
It's not a fight to the death or "a flash and a bang" kind of start, but this opening grabs your attention and makes you want to read more to find out what's going on. That's what I meant by an interesting opening. An opening can be both artful and still hook you like a fish.
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Author Craft / Re: Jim speaks much truth
« on: July 25, 2006, 05:37:30 PM »Jim certainly gives good advice, and I agree...his bit on LJ about character development was a huge help to me. In my reading and library work, I've run across some memorable characters: Harry Dresden, obviously; of course Bob is as well, because now everyone wants a talking skull...
They're all memorable for different reasons. Harry is sarcastic and has a great sense of humor, but what makes him stick out, for me, is his heart. Yes, he may sling spells and have more than a few questionable allies in his line of work, but he is a guy who will do whatever it takes to protect the ones he cares about. What also strikes me with Harry is that his character has evolved, but not disappeared. There are other writers, whom I won't mention, whose characters have lost their touch, their uniqueness.
The other characters I mentioned have very unique attributes to them as well. Special Agent Pendergast is a New Orleans native, old money, whose complexion is white as a sheet, and he wears only black, tailored suits. He's a brilliant mind who has old-world tastes and a general...oddness about him. Of course, having a psychotic younger brother out to kill you (Diogenes Pendergast) also helps.
It's just like Jim said on his LJ (as I loop back around to the starting point of this reply)...you've got to make them memorable, because otherwise, they're as flat as the page they've been printed on.
Yes, your characters need, and, if you really want to go somewhere with your writing, are required to be interesting and three-dimensional. Otherwise...yeah, that whole "flat as the page they've been printed on" thing is very appropriate.
That's why I love Jim's writing so; he never has any flat characters.Also, I give you kudos for loving Pendergast; I adore him!
Preston and Child really struck gold with him and his series! I'm just so thrilled to see a Southern character who' s really smart and stylish, and who isn't portrayed as being a stupid, inbred hick! Because, despite what people may think, there aren't very many people from the South who are that way, thankyouverymuch.Sorry. Rant over.
Good post, pinkdoom!
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DFRPG / Re: Parallel Fiction
« on: July 25, 2006, 03:41:24 AM »Heh, while I'm all for the "Star Trek" style "let people write whatever they want but don't make it all canon" thing... I submit the following as an example of how horribly, horribly wrong that can go.
Star Trek meets X-Men
The very concept makes me shudder. Granted I haven't read it, but just ick... And do we really want "Harry and Harry: Dresden teaches at Hogwarts" or "The Wizard at the End of the Universe: Harry Dresden meets Marvin the Paranoid Android"... scary ideas.
Wow. I find myself terrified and horribly curious/fascinated by those suggestions.
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Author Craft / Re: Beginnings
« on: July 22, 2006, 10:53:52 PM »
If you haven't grabbed me within the first few pages, you rarely keep me. Because usually, if the writing starts poorly, it's going to be poor all the way to the end. On a few occasions I've kept reading, if it's an author I generally like, but even then, if the book hasn't gotten better after a few chapters, I'm very likely to put it down and never pick it up again. So yes, the beginning of a book needs to be grabs-you-in-a-choker-hold-and-doesn't-let-go good; otherwise, you'll likely be in serious trouble as a writer.
That's why I love the Dresden Files so much. They always start off with a bang.
Sometimes literally.
That's why I love the Dresden Files so much. They always start off with a bang.
Sometimes literally.
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Author Craft / Re: Favorite Words?
« on: July 22, 2006, 12:31:58 AM »For the same reason, my favourite Japanese word is 'tokidoki'. ('sometimes') Too bad I can't say it out loud without sounding about five years old.
In English, my favourites are probably 'countenance' and 'appropriate' - the verbs in both cases. Why steal something when you can appropriate it?
LOL, "tokidoki" is great! I love that one!
"Appropriate" is a great word, too. My art professors like that word a lot; they say all great artists don't steal, they "appropriate."
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Author Craft / Re: The Illusion of Danger
« on: July 19, 2006, 04:59:38 PM »
There's nothing wrong with a main character who's immortal. The main character from one of my novels I'm working on is an immortal half-vampire. ('Course, I'm not saying he can't die; he's immortal, not invulnerable. 
)
Personally, as long as the character is interesting and three dimensional, someone I can really get invested in and actually care about, I have no qualms about an author having an immortal character(s).
Of course, the thing I love about fantasy novels/TV shows is that, even if the main character dies, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to stay dead. *cough*Buffy*cough*
('Course, I'm not saying he can't die; he's immortal, not invulnerable. )Personally, as long as the character is interesting and three dimensional, someone I can really get invested in and actually care about, I have no qualms about an author having an immortal character(s).
Of course, the thing I love about fantasy novels/TV shows is that, even if the main character dies, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to stay dead. *cough*Buffy*cough*
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Author Craft / Re: Something for authors....
« on: July 15, 2006, 10:28:10 PM »However, if you send it to a big publishing house, and you throw copyright info on there, it's a tad insulting to their ethics, suggesting that they might steal your manuscript.
Is there a way to submit a manuscript to a large company and not include my copyright info on it?
From what I understand, the "mail it to yourself and don't open it" thing won't stand up in court. If you're really that concerned with someone walking off with your stuff, register it.
Well, if (and this is a monstrously huge if) my novel actually became a big success, I'd want to be able to prove I'm the one who originally came up with the idea, in case someone claimed I'd stolen the idea from them. So how's the best way to go about copyrighting your novel? I've heard something about being able to do it through the U.S. Post Office?
I'm sorry if I'm asking a lot of stupid questions, but I just want to make sure I'm coming at this from the right angle, and that I don't screw up a really big chance that could've led to me getting published. Because that would make me cry.
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Author Craft / Re: Something for authors....
« on: July 15, 2006, 05:40:43 AM »
Awesome! I knew living in the U.S. had perks!
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
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Author Craft / Re: Something for authors....
« on: July 14, 2006, 11:46:13 PM »I'd be a bit nervous about posting that there. Not cause of Baen stealing it (want a quick way to insult an editor? Include a copyright notice in the submission), but of others walking off with ideas.
So does that mean you shouldn't copyright your material before you start sending it out? I was told I should get my novel copyrighted before I began sending it to publishers.
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Author Craft / Agents - Yea or Nay?
« on: July 14, 2006, 08:14:12 PM »
I've thought for a while now that if you were going to be a writer, you had to have an agent, so s/he could sell your manuscript to bigger publishing companies that your little, unsolicited self couldn't contact otherwise. But I was told today by a writer friend of mine who's gotten a book of his published that, since I'm not an already established writer, I shouldn't look for an agent; they'll just sap my money, and most probably wouldn't be interested in me anyway, since I'm not an established writer and I would pose a financial risk for them.
I know there are a few other published authors on these boards besides Jim. So my question to them (and to other unpublished authors, if they have any tips) is this: should an aspiring but as-of-yet unpublished author get an agent off the bat, or hold off and get one after they are published? What are the pros and cons of both options? Any help would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!
I know there are a few other published authors on these boards besides Jim. So my question to them (and to other unpublished authors, if they have any tips) is this: should an aspiring but as-of-yet unpublished author get an agent off the bat, or hold off and get one after they are published? What are the pros and cons of both options? Any help would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!
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Author Craft / Re: Favorite Words?
« on: July 14, 2006, 06:42:19 AM »
"Fromage" ("cheese" in French) has always made me giggle, as well as various parts of the male and female anatomy, particularly "gonads". (What? Women are completely allowed to have dirty, toilet-humored minds, too, ya know.)
"Freaking" is a great alternative to the f-bomb. "Rune" is just a cool-sounding word, as is "sussuration," "fireball," "fae," "warden," "paralyze," "jasmine," and "enchantment". "Saccharine" is a nifty, different way of saying "sweet". And I really like "mote," as in a mote of light.
I've probably got a bunch more, but it's too late at night (or should I say too early in the morning) for me to remember them.
"Freaking" is a great alternative to the f-bomb. "Rune" is just a cool-sounding word, as is "sussuration," "fireball," "fae," "warden," "paralyze," "jasmine," and "enchantment". "Saccharine" is a nifty, different way of saying "sweet". And I really like "mote," as in a mote of light.
I've probably got a bunch more, but it's too late at night (or should I say too early in the morning) for me to remember them.
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Author Craft / Re: "The Great Swampy Middle"
« on: July 14, 2006, 06:22:38 AM »
Printed it out. Plan to study it. Then I will attack the GSM of the sequel to my first novel.
Right after I finish the rewrite on the first one.
Right after I finish the rewrite on the first one.
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DFRPG / Re: What would u be?
« on: July 14, 2006, 05:39:05 AM »
My first choice would be Wizard, hands down. I've always wanted to be a spellslinger for as long as I can remember. Being able to do magic would kick sooo much ass! But if I wasn't a Wizard, I'd be a Gifted Mortal, more specifically a Knight of the Cross. I've always loved swords and swordplay, and fighting demons for God and country (but more for God than country) would be really cool! Either one would rock!
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