tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post7891284198147918942..comments2024-03-15T11:18:29.195-05:00Comments on Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers: BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR LINDA LOVELYANASTASIA POLLACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160162455676799133noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-35080440230927452352011-11-26T19:52:55.088-06:002011-11-26T19:52:55.088-06:00Thanks to everyone for dropping by. Barbara, want ...Thanks to everyone for dropping by. Barbara, want to make sure to point out that the "louse of a spouse" comment was from the editor, not me. I'm happily married--36 years and counting. J.D., I'm with you on the search and destroy missions, I just time them differently. Pat, will definitely say hi to Donna Campbell, a wonderful writer, who just needs a few more nudges to write a novel in addition to terrific short stories.Linda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-48731381960572885432011-11-26T08:26:30.134-06:002011-11-26T08:26:30.134-06:00Hi Linda,
Don't put me in for the Dear Killer...Hi Linda,<br /><br />Don't put me in for the Dear Killer giveaway. I, like Cindy, loved it and am not so patiently waiting the the second book in the series.<br /><br />As for the Black Friday comparison, I shop with a list and write lean, then add or pad later. Considering my first short story was 125,000 words, I've come a long way baby! Now I usually write under the word count.<br /><br />Say "Hi" to Donna Campbell who pointed me to your novel.Pat Marinellinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-75946061692130432672011-11-26T08:00:15.122-06:002011-11-26T08:00:15.122-06:00Hi, Linda. I search and destroy at the end of each...Hi, Linda. I search and destroy at the end of each chapter. Eliminating 'that' and as many 'was' and 'were' words as I can, trying to use action verbs. I'm one of the lean people in writing because I can't seem to get lean in real life.<br />Great post.JD Webbhttp://www.jdwebb.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-19239293102838016532011-11-25T19:15:42.057-06:002011-11-25T19:15:42.057-06:00Hi
Not sure what to say. I'm not a writer as y...Hi<br />Not sure what to say. I'm not a writer as you will tell. Your comment about the louse of a spouse reminded me about Sue Grafton who said she wrote her first book to kill off her ex. The only editing I do is for a small newsletter and once I was told in no uncertain terms to leave it exactly as sent and I did, bad grammar and all (not real, real picky about grammar)except a misspelled word as I was being vain at the time and thought everyone would think it my fault.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185326579640385025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-78862331125213242011-11-25T17:04:03.580-06:002011-11-25T17:04:03.580-06:00Very apt comparison. It is easier to cut words th...Very apt comparison. It is easier to cut words than credit card debt. Writers whose work is done to submitted to satisfy a contract and needs at least another full revision are easy to spot. Under-developed plots and characters meet over-developed trivia.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-42453996796492593302011-11-25T14:57:23.737-06:002011-11-25T14:57:23.737-06:00Jane R--I agree with you about repetitive words. I...Jane R--I agree with you about repetitive words. I'm not sure how words get stuck in your head and sneak out repeatedly without you noticing. That's another reason for careful editing (and critique partnters). When I've finished your manuscript and edited it, it's time for another read through (like it's a book not a work in progress). That's when I pick up the repeats.Linda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-15241157679849968202011-11-25T14:52:53.449-06:002011-11-25T14:52:53.449-06:00From the comments, it sounds as if we have two wri...From the comments, it sounds as if we have two wriring modes. Write fat or lean the first go-round, then edit for success. Maybe I should try the lean route sometime--or maybe it's just that I'm still stuffed with turkey and "lean" sounds like a promise for reform. Thanks for the posts.Linda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-56659172882904499772011-11-25T14:11:49.078-06:002011-11-25T14:11:49.078-06:00I also avoid Black Friday shopping, prefer online ...I also avoid Black Friday shopping, prefer online whenever possible.<br /><br />I'm a weird one, I do edit and trim, but my first drafts tend to be "thin" rather than fat and sassy. LOL! I slam down the action, then have to go back looking for places where the characters have NO setting, no senses, no motivation. I spend a lot of time thinking, how can I make things worse for these people? LOL! But like you, I love this place, this time as I rediscover my story, mine it for potential and yes, hack away the stuff that doesn't work. <br /><br />Love the comparison to shopping! Very fun blog! Congrats and best of luck with new book!Paulinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06673963438671468441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-14097990871012693562011-11-25T13:38:40.279-06:002011-11-25T13:38:40.279-06:00Reading and Black fFriday shopping - I love the co...Reading and Black fFriday shopping - I love the comparison! I like books that suck me in, where I devor every word and can't put the book down. <br />Nellie's MomAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08349527615197248660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-175513012309828552011-11-25T13:18:49.268-06:002011-11-25T13:18:49.268-06:00Yes, I'm one of those people who avoids the Bl...Yes, I'm one of those people who avoids the Black Friday crowds. As far as writing goes, I don't mind very descriptive books as long as the author has truly put some thought into it. A well-written, descriptive passage can transport me to another place and time. That is something I really enjoy. But, I have a problem with a writer who uses a particular word or phase over and over again. It works a time or two but can get old quickly. Some stories demand more descriptive writing, while others are more effective if they are kept lean and concise. It really all depends on the author's abilities and the feeling he is trying to convey.Jane Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-3775120040256230602011-11-25T12:46:51.853-06:002011-11-25T12:46:51.853-06:00Hi, Linda,
As William Zinsser says in WRITING WEL...Hi, Linda,<br /><br />As William Zinsser says in WRITING WELL, first you wear your writer's hat, at a later time, you switch to your editor's hat. Makes perfect sense. I love your analogy of writing to Black Friday shopping!Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-89165694546178871612011-11-25T11:55:32.943-06:002011-11-25T11:55:32.943-06:00Hi Linda. Terrific post today. I'm an ADD read...Hi Linda. Terrific post today. I'm an ADD reader and writer so I prefer lean writing, sharp dialogue and crisp descriptions. For someone who begins with an enormous first draft, you have mastered the art of editing. DEAR KILLER is absolutely (sorry this adverb was required) one of my favorite books of 2011. Can't wait for the sequel.Cindy Samplehttp://www.cindysamplebooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-20781675266134675732011-11-25T10:32:34.112-06:002011-11-25T10:32:34.112-06:00Hi Linda,
I like lean writing and believe you can ...Hi Linda,<br />I like lean writing and believe you can keep the reader guessing with prime content, i.e. without fat. I know there are people who love a lot of details, but I wamt my tidbits of description incorporated into the story so deftly I don't even notice them.Robin Weaver, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09931275630691025318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-55553107862368172412011-11-25T10:22:05.534-06:002011-11-25T10:22:05.534-06:00Good post, Linda. At times, I've found myself ...Good post, Linda. At times, I've found myself skimming subplots that don't add to the progression of the story, descriptive passages that don't tell me anything I care about (James Lee Burke and Pat Conroy excepted), and a few odd bits. I suspect my taste for the irrelevant varies with my mood. :) Mostly if I like the writing, I read on, whatever it is.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-8473600152325549342011-11-25T09:26:33.818-06:002011-11-25T09:26:33.818-06:00Island Buzzy--That's why I trim, trim, trim af...Island Buzzy--That's why I trim, trim, trim after I toss all those words out. It helps to have word count targets. Tightening always makes a work better.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. Glad to see there are other nonshoppers kicking back with me on Black Friday.<br /><br />LindaLinda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-33043369836769733992011-11-25T05:07:20.825-06:002011-11-25T05:07:20.825-06:00too many words, hmmmm.....(as a reader, not a writ...too many words, hmmmm.....(as a reader, not a writer) I pass by the paragraphs that make my eyes glaze over..LOL!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998973805998600350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348734432793771357.post-8774625731875403992011-11-25T00:14:36.718-06:002011-11-25T00:14:36.718-06:00I drafted papers for work the same way, throwing i...I drafted papers for work the same way, throwing in the kitchen sink, then trimming and reorganizing. Easier than tracking down that glimmer of an idea.Liznoreply@blogger.com