tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post3983817821107336043..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: Good Advice, Poorly HandledCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-12525080792283659192007-02-17T16:19:00.000-06:002007-02-17T16:19:00.000-06:00I am a writing book junkie -- even the worst usual...I am a writing book junkie -- even the worst usually give me something I can use -- but I know what you mean about tone! It can be SO pretentious. As for characters, I usually use the worst parts of myself which aren't too hard to find and the best parts of my friends which are easy to find. I love when a character does something that scares me -- that's how I know they've become real.Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-25056892024379859362007-02-17T01:09:00.000-06:002007-02-17T01:09:00.000-06:00Macaroni and glue helps to make the character's sm...Macaroni and glue helps to make the character's smells more vivid.JR's Thumbprintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479324326541901987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5612400739029932382007-02-16T09:40:00.000-06:002007-02-16T09:40:00.000-06:00Thanks Susan. Sid, I use macaroni and glue on loo...Thanks Susan. Sid, I use macaroni and glue on looseleaf paper.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-71033939498827018732007-02-16T06:27:00.000-06:002007-02-16T06:27:00.000-06:00For a character sketch should you use charcoal or ...For a character sketch should you use charcoal or pen and ink?Sidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16284680909152676159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-76468722505578055172007-02-16T06:15:00.000-06:002007-02-16T06:15:00.000-06:00I, too, enjoy your recommendations on writing, Cha...I, too, enjoy your recommendations on writing, Charles. Very intelligent and not at all pretentious or codescending, which is what it sounds like the writer of that article was. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.Susan Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05566328070072489203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-27459173206642316852007-02-15T23:20:00.000-06:002007-02-15T23:20:00.000-06:00Erik, most of the time introducing elements of rea...Erik, most of the time introducing elements of real people is done consciously, but I wouldn't call it deliberate as much as say that "it just feels right." I guess naturally/organically would work as a phrase to explain it.<BR/><BR/>Lucas, I enjoyed King's book except for his piece on getting an agent. Otherwise I found it very helpful.<BR/><BR/>Stewart, it wasn't you. The article wasn't from any blog or online source. I'm glad you've liked my postings. Yeah, "show don't tell" is kind of vague advice when you think about it. Sometimes you have to "tell" because the information doesn't need to be dramatized and needs to be provided so you can get on with the story. But you shouldn't use "telling" to illustrate why "showing" is more important.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-78207683742658512962007-02-15T20:48:00.000-06:002007-02-15T20:48:00.000-06:00Charles, I would love to know who the author was, ...Charles, I would love to know who the author was, and my curiosity is only ignited because you went through such great lengths to conceal it. I hope it wasn't me.<BR/><BR/>Seriously, maybe the author was attempting to address beginning writers. I have found that some of the stuff on writing that I have read must have been aimed at neophytes.<BR/><BR/>One thing I'll say is I've enjoyed your postings on writing. I feel that I've learned or rethought some things based on your statements on character development etc. I especially liked the element table for writing. That would make for a great article on its own.<BR/><BR/>By the way, even though I have come to say it once or twice myself, I HATE "Show don't tell". I cringe each time I utter those words. They have become the worst cliche.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately my battlecry is usually "ECONOMY!!!!"Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00895152179113722902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-80484722043756542772007-02-15T20:27:00.000-06:002007-02-15T20:27:00.000-06:00I've bought a couple advice books on writing, only...I've bought a couple advice books on writing, only one of the two are worth the money. The one that sucked, to put it bluntly, did the same thing about "show, don't tell". Where he told everything in the exapmple paragraph. <BR/>Teh good one I bought is Stephen King's On Writing. Now this was terrific in my opinion. It was easy to understand and follow, plus he gave such good advice. I love most of Stephen King's work, but this was magnificant.Lucas Pedersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13072101177732602824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-56118700777397507692007-02-15T19:05:00.000-06:002007-02-15T19:05:00.000-06:00Very funny -- and good points on your part. How mu...Very funny -- and good points on your part. How much do you blend characteristics of real people? If you do, does it come naturally/organically, or do you introduce elements deliberately, or accidentally?Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.com