tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post3438459564725897479..comments2024-01-30T10:45:45.922-05:00Comments on Fiction Writing and Other Oddities: Guest Author: Lois WinstonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-25195727216138016792012-01-25T09:01:20.452-05:002012-01-25T09:01:20.452-05:00Isn't it great? I know when I first discovered...Isn't it great? I know when I first discovered the craft-linked mysteries it opened wide new vistas of books to read and I've been thrilled ever since.<br /><br />Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122506895024303225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-3185221790884468172012-01-25T08:21:49.649-05:002012-01-25T08:21:49.649-05:00Killer mop doll! I love it. Yes, I remember those ...Killer mop doll! I love it. Yes, I remember those artsy-craftsy days of yore. I was never good at those things, and until this moment, I would never have guessed there was such a thing as a "crafting mystery". Now, I'll have to check this out! Thanks for a great interview.Christina Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05683771691877748530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-43643766383843649682012-01-23T22:01:28.333-05:002012-01-23T22:01:28.333-05:00Thanks, Jane!Thanks, Jane!Lois Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866423986250423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-12258777412407399662012-01-23T20:17:35.976-05:002012-01-23T20:17:35.976-05:00Well, I for one am glad you didn't listen to t...Well, I for one am glad you didn't listen to that advice about bothering to write. Sometimes the only advice you should listen to is the advice you give yourself! Way to go, Lois!Jane Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-5638447300554201032012-01-23T14:54:26.339-05:002012-01-23T14:54:26.339-05:00Lois, that's why all writers need an editor. ;...Lois, that's why all writers need an editor. ;) Thanks for understanding what I MEANT to say!Marian Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842321321484056422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-71306426226743507192012-01-23T12:19:32.714-05:002012-01-23T12:19:32.714-05:00Jeff, too often writers fall in love with their &q...Jeff, too often writers fall in love with their "bon mots," even when they don't belong in a scene or chapter. That's never good.<br /><br />Thanks, Patti!<br /><br />Marian, I'm assuming you meant, "Your work isn NOT a cute hobby..." ;-)Lois Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866423986250423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-75227109416915990302012-01-23T12:08:48.366-05:002012-01-23T12:08:48.366-05:00Great post!
The best writing advice I ever got wa...Great post!<br /><br />The best writing advice I ever got was, "Take your work seriously, not yourself. Your work is a cute hobby, it's what you DO. Take that seriously, and insist that others around you take it seriously." That advice literally changed my life.<br /><br />Marian Allen<br /><a href="http://MarianAllen.com" rel="nofollow">Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes</a>Marian Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842321321484056422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-13750837887973823572012-01-23T12:08:13.006-05:002012-01-23T12:08:13.006-05:00Another great interview of you, Lois. I liked you...Another great interview of you, Lois. I liked your advice about scenes. It's one I will keep with me in my head every time I'm editing. Thank you.<br />PattiPatriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11512099085568969698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-85887054252734953892012-01-23T11:26:28.632-05:002012-01-23T11:26:28.632-05:00I'm glad your "best advice" included...I'm glad your "best advice" included the second half of that sentence. <br />"Every scene in a book MUST do one of two things: either advance the story or tell the reader something essential about the character that the reader needs to know AT THAT GIVEN MOMENT. If the scene does neither, it’s filler and doesn’t belong in the book."<br />So often, I hear only the first part: that EVERY single utterance must "advance the plot". As a reader, I often want to dawdle a bit with the characters, get to know them, see some interesting things through their eyes. That spartan writing does not allow such.<br />That said, in my own writing, I AM guilty of including bits of dialog I think is clever (but isn't truly needed), or bits of description which fleshes out the sensory perception of that moment (but isn't truly essential), or thoughts/reactions of a character which tells something about them (but an editor might red-pencil it).jeff7salterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00530506418169450704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-26967626871338604052012-01-23T09:50:21.350-05:002012-01-23T09:50:21.350-05:00Thanks, Christine! Hope you enjoy Mop Doll.
Joann...Thanks, Christine! Hope you enjoy Mop Doll.<br /><br />Joanne, good luck to you on your road to publication.Lois Winstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866423986250423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-24452520553356332492012-01-23T09:46:52.912-05:002012-01-23T09:46:52.912-05:00Great advice, Lois! I am still struggling to get m...Great advice, Lois! I am still struggling to get my first book published. It's very reassuring to learn that it can take a while.<br />Regards, JoanneJoanne Guidocciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01549891566216750230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18926017.post-60251689934224853042012-01-23T09:04:24.550-05:002012-01-23T09:04:24.550-05:00Great interview, Lois! I agree with both you BEST ...Great interview, Lois! I agree with both you BEST advice and your WORST. And I am STILL laughing at the thought of Lucille being inspired by your mother in law. That will keep me giggling all day! Can't wait to read your new one! Best, ChristineChristine Bushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02577441962473344457noreply@blogger.com