AwesomO4000 July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 I'm guilty of just about every one of those. Me too... except maybe the ampersand and abbreviations one. And I also start sentences with "And" and use phrases as sentences. Link to comment
Omegamom July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 I think the problem with prescriptive rules such as this is that, when done judiciously, each of those no-nos is okay and can contribute to a writer's style. The opposite side of the coin (cliche alert!) (parenthetical alert!) is that there are writers who don't know how to break the rules with style. There have been published writers whose work I cannot read because it is so clunky. Sometimes that can be made up by a damn good plot. But when a voracious reader like me tosses a book aside after getting forty pages in, I'd say it probably is very poorly written. Link to comment
catrox14 July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 Am I the only person that took that post to be totally tongue in cheek and was kind of mocking writing rules? Link to comment
Altered Reality July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 Am I the only person that took that post to be totally tongue in cheek and was kind of mocking writing rules? Nope, not just you. I don't write (and the world should be greatful for that) but I do know that writing to the rules would result in uninteresting and stilted writing. But then, I like Zelazny so....... ;D 2 Link to comment
Omegamom July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 Oh, no, you're not the only one. But there are so many people in the world to whom the rules are the be-all and end-all. I get flashbacks to grammar class in high school... (Yes, I am old enough to have had grammar class. It sucked. But I do vaguely remember how to diagram a sentence.) Oh, yeah, and while my daughter was still in the "I'll show you everything about school" phase, she was bringing home worksheets that emphasized those rules. Ugh. 1 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 Nope, not just you. I don't write (and the world should be greatful for that) but I do know that writing to the rules would result in uninteresting and stilted writing. But then, I like Zelazny so....... ;D It was tongue in cheek...but oh my GOD Altered Reality!! Zelazny!! I thought I was the only one! I'm so glad you posted!! I have so much Amber stuff it's just sick! The more time I spend here, the more I believe I've run across the coolest bunch on earth! 2 Link to comment
Altered Reality July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 It was tongue in cheek...but oh my GOD Altered Reality!! Zelazny!! I thought I was the only one! I'm so glad you posted!! I have so much Amber stuff it's just sick! The more time I spend here, the more I believe I've run across the coolest bunch on earth! Heh, he is an aquired taste, no? Oh and I have corrupted the next generation as well. My youngest just finished a re-read of Amber. Coolest or dorkiest? Not sure ;D Link to comment
Omegamom July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 "Doorways In the Sand"...featuring a professional student who park ours around campus and is caught up in a wild alien conspiracy. And "Lords of Light and Darkness", very cool book. Link to comment
Altered Reality July 8, 2015 Share July 8, 2015 "Doorways In the Sand"...featuring a professional student who park ours around campus and is caught up in a wild alien conspiracy. And "Lords of Light and Darkness", very cool book. Like both of those (as well as Amber of course) but I love "Roadmarks" and wish he'd done more in that universe. Of course if he did and I've managed to overlook it, please let me know! 1 Link to comment
7kstar July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 When I started writing several of the rules were thrown at me. Don't do one word sentences, don't use contractions, don't be passive. Show don't tell. Not being a writer and failing grammar, hence the reason I teach Drama, I took most advice seriously. But Drama people break rules, period. Example never have your back to the audience, unless there is a real reason for it. So I skimmed the list and made my response because well many of those list were thrown at me. I still love run on sentences. It was tongue in cheek...but oh my GOD Altered Reality!! Zelazny!! I thought I was the only one! I'm so glad you posted!! I have so much Amber stuff it's just sick! The more time I spend here, the more I believe I've run across the coolest bunch on earth! I'm afraid I know nothing about this Amber stuff. :( Link to comment
Altered Reality July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 I'm afraid I know nothing about this Amber stuff. :( This is sad. Head on down to your local bookstore or library, find the scifi/fantasy section, look for the author Roger Zelazny, secure a copy of "Nine Princes in Amber". Enjoy. Repeat with remaining 9 books in the Chronicles of Amber series. 1 Link to comment
7kstar July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 When I can walk better, I will. Maybe the half price book store. Darn feet problems...:P Link to comment
Altered Reality July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 When I can walk better, I will. Maybe the half price book store. Darn feet problems...:P :( for the feets. Feet problems suck the big one. I'm sorta mad at my Dad for the ones I inherited from him. The ones caused by assorted falls, tumbles and twists I have no one to blame but myself (oh and a cat on stairs, but she's been gone a long time and I've forgiven her). That said, do get the book, it's worth it. 2 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 (edited) When I can walk better, I will. Maybe the half price book store. Darn feet problems...:P Ah 7kstar, feet problems suck! With me it's my knees. (Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone! I screwed mine with a life time of falling off my horses.) But I agree with Altered Reality, if you snag a copy of "Nine Princes in Amber" you'll be hooked! I see copies at used bookstores and book sales all the time. Edited July 9, 2015 by Mick Lady Link to comment
7kstar July 9, 2015 Share July 9, 2015 (edited) Ah 7kstar, feet problems suck! With me it's my knees. (Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone! I screwed mine with a life time of falling off my horses.) But I agree with Altered Reality, if you snag a copy of "Nine Princes in Amber" you'll be hooked! I see copies at used bookstores and book sales all the time. Already know about knee. I have a tear on my foot and knee issues and back issues most likely from falling off a light tree over 20 years ago. I guess the one miracle was I was told my ankle would never heal, it did. Of course they know more than they knew 20 years ago. For those that don't know, a light tree is the bar that holds the stage lights, so yes I was up high. But not higher than my height. When I landed I couldn't move but luckily it was a brief form of that. Hence the reason some of my parents of my students call me Drama Queen. I have many stories and someday I might write them into a play. It's why I started writing fanfiction, I know I can tell a good story, but can I write it? I also understand some of the obstacles of learning issues because sometimes I really get frustrated when I can't find the word I have in my head. Without word and google, I doubt I would write much. So if I sound whiny, sorry, just trying to explain why I doubt myself so much. If I'm really evil, I would write a story where Dean has to deal with all of this. It could actually work, since his personality is the type that is really good at hiding learning issues. I know I was. I've read all kinds of sci fi & Fantasy so I'll put it on my list. ETA: wrote too fast and forgot words...it's clearer I hope. Hopefully not too teachy too. :) Edited July 9, 2015 by 7kstar 1 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 10, 2015 Share July 10, 2015 Do you want to write a play about being a Drama teacher? That I would love to read! I don't recall anything like that being in print, and I believe it would be very cool! I think your writing is just wonderful, you just need some more self confidence! Start trusting yourself! 1 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 10, 2015 Share July 10, 2015 (edited) Like both of those (as well as Amber of course) but I love "Roadmarks" and wish he'd done more in that universe. Of course if he did and I've managed to overlook it, please let me know! Just the other day I was checking out our local used book shop, and stumbled on an "Amber" novel written by some other author who picked up the series. I read a few pages and put it back, it was horrible! Didn't capture the voice of Roger at all. I was pissed someone even tried! I don't think there are any more "Roadmarks" novels, I'll double check for you though. We lost him way too young! By the way, several years ago one of my brothers gave me a book called "The Illustrated Castle Of Amber" and a deck of Amber "Cards" for Christmas. I have never seen them sold anywhere! He got them at "The Strand" in NYC. I have some very cool brothers! Edited July 10, 2015 by Mick Lady 1 Link to comment
7kstar July 10, 2015 Share July 10, 2015 Do you want to write a play about being a Drama teacher? That I would love to read! I don't recall anything like that being in print, and I believe it would be very cool! I think your writing is just wonderful, you just need some more self confidence! Start trusting yourself! Hey, I've got way more confidence than when I started. lol I have an idea about being a drama teacher and even started working it with the kids, just to see if anyone would like it. I also have one about when I got robbed working at the Bank. Only was involved in 3 out of the 5. NO, I didn't rob them, they robbed us. lol It got so bad that the FBI guys just said "hey you know the drill." Okay question. One thing I struggle with is describing faces, without sounding like everyone else. Ex. twinkling eyes. When I look at the faces I really go blank on how to describe them especially if I created a new character. I guess that's why I keep thinking plays, because the description can be open to whoever the casting director wants. Any suggestions? Link to comment
Omegamom July 10, 2015 Share July 10, 2015 I sketch the face with words, but don't go into details. The details come later, in bits and pieces, in snatches of conversation or while describing reactions. That's partly because I'm not good at describing faces, partly because I think the character inside makes the face, partly because I think stopping to describe someone in detail (unless part of the point of the character is that this person is physically striking) kind of stops the flow of the story. "Twinkling eyes"...well. Let's see. There's: Sparkling eyes Smiling eyes Dancing eyes Eyes filled with laughter Or, you focus the "sparkling" on other parts of the face: She had crinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth, as if she were always laughing/smiling... Whenever you looked at him, his lips would twitch up in a smile, like he was inviting you to laugh at the universe with him... Focus on more than the eyes. Is the face round or long? Big nose, cute small button nose? Deep eye sockets? High forehead? Cheekbones that jut out, or look like the Mona Lisa's? Thick, kissable lips or thick, sloppy lips that make you shudder? Thin lips that always smile, or thin lips that rarely move? Long hair falling over the forehead and needing to be swept back all the time (we know who this is, right?), or long hair parted in the middle and slicked back? Short hair like baby Justin Bieber, or short hair like a military buzz cut? Is it white blond, dirty blond, brown with blond highlights? Is the skin pale white with freckles, or soft brown like suede? Is the skin clear, does the person have a smattering of pimples, full-blown acne, or a face full of acne scars from his youth? Blah blah blah...dunno if this helps. ;-) Link to comment
7kstar July 11, 2015 Share July 11, 2015 A little, I just have a hard thinking about a fresh way without it sounding like I stole what some else did. Most of the time I don't describe but I'll think about it and see if I can figure it out. :) Link to comment
Mick Lady July 11, 2015 Share July 11, 2015 Been catching up on fanfic. AwesomO4000 continues to amaze, 7kstar is really hitting her stride, and Omegamom can be funny as hell! (who knew?) So catrox14, where are you? Link to comment
catrox14 July 11, 2015 Share July 11, 2015 I lost inspiration :(. Too many other life things blocking. I should just retire now with that one good thing. Link to comment
Mick Lady July 11, 2015 Share July 11, 2015 Hope everything is okay! I know you've had a few blows lately, and can understand you prioritizing your life and I hope you're taking care of yourself. Maybe in a few weeks you'll be inspired again, or so we can hope! Link to comment
rue721 July 12, 2015 Share July 12, 2015 I lost inspiration :(. Too many other life things blocking. I should just retire now with that one good thing. catrox, have you learned NOTHING from Supernatural? You can't quit while you're ahead! :P Though seriously, I do hope that things are going OK :) 1 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 Reading this thread, I remembered something a student gave me. 1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sidesgently compressed by a Thigh Master. 2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking allianceslike underpants in a dryer without Cling Free. 3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like aguy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one ofthose boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the countryspeaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solareclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it. 4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he wasroom-temperature Canadian beef. 5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makesjust before it throws up. 6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever. 7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree. 8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegratedbecause of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like asurcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine. 9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way abowling ball wouldn't. 10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bagfilled with vegetable soup. 11. >From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had aneerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another cityand Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p. m. instead of 7:30. 12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze. 13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots whenyou fry them in hot grease. 14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced acrossthe grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one havingleft Cleveland at 6:36 p. m. traveling at 55 mph, the other fromTopeka at 4:19 p. m. at a speed of 35 mph. 15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fencesthat resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth. 16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds whohad also never met. 17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she wasthe East River. 18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap,only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut. 19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do. 20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil,this plan just might work. 21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from noteating for a while. 22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either,but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a landmine or something. 23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slenderleg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant. 24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids aroundwith power tools. 25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells,as if she were a garbage truck backing up. 5 Link to comment
Omegamom July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 I really like the examples that come out of the annual Edward Bulwer-Lytton "bad opening sentences" contest. Speaking of writing, I is for... Independence Night http://archiveofourown.org/works/4356662 Link to comment
Omegamom July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 The 2014 winners of the Edward Bulwer-Lytton contest: http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/2014win.html I want to learn more about the car-sized cicadas, personally. 1 Link to comment
catrox14 July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 I want to learn more about the car-sized cicadas, personally. Nope. Nope. Nope. 2 Link to comment
SueB July 17, 2015 Share July 17, 2015 Just caught up on 7kstar's fics - those were great. I especially like how all Dean's inner sentence-long thoughts turned into a 3 word note. So Dean. I'm hoping to get to AwesomeO's soon. 1 Link to comment
7kstar July 17, 2015 Share July 17, 2015 I really like the examples that come out of the annual Edward Bulwer-Lytton "bad opening sentences" contest. Speaking of writing, I is for... Independence Night http://archiveofourown.org/works/4356662 Oh Crowley, you actually seem like a nice demon, how evil of you to use truth like that. Nice Job. :) 1 Link to comment
catrox14 July 18, 2015 Share July 18, 2015 Sooo, my friend that read my SPN story.....is now binge watching SPN. HEE 2 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 18, 2015 Share July 18, 2015 (edited) The 2014 winners of the Edward Bulwer-Lytton contest: http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/2014win.html I want to learn more about the car-sized cicadas, personally. I had forgotten all about this contest, and now I've been sitting here laughing so hard tears are streaming down my face! Thank you Omegamom , you've made my night! I remember years ago a line about Basil and a woman filing her nails. I'm off to find it! Edit to add; God I'm fucking old! It won the contest in 1983! The camel died quite suddenly on the second day, and Selena fretted sulkily and, buffing her already impeccable nails–not for the first time since the journey began–pondered snidely if this would dissolve into a vignette of minor inconveniences like all the other holidays spent with Basil. (Gail Cain, CA, 1983 Grand Prize winner of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest) Edited July 18, 2015 by Mick Lady 1 Link to comment
catrox14 July 20, 2015 Share July 20, 2015 Pretty cool Dark!Dean video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPWQ_Mof28#t=28 3 Link to comment
Omegamom July 20, 2015 Share July 20, 2015 That was pretty darned awesome! Thanks, catrox14! 1 Link to comment
catrox14 July 20, 2015 Share July 20, 2015 RIGHT??? That was really well done So my friend that started watch SPN.....well we went to a baseball game together yesterday and then we watched up through Simon Said. HEE. When she left she was like "Okay so we left off on which episode..?'. 1 Link to comment
lmdreamer July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 Would any one want to make an ms paint or photoshop of fandom standing like a shield between Jody Mills and season 11 supernatural writers! She is the last remaining strong female character! I lack the talent to do it myself. Link to comment
catrox14 July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 Would any one want to make an ms paint or photoshop of fandom standing like a shield between Jody Mills and season 11 supernatural writers! She is the last remaining strong female character! I lack the talent to do it myself. Donna, Rowena, and Claire would like a word :) Link to comment
lmdreamer July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 okay my bad. what i meant ws longest running. oh and most episodes Link to comment
catrox14 July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 okay my bad. what i meant ws longest running. Ah gotcha. I think Jody will be fine. 1 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 Ah gotcha. I think Jody will be fine. I certainly hope so! My dream spin-off is Jody and Donna "Saving people, hunting things" together. 1 Link to comment
Omegamom July 21, 2015 Share July 21, 2015 The Wayward Girls Academy...I surely hope someone actually listens to them! 2 Link to comment
AwesomO4000 July 22, 2015 Share July 22, 2015 Mick Lady: You must have some crazy instincts, because guess what? New chapter up for you. Next time you go by, I promise there's a nice long chapter waiting for you. I really was going to post it before going on my vacation, but I wanted to add one more scene, and I just ran out of time. I hope you enjoy. 2 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 24, 2015 Share July 24, 2015 Awesom, I'm going there now! I couldn't get to it last night, Mick and I ordered pizza and settled in to watch "Sharknado III, Oh Hell No!" I know, I know, but it was so stupid and silly we laughed like hell and had a great time! We're weird like that. I decided to start from chapter one of your story and read it all straight through. That's what I did last time you posted a new chapter, and I loved reading it that way! 1 Link to comment
7kstar July 24, 2015 Share July 24, 2015 (edited) Okay finally got the Letter E done. Trying for humor and hopefully it will cheer some of you up with all the craziness going on right now. Hope you like it. If you haven't read the other 2 chapters, you most likely will need too, to have it make sense. It's a short fic, though. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :) Eerie Night Omegamom hope it gives you a short distraction from the scary stuff you've been dealing with. :) Edited July 24, 2015 by 7kstar 1 Link to comment
Omegamom July 24, 2015 Share July 24, 2015 I loved it, 7kstar! I like that you got Cliff in there, too. :-) Not as upset anymore. But Rick reacted just like I thought he would, he says his first thought was, "Load the girl and her stuff back up and motor the hell back home, NOW!" (Our home, not theirs...) Which, actually, was my first thought, too. Just sucks. Our country is seriously dysfunctional about some things... 2 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 25, 2015 Share July 25, 2015 Pretty cool Dark!Dean video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPWQ_Mof28#t=28 Heh! Really cool. Do you think it's cause Dean is Awesome? I think it's cause he's so awesome! 2 Link to comment
Mick Lady July 25, 2015 Share July 25, 2015 Omegamom, I have no idea what's going on with you, but it sounds like things are working out. I'm thinking of you and please remember, you have quite the support group here! 1 Link to comment
Omegamom July 25, 2015 Share July 25, 2015 MickLady, summary: my 13-yo girl is on her first long trip away from us to visit family in Lafayette, LA. The shooting there freaked me and DH out. A few more details in the Impala thread. Link to comment
Omegamom July 28, 2015 Share July 28, 2015 J is for Justice: http://archiveofourown.org/works/4448840 Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.