tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post2885906183370404661..comments2024-03-25T05:17:05.202-05:00Comments on Writing In The Crosshairs: THE BLINDSPOT OF NOVEL WRITINGRoland D. Yeomanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-46391115847303168152014-02-03T13:56:13.554-06:002014-02-03T13:56:13.554-06:00VR:
Certainly every writer's mind is different...VR:<br />Certainly every writer's mind is different and so his approach to his or her novel is different. I am hardly an expert on how to write a novel, considering my lack of sales. Not one this month. Ouch!!<br /><br />I just read the masters and take from them what seems logical and run with it. Sorry, masters, obviously I am the Peyton Manning of historical and urban fantasy!<br /><br />You must write as your heart and instinct direct, of course. Thanks for coming back for a fun conversation. I'm off now on the epic adventure of doing my laundry in a galaxy not too far away. :-)Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-81559264261536247702014-02-03T13:48:38.713-06:002014-02-03T13:48:38.713-06:00I think it's all about process and the way our...I think it's all about process and the way our minds function. Every writer has methods that work for them. John Irving's books surprise on every page, yet he outlines every detail of his stories from beginning to end before ever putting pen to paper. He can see no other way to write a novel and is suspect of those who don't write this way (which has always struck me as funny). <br /><br />I think it's all about process and the way our minds function. Every writer has methods that work for them. John Irving's books surprise on every page, yet he outlines every detail of his stories from beginning to end before ever putting pen to paper. He can see no other way to write a novel and is suspect of those who don't write this way (which has always struck me as funny). <br /><br />We may have different working definitions of jarring, Roland. For me it's not taking the reader out of the flow of the story, it's reaching out a hand grabbing the reader and pulling him or her in deeper.<br /><br /><a href="http://vrbarkowski.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">VR Barkowski</a>VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-571996312708937202014-02-03T00:04:08.568-06:002014-02-03T00:04:08.568-06:00Zoe:
I always like visiting your blog. I like your...Zoe:<br />I always like visiting your blog. I like your sense of humor -- I guess we share similar ones! :-)<br /><br />Robyn:<br />Go with your instincts -- they will seldom lead you wrong.<br /><br />Sorry that blogger has been a bad boy with you today! :-(<br /><br />VR:<br />Roger Zelazny wrote a book, DOORWAYS IN THE SAND. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger but the following chapter started some hours later -- and you had to piece together what happnened. I stuck with the book but that trick ruined an otherwise fine book for me.<br /><br />You must write true to your instincts. I feel that anything that jars the reader takes her out of the story.<br /><br />Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway both chided authors who took readers out of the flow of the story.<br /><br />That I know the ending does not mean that the reader will, and as I said: the endings sometimes change entirely in the middle of my novel or towards the end.<br /><br />MOMENTO was a excellent film that played with the audience's perspective. Have fun with your novel -- it is yours after all.<br /><br />As always, an engrossing comment. :-)Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-32873841141729670052014-02-02T23:27:51.800-06:002014-02-02T23:27:51.800-06:00Unless writing a short story, I don't write wi...Unless writing a short story, I don't write with an ending in mind. In fact, if an ending presents itself, I'll change up the storyline enough that the ending is no longer viable. I do everything I can to make sure my stories aren't predictable, although I do use Snyder's beats for story structure.<br /><br />Since my POV characters often change between chapters, I make the transitions intentionally jarring. I want the reader to be alerted to the switch. However, I never have more than one POV character per chapter. I think maintaining a single voice per chapter helps keep the reader vested. In my present WIP, one of the POV characters suffers from flashbacks. The story is written in third person past tense, but the flashbacks are all written present tense because she's reliving them in the moment. Maybe I'm just contrary. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://vrbarkowski.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">VR Barkowski</a>VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-38077312280646073272014-02-02T14:54:33.321-06:002014-02-02T14:54:33.321-06:00I'm having some probs with the internet and/or...I'm having some probs with the internet and/or windows vista, so excuse me if this is my second response.<br /><br />You post leads me to realize that my bladder has been ramming my sinuses for quite some time. Transitions either come easily for me (I don't even think about them) or they are forced. I need to re-read this post and strive for a middle ground. Thanks, Roland.<br /><br />Take gentle care, my friend.<br />xoRobynRawknrobyn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15997241410192066577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-19507396152050757202014-02-02T14:53:29.194-06:002014-02-02T14:53:29.194-06:00Love the idea of using chapter headings. The one y...Love the idea of using chapter headings. The one you used also to end the chapter was terrifically *snort*-rific. "They rushed through life." Lolz. That was great. :D And thanks for popping 'round my blog, too. Zoe C. Courtmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00642503770758938774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-58631740150212290022014-02-02T13:20:28.719-06:002014-02-02T13:20:28.719-06:00Erin:
Like D.G., I always thought of chapter title...Erin:<br />Like D.G., I always thought of chapter titles as teasers for things yet to come.<br /><br />If our prose all blends together with the next author's, we will fade into the background.<br /><br />I think you are probably right about the Dragonbone Chair series. We should make things easy on the reader to follow the characters and plot.<br /><br />I'm really glad you enjoyed this post. If any author ever hits big with chapter titles in adult fiction, watch everyone do it! :-)Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-42613383108048595142014-02-02T12:09:48.089-06:002014-02-02T12:09:48.089-06:00I love chapter headings. The first three books I w...I love chapter headings. The first three books I wrote had them, and each time I got feedback about potential publication, I was asked to remove them. I imagine it has to do with word count, but what do I know.<br />Great post. I remember feeling like I should rearrange the Tad Williams' Dragonbone Chair series chapters to follow character threads because, in a Tolkienesque way, he'd jump from story to story.Erin Kane Spockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376851676240606472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-56179419394675313932014-02-02T11:44:08.669-06:002014-02-02T11:44:08.669-06:00Milo:
I try to have the ending in mind first. It h...Milo:<br />I try to have the ending in mind first. It helps to have a horizon to shoot for. But you're right: often the ending changes in mid-novel for me. I always try to a jumping off point for a sequel. Like you, I don't want the story to end! Thanks for enjoying this post! :-)<br /><br />D.G.:<br />Endings are elusive. And sometimes the one you had planned no longer fits -- even JK Rowling just said in an interview with Emma Watson that she now realizes that Hermoine should have ended up with Ron.<br /><br />In fact, while I was reading them as they were being written, I envisioned something like that happening with Ron turning bitter and betraying Harry to Voldemort in the last novel.<br /><br />Thanks for the review! You're a great friend! :-)Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-30585562303666536922014-02-02T11:24:14.174-06:002014-02-02T11:24:14.174-06:00I agree, chapter headings are important. I like a ...I agree, chapter headings are important. I like a little map of where I'm heading. As for endings, I find them elusive at times, even if I outline.<br /><br />Maybe Milo is right.<br /><br />Check email, review is done and will be up soon, if the Blogger gods are willing.D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681132888977525688.post-68986643599121428122014-02-02T09:44:44.735-06:002014-02-02T09:44:44.735-06:00Like a lot of writers, I struggle with endings -- ...Like a lot of writers, I struggle with endings -- even when I plot them out. Maybe deep down, I don't want the story to end. Always room for a sequel, right? Good post, Roland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com