I’m hoping this is a place that new members (and/or people who don’t know something about the process of getting a book to publishable standard) can go to ask questions they may feel are stupid. I am absolutely sure that lots of writers who are still learning about ‘show not tell’ or ‘voice’ or ‘story arcs’ are sometimes reluctant to admit it. I’m one of them.
-
Libby replied to the topic Planning vs Winging it. in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 10 months ago
I outline before I start by knowing the probable ending or at any rate an ending I’m heading for – it could change though hasn’t done so far. And I know what the midpoint or turning point will be – the tightening up when the main character(s) are stuck with what’s happened and have to deal with it in a focused way. This applies to short fiction as…[Read more]
-
Andrew Bruton started the topic Planning vs Winging it. in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 10 months ago
I have two books on writing.
‘On editing’ by Helen Corner-Bryant and ‘Outlining Your Novel’ by K.M. Weiland.
One owns a publishing company and I don’t know who the other is but they write a lot of ‘how to write’ books.
How many of you outline your novel before starting?
How deep do you go?
Do you find it helps guide your writing?If not…why…[Read more]
-
Andrew Bruton replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 10 months ago
That’s fab, I managed to forget my password and have been locked out for ages so it’s lovely to see responses. I will digest as much as I can. I liked the show/tell example, very useful. Thank you.
-
Barny joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Libby replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
This forum is a great idea, Andrew.
Re show-or-tell, I can’t add much to what’s already been said so well. The only thing I can think of is that sometimes, even with telling, you might want to write quite descriptively. Emma Darwin gives an example in the showing and telling post Jane mentions.
-
Libby joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
RichardB replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
Good point, Squidge. It can also help if your think about how you perceive things in real life. When someone becomes angry, for instance, no one tells you ‘this person is angry.’ It’s shown to you as you see their brows come down, as you hear their voice rise.
And for all ‘novices’ reading this, another plug for Emma Darwin’s blog, the finest…[Read more]
-
Squidge replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
Wot everyone else said! My rule of thumb to determine when I should show is to put myself in the MC’s shoes and write from their experience – if I can portray something through what they are seeing/hearing/feeling, then it’s probably more of a ‘show’ moment than a ‘tell’ one. For me, it’s linked with people and actions rather than descriptions -…[Read more]
-
Squidge joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Sandra replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
What a brilliant set of answers and examples to a most important question, I’ve been writing fiction ten years now but still forgetting how this one works. Thaks fir asking it, Andrew. And well done Jane for mentioning Emma’s blog – taught me so much.
-
Sandra joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
Showing and telling is a tricky one and there are many situations where telling something is 100% right and others where showing is 100% right. The reverse is also true.
Jake was acting suspiciously when I met him at the cafe. He looked cagey and only told me about Jane when he was sure nobody else could hear him.
Jake sidled through the cafe…[Read more]
-
JaneShuff replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
Hi Andrew. The only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask and it doesn’t matter how ‘far’ along the learning the craft of writing journey you are, there are still more things to find out about and old things to be reminded about.
Emma Darwin’s blog The Itch of Writing has a host of useful blogs if you haven’t come across it already. This…[Read more]
-
JaneShuff joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
RichardB joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Kate replied to the topic Where to start? in the forum A place for Stupid Questoins 3 years, 11 months ago
Hi Andrew
I’ve got lots of that toilet paper with little black writing on it stashed all over the place too. It wasn’t until I began to interact with other writers and receive feedback that I started to learn. There’s a daunting amount of craft to get to grips with and I don’t think you ever stop learning.
As to your question, the way I look at…[Read more]
-
Jules joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Athelstone joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Kate joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
-
Andrew Wille joined the group A place for Stupid Questions 3 years, 11 months ago
- Load More