Getting the Words Right

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Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
11,749
34,805
That's not fair, Walt. You seem to have forgotten the fact that I offered to walk you through it step-by-step. What more can I do than that?

Also, don't forget that all of these things are two-way streets. I've been on here numerous times, and I've noticed you haven't said hi. Yes. Wounded straight through the heart and into the brain. (Always been a bad aim.)

'Tis merely a flesh wound.

I think your skin is too thin. My uncle is the same way, laments that he keeps bruising and cutting himself on things, in his seventies. Walking is good for the heart, gets the cardiovascular system pumping. In-law nurse tells us of where she works, the exercisers, vegetable now, body okay, the mind gone, fed by machine, loved by ones. And you bet, life is a two-way street, it's the same distance from door-to-door. I might not have said "hi" because you took my posts to be psycho mail. I said, you're skin is too thin. It is. If you took my honest criticism of your story to be psycho mail, your skin is too thin, and you're unlikely to take some criticism, or likely to take it the wrong way. I've read three or four of your stories now, have commented on them...my comments seem to have disappeared. Walk me through that. I provided one story, have yet to receive much in the way of feedback. But life is a two-way street I'm told. I have to go see a man about a dog.
 

Donald Miller

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2014
86
341
Sarasota
This ought to be good for a laugh for whoever wants to watch it. It's two minutes long. When I first came across it on YouTube, I referred to the longer version of it as "Daffy Duck, US foreign policy expert."


.
 

Grandpa

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2014
9,724
53,642
Colorado
How are things today, Grandpa? It's 8:00a.m. where I live. About time for me to get to sleep. I got into this switched around night for day routine and can't seem to get off of it.

It's closing on 7:00 a.m. here. I'm doing a little writing on my current story to start the day that I just about have to get ready for in earnest.

I hope the rest of the sentences I write today aren't as awkward as that one.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Most people can't, IMO. Mainly because they don't try to get the words right. Most people adhere to the Ed Wood school of writing, "Cut. Perfect!"

So far, I haven't come across a single person here who's read King's book "On Writing."

deleted
 
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Bryan James

Well-Known Member
Apr 3, 2009
5,150
7,644
South Cackalacky
Needs more drama.

Walken-Cowbell.jpg


And this band:

queen_2b.jpg
 

Lily Sawyer

B-ReadAndWed
Jun 27, 2009
6,625
15,016
South Carolina
I'm a writer. I've read On Writing twice. I don't agree with all of it, but it's still a useful, good read.

If I can't get my point across in one post in one of four languages, I resort to pictures.
 

Mr Nobody

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2008
3,306
9,050
Walsall, England

Since that was posted immediately after my comment, I might as well assume the exasperated sigh/tone (and edited comment) was aimed roughly in my direction.
For the sake of clarity, let me say that I have studied language, literature and writing. I did so as part of my degree - a BA with Honours in English Language and Literature. (Our unis don't consider the study of language - or at least the English language - as a science, hence no BSc split.)
I also hold a Diploma in English Language Studies (with a (chosen) heavy emphasis on linguistic creativity in everyday communications, including non-textual/semiotic contexts, as well as creativity within creative contexts, i.e. prose fiction and poetry) and a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing. If I never read another thing about stylistics, it'll still be a day too soon.
So much for the study. What's left is the work, the refining of style, growth and development, and - if the Fates be good - to be read.
 

Demeter

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2008
538
1,424
@Donald:
Why can't we have a writers' group right here on this message board? Everybody is already familiar with it. You could open a new thread and ask people for their favorite paragraphs and start a discussion about what makes those paragraphs so good. You'd have more success here than on a website some people find difficult to navigate. Just sayin'.
If you want people to read your short stories there's always the Self Promotion section.

As for the "studying" part, for me at least it goes like this: read, read, read, then read some more. Write. Read. Look at other writers' work with a critical eye but without going into detail too much. How do their stories start? A strong sentence? Long or short? Do I think it works? I don't try to imitate them, at least not consciously. If I've read enough of their books, their influence will inevitably seep into my writing.
I think what you're suggesting is writing exercises - look at this paragraph, try to write like this. It may or may not work. That's why I said it feels like homework, but then that's just me.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
@Donald:
Why can't we have a writers' group right here on this message board? Everybody is already familiar with it. You could open a new thread and ask people for their favorite paragraphs and start a discussion about what makes those paragraphs so good. You'd have more success here than on a website some people find difficult to navigate. Just sayin'.
If you want people to read your short stories there's always the Self Promotion section.

As for the "studying" part, for me at least it goes like this: read, read, read, then read some more. Write. Read. Look at other writers' work with a critical eye but without going into detail too much. How do their stories start? A strong sentence? Long or short? Do I think it works? I don't try to imitate them, at least not consciously. If I've read enough of their books, their influence will inevitably seep into my writing.
I think what you're suggesting is writing exercises - look at this paragraph, try to write like this. It may or may not work. That's why I said it feels like homework, but then that's just me.
We would have to be a bit careful with doing this (a writing group) because of the guidelines we were speaking of earlier.

You know, if it was just a handful of people though, doing this via the "Conversation" (P.M) system might work a treat, then you could post... and review each others work without having to link offsite. :)
 
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Demeter

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2008
538
1,424
We would have to be a bit careful with doing this (a writing group) because of the guidelines we were speaking of earlier.

You know, if it was just a handful of people though, doing this via the "Conversation" (P.M) system might work a treat, then you could post... and review each others work without having to link offsite. :)

OK, I understand. An informal discussion on favorite paragraphs then, nothing more. A thread where everybody can post, readers and writers alike. Is this within the guidelines or is it still dangerous territory?
 
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FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
OK, I understand. An informal discussion on favorite paragraphs then, nothing more. A thread where everybody can post, readers and writers alike. Is this within the guidelines or is it still dangerous territory?
I think if they are (relatively) short published paragraphs, there is no issue. It's when people start to rewrite in their own words, or post excerpts of their own writing that we hit problems.
 
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Donald Miller

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2014
86
341
Sarasota
Since that was posted immediately after my comment, I might as well assume the exasperated sigh/tone (and edited comment) was aimed roughly in my direction.
For the sake of clarity, let me say that I have studied language, literature and writing. I did so as part of my degree - a BA with Honours in English Language and Literature. (Our unis don't consider the study of language - or at least the English language - as a science, hence no BSc split.)
I also hold a Diploma in English Language Studies (with a (chosen) heavy emphasis on linguistic creativity in everyday communications, including non-textual/semiotic contexts, as well as creativity within creative contexts, i.e. prose fiction and poetry) and a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing. If I never read another thing about stylistics, it'll still be a day too soon.
So much for the study. What's left is the work, the refining of style, growth and development, and - if the Fates be good - to be read.
Care to join the
We would have to be a bit careful with doing this (a writing group) because of the guidelines we were speaking of earlier.

You know, if it was just a handful of people though, doing this via the "Conversation" (P.M) system might work a treat, then you could post... and review each others work without having to link offsite. :)
OK, I understand. An informal discussion on favorite paragraphs then, nothing more. A thread where everybody can post, readers and writers alike. Is this within the guidelines or is it still dangerous territory?
Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it that your intent was encouraging.
 
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Demeter

Well-Known Member
Apr 23, 2008
538
1,424
I think if they are (relatively) short published paragraphs, there is no issue. It's when people start to rewrite in their own words, or post excerpts of their own writing that we hit problems.

I see. That makes sense. So pure discussion on the paragraph and no rewriting. Got that. Thank you.

Donald, if this helps, go for it.
 
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Donald Miller

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2014
86
341
Sarasota
I think if they are (relatively) short published paragraphs, there is no issue. It's when people start to rewrite in their own words, or post excerpts of their own writing that we hit problems.
I didn't realize there's be all of these obstacles when I first mentioned the idea.

I understand. I didn't realize there were all the legal considerations and so forth to contend with. (I'm kind of naive in that regard.)

My original idea has been a huge flop. Kind of embarrassing. And disappointing.

I went with the idea, and I did my very best with it.

It didn't work, and now I'm not going to talk about it again.

(Applause and hoots from some folks really would be in bad taste. I am well aware that some people (not FlakeNoir and Dana Jean who were as encouraging as the could be, under the circumstances) didn't like my idea from the outset.

.
 
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