Thoughts…Eh, Ramblings

On Writing

I just finished up Stephen King’s On Writing and was left wanting more. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the brief history of his life and how it led him to become the writer he is today. It was informative and honestly, quite thrilling to get an inside look at his life, his work and his demons. I found out things about him that I’d never have guessed before.

One of the things that struck me is his ability to have written such great stories like The Shining, The Tommy KnockersTommy Knockers) while high then I should be able to do better being sober. and a few others while he was as high as a kite! Well, I figure if he could write those best-sellers so well (I think he said that he doesn’t even remember writing

Yeah, I should do better. Pleeease God, let me do better!

*Cough* Uh, moving right along.

My want for more has to do with the second half of the book. It’s here that he offers tips, instructions and just good information on writing. The mechanics of writing: view point, grammar and so on. I like one analogy he used very much. He speaks of his uncle’s toolbox and how it had different compartments inside. He said that a writer has to have a toolbox as well. Grammar is the first compartment. Grammar and vocabulary m’friend is a must. I have to admit that there are parts of my grammar hindered brain that is really rusty. I aim to improve.

Ya know, I could wax poetic, write a whole freaking essay on this book BUT since I’ve started another one and since it’s getting to be waaay past my bedtime. I’m gonna stop here. I may or may not continue. Ahhh, the beauty of a blog – you can stop any darn time you please!

Oh! I can’t end without saying that Stephen King and apparently the entire professional writing world (including editors) hates adverbs. Dag-nabbit! And I so dearly love them. I’m mean what’s the point of all those lovely ‘ly’ words if you can’t use them right?! Dang’um and Dag-blastit!

….G’night.

Oh! I forgot to say that the book I’m reading now is: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – How to edit yourself into print by Renni Browne and Dave King. Guess what? They hate adverbs too!

Using Profanity @#%!?

I’m not a person who uses profanity on a regular basis. Quite frankly it makes my skin crawl when curse words spew out of someone’s mouth like water out of a geyser. BUT, I have been known to utter an expletive now and again when really pushed to my limits. Who hasn’t? Except the noblest chap. I am not noble by any means but I strive to be good and to treat others as I would like to be treated. That means not using words that make me shiver and cover my ears in defense. Bare with me, I am going somewhere with this.

I’m currently reading  How to edit yourself into print, where in the authors/editors make the argument that profuse profanity in writing is not advisable. Besides the fact that it turns a lot of people off, it can detract from your characters’ dialogue and hence the scene and ultimately your story. They recommend using curse words sparingly, thereby getting more of a reaction and making more of an impression when your characters finally let loose. Here’s a passage that made an impression:

There was a time when your characters were convincingly worldly and streetwise if they swore a lot. But profanity has been so overused in past years that nowadays it’s more a sign of a small vocabulary. Of course, if profanity is appropriate to your character, then have that character swear. But keep in mind that a moderate amount of profanity or obscenity can suggest a lot-your readers will get the idea.  If  you include a great deal of it, you’re likely to turn them off. Just think about how much power a single obscenity can have if it’s the only one in the whole fucking book.

Their use of  fucking made their point quite nicely. I was so surprised to read it that I laughed out loud. I’m giving this a read through but intend to go back over it at a more sedate pace. This guy and gal know their stuff. I’m gah-gah over the fact that they even include published,famous authors in the book and edit the work. Gone with the wind, Huck FinnThe Great Gatsby are a few that they sliced and diced and put back together. You should read a passage they use from Gone With the Wind to support their argument that detailed sex scenes aren’t only tacky but unnecessary, unless you’re in to the bodice-ripping yarns. and

This is one book I would recommend to any aspiring writer. You don’t have to be a professional writer to write professionally.

That’s enough ramblings for now. Talk to you later.

Thoughts…Disjointed and Depressed 08/09/09

My little cousin was murdered today. My thoughts are rambling, disjointed. I remember when I held him in my arms, changed his diapers and rocked him to sleep. And now at the tender age of 22, he’s dead. He’s my baby cousin whose child was christened this morning. Given to God to care for in this world – I hope He takes better care of her than He did of my baby cousin. This is one FUCKED UP world. How’s that for an obscenity…?

 

A New Day, A New Attitude

So it’s been some months now since my last post and I must say that I am of a better frame of mind. I have made peace with God (as much as my present spirituality will allow me to) and with myself (eh…).

I am not currently writing much. A few poems here and there, you will find a few offerings on site. I have started the dreaded “book-turned-movie” book, Twilight. It’s okay. I can see why it’s popular with teens. I’m not dissing the writer, far from it – hey the lady got published! BUT, in reading I do find that I have a problem with the editor. Who edited this book?! So many mistakes, typos etc. Anywho, I’m still reading and will finish (maybe) and will follow up with my over all view of the story. I never did read Harry Potter (and have no intentions of doing so) but I enjoyed a few of the movies I’ve seen. Popular fiction, whatcha gonna do? To be continued…