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30 total reviews
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Comment by | | | | | | Poet Rating
 | Author Rating For Short Works
 | Author Rating For Novels
| Review Stars
 Rank: 210 | | | |
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Hey, Jay,
Read through this again, mostly for my own pleasure of it. The writing is solid, entertaining, and informative.
I remember, from when I read this long ago, being struck by the spittle. A line that puts an itch under the skin, and still does. Writers can be so passionate.
I recall reading how one of the Smith kids... Jayden? not sure... how she only reads what she writes, so as not to taint her personal style with outside influences. It struck me odd, and reading through this chapter I can pinpoint better why.
There's something to say for a person selecting a story which is a part of the cultural tradition with which she is familiar, which would also mean something written in the same century--perhaps even the same decade--in which she lives.
(There sure are a lot of which's in this sentence. Which I noticed here)
Nice job with this chapter. I should probably read more, pick up a best selling novel or whatnot. Except I think about some best selling novels, and I can't even read them because they are written so poorly... : /
I thought here... Idioocracy. At some point, people's tastes moving to watching a farting butt on a screen.
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Comment Written 07-Jan-2018 |
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reply by the author on 07-Jan-2018
Ha! "...watching a farting butt on a screen." You are too funny, Turtle. Thanks so much, ESPECIALLY for pointing out all those "which"es. Sometime I wish I could burn them at the stake and have that's light the match. Four in one sentence!
Thanks, Turtle for reading ... Aaaaaand for the six stars!
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Jay, this is a most excellent and informative essay. I love your advice about publication as the standard because while I have succeeded in publishing poems this year and even next year, I have not succeeded at publishing my stories aimed at the stage. I am about to read the latest issue of "One Story" which I will do with red pen and yellow highlighter in hand.
Another thing, I love your advice for FanStorians to read outside of FanStory. So often I encounter here stories, poems, novels, and scripts which appear to be written by someone who seldom reads published works. I ache sometimes at this knowledge and craft gap after I spend the day reading literary journals and then turning to FanStory and finding that much of the writing does not impress me as being publishable.
This is also sound advice: It's how to get the most out of reading a story. It's about how to align your deep-level analysis as closely as possible with the writer's vision.
Choosing from Within One's Cultural Heritage is another fine advice which if followed could spurn one to write better. I also like your idea of dissecting a story and examining its parts: the story, when it is complete and synchronized in all its parts is as perfectly balanced as a tightrope walker on his high wire.
Searching for Life Energy of a story is another interesting and original advice, because the life energy of a story is seldom commented upon.
Your essay excites me to try your critting techniques on my next story read, and to write publishable stories of my own.
Thank you for sharing and informing. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Comment Written 25-Dec-2017 |
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reply by the author on 26-Dec-2017
You always make my day a little brighter, Andre. Thank you for taking the time to read this at a level that helps me see what resonates with you. Good luck with your performable short stories. I still love that one about not being able to dance! Both from the standpoint of the written word and the performance ... which was inspiring.
Again, thanks for reading and for the lovely sixer!
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reply by Sis Cat on 26-Dec-2017
You?re welcome, Jay, you deserve it.
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Comment by | | Premier Author | | | north carolina | | | Poet Rating
| Author Rating For Short Works
Rank: 49 | Author Rating For Novels
| Review Stars
 Rank: 79 | | | |
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Comment by | | | | | | Poet Rating
Rank: 54  (+1) | Author Rating For Short Works
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Rank: 63 | | | |
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Comment by | | 2018 2nd for short works | | | 2017 Author of the year | | | Poet Rating
| Author Rating For Short Works
Rank: 15 | Author Rating For Novels
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Rank: 158 | | | |
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Hi Jay,
I know a lot of writers who don't read. I also know quite a few who only read other writer's unpublished work. I also know some who will only read self-published works as that is where 'the true gems and greatness lie'. It sort of baffles me. I've always been an avid reader, just now I am a more analytical one as well.
I still see particularly novels being hailed the great contemporary novel and studied - The Great Gatsby is NOT contemporary (it's even used on classes here). I studied it in school in the 1980s (approaching 50 years ago), but it was written in 1925...
recognize tick-tockery as well as the hyper-clatteral and the infra-clunkery - lol, great expressions.
When I read and later review, I always pay close attention to the mechanics of a scene. I see it - does it work? It is physically possible? Is the continuity there. I look for the logic, the timeline, and jumps... are they reasonable, inferred or just too much.
I think it's important that you've pointed out the variability in approach. it's something I've tried to stress when I write about the writing process. The writer needs to find what works for them. There is no catch-all.
Very nice piece once again, Jay.
G
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Comment Written 20-Dec-2017 |
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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2017
Thank you, G. Now I can go to bed. I got my review from the G-man.
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This was really interesting, Jay, and a good idea,too. I read every evening for a while, well known authors and find my self picking out errors! Now, I know you will find this hard to believe, but I personally make one or two errors when I post my story on here--No, Jay, don't gasp and and try to tell my work is perfect, even the 'best of the best' make errors. (lol) Getting back to some serious stuff, I do find myself more aware of any slip ups that crop up. I just wish I was more aware of my own. I am copying and pasting your lessons in a MS Word folder. I hope you don't mind, it's just so handy to have your lessons to hand. Well done, my friend, if I had a 6 left you would certainly have had. I didn't spot any errors!! :))) Big hugs. Sandra.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy, successful 2018. xxx
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Comment Written 19-Dec-2017 |
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reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
Sandra, you always make my day with your humor and kind remarks. Thank you so much. You have a marvelous Christmas, as well, and find yourself rolling in $$(my keyboard doesn't have a key for pounds, and I didn't want to wish that you roll in pounds in the new year).
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