A Simple Lesson

[Emilymcplugger]

So many moons ago I read LOVE IS LIKE A BLUE SHELL by Spector_Dugan and he alliterated the couples in order so you never lost track of the geography of who was originally with who.

I’ve always tried to use this as much as possible as I think it’s a really good trick to make sure you don’t lose track of people where large numbers are gathered.

What other simple tricks have you learnt from your fellow authors?

 

[gunhilltrain]

So many moons ago I read LOVE IS LIKE A BLUE SHELL by Spector_Dugan and he illiterated the couples in order so you never lost track of the geography of who was originally with who.

I’ve always tried to use this as much as possible as I think it’s a really good trick to make sure you don’t lose track of people where large numbers are gathered.

What other simple tricks have you learnt from your fellow authors?

Illiterated? Do you mean illustrated?

 

[TheSpleen]

Illiterated? Do you mean illustrated?

If I'm not mistaken, he means alliterated. The use of the same consonant names, like Fred & Farrah, John & Jane, etc.

 

[onehitwanda]

he

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Serves me right for writing in a hurry.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

Serves me right for writing in a hurry.

I thought @onehitwanda was pointing out that EMILYmcplugger was probably a "she".

What did you do wrong?

 

[Altissimus]

So we can get back to the original question...

Emilymcplugger is male, and he meant 'alliteration' not 'illiteration'.

And now the thread can continue.

 

[AlinaX]

I'm confused now.

 

[TheSpleen]

I'm confused now.

Emilymcplugger's original post refers to 'alliteration' but it was mistyped as 'illiteration.'

Gunhilltrain was apparently confused by this typo and asked for a clarification.

I provided the clarification, correctly referring to Emilymcplugger as 'he' in my post.

Onehitwanda posted a meme indicating that I'd made a faux pas by misgendering him.

Emilymcplugger mistook Onehitwanda's jab as being aimed at him for his original typo.

Joyofcooking pointed out that the jab was aimed at me, but apparently didn't notice Emilymcplugger's typo and was confused why Emilymcplugger would think it was aimed at him.

Altissimus summarized the above.

You are no longer confused.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Emilymcplugger's original post refers to 'alliteration' but it was mistyped as 'illiteration.'

Gunhilltrain was apparently confused by this typo and asked for a clarification.

I provided the clarification, correctly referring to Emilymcplugger as 'he' in my post.

Onehitwanda posted a meme indicating that I'd made a faux pas by misgendering him.

Emilymcplugger mistook Onehitwanda's jab as being aimed at him for his original typo.

Joyofcooking pointed out that the jab was aimed at me, but apparently didn't notice Emilymcplugger's typo and was confused why Emilymcplugger would think it was aimed at him.

Altissimus summarized the above.

You are no longer confused.

The simple lesson…iPhones can’t spellcheck for shot.

D’Oh!

 

[joy_of_cooking]

Welp. I apologize for my contribution to this thread.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

So anyway, what simple lessons have you learnt from other authors…in a good way?

 

[BobbyLaker]

So many moons ago I read LOVE IS LIKE A BLUE SHELL by Spector_Dugan and he alliterated the couples in order so you never lost track of the geography of who was originally with who.

I’ve always tried to use this as much as possible as I think it’s a really good trick to make sure you don’t lose track of people where large numbers are gathered.

What other simple tricks have you learnt from your fellow authors?

Had to look up 'alliteration'. I knew the word but had long forgotten the meaning.

 

[Rob_Royale]

So many moons ago I read LOVE IS LIKE A BLUE SHELL by Spector_Dugan and he alliterated the couples in order so you never lost track of the geography of who was originally with who.

I’ve always tried to use this as much as possible as I think it’s a really good trick to make sure you don’t lose track of people where large numbers are gathered.

What other simple tricks have you learnt from your fellow authors?

I haven't done this but it IS a good idea. Keeping names straight during group scenes can be challenging and many times I've had to go back and change the name of who was doing what to whom.
What I have done is base my fictional couples on real couples I've known. So the couple, Cookie and Mike whom my parents hung about with when I was a boy, became Cookie and Mark in my story.

 

[onehitwanda]

Onehitwanda posted a meme indicating that I'd made a faux pas by misgendering him.

 

[onehitwanda]

I honestly feel like I've taken crazy pills today. What in the samhill is going on?

 

[Emilymcplugger]

If I'm not mistaken, he means alliterated. The use of the same consonant names, like Fred & Farrah, John & Jane, etc.

I did…and I am.

 

[Trionyx]

So many moons ago I read LOVE IS LIKE A BLUE SHELL by Spector_Dugan and he alliterated the couples in order so you never lost track of the geography of who was originally with who.

I’ve done this as well on occasion. But watch out. Too many writers alliterate too many characters (Sharon, Susan, Shannon, etc.) and it can be difficult to keep track of who’s who. Bob and Betty, Gina and George work well. Hard to confuse them.

 

[MrPixel]

Too many writers alliterate too many characters (Sharon, Susan, Shannon, etc.) and it can be difficult to keep track of who’s who.

I have that problem with 'A' names for women. There are entirely too many common ones to choose from - Allison, Amber, Ann, Alice, April, Antoinette (just kidding!).

 

[onehitwanda]

I have that problem with 'A' names for women. There are entirely too many common ones to choose from - Allison, Amber, Ann, Alice, April, Antoinette (just kidding!).

I always liked Astrid and Aisling.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I’ve done this as well on occasion. But watch out. Too many writers alliterate too many characters (Sharon, Susan, Shannon, etc.) and it can be difficult to keep track of who’s who. Bob and Betty, Gina and George work well. Hard to confuse them.

It took me a moment to realize that Love Is Like a Blue Shell is a series on Lit, not a book published elsewhere. He must be doing something right, because he's got a red H on nearly everything.

I've yet to write anything that has multiple couples in it, so this issue hasn't come up for me yet. I have read books where the characters in general are not well delineated, and it's hard to keep track of them.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

I’ve done this as well on occasion. But watch out. Too many writers alliterate too many characters (Sharon, Susan, Shannon, etc.) and it can be difficult to keep track of who’s who. Bob and Betty, Gina and George work well. Hard to confuse them.

WOW! I’ve got Bob and Betty in one of my new stories.

Bob and Betty Gunther.

They’re known as the Bee Gees.



I’ll get me coat

 

[MrPixel]

I always liked Astrid and Aisling.

And there's Ainsley. The Ainsley character on CSI Miami was hot! (Emily Proctor... Ee-gawds. Another Emily! )

 

[AchtungNight]

So anyway, what simple lessons have you learnt from other authors…in a good way?

If a celebrity has been in a movie or tv show with another celebrity, they can be fanfic-shipped!

 

[Emilymcplugger]

If a celebrity has been in a movie or tv show with another celebrity, they can be fanfic-shipped!

I’m curious.

Please explain.