Improving?

[hoo_hoo_boo]

You'd think best selling authors would get better with time but they don't. After 5-6 huge successes they end up on Hollywood Squares or Dancing with the Starz.

So true! It's rare for an author to write a better second book. Perhaps Harper Lee was right to write just one.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So true! It's rare for an author to write a better second book. Perhaps Harper Lee was right to write just one.

Truman Capote wrote her 1st book.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

Yes, I've heard that. I don't know if its certain, but it seems possible as they were neighbors. There are computer programs that identify writing hall marks - I wonder if they would show Capote's hall marks in the book.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Yes, I've heard that. I don't know if its certain, but it seems possible as they were neighbors. There are computer programs that identify writing hall marks - I wonder if they would show Capote's hall marks in the book.

Its her story as told by Truman Capote.

He tried to involve her with IN COLD BLOOD. I suspect he wanted to mentor her to identify stories hidden in mounds of data, and she wasn't up for the lesson.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

Its her story as told by Truman Capote.

He tried to involve her with IN COLD BLOOD. I suspect he wanted to mentor her to identify stories hidden in mounds of data, and she wasn't up for the lesson.

I wouldn't have been up for it with "In Cold Blood" either. The research was the stuff of nightmares. I've heard it was a catalyst to his alcoholism. I don't know. I used to watch him on tv while he was alive and he was always angry and pedantic it seemed to me.

That was a long time ago.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I wouldn't have been up for it with "In Cold Blood" either. The research was the stuff of nightmares. I've heard it was a catalyst to his alcoholism. I don't know. I used to watch him on tv while he was alive and he was always angry and pedantic it seemed to me.

That was a long time ago.

He was 'involved' with Perry Smith.

Truman Capote was a genius dressed in a jester-dwarf suit.

 

[StrangeLife]

You'd think best selling authors would get better with time but they don't. After 5-6 huge successes they end up on Hollywood Squares or Dancing with the Starz.

Yeah it's strange. Some authors seem to have a limited numbers of stories to tell, after which they're basically done (Harper Lee, Margaret Mitchell. J.D. Salinger) while others have he ability to pull stories out of their orifices like there's no tomorrow (Stephen King, Isaac Asimov).

It's nice to know that we'll never run out of fresh dancers though...

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

He was 'involved' with Perry Smith.

Truman Capote was a genius dressed in a jester-dwarf suit.

I've never heard of Perry Smith. I guess he was well known.

He did have a certain genius. I suspect he had deficiencies too. He seemed to be some one who craved friendship and at the same time repelled it, as though he didn't want to be demeaned by any one knowing of his need. I may be wrong though.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Yeah it's strange. Some authors seem to have a limited numbers of stories to tell, after which they're basically done (Harper Lee, Margaret Mitchell. J.D. Salinger) while others have he ability to pull stories out of their orifices like there's no tomorrow (Stephen King, Isaac Asimov).

It's nice to know that we'll never run out of fresh dancers though...

What you say is true, I think because most of have no philosophy about most things. When King wrote CARRIE he understood teens of every generation, and how frightened they are of everything, especially themselves.

 

[CeasarBoobage]

Every once in a while I will read through my old scribbles, and it's usually because one will get a rare comment or favorite (getting my attention through the history page). Holy crap some are kinda sucky - it's almost painful to read some of them.

But no, I don't edit them. My muse is fickle and short-lived, so I'd rather use that limited time for new stuff. And hopefully better stuff!

The old stories, as bad as some are, do have their following, and have earned the score they got, so I think they should stay.

They also serve a good purpose. Someone recently told me they would try to write, but they wouldn't because they suck at it. I point to my old stories and say "so did mine". While I'm not trying to say I'm a master, or anything close to it, it shows that skill comes by doing.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

Every once in a while I will read through my old scribbles, and it's usually because one will get a rare comment or favorite (getting my attention through the history page). Holy crap some are kinda sucky - it's almost painful to read some of them.

But no, I don't edit them. My muse is fickle and short-lived, so I'd rather use that limited time for new stuff. And hopefully better stuff!

The old stories, as bad as some are, do have their following, and have earned the score they got, so I think they should stay.

They also serve a good purpose. Someone recently told me they would try to write, but they wouldn't because they suck at it. I point to my old stories and say "so did mine". While I'm not trying to say I'm a master, or anything close to it, it shows that skill comes by doing.

I don't mind going through mine with the delete button busy and changes made. I think it's the way to learn. I keep a record of the old stuff. I plan to open a gallery for art and writing in about 2 years. I suspect that little of it will be mine. I keep hoping though!