So How Has Your Writing Improved Lately?

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I recently learned how to make good scene transitions from reading Pete Dexter and George V. Higgins. They use the space for character revelations that are unrelated to the plot. Interesting stuff that has nothing to do with whats going on in the story.

 

[SamScribble]

I recently learned how to make good scene transitions from reading Pete Dexter and George V. Higgins. They use the space for character revelations that are unrelated to the plot. Interesting stuff that has nothing to do with whats going on in the story.

That can be a useful little device. It also works a bit like an illusionist's distraction. Just keep your eye on this, folks, while I slip another little twist into the plot.

 

[StrangeLife]

I'm sure my speling, cApiTaliSatiOn and, punctuation: have improved. The same went for my grammars.

There is no better way of refreshing your high school skills than writing a story and watch the entire thing light up in red and green like a Christmas tree once the MS Word spell & grammar checker gets a hold of it.

 

[HeyAll]

I've been trying to think with a much bigger scope now.

Not necessarily longer stories, but things I have never written about before. So I'm very excited with the new stories I'm working on.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

It recently dawned on me to use stereotypes where action is general and common, and use detail where the action is idiosyncratic and peculiar. I'm thinking of stall doors in restrooms; most of the time we slide latches or twist knobs, kicking the door open is different.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I'm getting 1 bombed more often, so I must be doing better. If a chapter starts out at 5 and begins a run, it'll be knocked down in no time with a bomb or two.

As long as I'm not in first place, they seem to be happy, so I must be improving to get to that high a standing.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Today I re-discovered something I knew long ago yet abandoned when a trusted editor persuaded me to change my ways. The editor was wrong then, and I've mistrusted editors since I got the bad advice. So many years later I realize I was right all along.

 

[carlieplum]

Are you going to tell you what you were right about?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Are you going to tell you what you were right about?

I forgot. Alzheimers is hell.