by Jason Joyner | Mar 24, 2009 | Blog, Don Hoesel, Elisha's Bones, reading, writing craft
We are creatures of habit.
This comes as no surprise. We like what we like, and we’re not always willing to be flexible or try something different (eating something green won’t kill you Mark!). Sometimes it is subtle.
I started reading a book for an upcoming blog tour, Elisha’s Bones by Don Hoesel. I was drawn in by the archeological mystery a la Indiana Jones, but there was something disconcerting, but I couldn’t put my finger on it initially.
I read further. The bumpy bus ride jars my hand, but the shaking book isn’t confusing me. There is something in the way the book is written. My seat partner snorts and turns the other way, allowing me to dive back into the intriguing story.
I’ve just left a clue on what was different about this book. I was going to write a post just explaining it, but I think it will be interesting to see if someone can figure out the difference by what I just wrote. Check back tomorrow for the answer…
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by Jason Joyner | Mar 24, 2009 | Blog, Don Hoesel, Elisha's Bones, reading, writing craft
We are creatures of habit.
This comes as no surprise. We like what we like, and we’re not always willing to be flexible or try something different (eating something green won’t kill you Mark!). Sometimes it is subtle.
I started reading a book for an upcoming blog tour, Elisha’s Bones by Don Hoesel. I was drawn in by the archeological mystery a la Indiana Jones, but there was something disconcerting, but I couldn’t put my finger on it initially.
I read further. The bumpy bus ride jars my hand, but the shaking book isn’t confusing me. There is something in the way the book is written. My seat partner snorts and turns the other way, allowing me to dive back into the intriguing story.
I’ve just left a clue on what was different about this book. I was going to write a post just explaining it, but I think it will be interesting to see if someone can figure out the difference by what I just wrote. Check back tomorrow for the answer…
—
by Jason Joyner | Mar 14, 2009 | Blog, fiction, writing craft
I am slowly struggling to write a novel. I’ve had loooong periods of no writing, punctuated with some relative creativity. I’m slowly learning to shut off my internal editor to a degree to just get something, anything, on the page. If I don’t, that confounded editor can freeze me up.
Lately I’ve hit one of those good periods, and have done more than what I’ve accomplished in a long time. Still, I’m probably only 1/4th of what I want to be. I’m determined to see this through, but I realize I’m in for a long haul.
On Facebook author Terri Blackstock wrote a note regarding the hard work of rewriting. She talks about the enormous amount of rewriting she does, and how it is the major part of working a novel into publishing state.
Good grief, Charlie Brown! I’m struggling as it is to get ONE draft done.
This is what she had to say regarding those beginning novelists she’s tried to help:
But sometimes, they’ll receive what I’m saying with thoughtfulness, take notes, ask questions. That’s good. When I’m sure they understand what is needed to fix the problems, I send them on their way to rewrite their book. I’m thinking they’ll do what I do—take it through seven or eight or twelve more drafts, each time getting deeper into the characters, making the plot more intriguing, polishing the writing … For me, that takes months. But too often, they’ll call me a week later and say, “I took the afternoon off work yesterday and did all the rewrites you suggested. I think it’s ready to go.”
It goes without saying, she’s not too impressed with this amount of effort. She did say that it doens’t matter whether you write a full draft then rewrite, or if you rewrite page-by-page as you go. The key is that writing is talent, skill, but also perseverance and the willingness to put in the hard work.
*Sigh* Looks like I’m in this for the long haul. I’m willing, and I know it’s not easy for anyone, but it’s not easy with career and family/kids and ministry. Check back in 5 years when I’ve gotten my head on straight and gotten something substantial done, LOL.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 14, 2009 | Blog, fiction, writing craft
I am slowly struggling to write a novel. I’ve had loooong periods of no writing, punctuated with some relative creativity. I’m slowly learning to shut off my internal editor to a degree to just get something, anything, on the page. If I don’t, that confounded editor can freeze me up.
Lately I’ve hit one of those good periods, and have done more than what I’ve accomplished in a long time. Still, I’m probably only 1/4th of what I want to be. I’m determined to see this through, but I realize I’m in for a long haul.
On Facebook author Terri Blackstock wrote a note regarding the hard work of rewriting. She talks about the enormous amount of rewriting she does, and how it is the major part of working a novel into publishing state.
Good grief, Charlie Brown! I’m struggling as it is to get ONE draft done.
This is what she had to say regarding those beginning novelists she’s tried to help:
But sometimes, they’ll receive what I’m saying with thoughtfulness, take notes, ask questions. That’s good. When I’m sure they understand what is needed to fix the problems, I send them on their way to rewrite their book. I’m thinking they’ll do what I do—take it through seven or eight or twelve more drafts, each time getting deeper into the characters, making the plot more intriguing, polishing the writing … For me, that takes months. But too often, they’ll call me a week later and say, “I took the afternoon off work yesterday and did all the rewrites you suggested. I think it’s ready to go.”
It goes without saying, she’s not too impressed with this amount of effort. She did say that it doens’t matter whether you write a full draft then rewrite, or if you rewrite page-by-page as you go. The key is that writing is talent, skill, but also perseverance and the willingness to put in the hard work.
*Sigh* Looks like I’m in this for the long haul. I’m willing, and I know it’s not easy for anyone, but it’s not easy with career and family/kids and ministry. Check back in 5 years when I’ve gotten my head on straight and gotten something substantial done, LOL.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 5, 2009 | Blog, miscellaneous, writing craft
I need a little help here, from all my writing buddies or anyone who wants to give this a shot.
I have notes on my novel idea that I keep in my Palm Pilot. I’ve scribbled in there for 3-4 years. I review it every so often to see if I’m missing any ideas that could be the thing I need right then, or if I’m getting off track.
Yesterday I was looking at it, and in the middle of some notes there is a name.
Guido DiGregorio.
I have no idea who this is, or what he’s doing in my notes. I can’t remember for the life of me why this guy is there.
So, you tell me. Who is Guido DiGregorio? (Maybe I’ll have to figure out a prize for the most creative.) For those who know what my project is, if you can fit him in, all the better!
Step up to the comments, and begin!
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by Jason Joyner | Mar 5, 2009 | Blog, miscellaneous, writing craft
I need a little help here, from all my writing buddies or anyone who wants to give this a shot.
I have notes on my novel idea that I keep in my Palm Pilot. I’ve scribbled in there for 3-4 years. I review it every so often to see if I’m missing any ideas that could be the thing I need right then, or if I’m getting off track.
Yesterday I was looking at it, and in the middle of some notes there is a name.
Guido DiGregorio.
I have no idea who this is, or what he’s doing in my notes. I can’t remember for the life of me why this guy is there.
So, you tell me. Who is Guido DiGregorio? (Maybe I’ll have to figure out a prize for the most creative.) For those who know what my project is, if you can fit him in, all the better!
Step up to the comments, and begin!
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