tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post2435736158469673865..comments2024-03-27T20:59:17.874-04:00Comments on Vicki Lane Mysteries: FAQ -- Will You Read My WIP?Vicki Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08114677510459055768noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-86843290635676266312010-09-08T07:32:35.318-04:002010-09-08T07:32:35.318-04:00more about flaubert:
www.napoleon.org/fr/magazine...more about flaubert:<br /><br />www.napoleon.org/fr/magazine/musee/files/Pavillon_Flaubert.aspMiss_Yveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11558587966129386283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-1107810570041353112010-09-07T23:59:25.209-04:002010-09-07T23:59:25.209-04:00Twisting in the wind here, being one who was ready...Twisting in the wind here, being one who was ready to ask if you would check my spelling.<br /><br />I purposely walked away from my manuscript for three days, then while reading it aloud to myself (a habit of mine, but good to know it's an accepted form of editing) I had quite a few instances of "What the HECK was I talking about!" <br /><br />If parts of your own story can cause you confusion, you were definitely writing long after you should have gone to bed.<br /><br />I'm also learning a new mantra: "pace yourself, pace yourself" Even if I finish it by midnight tonight, there's a LONG road ahead of me, so why rush.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-83427527749884263862010-09-07T23:55:36.820-04:002010-09-07T23:55:36.820-04:00Good advice to new writers. You sure lead a busy l...Good advice to new writers. You sure lead a busy life Vicki -- barbaraFolkways Note Bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07168881905408345126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-81809263287652020892010-09-07T17:46:22.949-04:002010-09-07T17:46:22.949-04:00Oh, yes indeed, Markin! That's a very real pos...Oh, yes indeed, Markin! That's a very real possibility.<br /><br />Helene -- I've had an increasing number of requests and, while I know that most of the readers of my blog aren't would-be writers, I thought it was time to make this pronouncement. But I'm happy to answer general questions once a week -- thus this FAQ post. <br /><br />Hear, hear for writers' groups, Sam! So worthwhile!<br /><br />Tipper -- Hotter today but still clear and dry -- such a pleasure!Vicki Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114677510459055768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-16212319740195889142010-09-07T15:26:15.982-04:002010-09-07T15:26:15.982-04:00Great info for would be writers. My service is sti...Great info for would be writers. My service is still out :( but now I'm cheered by having caught up with one of my favorite writers : )<br /><br />Like you-I've been enjoying the crystal light that the cooler temps have brought-even walking to the clothesline is a joy!Tipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11714281090985487356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-87355943537970108142010-09-07T14:29:59.413-04:002010-09-07T14:29:59.413-04:00Great advice Vicki. Reading out loud, which I lear...Great advice Vicki. Reading out loud, which I learned from my writers critique group, has really helped me find my mistakes. Joining a writers group is one of the best things a writer can do.<br />SamSam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358601435867848753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-64234410993836599882010-09-07T14:23:49.358-04:002010-09-07T14:23:49.358-04:00You must have a lot of courage to write this post ...You must have a lot of courage to write this post so disappointing for those who would have waited for your advice but in the same time so right because it is a great responsability to give advice to "neophytes" and to give a positive/negative advice would<br />implicate that you have a lot of time to spare. That is not the case I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-1032322096178085432010-09-07T13:42:28.210-04:002010-09-07T13:42:28.210-04:00And then there's the niggly little worry that,...And then there's the niggly little worry that, if a writer has sent you a manuscript and -- even if you send it back unopened and unread -- you should ever write anything even remotely like something in that manuscript, you're going to have one hurt and angry would-be writer out there whose lawyer will accuse you of plagiarism ...JJMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13404985455733545060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-11245682705745676832010-09-07T13:39:51.226-04:002010-09-07T13:39:51.226-04:00Helen -- critique groups can be great -- if they g...Helen -- critique groups can be great -- if they give honest feedback. I was in a small one as I wrote my first two novels and it was enormously helpful.<br /><br />Suz -- Yes, indeed!<br /><br />Miss Yves -- interesting about Flaubert. And 'shoe' was a typo -- meant to be 'shots.'<br /><br />Deanna -- 45 quarts done -- picked more this morning. Yes, it's tedious but how we'll enjoy them this winter!<br /><br />Louise -- I read somewhere that blogging is bringing the essay back to life -- that thing many of us dreaded writing in school.<br /><br />Tammy -- I'm with you on those perfect characters.Vicki Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114677510459055768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-27631410587409643572010-09-07T12:46:29.897-04:002010-09-07T12:46:29.897-04:00Great post. I can see why you would have to set r...Great post. I can see why you would have to set rules. One thing you mentioned is that you have to have characters people care about. That is so true. By all means make them flawed, but don't go so far that they are just obnoxious. And if I have to read about one more flawlessly, breathtakingly beautiful (or handsome--although men seem to get a little more leeway) character, I think I might puke. Really, are we all so shallow?? I love to read about everyday people doing sometimes extra-ordinary things. Characters in a book must draw me in. I love a good mystery plot, but if I can't relate to the character(s) then it falls flat.<br />Have a good one. <br />TammyTammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131066591477169851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-86912885432815213272010-09-07T11:53:37.167-04:002010-09-07T11:53:37.167-04:00Good advice, some even for those of us who blog. ...Good advice, some even for those of us who blog. Though, conversation on a blog just doesn't seem to be a problem!Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692541935507155362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-34284088550720757142010-09-07T10:40:58.649-04:002010-09-07T10:40:58.649-04:00Great advice all around. Are you tired of tomatoe...Great advice all around. Are you tired of tomatoes yet?<br /><br />Lovely photos as always.Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17137773126591638229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-78252199965459786672010-09-07T10:33:50.246-04:002010-09-07T10:33:50.246-04:00"Read your stuff aloud", was Flaubert..."Read your stuff aloud", was Flaubert's motto!<br />He read aloud and even he shouted in front of a wall in his garden and called this place "son gueuloir!<br /><br />What do you mean by a sequence of "shoe"?()Is there another translation for "chaussure"?Miss_Yveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11558587966129386283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-76180763979943832082010-09-07T10:23:29.017-04:002010-09-07T10:23:29.017-04:00Oh for sure reading out loud lets you hear the clu...Oh for sure reading out loud lets you hear the clunks right awaySuzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329289442910294160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-41937741070004596022010-09-07T09:23:47.715-04:002010-09-07T09:23:47.715-04:00I loved your photo of morning glories. I saw a vin...I loved your photo of morning glories. I saw a vine of volunteer morning glories that took up at the shed where I keep my lawn mower. I was so thrilled. On Writing, I'm part of a critique group and that's where I have someone read what I write. I highly recommend it. Characters who eat: one of my favorite authors has a protagonist who seems to be having a large meal every few pages. Not sure how she stays so small, but it does get annoying as a space filler.Helen Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-62600357781992397452010-09-07T08:54:08.816-04:002010-09-07T08:54:08.816-04:00That needle steeple adorns a church in our nearby ...That needle steeple adorns a church in our nearby county seat. It was so pretty against the clear blue sky.<br /><br />I understand the desire a just beginning writer has to get some idea if he/she is on the right track. Indeed, I have been guilty myself of asking writers I admire to 'just take a look at this.' So, as I say, I understand that feeling of groping in the darkness in hopes of a tiny ray of light. <br /><br />And early on in my alleged career, I did read some manuscripts and try to give advice. But, for all the reasons I already mentioned, I just can't do it now. <br /><br />What Martin's favourite author said is so true. <br /><br />Merisi -- food is definitely a great addition to many books -- I've written in a few good meals myself. It's just that sometimes, in some books, it seems that whenever the characters have a conversation, it's while they're eating.<br /><br />Those are some of my very best pieces of advice, well-worn and polished from use.Vicki Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114677510459055768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-38278456526998029432010-09-07T08:35:04.971-04:002010-09-07T08:35:04.971-04:00Wonderful advice, Vicki. I especially like the &qu...Wonderful advice, Vicki. I especially like the "read it aloud" part.Tess Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889725786678984293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-48942200955367568172010-09-07T08:22:37.930-04:002010-09-07T08:22:37.930-04:00There is a lot of very good advice in there.There is a lot of very good advice in there.Alan Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01015127443616786425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-39830305272833279262010-09-07T07:36:04.595-04:002010-09-07T07:36:04.595-04:00And I know how to spell Smoky Mountains! *drats*And I know how to spell Smoky Mountains! *drats*Merisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-71107107679613470342010-09-07T07:35:01.528-04:002010-09-07T07:35:01.528-04:00Oh, top it off -
preview would be such a nice feat...Oh, top it off -<br />preview would be such a nice feature! ;-)Merisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-78931976165811019092010-09-07T07:33:34.548-04:002010-09-07T07:33:34.548-04:00You spilled some wonderful tips,
even for a non-w...You spilled some wonderful tips, <br />even for a non-writer like me! <br />(I have this secret dream that a friend of mine one day will write a movie script about my life because there are so many unexpected twists and turns - at least, thatÄs how I think about them. *giggles*)<br /><br />Btw, I know quite a few people who are addicted to mystery books that have protagonists who indulge in great meals! ;-) I know I'd go for any book with lots of fried Southern food, and a pecan-bourbon-chocolate pie to top it all of. Mint Juleps too.<br /><br />(This morning I talked to a friend and we resolved that I would reward myself next fall with a hiking trip to Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains, if I graduate, that is.)Merisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-82381803353881357222010-09-07T06:28:41.886-04:002010-09-07T06:28:41.886-04:00these are some great tips...esp reading your stuff...these are some great tips...esp reading your stuff aloud and giving them something to do while talking....nice...Brian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722940075884718007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-61667558186821733342010-09-07T04:20:01.582-04:002010-09-07T04:20:01.582-04:00Yes I agree with you Vicki. What appeals to one p...Yes I agree with you Vicki. What appeals to one person is a real turn off for someone else. There is a certain magickal something some writers have that keeps the reader reading. I find that magickal something in the works of P.D. James and Joanne Harris, especially her books Blackberry Wine and Chocolat. I know how busy you are and facing an exciting few months too with your new book coming out and the reading of all those books you showed us a way back.<br />Don't overdo it.<br />Blessings, StarStella Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699491230987143490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-91550188435895294352010-09-07T03:09:21.165-04:002010-09-07T03:09:21.165-04:00Sound advice, Vicki.
I asked this same question o...Sound advice, Vicki.<br /><br />I asked this same question of a favourite author, many years ago. This is what he said:<br /><br />'Writers are the worst people to show work to – the people who publish writing are publishers. You write the book, you send it on its way, and hope that one of them will take it – that's how it's done, and I don't know of any other way. And if they won't take it, you write another. Hard life, isn't it? But that's how books get published. Good luck.' <br />Keith Waterhouse - 1984<br /><br />He was spot on. In the end, it's down to me to write the book and send it on its way.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494219959077922220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-764237570467034909.post-188896473879386542010-09-07T02:42:26.030-04:002010-09-07T02:42:26.030-04:00I am not a writer but I wouldn't even dream of...I am not a writer but I wouldn't even dream of asking you or anyone else that I have 'met' through blogs, I found your points of interest though. With the farm, garden not to mention family and friends I can only admire you for finding the time to write. I love the steeple photo.Marilyn & Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00851884880790561276noreply@blogger.com