random writer/editor thought

[lagilman]

Working with a client, and I jot down the following note -- "any reason, but establish the reason!"


Sometimes, wording is more important than we realize.

I didn't say "give a reason." Or "tell (or show) us the reason." I told the writer to establish the reason.

Hrmm. Yes.


And, in other more writerly news, the page proofs for GRAIL QUEST: MORGAIN'S REVENGE have arrived. I now have two short-term deadlines sitting on my shoulder, one long-term lurkig, and writers' group tonight. This calls for Power Procrastinating...

Comments

[mt-yvr.livejournal.com]

I've NO idea who gave this to me... but ages ago I took this on :

Develop EVERYTHING. Ok, so you know what the fifth planet of the 12,223rd galaxy to the left does with its politics, what it believes is the Origin of It All, and no one... absolutely NO one.. in your novel will EVER meet any of them. But. You never know.

Basically developing as much of the world in your head so that even if you don't come out and outline all of it in your work at least you CAN answer the questions? It makes a huge difference. It reads in the writing, for my money, when an author has reasons and explanations even if they're never given. That kind of "oh, it makes sense... I'm not sure what kind of sense, but it's in there somewhere, you can tell" writing makes a difference.

[moschus.livejournal.com]

Power procrastinating! Yeah! I love power procrastinating!

For me, Olympic figure skating will be extremely helpful in achieving my not-writing goals.

Best of luck. :)

[lagilman]

Also, and beyond that, when you establish a reason, the cause rises organically from the character, rather than the character creating a reason -- unless it is part of the character to artificially create a reason, in which case it's establishing a character-driven reason for the character to derive a reason... ow. My brain just broke. Medic! More coffee!

I need a new icon to go with the plot octopus. A character critter. Must think on this....

[lagilman]

Ah, see, television doesn't help me procrastinate... most of it's barely enough to qualify as background noise (except House and CSI, natch, and speaking of CSI OMG Gris and Lady Heather last night? "I said stop!" Brilliant. So. Totally. Brilliant.

Speaking of establishing a reason! If we didn't have their previous discussions, and her background, and his understanding of her psychology as well as her understanding and compassion for the D/s relationships... that line would have had none of the resonance and power it did.