Comments | fedoralady: Reading, writing--and a little arithmetic

fedoralady

Reading, writing--and a little arithmetic

Oct 16, 2011 17:56

Half-Way There? And other thoughts ( Read more... )

proofreading, mysteries, betas, novel writing

Comments 10

cassiadewarren October 17 2011, 17:31:14 UTC

You are truly addicted to detective and mystery stories, I see.

I agree on the many opportunities you have if you want to read, but you have a limited budget to spend (and you know I have a very limited one, at present!).

Kindle is not yet a must in Italy, but I discovered Amazon's "used books" section. I can now buy novels at less than 1Pound in UK plus delivery.
Unbelievable and very convenient!

fedoralady October 23 2011, 22:56:04 UTC

That was the first genre of books I got into as a child. A little later, it was gothic romances until I read so many I burned out on them . . . I ordered a few inexpensive historical romances for the Kindle but right now I am reading a riveting non-fiction book.

I still use Amazon marketplace for used books. Some books aren't available on the Kindle, some are less expensive used, and some I simply prefer to have in book form.

One mentor's advice anonymous October 23 2011, 22:30:06 UTC

When ctitiquing my writing, he always said, "Eliminate your darlings." He was and is right. It sounds cruel, but it can save your work. That one deathless phrase can be like an enormous rock that sinks the prose surrounding it. I used to save my "darlings" on bits of paper like mottos you get in crackers.

Re: One mentor's advice fedoralady October 23 2011, 22:52:35 UTC

Yes, I have received the same advice. I already tossed out one scene I had written because I decided it didn't advance the story. Well-written little scene and I loved it; just didn't work for me in the end.
Suspect this story will get lots of revamping before it is all over.

At least--it's not like having to do an interview and/or attend an event and turn right around and hammer out a story to throw up on the internet ASAP . . . And you know what? I really do not miss covering dull meetings. Every cloud has its silver lining . . .

Re: One mentor's advice anonymous October 29 2011, 23:04:24 UTC

Amen. I came to despise those "review comment record" meetings so much that I developed an appetite for action movies. After the "successful" completion of one assignment, I purchased a small box of chocolates and devoured them in the dark of a matinee. As the villains' innards were splattered against the wall, I licked my lips. I also relished telling a client that no, I could not attend a meeting the following morning, not unless he would pay for a ticket on the Concorde.

Re: One mentor's advice fedoralady October 30 2011, 01:26:51 UTC

LOL! My former managing editor used to get tired of dealing with his former managing editor at another paper, and he'd disappear for a while--went to the movies. Chocolates and movies sound like a great combo to me. Of course, you would need to smuggle them in, as you would probably have to pay a small fortune for a small box of choccies. :)

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