tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post3350585367058885..comments2023-12-29T11:39:14.271-06:00Comments on 4RV Reading, Writing, & Art News: Stealing and StalkingVivian Zabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-21285765266254764522013-05-16T10:10:05.189-05:002013-05-16T10:10:05.189-05:00Hi Karen, thank you for posting a comment! I am go...Hi Karen, thank you for posting a comment! I am going to try your copywriting trick. Some people might think great writers are merely born more talented, but I am trying to prove them wrong -- writing is a craft that can be honed and improved with practice!Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-82948099847289249482013-05-16T06:24:25.365-05:002013-05-16T06:24:25.365-05:00Great advice Suzanne. There's also a copywriti...Great advice Suzanne. There's also a copywriting trick in which you copy (type or write) word for word quality copy from a master. It teaches your brain how to write effective copy. The same holds true with any form of writing. Obviously though you can't claim the work as your own, but it helps you hone your craft. <br /><br />And, visiting the library can give you lots of insight into publishers, writing, and markets. Thanks for sharing.Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-30104488290018564832013-05-11T17:48:18.472-05:002013-05-11T17:48:18.472-05:00You're so right about being careful not to pla...You're so right about being careful not to plagiarize! I'm not promoting copying at all. I once watched my cousin learn to paint by copying the great masters. Writers, too, can pick apart techniques to see how it's done well. <br /><br />A eureka moment for me happened once when I looked at descriptive passages trying to figure out what made some great and some boring, no matter how beautifully written. The best passages combine the description with a character's reaction or perception of it. For example, "The sunset blazed across the sky in a fury of colors" is nice, but doesn't it come alive when connected to a character? "When Greg watched the sunset blaze across the sky, he saw his last hopes drain to black in a fury of colors.Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-23205700278811968682013-05-10T16:17:59.488-05:002013-05-10T16:17:59.488-05:00I'd say we have to be careful with that steali...I'd say we have to be careful with that stealing thing. Ha. But, reading good authors and seeing how they handle emotion, first lines, etc., sure teaches us many lessons. Thanks, Suzanne, this is a thought-provoking post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406103471551171672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-70585585963345601802013-05-09T12:01:06.340-05:002013-05-09T12:01:06.340-05:00Thank you, Carol and Vivian! It is eye-opening and...Thank you, Carol and Vivian! It is eye-opening and cool to experiment with a different point of view on the same scene, or phrasing the same thought in different ways. I find that "beautiful" descriptions are boring until they are tied into a character's perception or emotion. <br /><br />When I plug a story into a typical "back blurb", flaws are immediately revealed: Is there too much going on to convey a concise story? Is there a major theme to tie it together? Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-35144188559076687742013-05-09T11:47:06.655-05:002013-05-09T11:47:06.655-05:00Thanks, Debbie! If you don't want to use a hig...Thanks, Debbie! If you don't want to use a highlighter in a book, try keeping a small notebook handy. I started this when I realized I was reading too much about writing. The big picture helps, too but writing boils down to words -- and how to use them effectively. Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-17707166743741103342013-05-09T10:48:55.727-05:002013-05-09T10:48:55.727-05:00Great idea.Great idea.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-23840352468634845982013-05-09T06:38:06.751-05:002013-05-09T06:38:06.751-05:00Suzanne - a wonderful post and a uncanny match wit...Suzanne - a wonderful post and a uncanny match with an issue I've been writing about. I learn best when I learn experientially, which means reading books, stories, essays I love and doing exactly as you describe - using the technique, or experimenting with using it, to improve my own work. Work I admire is full of inspiration...The natural questions, "Can I try to do this in my writing? with my character? Does my narrative arc have this kind of tension and excitement?" and more, have always been more effective than theoretical advice.Carol Coven Grannickhttp://todayiamawriter.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-70114647064101869762013-05-08T23:59:32.028-05:002013-05-08T23:59:32.028-05:00Thanks for the great post, Suzanne! I love your ti...Thanks for the great post, Suzanne! I love your tip for stealing the technique, not the line. I tend to be more big picture in my analysis. But I like the idea of getting down to the sentence level, noticing which sentences grab my attention, and studying them to identify what makes them great. Time to grab my highlighter.Debbie Austinnoreply@blogger.com