tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post5105753918469182998..comments2024-01-15T19:42:35.437-08:00Comments on The Secret Archives of the Alliterati: GUEST POST: The Fermentation of a WriterMatthew Delmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-87056538853813311632010-05-02T15:27:08.998-07:002010-05-02T15:27:08.998-07:00This was such a helpful post for me to read. I fee...This was such a helpful post for me to read. I feel like I haven't grown recently as a writer, and I keep blaming it voice - oh yes I know how elusive that is! And that fickle muse that wafts a hint of voice your way, then disappears, poof! Your discovery that working on craft helped you with voice, too, was an AH HA moment for me (and I agree, the intense writing during NaNoWriMo encouraged voice too)<br /><br />BTw, I'm write MG too. Always glad to discover another MG writer out there.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-4854743559568172342010-05-01T20:14:33.476-07:002010-05-01T20:14:33.476-07:00@Ruth I'm sure the muses are forming a hunting...@Ruth I'm sure the muses are forming a hunting party for me, as we speak ... :)<br /><br />I felt much the same way about craft, as though I could get 80% of the way there on intuition. It's the last 20% that makes the difference, though. I can't recommend Williams' book enough, but plan on spending some time with it, and having a work to practice on. Best of luck to you in your writing!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-70396516395543984872010-05-01T19:46:33.508-07:002010-05-01T19:46:33.508-07:00I love your thoughts on muses (both in the post an...I love your thoughts on muses (both in the post and the comments, LOL!) I think craft is where I need the most work... sometimes I see intuitively that something works/doesn't work, but can't articulate why. I'd like to be able to use techniques more deliberately and consistently.Ruth Donnellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12305109099610123918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-33031519183199664552010-05-01T06:21:44.235-07:002010-05-01T06:21:44.235-07:00@Adam I'm pretty sure the muse stole that plot...@Adam I'm pretty sure the muse stole that plot anyway. Muses are thieves as well as scoundrels.<br /><br />@Stephanie I think you're right about the order of things. And I think a lack of definition of voice is terribly frustrating for new writers; this is where the art comes in. Very confusing for a left-brained person such as myself.Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-21579299424849954502010-04-30T23:15:05.084-07:002010-04-30T23:15:05.084-07:00I think the story is the hardest in the first draf...I think the story is the hardest in the first draft, then voice, and finally craft in the final revisions. <br /><br />I've never seen a great explanation of voice- you know it when you see it. Perhaps it's the most elusive of the three. <br /><br />Great post!Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-72722621127992602112010-04-30T21:55:53.810-07:002010-04-30T21:55:53.810-07:00I hate muses.
Ha! Yes!
You hear that, muse? I do...<i>I hate muses.</i><br /><br />Ha! Yes!<br /><br />You hear that, muse? I don't need you! I can rip off the plot of Pirates of the Carribean by myself. Thank you.Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-58716290194441932192010-04-30T09:14:36.504-07:002010-04-30T09:14:36.504-07:00@Matthew I'm glad I'm not the only one tha...@Matthew I'm glad I'm not the only one that struggles with voice. Although there are some characters that are easier for me than others.<br /><br />@Cyntha I want one of those hot male muses that forgets to wear a shirt around the house and thinks I'm Shakespeare's daughter, only sexier. Oh wait. Then I'd never get any writing done. ;)Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-9650325087719802652010-04-30T08:51:02.846-07:002010-04-30T08:51:02.846-07:00I hate muses.
They never come when you call, and...<i> I hate muses. <br /><br />They never come when you call, and they mess with your head, alternately making you think you’re a genius or capable only of dreck. </i><br /><br />See? This is EXACTLY why I fired my muse. All she wanted to do was sit around in feather boas and munch on bon-bons all day long. Drat her. :-)Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-89824374660433066342010-04-30T08:41:35.572-07:002010-04-30T08:41:35.572-07:00Uncovering a good story has never been a problem f...Uncovering a good story has never been a problem for me. However, finding the character's voice takes several rewrites before I get it correct.<br /><br />As for craft? I think I'm pretty good at that too.Matthew Delmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-53789286078066333612010-04-30T08:15:20.720-07:002010-04-30T08:15:20.720-07:00@L.T. Thanks for having me! I agree completely abo...@L.T. Thanks for having me! I agree completely about reading having a huge impact, which is why I keep struggling to find time for it, even when the writing is calling my name.Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-65255850539710882102010-04-30T08:10:58.230-07:002010-04-30T08:10:58.230-07:00I would probably say craft, but voice is a close s...I would probably say craft, but voice is a close second. I seem to have little trouble with story. <br /><br />I improve myself by reading. A lot. Studying someone else's turns of phrase and perfectly edited grammar and spelling are easy ways to learn things by rote. And even though things tend to come out jumbled sometimes, that's what revisions are for: rearranging the words so they all make sense. <br /><br />Great post, Susan, thanks for guesting for us!L. T. Hosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448176940211118898noreply@blogger.com