tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post3602179715018944646..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: The Essentials for Novel WritingBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-72920865943941044832009-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:002009-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:00Well, Noel and Celeste, you two are charter member...Well, Noel and Celeste, you two are charter members of my fan club and I love you both dearly.<BR/><BR/>Deborah -- durn! You posted and asked to be signed up for the Christian Writers' Market Guide -- but after the contest closed.<BR/><BR/>But don't let that discourage you. We will be having more great book giveaways here at NovelMatters -- at least once a month. And also this fall we will be having 2 mega-contests: Two top agents have agreed to read contest winners' manuscripts! Wow. Those two contests you don't want to miss, so stay tuned.<BR/><BR/>Latayne C Scott<BR/>www.latayne.comLatayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06133535124591010838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-44430204378907261212009-02-13T17:20:00.000-08:002009-02-13T17:20:00.000-08:00Sign me up for Sally's book. It's one of my most v...Sign me up for Sally's book. It's one of my most valuable tools.<BR/><BR/>The other, among many too numerous to mention, is my Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for doing this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-45869090083728704792009-02-12T18:47:00.000-08:002009-02-12T18:47:00.000-08:00Oh, and a fan club:). If you keep yourself surroun...Oh, and a fan club:). <BR/>If you keep yourself surrounded by people who believe in you, believe in what you're doing and hold you accountable, I think you are much more likely to stick to your plans and see them through.Noel Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01543899982420468211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-23307497657446297492009-02-12T18:45:00.000-08:002009-02-12T18:45:00.000-08:00I'm definitely not a novelist, but I know that eve...I'm definitely not a novelist, but I know that every writer should have a central location where she can write down ideas that come to mind. I personally recommend a Moleskin brand notebook. They're small, incredibly portable, and hardback so you always have a good surface.Noel Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01543899982420468211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-81033152154457261262009-02-12T16:28:00.000-08:002009-02-12T16:28:00.000-08:00I am beginning the writing journey and it is great...I am beginning the writing journey and it is great to read the positive comments about this guide. I appreciate the friends who are willing to critique my work - a valuable resource I could not do withoutAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-34696010697013294142009-02-12T15:18:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:18:00.000-08:00Annette, I'm glad you finally jumped in here with ...Annette, I'm glad you finally jumped in here with a comment. Good to hear from you. Don't be a stranger.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-90593105277397108832009-02-12T15:08:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:08:00.000-08:00First of all, thanks to all of you! I am inspired ...First of all, thanks to all of you! I am inspired by certain new friends (of the writer-type) who have entered my life and actually caused a resurrection of a creative part of me that has been buried for awhile! Amazingly, through "organizing" my clutter, I have come across some forgotten writings that I am excited to get back to work on (who knew there were buried treasures in that drawer?)They will actually fit in with some of the new stuff I've been working on! I am in the process of preparing to attend a conference and am a bit overwhelmed. Finding just the "write" surroundings is important to me and somehow it must include windows, warm slippers and coffee! The new guide sounds like a must to have and a great help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-21060828236156420702009-02-12T15:07:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:07:00.000-08:00Although I have four thesauruses, I always reach f...Although I have four thesauruses, I always reach for my favorite one; a worn out small paperback printed in 1958 which is now held together by an elastic band. This writing tool is a must-have-item when I scribble and scrawl my way across a sheet of paper. Every stroke of the pen can be altered and hen tracks clarified with this tool as I weave the alphabet with my penmanship into an acceptable pen craft. <BR/>Shirley Tye<BR/>va3sst@rac.caAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-82831133046117288962009-02-12T10:36:00.000-08:002009-02-12T10:36:00.000-08:00Janet & Katy took the words out of my mouth re...Janet & Katy took the words out of my mouth regarding the thesaurus. Finding the wrong word often leads me to the right word.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to order The First Five pages today. I'm getting ready to begin a new novel, one I've been eager to begin, but the question with this one is "where to begin?" I'm in the process of discovering my main characters, which I love. It's like finding new friends. . . as I have here in all of you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-54203469870664185252009-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:002009-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:00A couple resources I haven't seen listed so far: S...A couple resources I haven't seen listed so far: <I>Scene and Structure</I> by Jack M Bickham, and Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake method. I'm not a Snowflake purist, but the parts I've learned how to use help a lot. Oh... and spreadsheets: I may not be able to use them for math, but they're great for complicated lists of characters, scenes, pov etc and let you sort by whatever column you like.Joanna Malloryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09009706543743970845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-67521208156104083292009-02-12T08:55:00.000-08:002009-02-12T08:55:00.000-08:00My favorite writing tools is my critique buddy, Me...My favorite writing tools is my critique buddy, Melody, followed by "The Writers Journey" by Chris Vogler. I also love the local Writer's Conference that happens every May. And Sally Stuart...Sonja Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11798852629122148462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-43276226672631264022009-02-12T08:36:00.000-08:002009-02-12T08:36:00.000-08:00I have to say the CD is priceless. The mailing and...I have to say the CD is priceless. The mailing and contact information is priceless. I love how much information is included. I didn't get to get a market guide last year, but I need one because it saves hours of research time.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, when it comes to marketing a novel, I believe branding the author is most important. I pretty much buy anything James Patterson because the first five of his books I read were wonderful. I've come to expect a certain level of writing out of him. That's part of branding. Just a thought now I hope I win. LOL!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-82593283596072362822009-02-12T08:07:00.000-08:002009-02-12T08:07:00.000-08:00Can time be considered an essential tool? Peace? Q...Can time be considered an essential tool? Peace? Quiet? Coffee? All essential (and fairly hard to come by, except maybe the coffee). My writer's groups have been by far the most valuable tool in honing my skills, giving feedback, and providing the encouragement (commiseration?) needed to keep going. <BR/>Blogs like this are rapidly becoming indispensable too (just got that word out of a thesaurus so I wouldn't overuse "essential" - sorry, Stephen King).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-18266767486592593452009-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:00Along with Sally Stuart and "The Elements of Style...Along with Sally Stuart and "The Elements of Style", "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser is an essential. All keepers!<BR/>Kimberley PayneKimberley Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13045064818420286977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-88467997161929438522009-02-12T07:20:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:20:00.000-08:00Latayne: I use a thesaurus when I'm asking myself ...Latayne: I use a thesaurus when I'm asking myself the question I posted earlier, "What do I really mean to say?"<BR/><BR/>It's like picking up a thread of a word and following the trail to the heart of meaning.<BR/><BR/>But, not all thesauruses (try saying THAT ten times fast) are created equal. I have a couple of favorites I use and I solidly ignore the rest.<BR/><BR/>Also, you honestly need to know how to do research. Sure, anyone can spend the day in the library, but how do you know you've checked the right books and utilized all the best material from your sources? By knowing how to research.<BR/><BR/>It's not difficult to learn, but you do need to be taught. I strongly recommend new writers to take a library course at their local college or university. You sign up (you can audit courses for less money), and for a semester you learn the ins and outs of data research, how a library works, how to search data bases, periodicals, books, magazines, and other types of materials, quickly and efficiently.<BR/><BR/>There are all kinds of tricks and tips a college librarian can teach you about research that will, honestly, open the world to you. <BR/>Indispensable!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-72866157660316989502009-02-12T07:19:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:19:00.000-08:00Carla and Cathy, you reminded me of two of my favo...Carla and Cathy, you reminded me of two of my favorites. The First Five Pages probably did more than any other "nuts & bolts" book, to improve the quality of my writing. <BR/><BR/>And yes, I think a thesaurus is invaluable. Janet, you're right: it's dangerous to use a word you don't know just because you found it in the thesaurus. Never use a fifty cent word when a two-bit word will do. Still, a thesaurus can help me find the better two-bit word that's just on the tip of my tongue... or rather, fingers. <BR/><BR/>An invaluable bit of freeware: <A HREF="http://wordweb.info/" REL="nofollow"> WordWeb</A>. It's a dictionary/thesaurus that sits at-the-ready in your system tray. I've used it for years. When I get a new computer, it's one of the first downloads.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-30923009426612004022009-02-12T07:09:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:09:00.000-08:00If you use a word from a thesaurus that you don't ...If you use a word from a thesaurus that you don't fully understand, then he's absolutely right. The results can be disastrous. Kind of like using a bilingual dictionary to translate when you don't really know the language.<BR/><BR/>But if the thesaurus just triggers your memory and reminds you of the perfect word, it can be a great tool. You just have to know how to use it with discernment.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600030574995481267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-82877499986229199802009-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:00The "First Five Pages" are important, but it's cle...The "First Five Pages" are important, but it's clear (after our last discussion on the blog) that the last five pages carry a great deal of weight also! :)<BR/><BR/>Another resource to consider is connections - relationships with other writers, attending conferences (I know, I know - they are so expensive and disruptive!) is a great way to meet writers. Many people go to a writer's conference with only the idea of stalking an editor or an agent - that's fine, that's what the conference is about - but you need to take into consideration the friendships you can build with other writers.<BR/>Critical stuff! In later posts all of us at Novel Matters will be talking about how we first got published - I know my story is a star studded affair, with my friendships with other writer's taking center stage.<BR/>But more about that in the weeks to come!<BR/>There is a teeny grain of truth in the old saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know"<BR/><BR/>Uh, yes, I'm aware this sounds crass - as if we are supposed to use each other. I truly don't mean it that way.Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-53027340411826953222009-02-12T07:04:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:04:00.000-08:00Boy, am I learning a lot from all of you! Susan, ...Boy, am I learning a lot from all of you! <BR/><BR/>Susan, guess we're on the same wavelength, humor wise! <BR/><BR/>Rachel, Melinda, Patti, Diane, Anonymous, Janet, Nichole, and Lori pointed out that some of the best "tools" are not actual books or other how-to instructions but rather the interaction of the writer's mind with other elements. Even a shovel!<BR/><BR/>The rest of you gave us a wealth of tools. I'm checking my budget and my time to see which of them I can "afford."<BR/><BR/>Some of you mentioned a thesaurus. I remember reading one time that Stephen King said, <BR/> "Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule."<BR/><BR/>I use a thesaurus often. How do you react to King's statement?Latayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04308600868561805601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-26591158283314111882009-02-12T06:49:00.000-08:002009-02-12T06:49:00.000-08:00I'm new to the writing scene, and I've been gobbli...I'm new to the writing scene, and I've been gobbling up books on the craft of writing like it was chocolate candy. My two latest "favorites" are "Self-Editing For Fiction Writers" and "The First Five Pages" by Noah Lukeman. (I guess that gives away what part of the writing process I'm currently in!)<BR/><BR/>I loved reading the post and the comments. Very helpful.Cathy Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04023169258086410406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-29750545703845127642009-02-12T06:29:00.000-08:002009-02-12T06:29:00.000-08:00I've loved reading all the comments about the tool...I've loved reading all the comments about the tools. It gives me a nice shopping list for my next writer's conference. I'm not sure which tool to isolate as the best. <BR/><BR/>So far I'd choose a thesaurus and a good cup of coffee! Seriously, I need the occasional 'half-break' that is just long enough for a quick sip of coffee and a new thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-89442488927354941632009-02-12T04:55:00.000-08:002009-02-12T04:55:00.000-08:00My most essential tool, well it's not really a too...My most essential tool, well it's not really a tool at all. It's my family. They are supportive and put up with going on and on about a stroy plot or character.Nichole Osbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-71702717554615109472009-02-12T01:55:00.000-08:002009-02-12T01:55:00.000-08:00HiA tool that I find essential for writing is a fr...Hi<BR/><BR/>A tool that I find essential for writing is a free program called yWriter5 which can be downloaded at www.spacejock.com<BR/><BR/>It's a bit like eating an elephant one bite at a time, you write your novel one scene at a time. Scenes and chapters can be shuffled and rearranged with ease and a storyboard helps you visualise your book. <BR/><BR/>yWriter allows you to add characters, POVs, ratings, settings, timelines, objects and notes to your scenes. It has many other tools which enable you to track your drafts, words counts and even to check if you are overusing any pet words.<BR/><BR/>Check it out- it's amazing!<BR/><BR/>Happy writing<BR/><BR/>Ruth Dell <BR/>ruthdell@mweb.co.zaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-47845896449577582962009-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:00Wow! What great comments with a wealth of helpful...Wow! What great comments with a wealth of helpful info for a writer wannabe. I just love this blog!<BR/>sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)comSherrinda Ketchersidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-85897330558785860182009-02-11T16:22:00.000-08:002009-02-11T16:22:00.000-08:00How did I miss online forums? I learned so much a...How did I miss online forums? I learned so much at Absolute Write that it's absurd.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600030574995481267noreply@blogger.com