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Jun. 9th, 2010 08:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lls_mutantI'm actually kind of hoping it rains today. It's supposed to. I really need to clean, and if it rains I don't feel guilty about not taking the kids to a park or something.
We will go to the library today, though. I need to return a few books, one of which I actually read for myself. (I know!) For the record, do not waste your money on How Not To Write a Novel, by Howard Mittlemark and Sandra Newman. It's not that the advice in it isn't good, it's just that pretty much everyone I read has moved way past the advice contained in the book. It was absolutely no help to me at all, which someone on my f-list had read it and said it probably wouldn't be. They were right. And that's not me being conceited- that's just.... I think I've got it that your characters need to be compelling and describing the food specials in the middle of a tense restaurant scene isn't a good thing.
To be honest, I'm not much on these "how to write" books anyway. I think there are three universal rules:
1.) Read as much as you can. (Besides, it's fun.)
2.) Write as much as you can.
3.) Get a really good beta that works with your style and can be honest with you.
Because some styles and rules are going to work great for some people, and some aren't. Some rules fit certain situations, others don't. Yes, there IS a time to tell rather than to show. Adverbs can be your friends. There are other words besides "said", and yes, they can be used effectively. A few rules I personally would add to make it out to ten, if I was writing rules:
4.) Never, ever ask your romantic partner to be your beta for something serious. It's just not a good idea.
5.) If something your beta says hurts and it's not abusive, wait 24 hours before you respond to them.
6.) Read up some on race, gender, sexuality, etc. fail on the internet. Then, when you're ready to write, stay away from these discussions or you will start questioning every last move you make and find yourself paralyzed. (Okay, so that one just might be me.)
7.) Remember that not everybody is going to like everything. Remember how many times J.K. Rowling was rejected before she got published. (But make sure you find a beta who is actually interested in your story.)
8.) Write.
9.) Spellcheck. Grammar checks. These are good things, as there are very distinct rules about the English language. Do not ever, EVER be offended when someone corrects these. They are black and white, and it's not an opinion. If you're in doubt about a rule, find my old boss. Wow, did that man miss his calling as an editor. (But probably made much more money as a scientist.)
10.) Write. Yes, it bears repeating that many times. :)
Granted, this all means shit since I'm not exactly published outside the academic world (unless any of you really want to read my papers on reducing NOx emissions from biodiesel, creating thermally stable jet fuels, or various oxygenated diesel fuels. What, no takers?), but personally, I think they're fairly sound rules.
So, yeah. Don't but How Not to Write a Novel, unless you're literally just starting out. Good advice, but most of you are way beyond it, and the examples aren't even that funny.
Changing subjects....
TV Meme, Day 25: A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Yes, I know. Bad Geek. I have never seen Farscape. However, that will be remedied! Sitting in our "to watch" pile is the entire series on DVD, which we picked up for... I don't remember, but it was when Deep Discount and Amazon were having a little price war. It was some really low price compared to what the series usually runs. Neither of us have seen an episode, but so many people with similar taste to us have told us how awesome it is that we figured it was a good risk. We haven't watched it yet because we had to get through all the stuff that was on the air, and we had been working our way through Terminator: TSCC (which neither of us really got into), and now we're working our way through the Dresden Files. which shouldn't take too much longer. But summer is perfect DVD time, since nothing else that we watch is on.
I got a LOT written on Agency yesterday, which is exciting. :) The only problem is I'm still not sure what the big climax of the fic is going to be, and how the whole thing is going to resolve itself. I know how it ends, and I know how it ramps up to the breaking point, but once I hit the breaking point I'm not sure WHAT happens. I have visions of people with guns, but I'm not sure that guns are so right for this story. I mean, the story is largely about free will, and guns are one of those things that can really have a negative impact on free will, if you know what I mean. It's the big climactic scene I can't get a handle on.
For all that this is a crossover, it's definitely more of a BSG fic. Adelle and Topher don't really change or grow through this fic, and I don't think I'll be using either of their POVs. I will most definitely use Sierra/Priya's, and possibly Victor's, but it's much more a BSG thing. Interestingly, although Gaeta is really a big centerpiece of the story, he isn't so much a character, if that makes sense. Which it should, since he's one of the dolls. "Gaeta" is sitting in a little wedge on a shelf for most of the fic.
Also, I'm debating the ending of my![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
femgenficathon fic. I figured out how it ends, but I'm debating which Pegasus person I should use for it: Hoshi or Narcho. Hoshi sort of fits better. For one, he's old for a jr. lieutenant, which implies he used to do something else. And for two, Hoshi just seems more the type. But that's exactly the argument FOR Narcho, is that Hoshi seems more the type. But the role requires academic intelligence, sensitivity regarding people, and time to write, so I'm guessing Hoshi might be more believable. :P
So looking forward to cleaning today. NOT.
We will go to the library today, though. I need to return a few books, one of which I actually read for myself. (I know!) For the record, do not waste your money on How Not To Write a Novel, by Howard Mittlemark and Sandra Newman. It's not that the advice in it isn't good, it's just that pretty much everyone I read has moved way past the advice contained in the book. It was absolutely no help to me at all, which someone on my f-list had read it and said it probably wouldn't be. They were right. And that's not me being conceited- that's just.... I think I've got it that your characters need to be compelling and describing the food specials in the middle of a tense restaurant scene isn't a good thing.
To be honest, I'm not much on these "how to write" books anyway. I think there are three universal rules:
1.) Read as much as you can. (Besides, it's fun.)
2.) Write as much as you can.
3.) Get a really good beta that works with your style and can be honest with you.
Because some styles and rules are going to work great for some people, and some aren't. Some rules fit certain situations, others don't. Yes, there IS a time to tell rather than to show. Adverbs can be your friends. There are other words besides "said", and yes, they can be used effectively. A few rules I personally would add to make it out to ten, if I was writing rules:
4.) Never, ever ask your romantic partner to be your beta for something serious. It's just not a good idea.
5.) If something your beta says hurts and it's not abusive, wait 24 hours before you respond to them.
6.) Read up some on race, gender, sexuality, etc. fail on the internet. Then, when you're ready to write, stay away from these discussions or you will start questioning every last move you make and find yourself paralyzed. (Okay, so that one just might be me.)
7.) Remember that not everybody is going to like everything. Remember how many times J.K. Rowling was rejected before she got published. (But make sure you find a beta who is actually interested in your story.)
8.) Write.
9.) Spellcheck. Grammar checks. These are good things, as there are very distinct rules about the English language. Do not ever, EVER be offended when someone corrects these. They are black and white, and it's not an opinion. If you're in doubt about a rule, find my old boss. Wow, did that man miss his calling as an editor. (But probably made much more money as a scientist.)
10.) Write. Yes, it bears repeating that many times. :)
Granted, this all means shit since I'm not exactly published outside the academic world (unless any of you really want to read my papers on reducing NOx emissions from biodiesel, creating thermally stable jet fuels, or various oxygenated diesel fuels. What, no takers?), but personally, I think they're fairly sound rules.
So, yeah. Don't but How Not to Write a Novel, unless you're literally just starting out. Good advice, but most of you are way beyond it, and the examples aren't even that funny.
Changing subjects....
TV Meme, Day 25: A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Yes, I know. Bad Geek. I have never seen Farscape. However, that will be remedied! Sitting in our "to watch" pile is the entire series on DVD, which we picked up for... I don't remember, but it was when Deep Discount and Amazon were having a little price war. It was some really low price compared to what the series usually runs. Neither of us have seen an episode, but so many people with similar taste to us have told us how awesome it is that we figured it was a good risk. We haven't watched it yet because we had to get through all the stuff that was on the air, and we had been working our way through Terminator: TSCC (which neither of us really got into), and now we're working our way through the Dresden Files. which shouldn't take too much longer. But summer is perfect DVD time, since nothing else that we watch is on.
I got a LOT written on Agency yesterday, which is exciting. :) The only problem is I'm still not sure what the big climax of the fic is going to be, and how the whole thing is going to resolve itself. I know how it ends, and I know how it ramps up to the breaking point, but once I hit the breaking point I'm not sure WHAT happens. I have visions of people with guns, but I'm not sure that guns are so right for this story. I mean, the story is largely about free will, and guns are one of those things that can really have a negative impact on free will, if you know what I mean. It's the big climactic scene I can't get a handle on.
For all that this is a crossover, it's definitely more of a BSG fic. Adelle and Topher don't really change or grow through this fic, and I don't think I'll be using either of their POVs. I will most definitely use Sierra/Priya's, and possibly Victor's, but it's much more a BSG thing. Interestingly, although Gaeta is really a big centerpiece of the story, he isn't so much a character, if that makes sense. Which it should, since he's one of the dolls. "Gaeta" is sitting in a little wedge on a shelf for most of the fic.
Also, I'm debating the ending of my
femgenficathon fic. I figured out how it ends, but I'm debating which Pegasus person I should use for it: Hoshi or Narcho. Hoshi sort of fits better. For one, he's old for a jr. lieutenant, which implies he used to do something else. And for two, Hoshi just seems more the type. But that's exactly the argument FOR Narcho, is that Hoshi seems more the type. But the role requires academic intelligence, sensitivity regarding people, and time to write, so I'm guessing Hoshi might be more believable. :PSo looking forward to cleaning today. NOT.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 02:01 pm (UTC)Agency! And Sierra! I'm really excited to see how you work Sierra and Victor into the equation. :D
no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 02:38 pm (UTC)I've finally started watching Farscape again myself! I probably bought the disks at the same time you did. I'm almost done with season one, and it really has improved. Or the characters have grown on me. Or both.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 03:11 pm (UTC)Sierra and Victor ought to be interesting. They're going to be important minor characters. But man, has Helo decided to make himself important. Which is funny, given that the actor was on Dollhouse, but it looks like The Agency was never being investigated by Paul Ballard :) Neither Adelle nor Topher blinked an eyelash when Helo showed up.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 03:21 pm (UTC)So, yeah, research and leave it alone. :)
I'm looking forward to watching the series! Dresden's been pretty good, but it's much more a mystery than a fantasy. Although it's the first cop procedural I've really enjoyed ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 07:51 pm (UTC)about #6: I have to say that I don't have much patience for privilege-wank in all its forms. I write primarily for myself, and I try my best to be true to that, rather than worrying about deconstructing my writing lit-crit-101 style and/or following somebody else's rules. As far as I'm concerned, everyone should be free to write whatever they damn well please, however they damn well please. Others are free to LOL at it, of course -- I sure as hell laughed at the 19th century nonsense in the BSG finale! -- but I don't think these acrimonious fail!wars are a good thing for fandom. One reader's fail is another's joy, and who's to say which one is right? Oh, I know, let's hash it out in a 1600-comment thread in which nothing is solved and no one goes home unscathed -- that'll fix everything! :P
I guess things have changed in the 15 years I've been writing, but I miss the days when most people simply moved on if they saw something they didn't like. I don't believe that anyone has a "right" not to be offended... perhaps because expecting others to cater to your sense of offense is, in itself, a privilege that not all of us have, depending on what we are (and are not) personally offended by.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-10 02:19 pm (UTC)but I don't think these acrimonious fail!wars are a good thing for fandom. One reader's fail is another's joy, and who's to say which one is right? Oh, I know, let's hash it out in a 1600-comment thread in which nothing is solved and no one goes home unscathed -- that'll fix everything! :P
I do actually agree with this. I have made myself think about some things because of the fandom wars, I admit that. And that's a good thing. I've become more aware of certain issues, particularly race. And given the content of my original stuff (aliens take over the world, not just the white part of the US), I'm glad about that aspect. But yeah- it's definitely an issue of diminishing returns.
Plus, whenever I get involved in one of these discussions, I
1.) lose track because I don't understand half the words in the context they're in, and
2.) put my foot in it anyway. :P
What can be so frustrating is that some things truly come out of... well, just not thinking, or backing into a corner. Take, for example, the fact that every human female with a speaking part was killed in BSG. I seriously doubt RDM was standing around rubbing his hands together and saying "those bitches! Let's kill 'em all!!!!" While I don't agree that the story needed all of these women to die, I do see the point of each individual death, and with the exception of Cally, I don't have any issues with them on a gender basis. (I wasn't crazy about Dee's, but that wasn't because she was female but because she was Dee.) Was it really sexist in intention? Or was it just frustrating as all hell?
I'd like to see more awareness of issues like that in sci-fi, which is what I was trying to get across, but I also find that reading too much wank just makes me feel very, very paralyzed with fear.
Ah, fandom. It makes my head hurt :)
no subject
Date: 2010-06-10 04:34 pm (UTC)And yeah, Cally's death is similar. The rest of the female deaths don't bother me individually, but as a pattern they're sort of sad. Season 4 marginalized women over and over, starting with Starbuck's OOCness and Natalie's pointless death and continuing with Roslin's bizarre descent into being Entirely Defined By Her Love Interest. Then there's the whole Caprica Six baby storyline (which could have been amazing, but turned out amazingly stupid), the Ellen Tigh Earth Mother retcon, the Nicky retcon, the fact that Boomer never even gets to say anything, the scene where all the men are eying the natives and talking about how awesome it'll be to breed with them, etc etc. All the women end up dead and/or defined primarily by their femininity, which is a bizarre ending for a series which started with women taking charge.
To be fair, I think the last season went way off the rails in a lot of ways (don't even get me started about the massive religion/philosophy fail, much less the lack of basic continuity and sense-making!), so it's not as if this was the primary problem. I think the sexism was a symptom rather than the disease, and I don't think (most of) it was deliberate... but either way, it sucks.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-10 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-10 07:14 pm (UTC)