Writers' palaver

[brightlotusmoon]

John Bagnato (he wrote a book in 2006 called "The Dupree Legacy") is very funny. He's been giving me some fantastic criticism and advice, really delving into the characters (Why does Kara's wolf spirit appear when she's stressed? Is there another way you can differentiate between telepathic speech and internal monologue? Do the twins have a secret twin language? KISS, of course.)
He's sent me some of his short stories, and they're wonderful. He uses action more than explanation to describe what's happening; his stories are extremely character driven, and I'm left in shock thinking, "Oh, that poor kid, he should have gotten a prosthetic arm and kicked mobster ass to avenge his parents' murders in style!"
He told me it was okay if I ever wanted to tell him to bug off, and I said hell no, this was great. I need this. I need someone in the industry to tell me, "This works, this doesn't, try this, don't do that, for the love of God never ever do this, always do that, keep going, find your voice and keep it. Oh, hey, that was unique and interesting, keep doing that."

Because of him, I am going through each chapter with a fine-toothed comb. And no longer wincing. Writers are so hard on themselves.

Oh, and Tristan, I'll send you Chapter Two tonight. I went to my roommate's birthday party last night and didn't get a chance to play on my laptop for very long. Okay, so I also just plain forgot. This will remind me.

Comments

[stainedpaper.livejournal.com]

I really want to read your book! Seriously.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Seriously? Well, how would you like the first chapter? :)

[stainedpaper.livejournal.com]

Oh yes please!!! hingeandsign@yahoo.com

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I'll send it tonight as an MS Word document!
(Yay, more readers!)

[stainedpaper.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I love editing/giving feedback, so let me know if you'd like me to do either of those.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Both, please! If your edits and comments are similar to that of others, that means I'm doing it right. :)

[stainedpaper.livejournal.com]

Hey how come I'm not on your friends page? =P

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

But you are! *is confused*

[stainedpaper.livejournal.com]

Oh, weird. I was looking at your journal and I went to click on my friends page and accidentally clicked on yours. I didn't see my most recent entry. Hence my confusion. =)

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Ahh, okay.

[shaula82.livejournal.com]

I think that's awesome. A real, flesh-and-blood verifiable source is reading and enjoying your work, and giving you feedback!

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

You are so lucky to have such fanstic writrs helping you with your writing.

salutations

[papilleau.livejournal.com]

A random hi from a fellow local lover of sci-fi.

Saw you on OKC, saw the SF connection so got curious.

My hobby is SF/Fantasy book reviewing.

I do it for href="http://www.scifidimensions.com">scifidimensions.com.

Give a holler sometime on Yahoo or AIM, would be interesting to share notes!