brightlotusmoon: (Default)
brightlotusmoon ([personal profile] brightlotusmoon) wrote2008-02-22 10:38 am
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Writers' palaver

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.

[identity profile] stainedpaper.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I really want to read your book! Seriously.

[identity profile] brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Seriously? Well, how would you like the first chapter? :)

[identity profile] stainedpaper.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yes please!!! hingeandsign@yahoo.com

[identity profile] brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll send it tonight as an MS Word document!
(Yay, more readers!)

[identity profile] stainedpaper.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome! I love editing/giving feedback, so let me know if you'd like me to do either of those.

[identity profile] brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Both, please! If your edits and comments are similar to that of others, that means I'm doing it right. :)

[identity profile] stainedpaper.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey how come I'm not on your friends page? =P

[identity profile] stainedpaper.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
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. =)

[identity profile] brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com 2008-02-22 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
*laughs* Ahh, okay.