Learning the elements of style...

Learning the elements of style...

I have to work on being a better artist, one who brings the world to life. When I began to write I felt too much description slowed down the book. lately I found good descriptions adds to the book by bringing the world around the characters out, helping the reader to visualize the settings and making the world real…
Know before you laugh and say to yourself, of course that’s what it’s all about... let me expound on my meaning. Even though I’m sure you already knew this and much more.

Before I would write:
Jake walked to the amulet in the middle of the room, when suddenly a chill ran down his back like someone just blow gently on the back of his neck. He turned around quickly expecting to see someone but found the dark room to be empty.

Now I would write:
Jake walked slowly towards the gold amulet, setting on a wooden desk in the middle of the dark cold room. The old floor boards creaked under his feet with every step he took. Making it to the amulet he reached out a hand, when an ice cold chill ran down the back of his neck. He turned around in fear expecting to see someone standing there, but found it was only his imagination.

Now I just threw these two examples out there, I didn’t take too much time on them. I just wanted to give an idea of what I was talking about. Even though describing actions is slower to the point. I feel it helps the reader connect to the environment or world their in.

How do you know when too much description is well… too much?
And would you agree that describing the actions of the character to be a better way of writing than just getting to the point?
What advice can you give to a beginning author that you would feel is important to know?

Thx for your time and I hope I just didn’t make a fool out of myself by talking about something that anyone already knew.
Thx again…

What's your Fav Christmas story?

What's your Fav Christmas story?

Plz share what your favorite Christmas story/myth/book/play or anything around that topic...

Thx

Mine is the Little Drummer Boy

submitting your writing

I would love to hear some of your stories, about submitting your writing to agents or publishers...

Whatever you’re willing to share, will help a lot.

like how many times you submitted and if you don't mind how many rejections you got back, what was the feedback, how long did the whole process take, who you sent to, why did you give up on submitting, why did you move onto the next story and leave the one you started submitting with?

Thx for any response you might leave... you don't have to answer my specific questions, feel free to answer anyway you wish.

Thx again.

Pictures or Illustrations...

Pictures or Illustrations in your book...

Will you have any picture or illustrations in your book?

Why or why not?

I think I do but I am worried that it forces my visions on the reader. Rather than let the reader imagine it for themselves.
Not a lot of illustrations, but at key points in the story, like a reward for the reader.

The Illustration has to be done very well, so vivid and realistic it adds to the book rather than detract from it...

Thx for your time and for any response you might leave. All responses help me grow as a writer and as a person.
Thx again.

Killing off a character.

Killing off a character.

Have you ever planned on killing off a character. And found that when it came time to do it, the char had become a huge part of the story and not to mention you fell in love with that character...

So what did you do?

On a side note, do you always make your protagonist the same gender as you?

And would you read a story from a male author about a female protagonist?

Thx for your time and any response you might leave…

What do you look for in a book?

What do you as a reader look for in a book?

I like Fantasy/adventure books

There must be a journey, and must have a villain. I prefer the coming of age type of story. A group of kids finding their way through life, facing countless life threatening situations... (Sorry started to rant)

Must be written well/ flow nicely.

Must have mysteries mixed with treachery and loads of unforeseen turns...

What does your story have to have in it?

Self Publishing.

Have you ever thought about self publishing? (I know Steph you don’t think about publishing, so humor me…)
I just met an author who tried to get published but met rejection after rejection. He felt his book we good enough so he went the self publishing route.

After the second book, in the series of 4, He had sold enough books to catch the eye of a big name publisher and signed a four book deal worth a lot of $$$.

I wish I had written his name down and the book not to mention the publisher. Next time I talk to him, I will. When I get closer to being ready he said he would be more than willing to help where he can...

Long story short, have you ever thought about going the self publishing route? If so what stopped you, and if you did would you recommend it to others. (I thought I would never go the self publishing route, but after talking with him I am having second thoughts. I know it take a lot more investment of money and time, but might be worth it.)

Thx for reading and any response you might leave.

What will you do...

What will you do, or have done, if you get published by a true publisher that pays you not you pay them?

What will be your celebration, or what was your celebration.

Will you read your first copy, or just put in your book case with pride?

How many copies are you going to buy/or did buy?

Thx for your time and any responce you might leave...

What does my story mean?

What does my story mean?
This question has bothered me. The story comes to me as I write. I have really no influence over it, except on the re-rite of course. But the first draft I have zero control over. I have a hard time finding what my story really means or should mean.

Every good story has a meaning behind it. Even though I fill my story is compelling and fulfilling. I struggle to see the greater picture.

All I can see is a struggle to become an adult in a violent world. Friends that would die by my main chars side if it came to it. A passion for life that drives him, no forces him to kill, and kill and kill. Is that good enough?

So I guess my main question is...
Does your story always have a greater meaning behind it, and do you always know it while writing? Or is it something you discover after it is done?

One more question if you'll bear with me...

Have you ever almost completed a story/novel and lose the love for it. Like the wind of love for the story does not blow your sails anymore, resulting in just bagging the whole thing and moving onto something else. I used to be able to write with passion and vigor, writing every second I could.
Now I force every page out and fill disconnected from my whole reason I began writing in the first place.

Thx for reading...