Sunday, February 28, 2010

Does Vernacular Matter?

Does Vernacular Matter?


My question to readers and writers out there is this:

If a character is Russian, French, Scottish… well you get the idea. Does that character need to speak with an accent, therefore the writer needs to write the dialog in that accent?

Or would you get the idea of what the author means by changing just a few key words: like this.

“Aye there lad, you have learned all you can from me.” Is Aye and Lad sufficient to plant the rest of the accent in your mind?

Or

“Wee, I agree with you, say ‘ello to your mot'er when you see her.”

Or

“Please Comrade, don’t kill me… I  h‘ave your money you vant in car.”

Or should I just say: he said in a Scottish, Russian, French accent. And leave out any attempt to show dialect.

Thx for any advice you might leave… or any sample you might share.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

I know you can.

Why does writing have to fill the writer with an overwhelming feeling of self-doubt? I know 90% of the time my story is good, its original (mostly) it's intriguing... and most of all it would make a damn good book.



But of course that 10% of the time I think I am wasting my time, no way my book will ever be published, I don't know how to write, this is too much work, this is out of my league, I am sick of sitting in front of my computer... I should just stop and save myself from being embarrassed.


I know everyone who has tried to write any piece of work has felt these feelings. If you stop and listen to them you'll never make it... and that's a guarantee.


Keep your head down and keep writing, if you need help get it after your first draft is done, if you don't know the exact terminology or proper procedures of what you main char does for a living... make it up and fix it later. If you stop and lament on what you don't know you'll never get done... that's a guarantee.


Keep writing; keep growing, keep learning. Once you have finished your first draft, go back and make it work. Never give up, never listen to that self-doubt.


I hope you all find the desire to finish your manuscripts, I hope you all find success. Thx for all the support you have shown me.


There is one guarantee I can make, and that is I will finish my book. I will make it the best I can, and I’ll get all the help I need to make sure it is.


If you have anything to share about the writing process please do so.


Thx for reading, and for any comment you might leave.



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Thx everyone...

First of all thx to everyone who leaves comments, it helps so much.


A few things I wanted to ask you very savvy people was this: How long have you worked at being a writer? (I just started to write on 1-19-09, first attempt at writing anything. 58k words of my rough draft since then, with too many rewrites and new beginnings to mention.)

How many manuscripts have you written before you felt what you have written was actually good? (I think my WIP, is pretty damn good, maybe 3 more rewrites and with the help of a damn good editor Shakespeare; I might actually have something)

Once you hit the big time, (millions of copies sold) will you ever take time to help out unpublished authors, like giving; advice, blubs, readings, tips on writing … and anything else you wish you had someone to ask that has been there?
(Absolutely I will I might even offer free school/classes for authors who show promise... and for the right ones I will help through the whole publishing process.)

Thx for reading and any comment you might leave… Of course my answers are in ( ) thx.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Ok, 7 things you didn't know about me.

Noelle Nolan Has asked me to pass it on... Writing 7 things you didn't know about me. If you read this and want to do the same thing then so be it, but i won't ask you to do it.


1: I love being bored, makes the days last longer... they fly by way to fast.



2: I love chick flicks... Ghost, As good as it gets, What Women Want, Titanic... the list goes on and on.


3: I don't like to fight, but i will in a sec if you cross me.


4: i stop and help people broken down on the side of the road all the time -- as long as your a women or the elderly... if you’re a dude you’re on your own.


5: I love the outdoors; well at least for about 7 days then I can't wait to get back home...


6: If you're my friend I got your back no matter what....


7: From 1974 till 2009 I had only read two books, and that is for real... no joke. From Jan 2009 to now, I have read 46 books, the average book length is 600 pages, all most all fiction... I love fiction especially fantasy...



Thx, pass it on if you will.
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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Two pages in the middle of my book.

Give this a read and tell me what you think. And plz be honest... I just want to make sure it’s clear and interesting. Can you visualize it?


Thx so much all. I will be deleting this soon, I hate leaving stuff out there too long.






“To arms… to arms” Ryan yelled staggering to his feet.




His friends sat up, looking confused. The students around the campfire barely looked up at him.


“To arms” yelled Ryan kicking the students around him “there are Vampires on their way here. They’ll be on top of us in mere moments.”


“How do you know, did you see them?” Travis asked getting to his feet.


Most of the students jumped to their feet, looking to Ryan for instructions. The overwhelming feeling to stoke the fire filled Ryan’s mind.


“Throw anything that will burn onto the fire.” Ryan yelled


Within seconds Ryan had to step back because of the immense heat radiating off the now massive inferno.


“Group up on me.” Yelled Ryan


Like they were back in class, every student formed up lines on Ryan’s left and right.


“Stager formations” Ryan yelled “use the fire to guard our backs.”


Seamlessly students began to separate, forming teeth like lines curving around the fire.


“When they come, we must not break ranks. We must not surrender our position from around the fire. Hopefully the high flame will stop them from swooping down on us, if we run were dead.” Ryan shouted “They will be coming from this direction” he pointed directly ahead of them.


He looked through the star filled sky for any dark figures approaching. Light from the fire flickered on the surrounding trees, shadows of students danced on the dirt laden ground. Smoke filled his nostrils, making his eyes water. Anticipation sent chills down his spine.


Three dark shapes became visible outlined against the night sky. Minutes felt like hours. The beating of wings grew closer. The dark shapes flew into the fire light revealing demonic yellow eyes and long teeth that reflected the fire like knives jutting out of their skulls. With a loud screech the Vampires dropped the large fur balls they were carrying. Ryan’s heart skipped a beat as the large balls of fur opened up into three werewolves falling to the ground. They looked massive at least 7 ft tall. Their bodies were covered in thick black hair. Long arms and legs ended in razor sharp claws. Massive wolf like heads and vampire like eyes sent fear flooding through Ryan. The instant the werewolves hit the ground perception of time went from slow to extremely fast.


“Hold your ground” Ryan shouted


The look of fear shown on every students face, but no one gave signs of fleeing. The Vampires swooped in but the flames kept them at bay. The Werewolves were thundering towards them on four legs covering ground faster than a horse could have. In a matter of second they would meet.


“Left and right flanks push up.” Shouted Ryan


On his command the students on the flanks moved up to engage the werewolves running towards them. Ryan felt confident that the slight curve to the staggered formation of students would be the best defense from the onslaught.


“Center brace for impact” Ryan yelled.


Ryan and the soldiers in the middle bent low and held their weapons out with stiff arms to keep the impact away from their bodies. WHAM the werewolf slammed into the middle group so violently it rippled through the group of students like a shockwave. Ryan stabbed continuously as he was knocked backwards from the impact. Several students around him slashed and stabbed the werewolf anywhere their blades could reach. The students being low to the ground sent the werewolf flying over head. It latched onto one of the students head as it flew into the raging fire taking the student with it. Ryan closed his mind to the loss and turned to help the other students.



thx

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Ok... Sorry, couldn't wait to post this.

Hopefully this is my last revision of the first page. (Except maybe my wife and a few others doing a Grammar syntax edit.)

I don't know why it didn't write it this way to begin with. His dreams play a big role in the story, and I hope it helps to clarify a few things before I get into the action. Also what his dream showed him will come later, when it’s more relevant. Well here it is; I hope it is better! If not I’ll do it again... until it is.

This is the way it felt right to me, I just couldn't see it before. Thx Steph and others your help has brought me light years further than I would have gotten alone.

I am certain there are a lot of punctuation mistakes, but my wife or daughter won't do it until I am positive this is the last revision... well at lest the last one until I finish the book. plz don't spare my feelings, I know Steph won't and I count on it...

Removed.... thx for the help all.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

First Page Revision of the Revised, ha-ha.

I you would plz, read the page and let me know if I am heading in the right direction. Are you less confused? And would you to turn the page out of desire to find out more? not out of pity?


Thx for everything…


Removed.... thx for all the help.