Comments on: Odds and Ends http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:39:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Gerhard J van Vuuren http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4361 Gerhard J van Vuuren Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:32:23 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4361 Love puzzles, looking forward to the new topic. Love puzzles, looking forward to the new topic.

]]> By: Christophe Desmecht http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4363 Christophe Desmecht Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:05:54 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4363 Hmm, this "Puzzle Method" sounds interesting. I'll be on the edge of my seat until then! Hmm, this “Puzzle Method” sounds interesting.

I’ll be on the edge of my seat until then!

]]> By: Charlotte Babb http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4364 Charlotte Babb Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:33:04 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4364 Puzzles are good! I always think of coding as a kind of puzzle! I love the snowflake, but I get stuck about the third level down...but then I'm not all about accounting or Bayesian whatevers. Puzzles are good! I always think of coding as a kind of puzzle! I love the snowflake, but I get stuck about the third level down…but then I’m not all about accounting or Bayesian whatevers.

]]> By: Lynn Squire http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4366 Lynn Squire Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:16:17 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4366 I agree about your comments regarding historical research. Recently I researched the Puritans and Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1649 AD. In particular, with respect to religious differences within the colonists. I am amazed at the variety of opinions even of how people dressed. For myself, the best information I could find were the articles or court accounts written at that time. I learned so much about the people and their thoughts through these original accounts. Then I found it amazing how different what I learned was from what I thought I knew about the era. I've also been researching another historical period (turn of the 20th Century, Alberta Canada) and found myself delightfully swimming in the colorful (not in the swearing sense) language of the letters and memoirs of that time. I discovered, as I began writing my story set in this period, that people bring to a story their perspective of that period and place, which often is inaccurate. Through the help of my critique group I am finding ways to bend that perspective to be more consistent with the truth. Each time they see something they think is historically incorrect or inconsistent with the region, I know I need to work to make what I write believable based on fact. I discovered something as simple as mentioning a helmet can help the reader picture a sergeant in the NWMP versus a sheriff typically found in American Westerns. Its been fun! I agree about your comments regarding historical research. Recently I researched the Puritans and Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1649 AD. In particular, with respect to religious differences within the colonists. I am amazed at the variety of opinions even of how people dressed. For myself, the best information I could find were the articles or court accounts written at that time. I learned so much about the people and their thoughts through these original accounts. Then I found it amazing how different what I learned was from what I thought I knew about the era.

I’ve also been researching another historical period (turn of the 20th Century, Alberta Canada) and found myself delightfully swimming in the colorful (not in the swearing sense) language of the letters and memoirs of that time. I discovered, as I began writing my story set in this period, that people bring to a story their perspective of that period and place, which often is inaccurate. Through the help of my critique group I am finding ways to bend that perspective to be more consistent with the truth. Each time they see something they think is historically incorrect or inconsistent with the region, I know I need to work to make what I write believable based on fact. I discovered something as simple as mentioning a helmet can help the reader picture a sergeant in the NWMP versus a sheriff typically found in American Westerns. Its been fun!

]]> By: Lynn Squire http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4367 Lynn Squire Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:19:07 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4367 Puzzle Method? Oh dear. I'm just now getting the hang of your Snowflake Method. Okay, but I'm all ears, and ready to learn. Puzzle Method? Oh dear. I’m just now getting the hang of your Snowflake Method.

Okay, but I’m all ears, and ready to learn.

]]> By: Robert Treskillard http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4368 Robert Treskillard Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:19:38 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4368 Randy, I ran across this very interesting article about bacteria being the start of most snowflakes: http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-bacteria1mar01,0,1359144.story Does this mean at the heart of our "Snowflake" novel designs that there must be a "germ" of an idea? Just having fun! Can't wait for the "Puzzle Method". Randy,

I ran across this very interesting article about bacteria being the start of most snowflakes:

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-bacteria1mar01,0,1359144.story

Does this mean at the heart of our “Snowflake” novel designs that there must be a “germ” of an idea?

Just having fun! Can’t wait for the “Puzzle Method”.

]]> By: Kristi Holl http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4369 Kristi Holl Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:34:21 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4369 Can't wait to hear about the Puzzle Method--although I've had such good success with the Snowflake that it would have to be REALLY good for me to bite. 8-) Can’t wait to hear about the Puzzle Method–although I’ve had such good success with the Snowflake that it would have to be REALLY good for me to bite. 8-)

]]> By: M.L. Eqatin http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4370 M.L. Eqatin Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:50:16 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4370 Josephus is first-century pulp fiction. Did you see the really brilliant marketer who put out his works under the subtitle 'Thrones of Blood'? I once taught a class on Josephus, and only three people showed up. If I ever do it again, I'm going to call it 'Sex, Death, and Taxes in the first century'. That should bring them in. There's a lot in a title. I just did a talk on global trade patterns during the 1500s, but I have learned enough not to call it that. It was 'Pirate Sails and Caravan Trails-the deadly intrigues of exotic trade'. That worked! Josephus is first-century pulp fiction. Did you see the really brilliant marketer who put out his works under the subtitle ‘Thrones of Blood’?
I once taught a class on Josephus, and only three people showed up. If I ever do it again, I’m going to call it ‘Sex, Death, and Taxes in the first century’. That should bring them in. There’s a lot in a title. I just did a talk on global trade patterns during the 1500s, but I have learned enough not to call it that. It was ‘Pirate Sails and Caravan Trails-the deadly intrigues of exotic trade’. That worked!

]]> By: Sharon Lavy http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4371 Sharon Lavy Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:04:47 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4371 I have one of Josephis' books. I didn't know he had written two. sigh. What is the name of the other one? The one I have says JOSEPHUS Complete Works published by Kregel in 1974 I have one of Josephis’ books. I didn’t know he had written two. sigh. What is the name of the other one? The one I have says JOSEPHUS Complete Works published by Kregel in 1974

]]> By: Melissa Stroh http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4372 Melissa Stroh Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:41:10 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4372 Thanks a bunch, Randy! That's how I've always thought. I prefer my stories to be character driven anyway. The history's just the added bonus. It was at my first writer's conference that I was told that stuff about research and I was a real newbie then(grant it I'm still learning and not published). But even then it sounded excessive to me. I was just too chicken to say so because she was the published author and I was just a beginner. I haven't yet had a chance to read Josephus' work, though I learned much about him in Bible school/college. One day I hope to get around to reading his works. But my plate's a little full right now. Thanks again! Thanks a bunch, Randy! That’s how I’ve always thought. I prefer my stories to be character driven anyway. The history’s just the added bonus. It was at my first writer’s conference that I was told that stuff about research and I was a real newbie then(grant it I’m still learning and not published). But even then it sounded excessive to me. I was just too chicken to say so because she was the published author and I was just a beginner.

I haven’t yet had a chance to read Josephus’ work, though I learned much about him in Bible school/college. One day I hope to get around to reading his works. But my plate’s a little full right now. Thanks again!

]]> By: Eva Ulian http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4373 Eva Ulian Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:12:39 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4373 Dear Randy, It was such a relief to read your views on historical writing- all good common sense stuff. I was particularly relieved because it was confirmation of what I had been doing but could not be sure it was okay. Furthermore, you added one or two points which enlightened me somewhat about figuring out what happened when all else is blank. It was also nice to know that you are into this history stuff- I fell into it by accident- and I’ve been there ever since- I know it’s asking a lot but if ever you get a chance to read an extract of my work (entry no 48 of my blog) I would consider myself a very lucky lady indeed! I hope this will not cause you problems and you become swamped with similar requests. I enjoy reading your blog and have put into action quite a number of your tips. Blessings! Eva Ulian Dear Randy,

It was such a relief to read your views on historical writing- all good common sense stuff. I was particularly relieved because it was confirmation of what I had been doing but could not be sure it was okay. Furthermore, you added one or two points which enlightened me somewhat about figuring out what happened when all else is blank. It was also nice to know that you are into this history stuff- I fell into it by accident- and I’ve been there ever since- I know it’s asking a lot but if ever you get a chance to read an extract of my work (entry no 48 of my blog) I would consider myself a very lucky lady indeed! I hope this will not cause you problems and you become swamped with similar requests.

I enjoy reading your blog and have put into action quite a number of your tips.

Blessings!
Eva Ulian

]]> By: Julie http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4377 Julie Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:16:00 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4377 Hmmmm.... as for what someone said about literary novels not being exciting because people don't like to read about ideas, I kind of disagree. The thing is how your character changes througout the novel is going to determine your theme/premise, so really, the book is about that. Books can be exciting and symbolic at the same time. A perfect example of this is the Lord of the Flies which is full of meaning, but still enthralling, in my opinion. Can't wait to hear about the puzzle method. I personally, like the snowflake's idea, but when it comes down to it, I've mofied it so that many of the first steps are just me brainstorming in the shower :P. Hmmmm…. as for what someone said about literary novels not being exciting because people don’t like to read about ideas, I kind of disagree. The thing is how your character changes througout the novel is going to determine your theme/premise, so really, the book is about that. Books can be exciting and symbolic at the same time. A perfect example of this is the Lord of the Flies which is full of meaning, but still enthralling, in my opinion.

Can’t wait to hear about the puzzle method. I personally, like the snowflake’s idea, but when it comes down to it, I’ve mofied it so that many of the first steps are just me brainstorming in the shower :P.

]]> By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4378 Camille Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:34:14 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4378 I got a grin out of MLE's titles. I wonder if that would work with casseroles. I got a grin out of MLE’s titles. I wonder if that would work with casseroles.

]]> By: Karla Akins http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4381 Karla Akins Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:04:45 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/04/odds-and-ends-2/#comment-4381 Josephus rocks. Another source I use is The Annals of the World by James Ussher. And believe me, most sources contradict one another, especially when it comes to ancient history. I always let my students know this, too. "We weren't there," I tell them. "So there's no way to know for sure." I also use children's books when I need just a general explanation of something. They put things succinctly and save me a lot of time. Josephus rocks. Another source I use is The Annals of the World by James Ussher. And believe me, most sources contradict one another, especially when it comes to ancient history. I always let my students know this, too. “We weren’t there,” I tell them. “So there’s no way to know for sure.”

I also use children’s books when I need just a general explanation of something. They put things succinctly and save me a lot of time.

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