Comments for Advanced Fiction Writing Blog http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:17:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 Comment on I Need Dog Advice by Letmewatchthis TV http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/04/19/i-need-dog-advice/#comment-19613 Letmewatchthis TV Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:52:27 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/04/19/i-need-dog-advice/#comment-19613 <strong>Letmewatchthis TV</strong> advantageous data. hope to see a lot more very good posts in the long term. Letmewatchthis TV

advantageous data. hope to see a lot more very good posts in the long term.

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Geniuses by Davalynn Spencer http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19543 Davalynn Spencer Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:48:39 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19543 Great post, but beyond that, it is a perfect example of writing about what you right about--something you have long encouraged writers to do. You write novels about “geniuses in jeopardy” so the connection to Perlmutter and Jobs is a perfect fit. My middle grade novel is about two boys trapped underground in an earthquake; I need to write articles/blogs/columns about earthquakes. Five hundred years from now, first-year writing students will probably be studying something called the Snowflake. Great post, but beyond that, it is a perfect example of writing about what you right about–something you have long encouraged writers to do. You write novels about “geniuses in jeopardy” so the connection to Perlmutter and Jobs is a perfect fit. My middle grade novel is about two boys trapped underground in an earthquake; I need to write articles/blogs/columns about earthquakes.

Five hundred years from now, first-year writing students will probably be studying something called the Snowflake.

]]> Comment on How Many Scenes Does Your Novel Need? by Lisa http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/07/15/how-many-scenes-does-your-novel-need/#comment-19432 Lisa Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:22:27 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/07/15/how-many-scenes-does-your-novel-need/#comment-19432 I just got back from a conference where this was discussed by an agent. His take was 4 pages for scene is nice tight writing, anything over 9-10 pages probably has to much static description and should be edited down. So one of the top agents says 4-10 pages is a desirable scene length. There are always exceptions though! He helped me edit a prologue and thought the best length was under one page, like anything else in writing the rule is know the norm so that when you break it you can justify why you did. Pacing is also dictated by scene length, so longer scenes could mean a slower paced novel, think literary fiction. Suspense novels tend to have shorter scenes. Fantasy longer scenes for world building. Also to add to What James said depending on your POV you may change scenes while staying in the same place and time in order to change to a different characters perspective if you write in intimate third person. I just got back from a conference where this was discussed by an agent. His take was 4 pages for scene is nice tight writing, anything over 9-10 pages probably has to much static description and should be edited down. So one of the top agents says 4-10 pages is a desirable scene length.

There are always exceptions though! He helped me edit a prologue and thought the best length was under one page, like anything else in writing the rule is know the norm so that when you break it you can justify why you did.

Pacing is also dictated by scene length, so longer scenes could mean a slower paced novel, think literary fiction. Suspense novels tend to have shorter scenes. Fantasy longer scenes for world building.

Also to add to What James said depending on your POV you may change scenes while staying in the same place and time in order to change to a different characters perspective if you write in intimate third person.

]]> Comment on Take a Deep Breath—It Could Be Your Last… by Lainy http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19191 Lainy Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:18:37 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19191 Hi Randy, could you make it available through Smashwords please? Unfortunately Kindle ebooks are not available here in the Middle East. Thanks and more power! Hi Randy, could you make it available through Smashwords please? Unfortunately Kindle ebooks are not available here in the Middle East.

Thanks and more power!

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Geniuses by Tamara Meyers http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19174 Tamara Meyers Sat, 08 Oct 2011 01:38:12 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19174 The world lost more than a genius when Steve Jobs passed. We lost a man who had the mind of an inventor, the heart of a showman, and the sense to know that the heart is greater than the mind, that family trumps fame, and that beauty can be functional. He is a man who touched the world and left it a far better place simply because he lived his passion, created his dreams, and shared the results with all of us. The world lost more than a genius when Steve Jobs passed. We lost a man who had the mind of an inventor, the heart of a showman, and the sense to know that the heart is greater than the mind, that family trumps fame, and that beauty can be functional. He is a man who touched the world and left it a far better place simply because he lived his passion, created his dreams, and shared the results with all of us.

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Geniuses by Janice http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19163 Janice Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:40:03 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19163 I HAVE NEVER RESPONDED TO A POST ON ANY WEBSITE EVER -- So sorry if this isn't brief, I have a lot to say to make up for lost time! .... I am often astounded at how big of an impact people make on our lives that we have never even heard of and even more so at those we have. I am not a physicist, however I do try to keep up with science and the mainstream discoveries. I knew about the discovery that the universe is expanding and congratulate Saul, although I have never heard of him, and won't remember his name in the future. Let the Big Bang theory, Dark matter discoveries and debates continue, and thanks to Saul and his colleagues - I'd love to KNOW what we don't know...... On a different note, I am an Apple employee and I have had the opportunity to see and meet Steve on several occasions, although not worked with him directly. I have inadequate words to express how saddened I am at Steve's passing. As unexpected as it is, I am always reminded that this is something that any of us can face at any time and I try to live life knowing that tomorrow may not come. It's been a while since I cried over the death of someone that I barely knew. Steve was one of a kind and an inspiration to us all at Apple. Experience has taught me that each of us deals with loss in our own unique way and that we hurt when the person that passes touched us deeply. Steve touched each of us and millions of everyday people all over the world through his innovation and his vision. I am among the fortunate few responsible for making his vision a reality. In our pain, I believe it's most fitting to focus on how we can contribute to help keep Steve's legacy alive. "The journey is the reward." - Steve Jobs Dying is like coming to the end of a long novel--you only regret it if the ride was enjoyable and left you wanting more. - Unknown We hurt because Steve left us wanting more. I HAVE NEVER RESPONDED TO A POST ON ANY WEBSITE EVER — So sorry if this isn’t brief, I have a lot to say to make up for lost time! …. I am often astounded at how big of an impact people make on our lives that we have never even heard of and even more so at those we have. I am not a physicist, however I do try to keep up with science and the mainstream discoveries. I knew about the discovery that the universe is expanding and congratulate Saul, although I have never heard of him, and won’t remember his name in the future. Let the Big Bang theory, Dark matter discoveries and debates continue, and thanks to Saul and his colleagues - I’d love to KNOW what we don’t know…… On a different note, I am an Apple employee and I have had the opportunity to see and meet Steve on several occasions, although not worked with him directly. I have inadequate words to express how saddened I am at Steve’s passing. As unexpected as it is, I am always reminded that this is something that any of us can face at any time and I try to live life knowing that tomorrow may not come.

It’s been a while since I cried over the death of someone that I barely knew.

Steve was one of a kind and an inspiration to us all at Apple. Experience has taught me that each of us deals with loss in our own unique way and that we hurt when the person that passes touched us deeply. Steve touched each of us and millions of everyday people all over the world through his innovation and his vision. I am among the fortunate few responsible for making his vision a reality. In our pain, I believe it’s most fitting to focus on how we can contribute to help keep Steve’s legacy alive.

“The journey is the reward.”
- Steve Jobs

Dying is like coming to the end of a long novel–you only regret it if the ride was enjoyable and left you wanting more.
- Unknown

We hurt because Steve left us wanting more.

]]> Comment on Take a Deep Breath—It Could Be Your Last… by Shirls http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19157 Shirls Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:48:00 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19157 Hi Randy - okay I get it about the international price. It's still a fabulous deal and I have bought it. But oh dear, you don't know what you've started with me now. I never realized I could get Kindle editions on my PC. As fast as a blink. I'm excited to read the novel - just up my street. Thanks so much! <strong>Randy sez</strong>: Hey Shirls, have fun! Once you start reading e-books, you may never go back to paper. Since I started reading on my iPad, I've bought far more e-books than I normally would have in paper. I've hardly bought any paper since then, and it's great to have this growing library in my iPad that I can take with me anywhere. Have fun! Hi Randy - okay I get it about the international price. It’s still a fabulous deal and I have bought it. But oh dear, you don’t know what you’ve started with me now. I never realized I could get Kindle editions on my PC. As fast as a blink. I’m excited to read the novel - just up my street. Thanks so much!

Randy sez: Hey Shirls, have fun! Once you start reading e-books, you may never go back to paper. Since I started reading on my iPad, I’ve bought far more e-books than I normally would have in paper. I’ve hardly bought any paper since then, and it’s great to have this growing library in my iPad that I can take with me anywhere. Have fun!

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Geniuses by Meredith http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19152 Meredith Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:44:34 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/06/a-tale-of-two-geniuses/#comment-19152 Thanks for this thoughtful post, Randy. Both these guys have given the whole world a better appreciation of how beautiful, amazing, and elegant the universe and life is. I'm glad to have a chance to celebrate Dr. Perlmutter's achievement, and I mourn with you the loss of Steve Jobs. I'm glad you took the time to give a shout out to them both. Thanks for this thoughtful post, Randy. Both these guys have given the whole world a better appreciation of how beautiful, amazing, and elegant the universe and life is. I’m glad to have a chance to celebrate Dr. Perlmutter’s achievement, and I mourn with you the loss of Steve Jobs. I’m glad you took the time to give a shout out to them both.

]]> Comment on Take a Deep Breath—It Could Be Your Last… by Lauren Miller http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19147 Lauren Miller Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:48:20 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19147 Hey Randy, I got your "special offer" email in my inbox yesterday and purchased your book 30 seconds later. You've got a knack for the power of advertising! I've already started perusing the appendixes and, no joke, they're chock full of everything you said they'd be. Plus the coupon, very cool. Your talk on "high concepts" is now making me revisit my current work-in-progress to see if it's got enough impact. Thanks for making such an incredibly awesome offer open to your blog readers. P.S. Hopefully from your sales you've seen that I'll buy just about anything you've got on your site. Please let me know when Fiction 301 and Fiction 401 are available! Congrats on #1 in Futuristic Romance! Hey Randy,

I got your “special offer” email in my inbox yesterday and purchased your book 30 seconds later. You’ve got a knack for the power of advertising! I’ve already started perusing the appendixes and, no joke, they’re chock full of everything you said they’d be. Plus the coupon, very cool.

Your talk on “high concepts” is now making me revisit my current work-in-progress to see if it’s got enough impact.

Thanks for making such an incredibly awesome offer open to your blog readers.

P.S. Hopefully from your sales you’ve seen that I’ll buy just about anything you’ve got on your site. Please let me know when Fiction 301 and Fiction 401 are available! Congrats on #1 in Futuristic Romance!

]]> Comment on Take a Deep Breath—It Could Be Your Last… by Martha Miller http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19142 Martha Miller Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:44:28 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2011/10/04/take-a-deep-breath%e2%80%94it-could-be-your-last/#comment-19142 I'm buying it. You make a good case for doing just that, and I love reading on my Kindle! Looking forward to it. I’m buying it. You make a good case for doing just that, and I love reading on my Kindle! Looking forward to it.

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