tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post3514313194936832891..comments2024-01-08T00:51:30.080-05:00Comments on Write Now: Applicable Writing Advice?Karen Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-42771285048749827532017-11-05T15:59:45.017-05:002017-11-05T15:59:45.017-05:00Susan,
I use them some for informal writing, like ...Susan,<br />I use them some for informal writing, like here and for texts. I still find myself editing them out even then. Lol :) <br /><br />Holly,<br />Me too, and for other informal stuff. Nonfiction and even fiction use, sparingly for sure. :)<br /><br />Robert,<br />It's nice to meet you. Thanks for coming by! I'd agree,it really is a compilation of things we learn over the years, isn't it? <br /><br />Happy weekend,<br />Karen Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-51610544274571145552017-11-05T11:30:10.420-05:002017-11-05T11:30:10.420-05:00All of these are wonderful points. Personally, I c...All of these are wonderful points. Personally, I can't remember any exact piece of advice I've remember through the years. It's generally a combo of a bunch of different ones.H.R. Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01462784064936801201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-55819627462218706732017-11-04T21:00:12.741-04:002017-11-04T21:00:12.741-04:00I use exclamation points a lot in blog comments. B...I use exclamation points a lot in blog comments. But my novels have maybe one or two.H. R. Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715450637785127208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-24794432410962066382017-11-03T11:42:15.721-04:002017-11-03T11:42:15.721-04:00Karen, I've given up on exclamation marks for ...Karen, I've given up on exclamation marks for the most part. Once in a while though, I get excited! and can't help it. Love this post. Susan Sundwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17747706680849311882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-48970162923129020382017-11-02T22:11:06.570-04:002017-11-02T22:11:06.570-04:00Martha,
I use it for the blog too, as well as in i...Martha,<br />I use it for the blog too, as well as in informal writing. But like everyone has pointed out, it's often contingent in what you're writing. Blessings to you too! <br /><br />Lisa, <br />This is so true. And there are exceptions to the rules too. Like they say, rules are meant to be broken. Maybe. Sometimes. Lol :) <br /><br />Susan,<br />Proofreading is a must. You're right. :) I think you're right, best to write what you feel best about. <br /><br />Victoria,<br />Lol - you're too funny! I think exclamation marks work in this kind of writing. Unless maybe you use them in every sentence perhaps. I can over read as well. Getting better though. :)<br /><br />Lynda, <br />Yes, for fiction, I like that one too. Although you're right, it often just depends. :) <br /><br />Happy writing,<br />Karen <br />Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-16723245622795841152017-11-02T20:02:33.441-04:002017-11-02T20:02:33.441-04:00Show don't tell is my current favourite. But e...Show don't tell is my current favourite. But even that rule isn't an absolute. Sometimes telling has its place. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-28034026163849095262017-11-01T11:48:20.506-04:002017-11-01T11:48:20.506-04:00Hi, Karen. Thanks for sharing these tips. I took I...Hi, Karen. Thanks for sharing these tips. I took Institute of Children's Lit courses, too!<br /><br />Oops! There's an explanation point. Nuts! There's another and another. Crumbs. I'm going to be looking for overstatements and explanation points in my short stories when I write constantly now. <br /><br />I also over read my own writing and nit-pick. I don't suggest that. Make sure you lay the groundwork for the plot and move on. All best to you! [Blast, there's another one.]<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-49845398738571313782017-10-31T19:06:45.447-04:002017-10-31T19:06:45.447-04:00Hello Karen. I have found it imperative to proof ...Hello Karen. I have found it imperative to proof read and then go back and make necessary changes. There is almost always something that can be said better or altered in some way. I agree that it's good to write about something one loves or is familiar with. For example, I dislike sports so if I'm given a sports assignment, as a freelancer, for the weekly newspaper I write for, I definitely decline. I prefer to stick with subjects I enjoy writing about. Take care. SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12358462881287190635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-4941616718855974172017-10-31T06:28:31.011-04:002017-10-31T06:28:31.011-04:00Every rule has someone to argue with it. "Wri...Every rule has someone to argue with it. "Write what you know" always made sense to me, but a writer of children's books (I can't recall who, only that she was famous) said that she had made a career doing the opposite. Her stories took place all over the world in countries and cultures she knew nothing about. She researched, of course, but said that isn't the same as "knowing." What do you think? Agree or disagree? <br /><br />On "show don't tell," author Lee Child said we are storyTELLERS, not storySHOWERS, and that we shouldn't be afraid to tell. I guess he can afford to do/say that, but the rest of us would be skewered by acquisitions editors if that's what we did. lol<br /><br />The exclamation point is definitely overused. I'm guilty of this in my personal writing---letters to friends, for instance. I do my best to eliminate them in my novels, though. Most of the time they aren't necessary at all.Lisa Ricard Clarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15014582949326182166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-88843799634201977972017-10-30T17:26:55.277-04:002017-10-30T17:26:55.277-04:00"Write what you know" has always been a ..."Write what you know" has always been a favorite guideline of mine. I do like the advice you give here about the overuse of the exclamation point. I will use it in my blog writing from time to time, but am always judicious in my fiction writing.<br />Blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-66823697015198660712017-10-30T14:06:39.203-04:002017-10-30T14:06:39.203-04:00Natalie,
I guess the key is sorting it out with ca...Natalie,<br />I guess the key is sorting it out with care, and depending on what you write, you know? :)<br /><br />Misha,<br />Those are good points. I write more non fiction than fiction, so this is where they find me. Glad you brought that up. :)<br /><br />Diane,<br />Now that's a good point too. When I see overstating that way, or even all caps, I feel like this person is trying to coerce me to take it seriously. :)<br /><br />Alex,<br />That's a good guide no matter what we write! :) <br /><br />Ceil,<br />Well, this is informal writing, so exclamation marks, I think anyway, have their place. :) Glad this resonated with you.<br /><br />Cecelia,<br />Yes, I agree, active writing is often best. Maybe your librarian is really attached to the exclamation mark. :) <br /><br />Happy writing,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-32888912676955479892017-10-30T13:11:48.117-04:002017-10-30T13:11:48.117-04:00I read not to use verbs of "Being" in wr...I read not to use verbs of "Being" in writing. This came as a part of the thought of using only active verbs. An active verb is a strong verb. <br /><br />When I worked in a library, the children's director asked me to proof read her letters from time to time. One of them was loaded with the exclamation points. As I handed it back to her I told her not to use them. She told me she did it to generate enthusiasm. My response was that the use of them looked unprofessional. That was the last time I remember that she asked for my help. quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-92000353742084436052017-10-30T10:53:06.136-04:002017-10-30T10:53:06.136-04:00Hi Karen! (There I go with the exclamation point.....Hi Karen! (There I go with the exclamation point...) I love the idea of 'word economy'. I have also read Strunk and White, but I do also love those quotes you put in there.<br />I do struggle with exclamations. I know they do add emphasis, and that usually works well with private correspondence, but not really in creative writing. It probably does manipulate the reader, and if I'm writing with emphasis, then that should take care of the situation without the !. <br />Good ideas for reflection today. Thank you,<br />CeilCeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06293917798735764739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-17831984980098635812017-10-30T09:17:02.110-04:002017-10-30T09:17:02.110-04:00I guess I'm guilty of excess exclamation point...I guess I'm guilty of excess exclamation points.<br />I stick with Thou Shall Not Suck when writing.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-649518461615211432017-10-30T07:53:29.885-04:002017-10-30T07:53:29.885-04:00Overstating is like talking to a child and no adul...Overstating is like talking to a child and no adult enjoys that.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-30430071631694024332017-10-30T06:57:13.691-04:002017-10-30T06:57:13.691-04:00I basically live on the premise that all writing r...I basically live on the premise that all writing rules have varying levels of applicability, depending on the type of project I'm working on. <br /><br />Show don't tell doesn't work if I'm using a narrator. <br />Don't overstate doesn't work if I have a drama queen main character. <br /><br />On other occasions, however, those exact same rules would apply to me.Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855485928545677951.post-56608932099381195362017-10-30T06:53:41.602-04:002017-10-30T06:53:41.602-04:00Yes, there is so much advice out there that it is ...Yes, there is so much advice out there that it is hard to sort out. I really like yours about eliminating unneeded words.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.com