tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post6355744045849959178..comments2024-03-16T07:27:27.752+00:00Comments on Novel Points of View: Are 'how to' guides helpful, or a hindrance? by Jenny HarperRae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-30876786975875853702014-04-13T13:49:29.887+01:002014-04-13T13:49:29.887+01:00I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so su...I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure... Quite. Pick what's useful, but above all, don't waste good writing time!!Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-89624886410575556292014-04-13T12:55:26.487+01:002014-04-13T12:55:26.487+01:00I'm in two minds about 'how to' books....I'm in two minds about 'how to' books. Heaven knows I need plenty of advice - but they can't all be correct, can they? I end up more confused than ever! Great piece, Jenny!Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-24699595459327385232014-04-06T21:28:59.928+01:002014-04-06T21:28:59.928+01:00Good thing we're all different, eh? I couldn&#...Good thing we're all different, eh? I couldn't begin to set up health programmes in Afghanistan! I know I should read more novels - a good writer can set my own imagination racing.Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-68661478560038596042014-04-06T21:27:39.579+01:002014-04-06T21:27:39.579+01:00Glad I hit the spot, Jackie! Mind you, if you wrot...Glad I hit the spot, Jackie! Mind you, if you wrote stories like [whoever]. they'd probably tell you they're looking for an original voice! Do you enjoy being an indie? I have two books recently out.Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-54272995803569513722014-04-06T21:13:48.130+01:002014-04-06T21:13:48.130+01:00I have a shelf of those 'how-to' books, Je...I have a shelf of those 'how-to' books, Jenny and I did learn lessons from some of them but I think I've learned more from reading novels. As for the diagram - it terrifies me. I couldn't begin to make something like that.Mary Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14688996930245857265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-9662911387502993792014-04-06T18:02:20.334+01:002014-04-06T18:02:20.334+01:00Jenny: Boy! Do I ever relate to your post. But he...Jenny: Boy! Do I ever relate to your post. But here's the skinny: When someone analyses a book--it has already been written! We can't crawl into that author's mind whether the author is plotter or panster. Every single editor I've ever had in pback and ebook has said to me, "We want stories like (name any bestselling romance author)." Hey, darlin', if I could write like her, I wouldn't be under contract to you!" So, now I'm an indie author and I write my way. Sink or swim. I'm good with it.<br /><a href="http://jackieweger.com/blog/" rel="nofollow">Jackie Weger</a><br /><a href="http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/" rel="nofollow">eNovel Authors at Work</a><br /><br />Jackie Wegrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12055890550913595937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-90632013002241079312014-04-06T14:42:38.701+01:002014-04-06T14:42:38.701+01:00Ah, that old writers' plague, procrastination!...Ah, that old writers' plague, procrastination! I'll pop over to your blog and take a look.Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-21933867982316966802014-04-06T13:57:21.063+01:002014-04-06T13:57:21.063+01:00Interesting post, Jenny - I've just been talki...Interesting post, Jenny - I've just been talking about writing books on my blog this week! I've come to the conclusion I can't use 'how to books' as it's just one more type of procrastination, but I do keep a few favourite books I mention. Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-9984698592620520902014-04-06T13:17:14.563+01:002014-04-06T13:17:14.563+01:00You're absolutely right, Wendy. However, writi...You're absolutely right, Wendy. However, writing is a craft and an acquired skill, just like silversmithing or wood turning or golf. You can't do it unless you have a natural talent and flair, but you can benefit a great deal from instruction and practice! Thanks for dropping by.Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-1725581912567002412014-04-06T13:14:36.308+01:002014-04-06T13:14:36.308+01:00I'm sure it works, Gill, and it's a whole ...I'm sure it works, Gill, and it's a whole lot better than just reading the guides!Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-88426620047123957422014-04-06T11:26:41.175+01:002014-04-06T11:26:41.175+01:00I'm not a writer but I imagine you do so out o...I'm not a writer but I imagine you do so out of talent first and foremost but I do have talents in other ares where I could use guides if only I didn't treat them as instruction manuals. Meaning if only I have tried everything else under the sun and nothing works do I go looking for a guide. I think you should do the same. Trust your own intuition and talent first before relying completely on what someone else thought. I don't know, I could be in denial and maybe that's why then I'm still not a writer lol.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530886181437955643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-42235117095413210662014-04-06T09:45:47.216+01:002014-04-06T09:45:47.216+01:00Having read this, Jenny, I realise that I generall...Having read this, Jenny, I realise that I generally don't use guides to writing. I have plenty of books on my shelves and have read a fair few blogs, but I can't write to a formula. Either I write or I don't and either it works or it doesn't (sadly, it's often the latter). But I do have a soft spot for diagrams, and feel tempted to draw a Pride and Prejudice-style on for my current wip, just to see what it looks like. and think how much time I could waste doing it! Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.com