Re: Hi [new person] -- I'm writing a SF novel

Patricia C. Wrede wrote:


"Bill Swears" <wswears@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:r9udnToX9pdP4tXVnZ2dnUVZ_vGdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Patricia C. Wrede wrote:

"Force yourself to write an outline" is very bad advice for some
people...but it's very good advice for other people. The trick is
to figure out which sort of writer one is (preferrably before
one decides to take advice from someone). I think, however,
that this particular bit of advice was intended mainly as
cheerful encouragement -- and he was right about rasfc being
useful for nagging purposes.

Scott Meredith of Meredith Literary Agency was apparently convinced
that such a vast majority of writers should outline, so much so
that it wasn't worthwhile to encourage the remainder. I'm living
with that legacy, to some degree.

Oh, he's not the only one. Nor is he the only how-to-write-book
author who was absolutely positive that his method would work for
everyone, slackers not to be encouraged. He just happens to be the
one you've apparently imprinted on.

Which isn't bad, if it works for you. If it doesn't, well, try
something else already. But you know that.

In _Creating Short Fiction_, Damon Knight kept pointing out that Your
Process Might Be Different. One of the few things he was sure applied
to everyone was: The conscious mind thinks in straight lines. The
subconscious (which he called Fred) thinks in webs of association.

After I'd read that over several times, I realized that my conscious
mind works in webs of association -- and one part of my subconscious
thinks in straight lines.

--
Dan Goodman
"I have always depended on the kindness of stranglers."
Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Expire
Journal http://dsgood.livejournal.com
Futures http://clerkfuturist.wordpress.com
mirror 1: http://dsgood.insanejournal.com
mirror 2: http://dsgood.wordpress.com
Links http://del.icio.us/dsgood
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Crime pays says my solicitor, or does it?
    ... What would be your opinion of his advice ... Assuming the Mirror was a long term client, the Mirror must have been quite ... set a budget for damages and associated legal costs. ...
    (uk.legal)
  • Re: Help with elliptical secondary source?
    ... > Do not take that advice please. ... please learn a little about testing telescopes and mirrors. ... You should check if your local club can assist you in ... Our club periodically runs a mirror making workshop ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Dumbest restaurant decor
    ... I'd like to ammend my advice. ... What I meant by looking in the mirror was not ... 'no. do you mind if i fart?' ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: O.T. Blogs versus Web Pages which is better?
    ... We would greatly appreciate both your advice and comments on this ... Informal journals about your life, ... Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Expire ... mirror 1: http://dsgood.insanejournal.com ...
    (rec.arts.mystery)
  • Re: I DECLARE SPANK ON DAVE HILLSTROM (MEOW BITCH!)
    ... >>> I was just giving you some friendly advice. ... > And Now, The Gay Lame. ... Oh, I see...the word 'straight'. ... >>it's Troll mating serason or something, ...
    (alt.autos.toyota)