tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post3955436007532470366..comments2024-03-10T05:06:25.309-04:00Comments on Livia Blackburne: Starting the Second Novel: What I'm Doing DifferentlyLivia Blackburnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-79550653672370027532012-06-22T19:03:12.322-04:002012-06-22T19:03:12.322-04:00sorry for having to comment on someone elses post ...sorry for having to comment on someone elses post but i need some help making up a character for my book i need some insperation can you give me a few pointers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-49761042270664924442012-03-25T11:35:46.851-04:002012-03-25T11:35:46.851-04:00This is great and detailed advice. Thanks. Fr Om
A...This is great and detailed advice. Thanks. Fr Om<br />A writer still seeking a publisher. Helpful<br />Advice is always welcome. Good luck on dissertation. Cheers.<br /><br />PaulaPaula Schuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00654893690755008668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-10321209221799811262012-03-16T19:51:09.138-04:002012-03-16T19:51:09.138-04:00Glad I found your blog, Livia. I love how serious...Glad I found your blog, Livia. I love how serious you are about method. You'll accomplish much, I think.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14546882686381428986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-28162593352066255002012-03-11T16:26:40.236-04:002012-03-11T16:26:40.236-04:00Training that software to decipher my manner of sp...Training that software to decipher my manner of speaking is a pain in the butt, though.steveburkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677628125501365793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-52253387543926851802012-02-25T12:37:23.437-05:002012-02-25T12:37:23.437-05:00Sounds as if you've figured out all of those w...Sounds as if you've figured out all of those writerly "secrets". I do exactly the same thing. Good luck on graduating and that draft!!!Catherine Stinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08131569196977321229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-38990825680699590762012-02-10T19:13:53.295-05:002012-02-10T19:13:53.295-05:00Glad you've decided to embrace settings and go...Glad you've decided to embrace settings and good luck with your studies!Christian Yorkehttp://www.christianyorke.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-29040913266755881572012-02-09T11:25:47.414-05:002012-02-09T11:25:47.414-05:00One thing I use is to give characters little quirk...One thing I use is to give characters little quirks that aren't relevant to the story. For instance, one character (who might turn out to be important, or might be a minor character) has something of an obsession with mints. He always has a packet of mints in his pocket and is usually eating one or offering them round.<br />That sort of thing doesn't advance the story at all, but it makes the characters a little bit more rounded and relatable. Everyone has some little quirk or oddity and your characters shouldn't be exceptions.CarrieVShttp://www.47-5.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-63155212468403333822012-02-09T11:18:39.361-05:002012-02-09T11:18:39.361-05:00There have been a lot of changes for me between my...There have been a lot of changes for me between my first novel and my current one, but I believe the most important lesson I've learned is to throw things away. If something isn't 80-90% there on the first draft, I delete it. I use the ideas I've developed in the previous draft and let my imagination expand upon them. Tweaking is great for stuff that's pretty good already, but can't save stinky bits.London Crocketthttp://www.brokengirl.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-32388730194056008792012-02-09T10:35:38.029-05:002012-02-09T10:35:38.029-05:00I think you'll find working on character arc a...I think you'll find working on character arc and twining it with you plot arc will solve #3. It will also turn a good story into a really good story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-63056674862703532512012-02-09T05:20:55.267-05:002012-02-09T05:20:55.267-05:00Livia...
I've thought much harder about the s...Livia...<br /><br />I've thought much harder about the second book than the first, and spent hours creating a bible and an entirely new world. But I think the smartest thing I've done is to join a writers' group, so I'll be involved with the critiquing process early, having to justify the decisions I make before eight or nine keen minds. I think the process will be invaluable.Richard Levangiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16596356126446766607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-84247097740788823862012-02-02T08:55:01.372-05:002012-02-02T08:55:01.372-05:00You just gave me an eyeopener on #3. I'm alway...You just gave me an eyeopener on #3. I'm always focused on keeping the reader hooked, but what really hooks a reader is the emotional connection to the character. We have to make our readers care about what happens. I already knew that, but the way you stated it in #3 made me realize it's not about technique, it's about people. I'll be keeping this in mind as I continue through the revisions of my novel.Suzanne Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928374852063824975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-35940564827382077042012-01-28T16:37:48.949-05:002012-01-28T16:37:48.949-05:00Outlining. I have been much more meticulous about ...Outlining. I have been much more meticulous about my outlining on the second manuscript and my storytelling has improved immensely as a result. Eventually, I'm going to have to re-write the first manuscript using some of the same outlining techniques.<br /><br />Here's hoping that all of your fiction writing lessons are useful to you in the dissertation. As much as I believed that it wasn't going to be my magnum opus, I still wrote my dissertation as though I wanted it to be. It did not help, but I still passed. For what that's worth.Kurt Hartwighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12857036723957923656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-60685138458100643852012-01-25T22:08:35.491-05:002012-01-25T22:08:35.491-05:00Ah yes, line editing. I find myself doing this mo...Ah yes, line editing. I find myself doing this more and more. I wasn't aware enough of voice in the first book to do it much. Now, my first draft's writing bugs me so much! But sometimes you just need to get the story out.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-13229199774333852142012-01-25T22:06:31.009-05:002012-01-25T22:06:31.009-05:00That's a great connection with theory of mind,...That's a great connection with theory of mind, Marc! I think both film and books use theory of mind muscles, but in different ways. Film makes you work for everything because nothing at all is conveyed, but I think books allow you to go deeper.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-60854181419230275512012-01-25T10:31:57.434-05:002012-01-25T10:31:57.434-05:00My biggest mistake has been obsessive line editing...My biggest mistake has been obsessive line editing. I started out as a poet, and I was used to finessing every single word...every sentence...every paragraph...and then large chunks of the book would be cut anyway. It's one thing to revise in order to find out where a story needs to go, but it's a waste of time to get too detailed for the sake of language. I think being in writing workshops can reinforce this if you take people's line edit suggestions and run with them!<br /><br />Best of luck with your dissertation!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-27199273795306717592012-01-24T19:57:01.970-05:002012-01-24T19:57:01.970-05:00Hi Livia,
Really appreciate your blog, so I wish y...Hi Livia,<br />Really appreciate your blog, so I wish you the best for this second adventure.<br />I find interesting your interest for point of view, and I share it. Somehow it relates to the theory of mind. From the outside, we want to be able to understant the character. But it gives such a deeper layer in addition, to have an access to his own vision of his world. All telling is build on this I suppose. <br />As for exercises to get deeper, the one I practise is writing all the story told by the main characters, sort of a journal, with their voice, style, expression, values. I find it a precious tool.<br />My best to you,<br />MarcMarc Omeyerhttp://writeorwrong.canalblog.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-20356497717692056662012-01-24T14:53:00.408-05:002012-01-24T14:53:00.408-05:00Thanks, Jesse!Thanks, Jesse!Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-68838696047159722862012-01-24T14:52:47.439-05:002012-01-24T14:52:47.439-05:00JeanElaine, Yeah, I guess a book is almost like a ...JeanElaine, Yeah, I guess a book is almost like a relationship with a character -- a close one, since you're inside her head.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-13988396968230106872012-01-24T14:51:26.179-05:002012-01-24T14:51:26.179-05:00Gina, Hehe, now I *have* to graduate soon, if you&...Gina, Hehe, now I *have* to graduate soon, if you're congratulating me in advance :-) Good luck w/ your book!Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-57959506652527618092012-01-23T15:02:36.995-05:002012-01-23T15:02:36.995-05:00Good luck.Good luck.jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16489502078962823639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-76960493915245814052012-01-23T12:48:21.824-05:002012-01-23T12:48:21.824-05:00Loved # 3. I'm thinking about how to make read...Loved # 3. I'm thinking about how to make readers care. Sometimes I think this is often overlooked by many authors. We feel a need to care about the characters we invest our time in reading about. After all the reader steps into the world we create to walk the path chosen. To care and feel rewarded for the journey is a wonderful feeling for the reader. Thanks for reminding us.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593523034769971203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-3616440457001951692012-01-23T11:33:50.057-05:002012-01-23T11:33:50.057-05:00Hello!
Your blogs are so insightful. After readin...Hello!<br /><br />Your blogs are so insightful. After reading them, I feel smarter. And congrats in advance for your graduation! I hope we cross paths again soon so I can have my picture taken with you! <br /><br />Also, thank you for the sweet mention! I appreciate your kind support. :)Gina Pennhttp://ginapennfiction.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-91194925885651450782012-01-22T23:35:21.798-05:002012-01-22T23:35:21.798-05:00Joseph, thanks! And I will need the good luck on t...Joseph, thanks! And I will need the good luck on the dissertation :-)Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-22309384970894651712012-01-22T23:34:42.047-05:002012-01-22T23:34:42.047-05:00Catherine, I'm an outliner as well. Random obs...Catherine, I'm an outliner as well. Random observation -- I've discovered that voice recognition software is very nice for pre-writing. I've done more than one character sketch while doing my nails. :-)Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-82995976450124899332012-01-22T23:32:19.708-05:002012-01-22T23:32:19.708-05:00Jake, I always feel slightly weird when talking ab...Jake, I always feel slightly weird when talking about point of view, because there are many good books written from all approaches. But it seems that the prevailing fashion is a deeper point of view, and I tend to prefer that myself. Especially in YA, it's hard to get past even beta readers if you don't write in a deep point of view.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.com