How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Micro-Critting The Illusion Crashers"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
91 total reviews
Comment from jpduck
Abso-bleeding-lutely! Couldn't have put it better myself. What a platitude!
'I don't believe, the more I look at it, that it's truly profound. Only profoundly true.' (What an important distinction this is).
'mezmersnoodled' (I recommend that this word be instantly added to all dictionaries)'
'(I use this word, "mystical" a lot because I can't find an exacting(??) synonym' (Exacting means 'unreasonable in making demands' [Chambers]. Surely 'exact' would be more exact!).
Adrian
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Abso-bleeding-lutely! Couldn't have put it better myself. What a platitude!
'I don't believe, the more I look at it, that it's truly profound. Only profoundly true.' (What an important distinction this is).
'mezmersnoodled' (I recommend that this word be instantly added to all dictionaries)'
'(I use this word, "mystical" a lot because I can't find an exacting(??) synonym' (Exacting means 'unreasonable in making demands' [Chambers]. Surely 'exact' would be more exact!).
Adrian
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Great pick up on "exacting". I would never have seen that. But it is absolutely right. And it has been changed. Mezmersnoodled wouldn't be a bad addition, would it? LOL, thanks my dear friend.
Comment from Annette Gulliver
Another good lesson from you, Jay. I do sometimes agonise over dialogue tags, and where to put them, but I will keep your advice in mind. Keep up the good work. I'm still eager to learn.
cheers
Annette
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Another good lesson from you, Jay. I do sometimes agonise over dialogue tags, and where to put them, but I will keep your advice in mind. Keep up the good work. I'm still eager to learn.
cheers
Annette
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Thank you Annette. As usual your being here is so important to me. I value you.
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Thanks Jay.
Comment from padumachitta
Hi Again...
ok...let's see.
I have completely lost myself in novels...in series...to the point that I read and fell asleep, to read again and did not eat for two days...completely lost in another world. I do this to a lesser extent even now, I can read and have to set alarms to be brought out of my other world....I did this starting as a child to learn to escape a rather unpleasant childhood...so maybe there are readers who do this...
and ask my partner about the last books she has read over the last five years and she can give you the detail of plot, character interaction, the break down of the actual struggle, physical, mental or other....if you ask her about a book be prepared for at least 20 mins of her loved of reading..
The dialogue. Yup. Important. And all those damn tags, gotta go. I agree. I like dialogue that is real and also says stuff I would be way to worried to say...I do live vicariously through books:-)
I look forward to the next chapter...makes me think and that is good
padumachitta
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Hi Again...
ok...let's see.
I have completely lost myself in novels...in series...to the point that I read and fell asleep, to read again and did not eat for two days...completely lost in another world. I do this to a lesser extent even now, I can read and have to set alarms to be brought out of my other world....I did this starting as a child to learn to escape a rather unpleasant childhood...so maybe there are readers who do this...
and ask my partner about the last books she has read over the last five years and she can give you the detail of plot, character interaction, the break down of the actual struggle, physical, mental or other....if you ask her about a book be prepared for at least 20 mins of her loved of reading..
The dialogue. Yup. Important. And all those damn tags, gotta go. I agree. I like dialogue that is real and also says stuff I would be way to worried to say...I do live vicariously through books:-)
I look forward to the next chapter...makes me think and that is good
padumachitta
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Maybe it's just that critters have the short attention spans when they read. What I was trying to convey is only a great book, flawlessly laid out on the page stands a fighting chance at completely absorbing my attention and time. There aren't many of those out there. I really thank you, Padumachitta for taking time to dig deep in what I write and then tell me about it. Appreciated.
Comment from Eigle Rull
I enjoyed this chapter as I have the others. I seem to learn something from each one that will help me mold my work into a better presentation. I began using the tags after I started FS. Finally, I was told to skip them. In addition to what you have mentioned here, I'd like to add that it takes more time, also. And for someone like me, who doesn't always put the question mark in the right place, it makes it much easier NOT to use those tags.
This was a well thought out and well written post. Thank you for sharing it, my friend.
Always with respect,
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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I enjoyed this chapter as I have the others. I seem to learn something from each one that will help me mold my work into a better presentation. I began using the tags after I started FS. Finally, I was told to skip them. In addition to what you have mentioned here, I'd like to add that it takes more time, also. And for someone like me, who doesn't always put the question mark in the right place, it makes it much easier NOT to use those tags.
This was a well thought out and well written post. Thank you for sharing it, my friend.
Always with respect,
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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People like you make it worthwhile posting things like this. It's good to know it's helpful to you. More stuff to come.
Comment from Curly Girly
You posed a question:
Have you ever been so enrapt by a piece of fiction that you've lost complete track of time?
A: Yes!!!!! But not for a long time. Maybe as we become old and boring we lose our magical ability to drink everything in hook line and sinker.
You are correct about speech tags. I used to use too many. Then I reduced them, and (YES) I had FS readers complain that they couldn't work out who was speaking. Urgh! Now, I try to compromise. It is hard to please all.
Another great chapter packed with good advice.
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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You posed a question:
Have you ever been so enrapt by a piece of fiction that you've lost complete track of time?
A: Yes!!!!! But not for a long time. Maybe as we become old and boring we lose our magical ability to drink everything in hook line and sinker.
You are correct about speech tags. I used to use too many. Then I reduced them, and (YES) I had FS readers complain that they couldn't work out who was speaking. Urgh! Now, I try to compromise. It is hard to please all.
Another great chapter packed with good advice.
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Thanks Nicole! I have known people whose name you could scream, yell "fire", even shake them and they don't disentangle from their book. Okay the last would be a tad far-fetched. A lot of writers here have commented on the problem with their speech tags. I really am happy I have you reading this, Nicole.
Comment from Chris Tee
Another excellent chapter and lesson with great enlightenment. I like your explanation of dialogues. This is also written with rich vocabulary and I have no suggestions to improve this great work . Well done indeed. With your permission I shall bookmark this for future reference to improve my writing.
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Another excellent chapter and lesson with great enlightenment. I like your explanation of dialogues. This is also written with rich vocabulary and I have no suggestions to improve this great work . Well done indeed. With your permission I shall bookmark this for future reference to improve my writing.
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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I am honored, Chris! I'm glad you are finding this helpful.
Comment from royowen
I remember my teacher during my schooldays, saying to me that there was way too much padding in what I wrote, I was making up for my ineptitude by putting in a lot of dialogue that wasn't needed. As you know I do a lot of reviewing, so I see a whole range of dialogue, from the heavily padded to the indistinct, some stories I would pay to read and others well....One of my pet hates are too many characters, all seemingly in the same room. The well balanced story is preferable. I find your article comprehensively well written, like I've said before Jay, your pecerption and empathy are exceptional, well done, blessings, Roy.
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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I remember my teacher during my schooldays, saying to me that there was way too much padding in what I wrote, I was making up for my ineptitude by putting in a lot of dialogue that wasn't needed. As you know I do a lot of reviewing, so I see a whole range of dialogue, from the heavily padded to the indistinct, some stories I would pay to read and others well....One of my pet hates are too many characters, all seemingly in the same room. The well balanced story is preferable. I find your article comprehensively well written, like I've said before Jay, your pecerption and empathy are exceptional, well done, blessings, Roy.
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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To you, Roy, rich blessings! I enjoy you reading my stuff because I know you will always dig deep and take away what is useful. Don't leave.
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Well done, your articles are worth a close look, I've drawn a lot from them! Good stuff,
Comment from Tomes Johnston
This is yet another interesting addition to the story from the author. It is true that reviewers or critters can fufle a few feathers of the writers, but I am thick skinned. Well done yet again.
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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This is yet another interesting addition to the story from the author. It is true that reviewers or critters can fufle a few feathers of the writers, but I am thick skinned. Well done yet again.
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Thank you, Tomes. I know you are thick skinned, which to me is another way of saying "are a mature writer". As long as I am confident you know I never try to hurt with my crits, I feel I can say anything constructive. You are appreciated, Tomes.
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I know you mean well. You're critiquing helps my writing and I thank you for that.
Comment from Gloria ....
Hey, Jay. I'm really enjoying this book. Here's a question I have for you.
Cormac McCarthy doesn't use quotation marks at all. I've never had the slightest bit of difficulty knowing who was talking in his novels. McCarthy stresses that this way of writing dialogue requires particular deliberation. "You really have to be aware that there are no quotation marks, and write in such a way as to guide people as to who's speaking."
I find the pages much friendlier without all that punctuation all over the place. How do you think that would go over on FanStory? Writing without quotation marks and speech tags really does tighten up the dialogue and introduces a much deeper understanding of your characters.
Mainly I prefer no speech tags at all and expository dialogue and speech tags are to blame for my drinking problem. :)
Anyway always entertaining and well written, so I am looking forward to what's up next.
Great stuff, Jay.
Gloria
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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Hey, Jay. I'm really enjoying this book. Here's a question I have for you.
Cormac McCarthy doesn't use quotation marks at all. I've never had the slightest bit of difficulty knowing who was talking in his novels. McCarthy stresses that this way of writing dialogue requires particular deliberation. "You really have to be aware that there are no quotation marks, and write in such a way as to guide people as to who's speaking."
I find the pages much friendlier without all that punctuation all over the place. How do you think that would go over on FanStory? Writing without quotation marks and speech tags really does tighten up the dialogue and introduces a much deeper understanding of your characters.
Mainly I prefer no speech tags at all and expository dialogue and speech tags are to blame for my drinking problem. :)
Anyway always entertaining and well written, so I am looking forward to what's up next.
Great stuff, Jay.
Gloria
Comment Written 20-May-2015
reply by the author on 21-May-2015
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I haven't read any of the recent literary mags, but 5 years ago, or so, very few used quote marks. They would still use speech tags.
When a person tries to avoid speech tags entirely, his/her intent is so obvious in its absence. It doesn't take an astute reader to sniff it out.
I like quote marks (") as long as the Brits, Aussies and Canadians would adapt to the American model.
Thanks, Gloria. I'm getting out of here while I'm still alive.
Comment from LIJ Red
Like virtually everyone I read Strunk and White in my youth, and with all the
wonderful words to play with, it's so easy to forget old Strunk: "Writing should have no extra words for the same reason a machine should have no extra parts or a drawing no extra lines." And your first line here is the golden rule, silver rule, and bronze. The gaudiest fantasy has to sit on concrete. Bah. too much caffeine this hour of the night.
reply by the author on 20-May-2015
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Like virtually everyone I read Strunk and White in my youth, and with all the
wonderful words to play with, it's so easy to forget old Strunk: "Writing should have no extra words for the same reason a machine should have no extra parts or a drawing no extra lines." And your first line here is the golden rule, silver rule, and bronze. The gaudiest fantasy has to sit on concrete. Bah. too much caffeine this hour of the night.
Comment Written 20-May-2015
reply by the author on 20-May-2015
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Thank you, Red ... I think. Phyllis summarized my 2800 word 3rd chapter in two sentences. I'm sure you could have done that and put it in rhyme, but I'm nothing if not laid back in my tutorial. I'm always happy getting your feedback, Red.