by Jason Joyner | Aug 16, 2007 | arts, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Sometimes it is great to blog when other people are having the great discussions, and all I have to do is link to them! Instant content. It is good stuff today though, so I highly suggest following the links and checking them out.
Mike Duran at Decompose is having an interesting discussion on the rules of writing and how that can help or hinder new writers. Here’s Day 1. For a counterpoint, make sure to read this comment from an editor. And it continues in Day 2, with more pending, so keep an eye out.
Mike refers to a great discussion that Becky is having over at A Christian Worldview of Fiction regarding “The Place of Art in Fiction.” There are some very good thoughts and discussion coming out of the comment section, so take a minute to check those out as well. She started this series on August 7, so I’ll just link to her August archives and you can follow from there (as of today, we’re on day 8 – how high will it go?).
I hope the community of believers and writers we have can continue to have these good discussions to stir us all up to greater strength in our art. I have to believe that this will bring greater glory to our ultimate Source of creativity. Thank you Jesus!
by Jason Joyner | Aug 16, 2007 | arts, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Sometimes it is great to blog when other people are having the great discussions, and all I have to do is link to them! Instant content. It is good stuff today though, so I highly suggest following the links and checking them out.
Mike Duran at Decompose is having an interesting discussion on the rules of writing and how that can help or hinder new writers. Here’s Day 1. For a counterpoint, make sure to read this comment from an editor. And it continues in Day 2, with more pending, so keep an eye out.
Mike refers to a great discussion that Becky is having over at A Christian Worldview of Fiction regarding “The Place of Art in Fiction.” There are some very good thoughts and discussion coming out of the comment section, so take a minute to check those out as well. She started this series on August 7, so I’ll just link to her August archives and you can follow from there (as of today, we’re on day 8 – how high will it go?).
I hope the community of believers and writers we have can continue to have these good discussions to stir us all up to greater strength in our art. I have to believe that this will bring greater glory to our ultimate Source of creativity. Thank you Jesus!
by Jason Joyner | Aug 15, 2007 | Blog, goofiness, wisdom
Happy wife, happy life.
– Jeff Allen
by Jason Joyner | Aug 15, 2007 | Blog, goofiness, wisdom
Happy wife, happy life.
– Jeff Allen
by Jason Joyner | Aug 14, 2007 | Blog, fiction, reading, writing craft
So I sit at my keyboard and pretend I’m an author. I sometimes have time to write, and even then I don’t always get a lot of writing done. It is so much easier to visit blogs (see last post) than to be pounding out meaningful words.
However, in my thought life I have a whole story bandying about, working itself over and over through the details. I think Randy Ingermanson is the one who called this composting. In my mind I see my main character in her journeys, struggling to cope with all the conflict that I’m (hopefully) throwing at her to make life interesting for her. I really do have a lot, if not most of the book in my head ready to make the leap to paper, if only my brain wasn’t so clumsy at getting my words right.
When you’ve spent a lot of time with someone, and you think you know them, you want to stick up for them. Well, what happens if someone doesn’t see things the way you do?
I recently had a friend read a few chapters of my work in progress. She very thoughtfully gave some feedback, and it was greatly appreciated. I asked her about characterization, and she gave her opinion.
She had a different viewpoint of my protagonist than what was bouncing around in my head.
How did that happen? That’s not supposed to happen, right? The author is in full control of the process, and the end result should be predictable.
The answer to the last statement is no, for two reasons.
I’m not going to go into #1, which is the characters need to speak for themselves. I’ll just share, like many other writers will tell you, that sometimes the characters will rebel over what you as the author had planned, and demand their own way. Y’all can chuckle about my psychiatric health if you want, but it’s true.
Number 2 would be that everyone is going to see things in their own way. I don’t fully agree with Obi-Wan Kenobi’s statement to Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi that things depend on “a certain point of view”. That smacks of relativism. But when it comes to reading, all the author can do is prevent their vision of a story, a character, or whatever. That is only half of the story.
The other half is how the reader interprets things. I can’t be in control of that. Not unless I want to write a very boring story that spells out every little nuance I want for the tale.
It makes you feel vulnerable as a writer, almost exposed when you put yourself out there like that. I had Jenna Dawson wrapped up in my comfortable little mental movie, but in real life she may play differently.
Some of this does come from my skill as a writer. I know that I can do a better job in bringing out what is in my head. Thus the blogging and reading so much: to grow as a writer in understanding and ability. Hopefully when I have the time to put fingers to keyboard I’ll be farther along.
It’s just interesting having something like this exposed.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 14, 2007 | Blog, fiction, reading, writing craft
So I sit at my keyboard and pretend I’m an author. I sometimes have time to write, and even then I don’t always get a lot of writing done. It is so much easier to visit blogs (see last post) than to be pounding out meaningful words.
However, in my thought life I have a whole story bandying about, working itself over and over through the details. I think Randy Ingermanson is the one who called this composting. In my mind I see my main character in her journeys, struggling to cope with all the conflict that I’m (hopefully) throwing at her to make life interesting for her. I really do have a lot, if not most of the book in my head ready to make the leap to paper, if only my brain wasn’t so clumsy at getting my words right.
When you’ve spent a lot of time with someone, and you think you know them, you want to stick up for them. Well, what happens if someone doesn’t see things the way you do?
I recently had a friend read a few chapters of my work in progress. She very thoughtfully gave some feedback, and it was greatly appreciated. I asked her about characterization, and she gave her opinion.
She had a different viewpoint of my protagonist than what was bouncing around in my head.
How did that happen? That’s not supposed to happen, right? The author is in full control of the process, and the end result should be predictable.
The answer to the last statement is no, for two reasons.
I’m not going to go into #1, which is the characters need to speak for themselves. I’ll just share, like many other writers will tell you, that sometimes the characters will rebel over what you as the author had planned, and demand their own way. Y’all can chuckle about my psychiatric health if you want, but it’s true.
Number 2 would be that everyone is going to see things in their own way. I don’t fully agree with Obi-Wan Kenobi’s statement to Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi that things depend on “a certain point of view”. That smacks of relativism. But when it comes to reading, all the author can do is prevent their vision of a story, a character, or whatever. That is only half of the story.
The other half is how the reader interprets things. I can’t be in control of that. Not unless I want to write a very boring story that spells out every little nuance I want for the tale.
It makes you feel vulnerable as a writer, almost exposed when you put yourself out there like that. I had Jenna Dawson wrapped up in my comfortable little mental movie, but in real life she may play differently.
Some of this does come from my skill as a writer. I know that I can do a better job in bringing out what is in my head. Thus the blogging and reading so much: to grow as a writer in understanding and ability. Hopefully when I have the time to put fingers to keyboard I’ll be farther along.
It’s just interesting having something like this exposed.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 13, 2007 | Blog, blogging, community, more blogging
My 15 year old nephew gave me a funny look on Saturday when I showed him how many people visit my blog via MapStats.
“I don’t get why people blog. That’s something I’ll never do.”
I didn’t smack him because he is 15 and has a big mouth, (actually, I don’t know what came over me – I usually take any or even no excuse to smack him) instead I shook my head at his lack of understanding.
It is pretty amazing how the blogosphere can create friendships. I guess I shouldn’t be amazed. I’m a computer geek and have done chatting, forums, etc. Anyway, I wanted to highlight a few new blogs that I’ve come to enjoy so we can all be one big happy family. Or drive each other nuts. Wait, isn’t that the same thing…
OK, on with the introductions:
Marcus Goodyear at Goodwordediting has good writing and business tips along with spiritual insight. He is a professional editor, so he knows his stuff and is worth checking out.
Mark Harbeson at Utter Drivel seems like he could be my twin – except that he likes the Philadelphia Eagles, so that would make him my evil twin (Go Cowboys!). He’s got a cute family and blogs about life and such.
Nicole Petrino-Salter over at Into the Fire. This is totally complimentary: she is like a prophetic voice to the world of Christian fiction, sometimes pointing out inconsistencies with the way CBA business is run and Kingdom living. Her posts are passionate and challenging.
Heather Goodman at L’Chaim (with a brand new look – way cool Heather!). Her writing is like a refreshing breeze to me. She describes herself as loving to twirl and dance on her smooth concrete floor. Her blog captures that joyful abandon IMO.
D. G. D. Davidson at SciFi Catholic. I don’t always agree with him (who said you always had to agree?). However, he always has intelligent posts and is great read. Guest posts by Snuffles the Dragon are worth the price of admission.
Hanna Sandvig at Hanna’s Life Is Cool. She’s another artistic type with interesting viewpoints. Make a point to check out her gallery of original art. Very nice work (I wish I could draw…).
These are some new folks I’m making a point to check out. Don’t forget about the “classics” – the folks in the sidebar on the right (Becky, you’re a “classic” now). When I get time these new friends will join the sidebar, but I wanted to showcase them today. Good stuff all around.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 13, 2007 | Blog, blogging, community, more blogging
My 15 year old nephew gave me a funny look on Saturday when I showed him how many people visit my blog via MapStats.
“I don’t get why people blog. That’s something I’ll never do.”
I didn’t smack him because he is 15 and has a big mouth, (actually, I don’t know what came over me – I usually take any or even no excuse to smack him) instead I shook my head at his lack of understanding.
It is pretty amazing how the blogosphere can create friendships. I guess I shouldn’t be amazed. I’m a computer geek and have done chatting, forums, etc. Anyway, I wanted to highlight a few new blogs that I’ve come to enjoy so we can all be one big happy family. Or drive each other nuts. Wait, isn’t that the same thing…
OK, on with the introductions:
Marcus Goodyear at Goodwordediting has good writing and business tips along with spiritual insight. He is a professional editor, so he knows his stuff and is worth checking out.
Mark Harbeson at Utter Drivel seems like he could be my twin – except that he likes the Philadelphia Eagles, so that would make him my evil twin (Go Cowboys!). He’s got a cute family and blogs about life and such.
Nicole Petrino-Salter over at Into the Fire. This is totally complimentary: she is like a prophetic voice to the world of Christian fiction, sometimes pointing out inconsistencies with the way CBA business is run and Kingdom living. Her posts are passionate and challenging.
Heather Goodman at L’Chaim (with a brand new look – way cool Heather!). Her writing is like a refreshing breeze to me. She describes herself as loving to twirl and dance on her smooth concrete floor. Her blog captures that joyful abandon IMO.
D. G. D. Davidson at SciFi Catholic. I don’t always agree with him (who said you always had to agree?). However, he always has intelligent posts and is great read. Guest posts by Snuffles the Dragon are worth the price of admission.
Hanna Sandvig at Hanna’s Life Is Cool. She’s another artistic type with interesting viewpoints. Make a point to check out her gallery of original art. Very nice work (I wish I could draw…).
These are some new folks I’m making a point to check out. Don’t forget about the “classics” – the folks in the sidebar on the right (Becky, you’re a “classic” now). When I get time these new friends will join the sidebar, but I wanted to showcase them today. Good stuff all around.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 13, 2007 | Blog, books, conspiracy, fiction, reading, TL Hines
I have an IMPORTANT update regarding the Shadow Operatives that I blogged about here. Last night I caught this shocking event on my trusty camera. Yes, that is a Shadow Operative trying to infiltrate my backyard.
If there is any doubt, I used image enhancement to show the front of his T-shirt:
The cowardly operative quickly fled the scene:
However, I again was able to use imaging enhancement to discern what was written on the back of his uniform:
There seems to be a internet site (The Dead Whisper On ) dedicated to this new book by TL Hines. You can find more about it here.
Please, keep a careful eye out. I thought this phenomenon was limited to Butte, Montana, but as this highly convincing photographic evidence shows, the infiltration has reached AT LEAST southeast Idaho.
Who knows what may be planned next?
by Jason Joyner | Aug 13, 2007 | Blog, books, conspiracy, fiction, reading, TL Hines
I have an IMPORTANT update regarding the Shadow Operatives that I blogged about here. Last night I caught this shocking event on my trusty camera. Yes, that is a Shadow Operative trying to infiltrate my backyard.
If there is any doubt, I used image enhancement to show the front of his T-shirt:
The cowardly operative quickly fled the scene:
However, I again was able to use imaging enhancement to discern what was written on the back of his uniform:
There seems to be a internet site (The Dead Whisper On ) dedicated to this new book by TL Hines. You can find more about it here.
Please, keep a careful eye out. I thought this phenomenon was limited to Butte, Montana, but as this highly convincing photographic evidence shows, the infiltration has reached AT LEAST southeast Idaho.
Who knows what may be planned next?
