Kristen's comments (member since Jul 05, 2008)

Kristen's comments from the Goodreads Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors group.

Can you get me a link?

Dragonlance! You rock, JEFF. I loved the death gate series better though.

Patricia McKillip. Her name sounds very familiar. Did she write The Changeling Sea?

I loved Dandelion wine. Absolutely adored it. And I was thrilled wen Forever Summer came out. Oh love. As well as of course, 451, which is an amazing classic.

I thought I'd start a topic about the Top 10. The best 10 books you've ever read. Mostly, I'm hoping to get a few suggestions.
1. Bloody Jack - L.A. Meyer
2. Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury
3. Dragon Wing - Weis and Hickman
4. 1984 - George Orwell
5. The Princess Bride - William Goldman
6. The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Orczy
7. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire
8. Zazoo - Richard Mosher
9. Extras - Scott Westerfield
10. Eye of the World - Robert Jordan
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's BoyDandelion WineDragon Wing1984The Princess BrideThe Scarlet PimpernelConfessions of an Ugly Stepsister: A NovelZazooExtras

Unless of course, that the three windows in the front have some major importance later on. The man was seen in the fourth window, wait, there's only three, that sort of thing. Or the description of a beautiful girl gone plain...
It's the same thing as when your character is getting ready to go somewhere. You naturally can't describe every action, or your reader is going to be fitfully bored. She brushed her teeth, brushed her hair, gathered her books, tied her shoes...etc.
You simply have to keep in mind what is important.

The worst for me is what happens almost constantly. I'll write something brillant during Pre-Cal in my notebook, and leave it there, only to discover that the page is missing later. I absolutely hate it! I need something to constantly store loose paper in that won't dump it somewhere, until I can type it later. Maybe a briefcase?

Wait? Why is Gary gone? Deleted member?

Okay, Bronwyn. This is an okay beginning. However, in this little section, there is no conflict. That's a major problem. It's too hunky-dory, as it is. I like my beginnings to happen fast, not be weighed down for a few chapters before the real action starts. Very few people can get away with that. Victor Hugo, Robert Jordan, and Baroness Orcsy are a few, but as a beginning writer, you'd be better off to start with a conflict.

It also kind of bothered me that these "typical" teenagers didn't use contractions. Everything was "She has been..." rather than "She's". It sounds more casual to me, which is important in developing character. If it's a quirk that all of these teenagers never use contractions, make it into a huge one. If not, throw a few in there.

In your second chapter, there were a few things that bothered me.
1. They outran a car. Unless they have super speed too, it's not very probable.
2. There isn't much of a reaction when she realizes she can heal people. I think I would be screaming.
3. They just go and do their shopping? That's it?

I have a piece for you all to look at. It's Dark Eyed Sea. It currently has three very short chapters. Here goes.
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/1260...

Speaking of knowing when things aren't right, but not being able to see the mistakes, could somebody take a look at this chapter? I can tell it's slightly off, but I can't tell exactly what's wrong. It may be POV, it might be anything. Here's the link:
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2852...

Sometimes I feel horribly frustrated, as I stumble along through my various projects. They never finish themselves up. I've been working on one of my novels for nearly three years, and there's no hope for completion. What I am supposed to do? Is there a time limit for these things? Am I failing, in this whole writing buisness?

I really enjoyed this. I'm almost illiterate in comparision. Really. Please continue. Like Gary, when I read the beginning of the struggle, I wondered if you would be able to pull off such an intense (and sometimes overused) situation, but you did it beautifully. Overall, bravo.

Dee, beautifully written. I feel the same. My friends laugh when I speak of my characters as living, breathing things. Which they are!

I believe that detail should be used more to set mood than give feature-by-feature plays. What feeling does the woman give? If you describe her as dark and imposing, with a few minor details, and then flesh out her dialogue, it paints the same picture than if you were to describe EVERYTHING. I really enjoy deep fantasy, but I also enjoy a quick swift read. I don't think we should bash Robert Jordan, because his writing is truly amazing and unique. I don't think we should bash "short" writers either, like H.G. Wells. His novels were all quick and to the point. Develop your own style, and as you settle into it, you'll get better. Just keep writing, I suppose.

I really don't know the answer to any of those questions, but I think part of it is, that sometimes we need something in our lives. In times where we lead boring, predictable lives, we like to read something with adventure, and stress, and unhappiness. In times when we are constantly threatened by stress, and money issues, and other things, we like to read something that will tell us that everything will be okay. At least, that's part of it. Sometimes, it's opposite, that we read something that exactly what we're going through. Maybe we just need to sympathize with someone...I don't know...I just I shouldn't throw around ideas in a board, but I thought I'd take a shot.

Okay, so it didn't get posted in the afternoon. It got posted six days later. But here it is. It's still very rough, I know that, but I hope I've made some good improvements. Tell me what you think!

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2008...

Gary, Teatime, I'd just like to thank you. You're suggestions were VERY helpful. And Gary, thank you especially. I was looking for a group that would read my writing, and instead of just "It's good, keep going," I wanted someone who would actually help me and encourage. Thank you SO much. I'll post the revized version later this afternoon. You can read it, and see what you think. You're all amazing. Again, a million thanks.
Kristen

Dang it!

My favorite cover was the Extras cover by Scott Westerfield. I love simplistic covers!