Ask a Writer

[[deleted user]]

Mary wrote: "I wouldn't put out a review that I couldn't give at least 3 stars to, and something positive. I gave 3 stars to one author in a review trade. She was unhappy at first, but afterward said it was a g..."

I agree, I don't review anything that I didn't like. I have given a few books one star, but the authors are long dead (for instance the Malleus Maleficarum or Hammer of the Witches, which I think was the most disgusting book I've ever had the displeasure of reading).

Let's face it, we'd all love to get five star reviews. But five stars means that it was amazing, four is I really liked it, three is I liked it. So anything three stars and up is a good review/rating.

[Mary]

I would probably expand the three stars a little to include, although I can't say I liked it, it has merit in the genre and meets the needs of some who will read it. Like Women's fiction, for example, as opposed to romance or chick lit. Sometimes the message is very earnest and realistic, but in my opinion too much graphic detail is added.

[[deleted user]]

i'm writing a scene in which there's a one-sided phone conversation. we only hear one person. i'm not sure if i should put each line of hers on a separate line or keep it all in one paragraph.

any suggestions appreciated.

[Stephen]

The formal rule is a new line for each switch in conversation. If there is a break in conversation where the same person continues speaking again, then remain within that paragraph block.

dialogue rules

... although some authors follow their own set of rules for dialogue. It's up to you. Just use one set of rules consistently and the reader should be able to follow.

[[deleted user]]

thanks stephen, i know that rule, but i think you might not have understood my question, and perhaps i didn't write it clearly.

one person is talking because someone is overhearing their phone conversation. we're only hearing the same person talk, talk, talk. we don't hear the other person. i guess you might mean that i shouuld break the line because - even though we don't "hear" the other person - their lines are still implicit, thus there would be a break. if that's what you meant, then that makes sense, and i thank you.

[Stephen]

I think your realisation is correct. There needs to be some indication of the other persons' conversation.

[Allison]

Elle wrote: "I have a question for authors:
As an author myself, I love to read but rarely get as much time as I would like. How often do you read in a week?"

Before I started writing consistantly I would read a book over three weeks (slow reader I fall asleep) but now that I'm trying to promote my new book and write the sequal I have devoted no time to reading. And I actually feel guilty! I need to just lock myself in a room and read for a full day!

[Greg]

Richard, I think you are going to need to have the 'one person' that we hear actively listen in the breaks.

Like:
"I don't know what you are talking about."
He/She (John/Mary) tapped the table while he/she listened.
"That is besides the point. I don't care..."
etc

[Stephen]

RE: Elle

I always read ... but only if there is something worth reading (or I get a request for a review). A lot of the blockbusters I find are quite puerile when it comes to actually reading. I guess the masses like 'popcorn books' as much as they like 'popcorn flicks'.

The biggest problem I have is finding a book I actually want to read. I think I'm quite selective, so it's a shame as I enjoy reading.

[Juliann]

Hello, jumping in on this thread because what else do you do? I don't read very often (I'm a writer) because when I do start a book I don't stop until it's done, and I don't have time to read in six hour blocks, which means it cuts into my sleep, which is a precious commodity in my life. I feel like I have to read the genre I write in, or it would make me feel hypocritical for writing something I expect other people to have time for but don't have time for myself. I write YA Urban Fantasy, but I'm a picky reader, so a lot of time I feel like a book was iffy, but then that's why I write, so that I'll have something else to read that I'm sure I'll like (at least most of the time:)

[Sheila]

The more I write, the less time I have to read books. I read many blogs and articles on writing and do a ton of research. So, while I'm reading a lot, I'm not reading many books.

Also, the more I learn about writing, the less "average" books appeal to me. I keep looking for great books, but they're difficult to find.

[[deleted user]]

Greg wrote: "Richard, I think you are going to need to have the 'one person' that we hear actively listen in the breaks.

Like:
"I don't know what you are talking about."
He/She (John/Mary) tapped the table whi..."

good idea. thanks. will use that. luckily, it's a short conversation, so i won't have to find many of those things.

[Gerald]

Sheila wrote: "The more I write, the less time I have to read books. I read many blogs and articles on writing and do a ton of research. So, while I'm reading a lot, I'm not reading many books.

Also, the more I ..."

Shelia, I agree with your thoughts on reading books. But if you're looking for a great book, and my reviewers can be believed, check out my novel on my blog, http://geraldggriffin.blogspot.com

[Juliann]

Sheila wrote: "The more I write, the less time I have to read books. I read many blogs and articles on writing and do a ton of research. So, while I'm reading a lot, I'm not reading many books.

Also, the more I ..."

That's why we write, right? T deepen the pool of good stuff out there. Too bad writing brilliant novels isn't quite as easy as disliking average work. Writing has made me less critical of others, so good for my personal character development:)

[Gerald]

Juliann, you're so right! Supposedly (but I fear it's not true of everyone) we write, as you say, to deepen the pool of good stuff out there. But if I ever just wrote an "average" book, I would curse myself, immediately burn the manuscript, and never mention it to anyone. If I couldn't write "good stuff", I wouldn't attempt to burden the reading public with "shallow stuff".

[Sheila]

Juliann wrote: "Sheila wrote: "The more I write, the less time I have to read books. I read many blogs and articles on writing and do a ton of research. So, while I'm reading a lot, I'm not reading many books.

Al..."

So true, Juliann. Writing a good book (and it is to a certain degree subjective) is incredibly hard. I wonder why so many people want to torture themselves! LOL For me, it's because the difficult work brings great satisfaction.

And, while I am less critical of others because I now realize how difficult this writing thing is, I also just don't have the time or desire to muddle through so-so books.

[[deleted user]]

new question. it seems silly to me to write something like: "Is that your car?" she asked. if i have the question mark, it seems silly to also say she asked. why not just she said? if you ask something, you also say it. you can't ask unless you say as well.

am i making too much of this?

[Sandra]

Hi, Richard. An action tag might work better:
Mary pointed to the Corvette. "Is that your car?"
To me, it depends on the flow or rhythm of the words, as well as varying the structure of my sentences.

[Juliann]

Sheila wrote: "Juliann wrote: "Sheila wrote: "The more I write, the less time I have to read books. I read many blogs and articles on writing and do a ton of research. So, while I'm reading a lot, I'm not reading..."

It's true that it's hard to write a book, but the hardest part, is selling it while you're writing the sequel:) That's what I didn't realize which would possibly have prevented me from trying to publish anything. Writing is writing, publishing, being read, being critiqued-shudder.

As for having time to read bad books, bad books usually go faster since you can skip stuff, and I have to admit that when I'm in a writing funk and think everything I do is dross, reading a nice YA paranormal that shouldn't ever have gotten published makes me ready to try again:)

[[deleted user]]

Sandra wrote: "Hi, Richard. An action tag might work better:
Mary pointed to the Corvette. "Is that your car?"
To me, it depends on the flow or rhythm of the words, as well as varying the structure of my sentences."

thanks. i like that. currently revising and getting annoyed with some passages and repetition. thanks again.