Comments on: Novel Diagnostics---How to Tell if Your Book Might Have Terminal Problems in TEN Pages

By: lee

lee — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 03:06:27 +0000

hmm... Does a creation myth count as an info dump for a fantasy novel?

By: Depak

Depak — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:09:44 +0000

"I generally can “diagnose” every bad habit and writer weakness in ten pages or less."

Fewer?

By: David Richards

David Richards — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 01:47:25 +0000

I may be dense, but I don't get some of what you're saying. You're not supposed to start with a character thinking? What else are you supposed to start with? A tree thinking? You've already criticized starting with action or description. It seems to me if you didn't start with those you'd have no other choice but to start with a character thinking. I guess you could start with people talking, but don't they have to think to talk?

By: Kathryn McKade

Kathryn McKade — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:53:33 +0000

Bookmarking this excellent advice for future reference. I appreciate all of the great discussion in the comments, too!

Linked to this here: http://kathrynmckade.blogspot.com/2014/06/link-soup-trees-plots-and-being-normal.html

By: Jennifer S.

Jennifer S. — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:05:46 +0000

Good advice. I'm glad you clarified about 'in medias res,' because I originally thought your advice contradicted all of the writing books I've read. I'd like to read more of your insights; books that don't have any of these problems still get rejected. There must be more issues to consider.

By: Sheryl Hartwell

Sheryl Hartwell — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 06:43:57 +0000

Great advice for books written for adults. I sent the link to one of my clients because you explained better than I did. But many kids like books to start in the action, especially boys. It's even harder to find the right balance for reluctant readers who won't stick around long enough for characters to hook them. Thank goodness for standouts like Rick Riordan who knows humor will get them all.

By: sjmn60

sjmn60 — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:44:57 +0000

Some really great stuff here. I've already made notes on some of it to incorporate into my own writing. Màiri N.

By: jessicadonahue18

jessicadonahue18 — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 02:48:56 +0000

Thank you for the advice. You really gave me something to consider.

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:55:24 +0000

In reply to Marilynn Byerly. LOL. Yeah. Often the new writers I work with HAVE a good story. All the melodrama and scene-setting and dream sequences and flashbacks often have to do with insecurity and simple lack of clarity about the core story problem.

By: Marilynn Byerly

Marilynn Byerly — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:55:24 +0000

As a writing teacher, it usually takes me two pages to know whether the author knows her craft or not. Sometimes, just a few paragraphs are all I need.

The greatest story in the world might be there under all the dross and sludge of bad craft, but not even your mother will want to slog through the sh*t to find it.