View Single Post
Old 05-11-2012, 03:06 PM   #22
RHWright
Addict
RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.RHWright ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 219
Karma: 2617122
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Carolina
Device: NOOK ST, Nexus 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newkidontheblock View Post
Thanks Guys he emailed me back and explained what he meant

Michael,

Some of the plot points took hard left turns from what I expected, it is referred to as a derivative device because it starts as a plot point you understand, and then surprises the reader. This is definitely good; it means people will want to read more of your work.
Well, I'm glad we're now just making sh@t up in a black-is-now-white kind of way.

They seem to be saying that the plot point/device took an unexpected and original turn. Whereas "derivative" as an adjective (such as in the construction derivative device) should follow on from the definition "lacking originality."* Or exactly the opposite of what they seems to be trying to say.

Words have perfectly good meanings, people. Don't go making up new ones unless you really do need some new nuance of meaning not heretofore available. You'll find this stuff in books!



*http://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...1&t=1336762727
RHWright is offline   Reply With Quote