Mobileread Anthology

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Poe did write three detective novels (Murder in The Rue Morgue, Purloined Letter and Mystery of Marie Roget). It would be interesting (I think) to read a Poe-style detective story done in your style...

You're trying to make me work! Hmmm....The Case of the Pearloined Recipe?

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Moejoe, feedback time. I have been writing in a particular style, a short choppy style, rather like somebody reading a detective's notes. Because of what I'm trying to do, lots of tradition scene and backdrop information is left out (or included in the Concordance). Is the result readable enough, or should I expand the backdrop information. Constructive feedback is appreciated.

I nickname the style as micro-novels.

As to the MR anthology, I have nothing against being in it...but, frankly, Poe does nothing for me. Never has. If there is something I can fit in, I'll join up.

For me, and this is only my opinion (which I have many of), as soon as you become concerned about any element of your writing to a point where you give it more than moments thought - am I including enough character, is there enough information about X, Y or Z - you're steering dangerously close to boring writing. Those questions can't be answered, except in some dull how-to book that would have you strip the life out of your fiction altogether for the sake of some mythical average reader or the towering God that is 'THE MARKET' (and you shouldn't do that, because you write some damn fine fiction). Sometimes what you leave out is what makes your writing unique. What you might never have thought of is exactly what makes your writing, well, your writing. If the background information isn't there and you don't feel its wrong, don't worry about it. There's nothing more boring in a work of fiction than a paragraph written out of necessity rather than excitement or feeling. Here, I believe, is the only question you need ask of your writing:

Did I enjoy writing?

If you did, it's a winner, if not, then write something that does excite you. So that's the question I ask you, in answer to your own question.

Is this short choppy style something you enjoy? Do you feel wrong when you leave out details, or does it make just as much sense to you without?

In the end you have to care enough to enjoy your writing and not care at all about what anybody thinks. Here's a paragraph I wrote the other night:

This is where all dreamers found themselves. Three am, alone in apartments staring at empty white pages wishing they knew what was wrong and knowing it would never be right. Desperate insomniacs searching for the right words to lullaby themselves into sleep, only to sleep with one eye open, pad and pencil nearby in the hopes that somehow dreams quickly woken from might be captured and trapped in their entirety. Dreams that would open doors to easier days and sleepful nights to follow.

I enjoyed writing that paragraph, and I don't care if I'm the only one who ever enjoys it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm about the worst person in the world to ask for a critique as I'm firmly in the camp of the reader not the read.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

You're trying to make me work! Hmmm....The Case of the Pearloined Recipe?

Yup!

I like the title

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

For me, and this is only my opinion (which I have many of), as soon as you become concerned about any element of your writing to a point where you give it more than moments thought - am I including enough character, is there enough information about X, Y or Z - you're steering dangerously close to boring writing. Those questions can't be answered, except in some dull how-to book that would have you strip the life out of your fiction altogether for the sake of some mythical average reader or the towering God that is 'THE MARKET' (and you shouldn't do that, because you write some damn fine fiction). Sometimes what you leave out is what makes your writing unique. What you might never have thought of is exactly what makes your writing, well, your writing. If the background information isn't there and you don't feel its wrong, don't worry about it. There's nothing more boring in a work of fiction than a paragraph written out of necessity rather than excitement or feeling. Here, I believe, is the only question you need ask of your writing:

Did I enjoy writing?

If you did, it's a winner, if not, then write something that does excite you. So that's the question I ask you, in answer to your own question.

Is this short choppy style something you enjoy? Do you feel wrong when you leave out details, or does it make just as much sense to you without?

In the end you have to care enough to enjoy your writing and not care at all about what anybody thinks. Here's a paragraph I wrote the other night:

This is where all dreamers found themselves. Three am, alone in apartments staring at empty white pages wishing they knew what was wrong and knowing it would never be right. Desperate insomniacs searching for the right words to lullaby themselves into sleep, only to sleep with one eye open, pad and pencil nearby in the hopes that somehow dreams quickly woken from might be captured and trapped in their entirety. Dreams that would open doors to easier days and sleepful nights to follow.

I enjoyed writing that paragraph, and I don't care if I'm the only one who ever enjoys it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm about the worst person in the world to ask for a critique as I'm firmly in the camp of the reader not the read.

Thanks, Moejoe. My problem is I'm inside looking out. I don't know whether I'm entertaining to people like you. I think I am, from the feedback I get, yet sometimes I think I lose the reader. Since I have no ambitions as a writer, not even beer money, if I do it at all, it's just to entertain other people here...

[jaxx6166]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Thanks, Moejoe. My problem is I'm inside looking out.

Well...stop

The inner critic is an evil, evil creature. I sometimes think he needs to die a horrible, horrible death.

And usually does. I love metaphors. Usually, in all my works there is ONE character who is the voice of the inner critic. He usually gets hacked to pieces in a glorious death

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

I've been writing in chop for a while now. I think it works for me, but my most trusted beta reader did not approve. At all. I think it mostly depends on the way things are done and the tone. There's certainly a couple of sentences that I could have combined and so forth.

But that, my friends, is the job of an editor. And I'm a terrible self editor.

Ralph, our original idea was for Sherlock Holmes, but we found out that Holmes was not PD in the USA. So, we went with the next best thing, the inventor of the detective novel

Let me re-read Dupin and see what sparks. I'll respond within two weeks.

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Thanks, Moejoe. My problem is I'm inside looking out. I don't know whether I'm entertaining to people like you. I think I am, from the feedback I get, yet sometimes I think I lose the reader. Since I have no ambitions as a writer, not even beer money, if I do it at all, it's just to entertain other people here...

Ambition successful I sense you're being a bit down on yourself, when you shouldn't be, not at all. We'll never understand ourselves, let alone the reaction of an audience, so never fret about that. (Come on, how many millions bought Dan Brown's latest reason to stop reading? There's no accounting for audience at all.) That moment of creation, that perfect sentence, the character who makes you smile, that's why we write. Every other good thing that comes from writing is just a surprise ice-cream after you've eaten a good meal. To that end I'd love to see more people, who maybe never thought they could write, or are a little bashful about writing, put the metaphorical pen to paper. Imagine how many fantastic stories we might get with new and fresh perspectives because those stories are created out of fun and not commerce. No bottom lines, no dollar signs, just the excitement of creation.

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

Well...stop

The inner critic is an evil, evil creature. I sometimes think he needs to die a horrible, horrible death.

And usually does. I love metaphors. Usually, in all my works there is ONE character who is the voice of the inner critic. He usually gets hacked to pieces in a glorious death

The day Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol hit the best-seller (horrible misnomer) lists my inner critic packed up his things and booked a ticket to the moon. He left me a note:

Dear Paul

I have no reason to hang around any longer. Seriously, Dan Brown is the number one best-selling author at the moment and well, a ten year old writing with crayons could have done better. So there really is no need for me to be bothering you about your fiction any longer.

Have a nice time.

Ian Critic.

[jaxx6166]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Let me re-read Dupin and see what sparks. I'll respond within two weeks.

There ya go. =)

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

Well...stop

The inner critic is an evil, evil creature. I sometimes think he needs to die a horrible, horrible death.

And usually does. I love metaphors. Usually, in all my works there is ONE character who is the voice of the inner critic. He usually gets hacked to pieces in a glorious death

I get the hint. If I submit, it'll be in the usual style, and lack of taste. Bring You Own Pearl....

(And remember it's worth every penny you paid for it....)

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

The day Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol hit the best-seller (horrible misnomer) lists my inner critic packed up his things and booked a ticket to the moon. He left me a note:

Dear Paul

I have no reason to hang around any longer. Seriously, Dan Brown is the number one best-selling author at the moment and well, a ten year old writing with crayons could have done better. So there really is no need for me to be bothering you about your fiction any longer.

Have a nice time.

Ian Critic.

Ticket to the Moon? You should have mugged him! Look at all the more deserving (sic) people we could have sent with that ticket.....

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Ticket to the Moon? You should have mugged him! Look at all the more deserving (sic) people we could have sent with that ticket.....

Damn, yeah! Why aren't there any colonies on the moon yet? I'm sick of it being 2010 and I can't book a ticket to the moon like I would a train ticket. Damn you 1970's books about the near-future!!! Damn you to hell and back!! (In Chuck Heston voice).

[jaxx6166]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Damn, yeah! Why aren't there any colonies on the moon yet? I'm sick of it being 2010 and I can't book a ticket to the moon like I would a train ticket.

What about our robot detective on the moon?

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

What about our robot detective on the moon?

He died in my last purge Poor, poor robot.

[jaxx6166]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

He died in my last purge Poor, poor robot.

A shame, that.

mwahahaha.

*You hear the frenzied sounds of fingers on keys*

--ugh--
My robot detective made it 185 words then he was buried by a great tidal wave. =)
Definitely going to sit this one out. I'm just the editor now