tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post3265105622734135156..comments2023-08-16T07:15:32.801-04:00Comments on BookingIt: Never Say NeverJessica Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-47958506854139724722012-02-28T16:10:29.313-05:002012-02-28T16:10:29.313-05:00I have learned to break rules. A recent post of mi...I have learned to break rules. A recent post of mine shared much the same view as yourself. I was horrified to come across a 'never do this, and never do that'. If I followed all the rules and guidelines, my book would not have words inside!<br /><br />Good luck with Love on the Range. When it is out I will happily pop it onto <a href="http://newbookblogger.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> New Book Blogger</a><br />for free advertising.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-82737840233007167182012-02-27T13:07:48.542-05:002012-02-27T13:07:48.542-05:00I didn't know that about Shakespeare. It'...I didn't know that about Shakespeare. It's something that enriches my experience with his works. Thanks for the info.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-64350153671956495142012-02-26T15:14:11.008-05:002012-02-26T15:14:11.008-05:00Oh Faith...what a funny dilemma! lol
True, Deb. I...Oh Faith...what a funny dilemma! lol<br /><br />True, Deb. I pretty much agree.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-52150932910943241322012-02-26T12:39:34.142-05:002012-02-26T12:39:34.142-05:00I think we can't worry about disappointing any...I think we can't worry about disappointing anyone but ourselves when we write. That's easier said than followed, but it's what I believe. :-)Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-4254151884736317022012-02-26T01:49:06.860-05:002012-02-26T01:49:06.860-05:00I'm nervous of breaking rules, but am by natur...I'm nervous of breaking rules, but am by nature a bit rebellious. So, there you go. My latest manuscript began with a prologue - a prologue that starts six months later than the actual story, so it's more of a post-logue. Then I read that prologues aren't an ideal starter. So... guess I have to figure out how badly I want the pro-post-logue.Faith Prayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711135740295281493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-63356438132165276992012-02-22T11:38:23.794-05:002012-02-22T11:38:23.794-05:00Well said, Kathryn! :-)
Julie, that's what I ...Well said, Kathryn! :-)<br /><br />Julie, that's what I want to know too? lol<br /><br />Karen, probably. <br /><br />Susan, you rule-breaker! lol<br /><br />Nancy, you know a lot of words we use now Shakespeare made up. *grin*<br /><br />Jennifer, yep.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-84401348496554166782012-02-21T10:55:21.359-05:002012-02-21T10:55:21.359-05:00Whenever I give advice on Monday Classroom on my b...Whenever I give advice on Monday Classroom on my blog, I always say: However, I break the rules regularly! ---because I do, and I encourage people to do that. I always want to be careful when giving advice to never say never (I hope I haven't said "never" -unless it's one of those hard and fast oh oh rules :-D)<br /><br />But, also, we are not perfect - our novels are not these perfect tomes of Lofty Perfection.<br /><br />WHen I read another author's work, I just hope to be engaged by the characters, want to follow them where they lead me, and to escape into the fiction - I really don't care about all the other stuff so much if I am engaged.<br /><br />And, as I said on Jody's blog -- I am MUCH more forgiving now that I have my own books out - lawd! :-D I understand more now than I ever did before about this process of publication.<br /><br />You are in a genre I do not normally read, but I am looking forward to reading your book.<br /><br />And yes, I worry about disappointing my readers - but I just do the best I can, writing the best books I can, and hope I am loved :-DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-88454498382709924152012-02-21T10:32:22.619-05:002012-02-21T10:32:22.619-05:00Oh Jessica, I love this post! Too often I see writ...Oh Jessica, I love this post! Too often I see writers preaching about what to do and what not to do. But when it comes down to it, really... there ARE no rules. I'm not a fan of second person POV or present tense, but sometimes I'll read a story and the writing will suck me in and I won't notice it. Same with passive voice, or even books with tons of adverbs. I think the truest writing comes through when you're not worried about sticking to rules - and who designated those rules, anyway?!Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-82128145020258700062012-02-20T14:38:41.955-05:002012-02-20T14:38:41.955-05:00I break rules all the time; I guess it depends on ...I break rules all the time; I guess it depends on what I'm writing. Haven't completed an entire book yet, but yes, I know I will think about how others will see it. I imagine it will be a good character exercise! :)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-39886260467378175352012-02-20T13:18:32.617-05:002012-02-20T13:18:32.617-05:00I agree with your viewpoint very much. I recently...I agree with your viewpoint very much. I recently used a word that technically isn't a word, bu it fit my meaning exactly and I used it.<br /><br />I probably wouldn't do that in a book I was writing, but I might.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-19589026891925211932012-02-18T21:03:04.061-05:002012-02-18T21:03:04.061-05:00My manuscript also has a prologue.
Not every rea...My manuscript also has a prologue. <br /><br />Not every reader will love my book no matter how well I craft it. I've also come to terms that editors/agents/critique partners will always find something they think I should change.Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-12317224497360964802012-02-17T14:46:41.501-05:002012-02-17T14:46:41.501-05:00I know, no one is perfect, but even if you do writ...I know, no one is perfect, but even if you do write perfectly, someone is going to find something not to like about it anyway. LOLJennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-72291073652740853392012-02-17T06:43:09.449-05:002012-02-17T06:43:09.449-05:00Hahaaa, Caitlin, oh yes, I think most of us have t...Hahaaa, Caitlin, oh yes, I think most of us have that fear. :-)<br /><br />Too funny Kara!<br /><br />Heather, love your last line.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-42933751058561911352012-02-17T06:34:05.541-05:002012-02-17T06:34:05.541-05:00Beth, you're cracking me up!!! I just had this...Beth, you're cracking me up!!! I just had this mental image of gangster editors. LOL But I know exactly what you're saying about a first book and I love that perspective!<br /><br />Jeanette, every page doesn't zing but I'll admit to still loving my story. LOL <br /><br />That's true, Susie!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-57721077719856302212012-02-17T06:00:11.078-05:002012-02-17T06:00:11.078-05:00Oh, I worry about the microscope other writers wil...Oh, I worry about the microscope other writers will put my book under. But I don't work in writing craft absolutes.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-19274657396985443982012-02-16T23:04:03.866-05:002012-02-16T23:04:03.866-05:00I agree never say never:) And I am great at breaki...I agree never say never:) And I am great at breaking rules, sometimes I don't even know I did!Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-17214289702890213662012-02-16T22:15:18.718-05:002012-02-16T22:15:18.718-05:00I never realized that other people might have the ...I never realized that other people might have the same the fear and concern that I do! I'm worried that if I ever do get published that another writer will read my work and think, "Wow, what was she thinking?"<br /><br />I suppose I better just keep on with the advice of "never say never".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146136846875431598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-72201701554401990532012-02-16T13:34:16.619-05:002012-02-16T13:34:16.619-05:00Oh yes, Jessica! I know that I'll disappoint s...Oh yes, Jessica! I know that I'll disappoint some readers, but we have to work toward pleasing more readers than than we annoy, LOL.<br /><br />Thanks for the words of wisdom!Susanne Dietzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710634601407161821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-6659159979172182932012-02-16T12:23:18.936-05:002012-02-16T12:23:18.936-05:00YOu are so wise. I think a writer must be familiar...YOu are so wise. I think a writer must be familiar with the rules to break them and carry it off--does that make sense? I'm sure every page of your book zings, and I can't wait to read it!<br /><br />Yes, I worry that readers will say, "What? I can do better than this." But if one person is helped by my writing, I'll be happy. <br /><br />My fav rule to keep is active verbs. My fav to break: fragments. I talk in fragments, so I write in fragments. Drives my son nuts.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-40778083039373991222012-02-16T01:13:01.339-05:002012-02-16T01:13:01.339-05:00With my debut novel coming out in May, I can think...With my debut novel coming out in May, I can think of ways I could write that book better now -- but I didn't write that novel now -- I wrote it then.<br />I hope that last sentence makes sense.<br />I have to let my first novel be that: my first novel.<br />I did my best -- whatever it was at the time.<br />I'm already working on book #2, determined to write a better novel, because I've learned so much more.<br />And yes, I know the rules. I remind others of the rules (it's what an editor does) and ... I break 'em. (the rules, not the people.)<br />:)Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-53565903223817376572012-02-15T15:56:05.542-05:002012-02-15T15:56:05.542-05:00Never fear, Sarah! The writer was published. :-) A...Never fear, Sarah! The writer was published. :-) And you're absolutely right that there are good ones...I should do a post so people don't think I'm a crazy rule-breaker. Heh.<br /><br />Well-said, Miss Anita!! When're you coming to do a guest post? lol<br /><br />Very, very true Stacy. I do love subjectivity. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-55681839480408152872012-02-15T15:54:22.796-05:002012-02-15T15:54:22.796-05:00Sandra, the same thing happened to me with a fave ...Sandra, the same thing happened to me with a fave author! But also, like you said, I know now how much it takes to write a book and even if I don't like someone's book, I respect that they poured so much into it.<br /><br />Patti, yep. :-)<br /><br />Oh Melissa, LOL, if I have floating body parts I don't know it. That's one thing I never, ever notice. Someone would have to point it out to me.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-78161250726059370092012-02-15T15:44:07.509-05:002012-02-15T15:44:07.509-05:00Yes, I'm worried about disappointing people! B...Yes, I'm worried about disappointing people! But if I've learned anything the last seven years as a writer (and as a lifelong reader), it's that everything is so subjective. <br /><br />Books that break rules can be well received; books that keep rules can be not so well received. I think the best thing to do is write the best story you can, one that you love, and there will be others out there - even if it isn't everybody - who love it too.Stacy Henriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383087338174942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-91482827229354304402012-02-15T15:39:32.374-05:002012-02-15T15:39:32.374-05:00Haha. As you know, right now I'm battling some...Haha. As you know, right now I'm battling some crazy punctuation suggestions in copyedit land, so I'm realizing that there is such a thing as following the rules too stringently. <br /><br />I think the most important thing is to stay true to your voice, as long as you can do it in a way that the reader can understand. <br /><br />That's how you decide: you ask yourself if it will make the story more clear or more emotionally relatable by keeping or breaking a certain rule, and you act accordingly.Anita Grace Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01797870961916148616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-62798103779190739232012-02-15T14:47:46.945-05:002012-02-15T14:47:46.945-05:00Oh dear, now I'm hoping I wasn't the perso...Oh dear, now I'm hoping I wasn't the person who said, "Never..." LOL! I'm finding the more I write, the more I let go of the "nevers" and "always". But there's plenty of good writing that comes from the rules too. :)Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.com