Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Stephanie Fowers => Topic started by: guitarbabe on April 08, 2006, 11:56:17 AM
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I just finished a somewhat decent draft of 'Meet Your Match.' Ugh, I'm so bad at characterization. Basically I write the story and then I go back and add details like clothes and scenery and stuff. I was picking my poor sister's brain for the last few days...'Okay, Jack...I need another outfit!' I told her I'd name the main character after her, which I already did by the way, so it really wasn't much incentive, ha ha!
And Just a week ago, it was WAY TOO LONG!!! While I was writing it, I kept thinking...dash everything...this is no good, no good 'cause it kept stretching out longer and longer, but I figured I'd have to take care of that later. Well, I had my little sis Ash read it and she told me the parts that were 'the most' boring, so that I could cut those out first, and then we fought over what we would cut next. I think I broke her heart because I cut 100 pgs in one day! It was pure, pure torture, but I used that ms slashing procedure to do it (ruthless heart, shaking fingers, you know).
So, now I've just sent it out to my test group, the 'uneducated readers' as OSC would say. A bunch of friends who aren't editors at heart, but like a good read and are also painfully honest. It might help me cut it down even more once I get it back from them, I guess, though it's pretty good size now. They'll also help my guys be REAL guys (if there's a line a guy simply wouldn't say, it's out), that sorta thing. Ha ha, and I'm so in love with my bad guy...why does that always happen to me?
Anyhoo, I'd say I have about a week to two weeks to get it back from them and then I'm sending it to my publisher. What fun! Now, I can start Prank Wars!
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Congrats!
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Moving into serious mode here...Stephanie, you really don't need to describe people's clothing all the time. In fact, not really at all, unless it adds something significant to the character. I only mention this because I remember distinctly thinking while reading Rules of Engagement that we were getting descriptions of people's clothing on nearly every page. So it's not only unnecessary but often also distracting.
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Thanks, I've heard that before. I'll keep that in mind!--the only problem was that last time I got called on it and had to add things like that. Some people really like it, some don't. I'm half and half, but good advice!
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I just got a good idea. How about I send it to you, my good ol' Squire, and you can tell me what parts I overdid the description on...or what parts might need more description (blah, blah, blah 'cause it's definitely not my strong point).
Don't worry about doing it right now though, as soon as finals are done and stuff, but I could use the info even after I send it in. Thanks!!!
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If you want 'real guys', you just need to add an occasional belch, and a scracth or two. :)
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And a widescreen HDTV used exsclusivly for monday night football.
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No real guy uses his widescreen HDTV *only* for sports. A real guy also uses it for violent movies.
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And video games.
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So, now I've just sent it out to my test group, the 'uneducated readers' as OSC would say. A bunch of friends who aren't editors at heart, but like a good read and are also painfully honest. It might help me cut it down even more once I get it back from them, I guess, though it's pretty good size now.
You know that if you ever need a reader, you can always send stuff my way!
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No real guy uses his widescreen HDTV *only* for sports.
Stop giving away our secrets!;)
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if you think that's secret, then there's no hope for you.
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Stop crushing my perception of reality!
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I might just have to put in an hdtv just as an inside joke! That would be too funny. Anything else a guy MUST have?
Oh, and Nessa, you're on!