tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7321806473827790583..comments2024-03-28T06:59:34.982-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: How Far Can You Go?Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-78545787694661957962013-12-10T13:12:54.948-07:002013-12-10T13:12:54.948-07:00Definitely, an author has a lot to check out when ...Definitely, an author has a lot to check out when plotting a story. Time, distance, the character's abilities, weather, those are some items to figure out realistically. A wrong assumption can lead to a reader putting a book or e-reader down in disgust.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://www.morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-7506484325573305282013-12-10T08:57:31.939-07:002013-12-10T08:57:31.939-07:00I have to agree with Diana and Terry. Distances an...I have to agree with Diana and Terry. Distances and related activities (walking, running, driving, escaping, etc.) must be realistic or the "impossibilities" cast a pall of disbelief over the entire story. In fiction, our goal should always be to inspire the reader to suspend disbelief.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-25115425429746292772013-12-10T07:44:50.094-07:002013-12-10T07:44:50.094-07:00Google Maps can be a Godsend. Mega-author John San...Google Maps can be a Godsend. Mega-author John Sandford had a character working things out on a 4 hour drive--until he checked the distance and found it was more like 20 minutes. I've used that "get directions" feature many times, checking the time from point A to point BTerry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-50929021801871076512013-12-10T06:16:43.713-07:002013-12-10T06:16:43.713-07:00Distance can be a serious plot hole if not thought...Distance can be a serious plot hole if not thought through. Sometimes I'll read a passage and think, that is not humanly possible and this character is not Superman. I plotted out my series Mythikas Island on a map and calculated how far the girls could go on foot in a day given the terrain and how long it would take to walk from one end of the island to the other. I wanted it to be possible even though the story was fantastical.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59412898026397900422011-12-07T02:14:05.627-07:002011-12-07T02:14:05.627-07:00Interruptions can make things difficult. Imagine a...Interruptions can make things difficult. Imagine a swarm of people (relatives maybe) that make it hard to just enter a room because they all have to come up with something to do or say.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15367023448539921016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-52480842147771023662011-12-06T14:11:05.693-07:002011-12-06T14:11:05.693-07:00Two-thousand words can seem like War & Peace w...Two-thousand words can seem like War & Peace when you don't feel like writing.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60356000604082413712011-12-06T13:16:48.326-07:002011-12-06T13:16:48.326-07:00With my recent ankle fracture, the first time I wa...With my recent ankle fracture, the first time I walked two blocks to my physical therapist it took 20 minutes, clutching my husband on one side and my cane on the other, switching frequently due to fatigue. Two weeks later I could do the same trip in 7 minutes, now four weeks later I can do it in 4! These small touches add great verisimilitude.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68026274649772040792011-12-06T09:03:56.303-07:002011-12-06T09:03:56.303-07:00It's amazing how all these little details can ...It's amazing how all these little details can make or break a scene. Good points, Morgan and Terry.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-25523034256850480122011-12-06T09:01:07.086-07:002011-12-06T09:01:07.086-07:00I think I've used all of these in my novels. I...I think I've used all of these in my novels. I think state of mind is also a factor. If you're rushing to get to someone in trouble, or worried about someone, the trip, regardless of how many times you may have made it before and you KNOW it's only a 15 minute walk/drive, etc., becomes endless.<br /><br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com