tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post8939446994618503346..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: The Rule of TwentyDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-65361285307210721832013-09-04T09:04:59.677-06:002013-09-04T09:04:59.677-06:00Glad you found it helpfulGlad you found it helpfulTerry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3190076798506897802013-09-04T09:04:45.281-06:002013-09-04T09:04:45.281-06:00What if and Why are the two best tools an author c...What if and Why are the two best tools an author can use. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72418995246875483292013-09-04T09:04:07.407-06:002013-09-04T09:04:07.407-06:00Thanks, June. It didn't end up being a bear, t...Thanks, June. It didn't end up being a bear, though. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49032883170301910732013-09-02T14:06:45.333-06:002013-09-02T14:06:45.333-06:00Good work, Linda!Good work, Linda!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-22170249490449211652013-09-01T03:00:58.414-06:002013-09-01T03:00:58.414-06:00I'm not much of a plotter either so this rule ...I'm not much of a plotter either so this rule of 20 will come in handy. thank you !Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283371140346602856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34194103801715374842013-08-31T09:03:33.396-06:002013-08-31T09:03:33.396-06:00I use a similar technique -- I call it the "...I use a similar technique -- I call it the "what if" list. Taking a brainstorming break is great advice whenever you're feeling down or stuck --thanks for sharing this! Kelly Simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000890535930589183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3806718805796030732013-08-30T07:28:35.572-06:002013-08-30T07:28:35.572-06:00Terry, so glad I read your post today. I'm try...Terry, so glad I read your post today. I'm trying to make decisions about a new book. Your thoughts will get me going. <br />Oh, and I like the bear:)June Shawhttp://www.juneshaw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-75824992794647470032013-08-29T11:32:11.438-06:002013-08-29T11:32:11.438-06:00Yes, and even plotters are often led down a differ...Yes, and even plotters are often led down a different path. C.J. Box said he had an 80 page outline (I still shudder to think of it) for his last book, and then he 'lays the story down over it.' But he also said he's willing to deviate if new ideas appear.<br /><br />Someone once said, "Your first idea is rarely the best one," so being open to new avenues and seeing where they lead can be a boon.<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-25136045037851582892013-08-29T11:10:56.263-06:002013-08-29T11:10:56.263-06:00A great tip--sometimes stepping back and brainstor...A great tip--sometimes stepping back and brainstorming will lead to a twist or a turn you would never have thought of if you just sat staring at the page.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31107470386153174092013-08-29T09:45:41.678-06:002013-08-29T09:45:41.678-06:00Exactly -- one idea leads to another. Thanks for y...Exactly -- one idea leads to another. Thanks for your suggestion.<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-89074894519014104352013-08-29T09:44:57.305-06:002013-08-29T09:44:57.305-06:00It's a matter of powering through, be it with ...It's a matter of powering through, be it with people, a notebook, or the dog. <br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83712770658102197732013-08-29T09:40:26.081-06:002013-08-29T09:40:26.081-06:00Good post! This could get me out of a hole I'm...Good post! This could get me out of a hole I'm in right now.<br /><br />"Metcalf emerged holding a backpack."<br /><br />Who does the backpack belong to?<br />What does it contain?<br /><br />This could open several divergent story lines.Kathy Steinemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615116886728982644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12432154641446563692013-08-29T09:29:40.067-06:002013-08-29T09:29:40.067-06:00A good brainstorming session with my crit group ca...A good brainstorming session with my crit group can always get me back on track. If they aren't available, I sit down with a blank sheet and write down anything that comes to me. Sometimes just telling myself I have to fix it keeps me from walking away from it. Other times, I tear the sheet up and go have some tea and wait for an attitude readjustment. :)Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81358735681880738502013-08-29T08:16:16.499-06:002013-08-29T08:16:16.499-06:00And I LOVE your suggestion. Now, we need twenty id...And I LOVE your suggestion. Now, we need twenty ideas for the end of <i>your</i> example! <br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-89463556483596660202013-08-29T08:15:16.847-06:002013-08-29T08:15:16.847-06:00I like the term "Plantser" which combine...I like the term "Plantser" which combines both. Or, a much more 'highbrow' sounding term: Organic writer.<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34649107965330225922013-08-29T08:08:04.468-06:002013-08-29T08:08:04.468-06:00Love it, love it, love it! I'm not a plotter e...Love it, love it, love it! I'm not a plotter either, but I have a general idea where I think my story's going. (We won't discuss the number of times my characters have informed me otherwise.) However, even this non-plotter has the occasional sticking point that results in a "now what?" dilemma. I do love the idea of giving the imagination free rein to come up with practical, unusual, and even outlandish ways around that seemingly solid what-now wall. This is a key ingredient in making a good story great.<br /><br /> Metcalf emerged with empty hands held high. Gordon's countenance fell.<br /> "Wait, my friend. Empty hands do not necessarily mean failure." Metcalf pulled his digital camera from his pocket. "You've heard of the handwriting on the wall, I assume?"<br /> "This is no time for clichés."<br /> "Cliché?" He pulled up a photo on the viewer. "Look at this."<br /> "Look at what?"<br /> "The handwriting on the wall. It's been partly rubbed out, but you still can decipher some of it."<br /> Gordon squinted. "Oh, my god! She's..."<br /><br />You get the picture. (No pun intended — this was fun.) <br /><br />Fabulous post, Terry.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-57362752455689237832013-08-29T07:57:46.869-06:002013-08-29T07:57:46.869-06:00I like the "rule of twenty." It's a ...I like the "rule of twenty." It's a good one. Actually, the best combination for plotting a mystery is to combine plotter and pantser. By this I mean it's a good idea to write out a general outline or synopsis to follow. Then as you start writing, allow flexibility. For example, characters often take on a life and direction of their own. Allow them to do so. It may well improve your writing. If not--there's always the edit phase!Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5398173899495369112013-08-29T07:16:14.631-06:002013-08-29T07:16:14.631-06:00Thanks, Maryann - and maybe by the time 20 people ...Thanks, Maryann - and maybe by the time 20 people have made suggestions, the perfect item will appear! (Which could be nothing--absence of 'stuff' is often as good as 'stuff', especially if it's unexpected.)<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-65626836130191488292013-08-29T07:09:19.269-06:002013-08-29T07:09:19.269-06:00This comes at a great time for me, Terry. I have b...This comes at a great time for me, Terry. I have been struggling with the story line for the next book in the Seasons Series and I will use this tip to see if I can get out of the cave with the right thing. (smile) I, too am a panster, and often go to my husband and my kids for help. So far nobody has told me to put a bear in my story. <br /><br />Nothing good comes to mind for your Metcalf to bring out of the cave. All I could think of was a scrap of cloth torn from the missing woman's parka, but that is a bit of a cliche.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-55636996996188147752013-08-29T06:47:09.477-06:002013-08-29T06:47:09.477-06:00Yes, for most of us, an entire book doesn't sp...Yes, for most of us, an entire book doesn't spring forth without having to stop and think about it. Authors might have that "one" book that simply flows from Chapter 1 to The End, but most will tell you they had to struggle through at least some of the rest of them. <br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-38014118269789242162013-08-29T06:45:20.363-06:002013-08-29T06:45:20.363-06:00Stuart, even plotters might be using this method, ...Stuart, even plotters might be using this method, although they're doing it in their outline/plot development phase. I don't think having to find the right way to get from A to B is writer's block when it stalls--it's just part of the work. Writing isn't easy. For me, when I know the whole story, the writing is tedious. <br /><br />But that's why we are all here, helping each other discover new things to try, finding what works for each of us. <br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-21328740737663126192013-08-29T02:25:32.663-06:002013-08-29T02:25:32.663-06:00Great post, Terry.
I agree that Writer's Blo...Great post, Terry. <br /><br />I agree that Writer's Block is usually just getting stuck on one particular part of a story. The trick is to ensure this doesn't put the brakes on the whole piece - just keep going!<br /><br />I wrote a post on a similar theme called <a href="http://mrkelly2u.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/keep-moving/" rel="nofollow">Keep Moving, Write or Die!</a> where I suggest keeping the flow going, even if it means returning to the sticking point a little further down the line.<br /><br /><a href="http://mrkelly2u.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Kelly's Eye - Writing, Music, Life</a><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-40254313473177759782013-08-29T00:56:18.554-06:002013-08-29T00:56:18.554-06:00I think you have, quite surreptitiously, hit the n...I think you have, quite surreptitiously, hit the nail on the head, Terry, with your almost throwaway comment '...as a non-plotter...' I suspect that those of us who don't plot, rarely have the difficulties faced by those who use plots to guide their story-telling. Because we allow our characters to drive the story, we're rarely in that place that plotters face; how do I get from A to B now that I've done X? I've never suffered writer's block. But I hope your piece will help those who have/do.stuartaken.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05695584662320617659noreply@blogger.com