tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post3919217732116272131..comments2024-03-28T01:44:27.279-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Levels of AntagonismDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-92105670436302157422014-01-03T19:22:03.837-07:002014-01-03T19:22:03.837-07:00I never liked having to describe my 'villain&#...I never liked having to describe my 'villain' in most of my books, both mystery and romantic suspense, because I didn't write villain's, per se. Detectives solve crimes (and I don't even like the idea that there has to be a murder for it to be a mystery). My covert ops books don't have a single 'bad guy' and for me, it's about the conflict and figuring out a puzzle. On the romance side of my romantic suspense books, my hero and heroine never have others opposed to their relationships; they just have to learn to love each other, whether they're working together or against each other to solve an exterior problem. I don't think I'd ever be able to write a 'thriller'. I don't do bad guys well. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-16091480809336890122014-01-03T01:08:05.219-07:002014-01-03T01:08:05.219-07:00One of the problems I've always had with "...One of the problems I've always had with "genre" is "rules." Story needs to triumph over rules in cases where following a contrived formula limits characters and/or plot. While this may be one of the hazards of self-publishing, it's also one of the benefits — as evidenced by the words of the Writer's Digest contest judges. Great post, Diana!Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70193790795641575722014-01-02T14:51:50.788-07:002014-01-02T14:51:50.788-07:00When I started writing, I had a hard time with con...When I started writing, I had a hard time with conflict--I was "too nice" and didn't want my characters to have enemies or trouble. BORING! I've since found it's fun to create antagonists and conflict. And antagonists don't always have to be the big bad ogre, they can be self-induced.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-26100233150660490472014-01-02T11:00:34.582-07:002014-01-02T11:00:34.582-07:00But well worth the effort!But well worth the effort!Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32557939976889437992014-01-02T07:35:45.230-07:002014-01-02T07:35:45.230-07:00Diana, your willingness to resist the cliched sugg...Diana, your willingness to resist the cliched suggestions paid off. My daughter loves the Mythikas series, and she can be a tough critic. You do more than counsel going with the gut; you offer a taxonomy of other paths.<br /><br />In my Homeland Connection thrillers, I have broken from formula more than stuck to it, particularly in steering clear of the usual suspects for the antagonists and avoiding the typical near-superheroes for protagonists. After eight novels (GASLINE was published New Year's Eve), I have definitely found my voice and a comfortable personal style, but it is still dang scary to be going against the grain.Larry Constantine (Lior Samson)http://amazon.com/author/liorsamson/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19423728364296755872014-01-02T07:20:47.199-07:002014-01-02T07:20:47.199-07:00I always resist resistance ... just go with the fl...I always resist resistance ... just go with the flow.<br /><br />Happy New Year BRP!Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-61982774427790130462014-01-02T07:18:48.195-07:002014-01-02T07:18:48.195-07:00Sometimes you can have too many cooks in the kitch...Sometimes you can have too many cooks in the kitchen. : ) My rule is if more than one or two people mention the same thing, I listen. I evaluate the content of what is said. If it is because they would have done it another way, I put that aside. If it is a speed bump, plot hole, unrealistic dialogue or action, choreography problem, lack of tension, or a character violation, I listen. Finding people you trust to read the manuscript is the hardest thing after writing and revising it.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-92135583811709301522014-01-02T07:16:43.041-07:002014-01-02T07:16:43.041-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-22991835056886691432014-01-02T04:45:26.510-07:002014-01-02T04:45:26.510-07:00Sometimes it's hard to trust our gut, but we n...Sometimes it's hard to trust our gut, but we need to learn to. Not every change someone suggests should be incorporated. I struggle with this but I'm getting better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com