tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7666328256052623763..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Learning How To WriteDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3471856913487871202019-05-05T15:12:12.011-06:002019-05-05T15:12:12.011-06:00Terrific post, Michael. I particularly liked, '...Terrific post, Michael. I particularly liked, 'It's not about writing because you want to say, "I am a writer." It's about writing because you enjoy writing.'<br /><br />Amen to that. And amen to the fact that writers need to be readers. Period. I don't hold to "cast in stone" rules, but that one should be. I cannot fathom how someone could want to write, not having fallen in love with story as a reader first. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10971946876186275872019-04-28T16:21:31.844-06:002019-04-28T16:21:31.844-06:00Internalizing rather than memorizing makes so much...Internalizing rather than memorizing makes so much sense it's almost a no-brainer. As far as rules go, if your work shows you know them well, you can break them with impunity when your story calls for it. Excellent article, Michael LaRocca.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-8297120820858708932019-04-26T09:15:30.976-06:002019-04-26T09:15:30.976-06:00"But, really, it's not about memorizing r..."But, really, it's not about memorizing rules at all. It's about internalizing the rules, following them (or not, if you prefer) without being consciously aware of what they are." This is what I preach to those who don't want to "outline" or "plan." Once you have an understanding of story architecture and how to modify it, you don't have to use outlines. It's like driving a car, you don't need the car manual open every time you get behind the wheel.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-38260886605781587402019-04-25T14:10:01.474-06:002019-04-25T14:10:01.474-06:00I wish I could write ten sentences without beating...I wish I could write ten sentences without beating them to death. I know everyone says to get that first draft down, then go back. I can't do it, and my first drafts aren't any better than first-draft quality. I have picked up so many of the rules that have become second nature, but that's because my friend, critique partner, and editor knows them ALL. And I read. :-)Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30808035666999237192019-04-25T11:15:53.079-06:002019-04-25T11:15:53.079-06:00I read novels in almost every genre as well as non...I read novels in almost every genre as well as non-fiction, including books on writing and the writing life. I still sometimes feel (even with four books traditionally published) that I don't know what I'm doing. :DPatricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.com