Comments for Magical Words

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:34:49 +0000

Johnathan, some writers spend 20 pages on backstory, or 10 on setting, or, god forbid, 15 on internal monologue. My rule of thumb is, every ten pages something has to *happen*, an event that moves the story arc forward. That twists the character into more misery. A happening whereby the character makes a decision or a movement that counts insofar as the primary conflict is concerned. It is story arc / character arc / macro-pacing dumbed down to rule of thumb. Ten pages.
And yes — Butt in Chair!

EK, it was … difficult. And I do have sitting-at-computer issues, physically speaking. However, I do have one more chance to look it over, after the Copy Editor gets her claws into it, so I can still fix more stuff. Thank god!

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by Johnathan Knight

Johnathan Knight — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:47:03 +0000

BIC, butt in chair. Never mind on that question.

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by E.K.Carmel

E.K.Carmel — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:41:36 +0000

The turn-around time on that last edit is scary. I don’t know how you weren’t crippled from all the hours of BIC that must have required. But, I also can’t wait to read Black Arts and I’m loving the cover with Beast.

After hearing all the news for next year’s ConCarolinas, I DID NOT want to miss another year, so I booked us in.

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by Johnathan Knight

Johnathan Knight — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:40:39 +0000

I’m somewhat confused on two points.

1. What does BIC mean? I googled it, but I’m just getting lighters.

-and-

2. If something has to happen about every ten pages, what’s going on during the other nine pages? This is a serious question; I’m not (intentionally) being goofy. I feel like I’m misunderstanding. I’ve always heard that every line should advance characterization or plot, so it’s difficult for me to absorb the ten pages idea you’ve presented. Perhaps you’re saying that every ten pages should see a new goal met or established, or should present a new twist or revelation. While the other nine pages are dealing with those goals, twists, and revelations.

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:58:18 +0000

Wow, just let a girl go for a massage and then lunch with dad and you guys write!

Laura, my editor does remind of the rules, sometimes, but we’ve evolved to, “Suggestion: do this…” It works for us. But yes, *relearning* the rules (as I get to do here at MW) and the terms is helpful — always. Writing should be a lifetime of learning. Kinda like the ongoing ed I do for the lab…
And yes, Beast is quite happy. LOL

David, I am sooo happy it’s over and that my editor was patient with me. Covers? With the exception of one cover, I’ve been very happy and *very*
lucky with JY artwork. And I got *okay* with that cover when they covered up Jane’s boobs. Covers make a such a huge difference in the sales of a book, and the sales of the book with the big boobs were lower than any others. Duh…

John, I have my room reserved too. LOL RVing it!

Myka, that rule of thumb sits heavy on me sometimes, and sometimes I let it slip for a few pages, but it really does seem to be *the* rule that resonates best with me and with my style of writing. I agree that different genres change it, but still, a reader needs something to happen. You know it!

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by MykaReede

MykaReede — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:45:52 +0000

Love your rule of thumb re action. If an average paperback page is 250-300 words, then every 2500-3000 words or so should contain a moving-the-plot-forward action scene (obviously differs w genre, etc). I decided to test it out on a beta-read WIP where I’m finding that I’m skimming certain parts (forcing myself to go back and read/edit) and it is closer to 5000 in those places. Interesting. Now to do that quick analysis on my own WIP. Hah! Always harder on your own stuff

I would need to ponder some more, but I could see a similar rule of thumb for romance and general character development arcs. Every 2500-3000 words or so, the main couple (or protag if not a romance) needs so be interacting, bantering, and growing. Maybe it’s just me, but I prefer incremental development with maybe one doozy jump in the character arc. And I get frustrated reading/skimming subplot/arc for more than ten pages (screaming get me back to the real story or romance).

Comment on Rules of Thumb vs Tech Talk by John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:22:55 +0000

I’ve already reserved a room for ConCaro for next year, and I LIVE here!