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Scribere quid cogitas
A WRITER'S
CHRONICLE
Thursday 23rd September 2021
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#BraveWrite Hashtag
This is a Twitter hashtag created by an
incredibly courageous and amazingly
supportive individual - Aspen Brave - as
she is known to Owen and many others.
Every week seven new prompt words are
provided to encourage and challenge
people to confront issues of interest to
the world.
Owen will not presume to tell her story
as he fears he could not do her justice.
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RULES FOR WRITING?
Oh, this is sure to stir up a hornet's nest of
opinions, isn't it? Particularly when I try to
tell you there are no hard and fast rules, despite
what everyone else tells you.
What the whole world is so busy pointing out at
every opportunity, is that we are all different.
Apart from that being so damned divisive in so
many ways, it is also a common point for all of
us. How Stephen King works is the way that works
for him, as it would have been for Agatha
Christie, and George R.R. Martin and you and me.
Before you protest, no way should we compare
ourselves to those already immortalised in print
(and film), it's really not a problem. We all have
a way of doing things that suits us, and our
circumstances, right?
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GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION!
Sadly there are some rules which, whilst they
aren't one hudred per cent rigid, they are pretty
damned useful when you're trying to write
something for people and they keep being
distracted by TRYPO's, MISPRONTS and Gramma'ical
errors. It could be worse, you might use the wrong
word, the consequences of which could just as
easily be offensive as funny.
So why bother, you ask.
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Suffice to say, she has inspired,
challenged and supported him at various
times, which has included supporting the
writing of a five-month thread that
produced a complete story, on more than
one occasion.
Prompt words for this week.
Sep 23: Efflorescence
Sep 24: Plexure
Sep 25: Fight
Sep 26: Coalescence
Sep 27: Chrysalis
Sep 28: Drummer
Sep 29: Cordolium
Owen is certain that he is not alone
when he says 'May your kindness and
generosity be returned a thousand fold,
Aspen. Thank you for being you.'
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Not everyone has a dog, a cat, kids, a
partner, etc. Not everyone feels
supported in their efforts, and not
everyone can set aside the time to write,
but must steal every precious minute they
can get to use for their craft.
The real challenge is how to make the
most of the time that we have available
to us. This may mean developing an
entirely unique way of doing your thing.
Authors, particularly those with other
commitments, have to be as flexible and
adaptable as they possibly can.
They also need to have their own system
for organising things which need to be
done. Those with a reasonable level of
income will be able to pay others to do
editing, proofreading, illustrations,
cover designs, etc., whereas those with
less money available tend to have to do
as much as they can themselves.
So remember, when you ask someone the best
way to write your stuff, what you're really
asking is "what works for them?"
Now, go get that information!
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There are some pretty wonderful advantages to
'playing by these rules'. You are more readily
understood, and your audience is less prone to
confusion. Plus, any editor you hire will not be
quite so reluctant to take on your manuscript if
they know they don't have to pull their hair out
because of repetitive, avoidable errors.
That said... isn't that what those poor editors
charge for?
Yes, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to make
their lives easier in their efforts to help your
work to be a shining example?
If in doubt ask around, and do include using the
resources of the internet as they are so abundant.
However, there is a wee caveat to that. Not
everything 'out there' is correct or accurate, so
collect as many answers as you can and then go
with the majority. But do be aware of the
differences in the spelling and grammar that is
used in different countries. Everyone calls it
English, but there are subtle differences, not
only in spelling but also in the grammatical
approaches.
For example - who uses "I wish he had done
something." and who uses "I wish he would have
done something". Subtle hint, the Atlantic
separates them.
Last word (until the next one), write the best
you can, always try to improve and don't worry if
you can't get it, because all that really matters
is that your editor can understand it well enough
to correct it. *Sorry editors!*
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NaNoWriMo
"National Novel Writing
Month".
An annual event from November 1st to
November 30th in which writers are
challenged to work towards producing
a novel length story by writing 50,000
words in that time.
Yes. It can be done, particularly when
you know it's coming and you have time
to prepare - which Owen didn't know was
permitted.
When Owen did NaNoWriMo in 2016, he hit
November 1st without any preparation and
went on to write a 60,000 word novel in less
than the permitted thirty days, entitled
The Awakening. It has yet to be polished,
but it is on the list of completed works
to be published.
Find out more from their website
via this link
NaNoWriMo
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Take whatever answer you receive and try
it, then keep what works and trash what
doesn't. Your way of getting those words
written may only be a few steps away. But
don't stop asking, because there might a
better, or easier, way of doing whatever
it is you want to do.
Lighthearted Limerick
There once was a person who wrote books,
who just couldn't find the right hooks.
They'd struggle each day
to order words the right way
and avoid getting some very strange looks!
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Writing: Full or Part Time?
Some swear by being a full time writer,
whereas others only dream of it. Which
is the best option?
That's a personal choice.
What's the difference between them?
Would you prefer to keep
writing as a serious hobby, or could you
do it as a full-time job?
Your answer will depend on your skillset,
your resources and your available time.
The more you can do, the more time you
need. The more money you have, the less
you need to do.
Whatever option you choose, may your
writing be the best you can manage and
may your writing entertain and delight
many readers.
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FORTHCOMING RELEASE
STOP PRESS
#RENEGADE
goes live on September 27th.
Be sure to keep up to date with the
adventures of Tommy McNulty.
STOP PRESS
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RATINGS vs REVIEWS
This may be a contentious issue for others
and not just for Owen. A rating is all
right, but it's just a number with no other
value associated with it.
So, the question has to be asked. What value
is placed on a rating without a review?
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From the perspective of an author it's not
worth all that much as it tells the author
nothing useful about why the value was
assigned, no reason, no excuse, no apology,
not even an accusation.
But for a prospective reader it's an
at-a-glance indicator as to whether a book
is worth their time, money and effort.
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At least with a review you get a feel for
what is good, what is bad and what is
mediocre, simply because the reader has
taken the time to pass comment and express
whatever it is that has affected their
opinion of the story.
It is incredible that people will rate a
story, but not comment as to why they are
rating it.
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One individual declared their marking
scheme very simply.
1) I hated it, 2) I didn't like it,
3) It was Ok, 4) It was good, and
5) It was excellent.
And that's it as far as that person was
concerned. It doesn't matter to them how
the rating is perceived, that's just the
way they use it!
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Produced by and for Owen G. Richards
and anyone else even remotely interested or
amused by this stuff
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