seriessix Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 darren, I'd be more worried for them to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Structure in a novel isn't timeless. A linear narrative structure, with the plot hurtling unerringly from A to B, as it does in many Agatha Christie novels, simply wouldn't be acceptable to a publisher today. If you read blogs and forum contributions by those associated with childrens' publishing, you'd be surprised by the number of fledgling authors who attempt to write for today's children having based their writing on the books they read as children. By that, I don't mean the fundamentals of story (which are timeless); I mean a manuscript written in a sub-Blyton style, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauerkraut Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 unless you have an outstanding and truly original voice that can transcend what's going on in publishing.... That's me folks! (I wish) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauerkraut Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 ...unless you actually live in a timewarp... That's me, too! Well, I've always said moving to a village in southern Germany is like going back a generation. It's quite good, too, most of the time! Oh and by the way, could someone please tell me how to include more than one quote in a reply. I know it's been asked elsewhere before but I can't find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattricia Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 I still dont believe that reading a lot of books (which I do) makes you a good writer . Also some people think if you are seated in a relaxing atmosphere e.g.Garden, sea-shore, that you will write better. I dont believe this. With writing, youve either got it, or you havent. Im thinking William Shakespeare.What books could he have read for inspiration ? There couldnt have been many around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren_sco Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 Structure in a novel isn't timeless. A linear narrative structure [/Quote] I hear what you're saying, but I'm not convinced narrative structure is the same as plot structure. Take Pulp Fiction as an exmple of how a fresh narrative structure can make an average plot more entertaining... And of course there will be many examples (Christie, arguably) where average narrative can constipate plot structure. Plot is timeless, at least in terms of classic structure, hero's journey etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren_sco Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I still dont believe that reading a lot of books (which I do) makes you a good writer. Maybe not, but NOT reading widely will hamper your development, and render you blind to cliche. Hmm, so actually, I guess reading widely WILL make you a better writer after all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I hear what you're saying, but I'm not convinced narrative structure is the same as plot structure. ... Narrative structure is the structure of the story; the way in which the plot is presented to the reader. ...Take Pulp Fiction as an exmple of how a fresh narrative structure can make an average plot more entertaining... And of course there will be many examples (Christie, arguably) where average narrative can constipate plot structure. ... Yes, the structure of many Christie novels is linear: introduction to characters -> murder of one of the characters -> interview of the characters to establish motive and alibi -> final scene where Poirot reveals the solution. The Pulp Fiction screenplay is clearly more modern and very definitely non-linear. Plot is timeless, at least in terms of classic structure, hero's journey etc. I'd agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 Maybe not, but NOT reading widely will hamper your development, and render you blind to cliche. Hmm, so actually, I guess reading widely WILL make you a better writer after all Isn't there a Stephen King quote somewhere in 'On Writing' about how reading others' work and endless practice will make an average writer good, but won't make a good writer great? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaimani Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 my personal take is that you do need to read as widely as possible- i hae a thing for intructuion manuals at the moment. things just seep into you. new ways of saying things and that. but i do think that reading widely with the express aim of finding other ways of doing things can be detrimental to, not only your own 'voice' but even your basic writing. thank you, kaimani, for being the minister of stating the bloody obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.