Hmm…

Tag: writing

  • Why Writers Should Take a History Degree

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    harmamae
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    “Take journalism,” people will advise young, aspiring writers who feel they should go to university to get a degree in something. “You’ll learn more about writing, and get a practical job out of it too.” Clearly this was not advice I took, or could take, since none of the colleges around where I live offered…

  • Beware the “Self-Appointed Language Arbiter”!

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    harmamae
    in

    “The view of language as a variable system is at odds with the notions expressed in traditional grammars and adopted by teachers who insist that there is only one “correct” way to speak the language… Though unsupported by any scientific evidence, such notions are propagated by a host of self-appointed language arbiters who proffer inept…

  • How Not to Write About Brazil (Several Tips)

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    harmamae
    in ,

    Let’s just say you’re going to write a novel set in Brazil. I know, I know, there’s not a whole ton of novels out there set in Brazil, but I think the world could use a few more set in South America. If you’re going to go that route, or even if you just want…

  • Just Write What You Mean

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    harmamae
    in

    There’s Got to be a Common-Sense Approach to the Language Rules Presciptivists vs. Descriptivists – apparently these are two sides of a lingual battle that involves literary theorists, writers and all-around grammar nazis. The New Yorker magazine (that bastion of literary prestige!) kicked things off by describing an old conflict between those who want to…

  • Blogging Responsibly

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    harmamae
    in ,

    Blogging is a funny thing. Many times I’ve poured thought into some topic, feeling like a post about it really needs to get out there. That this little thing I’ve noticed about the world around me has got to be noticed by other people too. Then – nothing. No reaction from the internet at large.…

  • Harder to Write Romance Than Criticize It

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    harmamae
    in

    “If you think it’s so awful, why don’t you try to do it yourself?” That’s the sort of thing you get thrown at you if you criticize something. No one’s said it specifically to me, even after going on and on about ‘The Trouble With Modern Romance,’ ‘Healthy Romance Makes Bad Novels,’ and ‘The Missing…

  • The Missing Ingredient in Too Many Romance Novels

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    harmamae
    in

      The Over-stated Role of Attraction There are a couple typical plots for romance novels, but most of them go something like this: Girl is frustrated at being single/sick of dating jerks/doesn’t have time for romance. Girl and Guy meet cute. Girl and Guy hate each other for some contrived reason (usually one of them…

  • An Opening to Intrigue You

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    harmamae
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    In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. – Howl’s Moving Castle (yes, again)  I love this opening because it establishes so clearly that this novel is going to poke fun at fairy-tales. The…

  • Why Blog?

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    harmamae
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    Advice for New/Old Bloggers  Apparently the number of blogs on the net is approaching infinity – if you count everyone’s Myspace and Facebook notes and so on. Still, if that is true, why on earth am I writing another one? Or if it was your New Year’s Resolution to start one yourself, why should you…

  • Breaking the 10 Simple Rules for Writing a Novel

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    harmamae
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    There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. — W. Somerset Maugham  Well, while surfing the net I stumbled across a lovely article advising people on how to write a novel in 2012 – you know, if that’s your New Year’s Resolution or something. And some of the…