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by swfdoc1
Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--USING IMAGERY
Replies: 50
Views: 55000

Re: Be a Better Writer--USING IMAGERY

Here’s a pair of sentences. As for process, I guess I just thought about a sentence that would already have some imagery in it and then tried to add details to the main idea to really get the reader’s brain firing. Todd awoke to the wonderful smells emanating from the kitchen. Todd’s eyes fluttered ...
by swfdoc1
Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:40 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY
Replies: 16
Views: 18966

Re: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY

pheeweed wrote:Steve, thanks for sharing your story, even though it's painful. It was helpful.
I'm glad it was.
by swfdoc1
Sun Aug 31, 2014 3:10 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY
Replies: 16
Views: 18966

Re: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY

Thanks. Your "yellow box" comment on the C.S. Lewis entry keyed in on the "trick" I played with that piece. I deliberately induced readers to "hear" Walter Cronkite's "famous, clipped, trained-to-talk-slowly, recognizable-anywhere voice" in their heads. My hop...
by swfdoc1
Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:28 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY
Replies: 16
Views: 18966

Re: Be a Better Writer--BIOGRAPHY

Here are two Challenge entries that are both fairly special to me, each in a different ways. The first one, The Way it Was , is straight biography, but with a fairly interesting set-up. It became my first EC. The second one, Eternal Spring Hopes , is a fictionalized account of real (i.e., autobiogra...
by swfdoc1
Sun Aug 17, 2014 1:02 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--ADJECTIVES in the proper order
Replies: 14
Views: 18361

Re: Be a Better Writer--SOME THINGS ABOUT ADJECTIVES

glorybee wrote:
(Thanks to Steve Fitschen for helping me to make sure this lesson is accurate. All questions should be directed to him.) :D
Gee, thanks! :shock:

Y'all better direct them to Jan--at least until after Mon. midnight. I'm on deadline and may not even get to sleep tonight.
by swfdoc1
Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:20 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--TELL, DON'T SHOW? WHAT?
Replies: 42
Views: 45826

Re: Be a Better Writer--TELL, DON'T SHOW? WHAT?

Jan, When I went to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference a few years ago, someone (I can't remember between two VERY accomplished folks, so I won't guess) mentioned another place where telling is better than showing. He said showing is better for scenes and telling is better for transitions bet...
by swfdoc1
Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:10 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY
Replies: 47
Views: 69589

Re: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY

My point was not that someone has to be a college professor to understand these terms; quite the opposite. Everyone can and should. My point was that many people—for whatever reason—don’t currently know them. However, I will add to that that I have met many people who either don’t want to learn them...
by swfdoc1
Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:24 am
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY
Replies: 47
Views: 69589

Re: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY

I agree that the technical grammar terms are very helpful and wish all writers would master them for that very reason. However, Jan is wonderful for, and great at, explaining these things to folks who haven't mastered them.
by swfdoc1
Sun Jul 06, 2014 4:26 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY
Replies: 47
Views: 69589

Re: Be a Better Writer--COMMAS ARE TRICKY

Thanks, Jan. I am confused about the placement of commas in reference to strong (independent) and weak (dependent) clauses. I was under the impression that if a weak clause follows a strong clause, a comma is not needed to separate them. For example (also from my manuscript): 1) Agnes gazed at her,...
by swfdoc1
Thu Jun 19, 2014 7:36 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER
Replies: 65
Views: 75376

Re: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER

I'm slightly intimidated by it, but when (if!) I ever get some free time, I'll definitely work through some of the poems on that site. I still freshen up with it sometimes and still make mistakes. One thing that is especially nice is that in some passages, it alerts you to more than one possible wa...
by swfdoc1
Thu Jun 19, 2014 2:39 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER
Replies: 65
Views: 75376

Re: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER

2 quick thoughts: First, in their posts here, some folks have indicated stressed and unstressed syllables differently than I would. Some of this may be that an established rhythm can almost “force” the reader to put stress where it would otherwise not lay, and this is subjective. Also, I’m not sure ...
by swfdoc1
Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:44 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER
Replies: 65
Views: 75376

Re: Be a Better Writer--MASTERING METER

Great stuff Jan and everyone! I had a busy yesterday and today, and am exhausted, so all I can do is link to an old thread, with a quick explanation. But will try to do homework as able. Here’s the old thread . I know you said master meter first and then deal with exceptions. And you are exactly rig...
by swfdoc1
Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:31 am
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS
Replies: 44
Views: 43223

Re: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS

I don't mind a book that requires SOME work. That's a different kind of read with a different kind of reward. I just don't know whether I'll ever be willing to work as hard as necessary to get through this book. The thing that interests me is that this stuff had to be translated from Italian and it ...
by swfdoc1
Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:05 am
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS
Replies: 44
Views: 43223

Re: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS

Jan, your question, as well as a comment on this thread and one or more on another of your threads got me to thinking about a bunch of stuff. First of all, how much of what we do and don’t like is due to our developed or undeveloped tastes? Make any comparison you want to regarding food or drink: qu...
by swfdoc1
Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:24 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS
Replies: 44
Views: 43223

Re: Be a Better Writer--LEARNING FROM THE PROS

glorybee wrote:I wonder if anyone else out there might want to bring this thread full circle. Are you reading something that you can share with us? A paragraph or two of excellent writing, in any genre?
Maybe tomorrow, if time permits. I'd love to win the Rolex!

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