tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post8935223096482713984..comments2024-03-26T10:02:32.848-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Roberta X: Printer/WritingRoberta Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-76206849417638572972013-07-01T18:07:14.072-04:002013-07-01T18:07:14.072-04:00My 'trick' for what it's worth is to p...My 'trick' for what it's worth is to print out the document and work it backward, e.g. from the ending to the beginning, that helps me catch 'most' of the problem words and some of the grammatical/punctuation mistakes. Otherwise, I go beg friends to read the stuff and promise them beer later! :-) And agree with Frank, this stuff is NOT easy!!!Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-23447719047614734892013-07-01T09:56:09.395-04:002013-07-01T09:56:09.395-04:00And, BTW, I ratify what Frank said. You ARE a good...And, BTW, I ratify what Frank said. You ARE a good writer. Learning where the buttons are should come easily to you.<br /><br />MMark Algerhttp://www.babytrollblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-40354917489327916612013-07-01T09:54:30.627-04:002013-07-01T09:54:30.627-04:00Bobbi;
I might recommend the Online Writer's ...Bobbi;<br /><br />I might recommend the Online Writer's Workshop. Permits being a wallflower while simultaneously "meeting" fellow writers and learning how to view fiction with a critical eye. It does require considerable time, but appears worth it, when you judge by the list of distinguished "graduates" (including, to name but two, Elizabeth Bear and Jim Butcher).<br /><br />And, once you feel you've "graduated", seek out a professional editor. Kim du Toit recommends Jeff Hill, of Quilldrivers and I'm going to be working with him (Jeff). I should have reports later this summer.<br /><br />MMark Algerhttp://www.babytrollblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-7707895643790859312013-06-30T23:11:49.931-04:002013-06-30T23:11:49.931-04:00Frank, sound advice, and I can hope to be as good ...Frank, sound advice, and I can hope to be as good a writer as you imply; but I have to get past my reluctance to meet people to find a writing group.Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-73963543053682818332013-06-30T22:31:42.156-04:002013-06-30T22:31:42.156-04:00More like she's the only thing preventing me.....More like she's the only thing preventing me...Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-66907210102392660572013-06-30T21:46:49.794-04:002013-06-30T21:46:49.794-04:00So, what you're saying between the lines is th...So, what you're saying between the lines is that you're all that's preventing Tam from taking the final steps into Crazy Cat Lady?<br /><br />Thank you for your interventions!Angus McThaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09295013525738248801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-85180498712564693022013-06-30T20:22:53.470-04:002013-06-30T20:22:53.470-04:00Somone I know has, faced with the problem of not a...Somone I know has, faced with the problem of not actually producing anything, adopted a system of making himself do a minimum amount every day (in his case, since he's a composer, three bars of short score); it seems to be working for him. He does have the advantage of commuting to his regular job (meaning the one that pays the bills) on the mass transit, so he does most of his work on the thirty minutes to or from while he's riding the MBTA. Obviously, that part won't work for you. <br />But is there a place where you can eat your brown bag lunch in peace--outdoors at this time of year, of course, has possibilities, and by the time fall arrives you'll have found an indoor place. <br /><br />As to the minimum amount you want to write--that would be up to you, as long as it's doable. And better to use something that's too little, and simply write more, than something too large, and fail. And you can always adjust it later if you realize you can write two paragraphs in that half hour and not just one.<br /><br />And one final suggestion: don't read it like a proofreader; read it like an editor, looking for changes you can make that will improve the final draft. (And the only final draft is the one the publisher actually gives to the public.) It won't eliminate typos, but should cut down on them and the other things you're concerned about. <br /><br />KishneviAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-15918993599214131382013-06-30T15:55:51.182-04:002013-06-30T15:55:51.182-04:00It's strange. I can't proof-read my own m...It's strange. I can't proof-read my own material until I see it printed out. (Yeah, after 25 years of writing articles for gun magazines I've Killed a lot of trees.) I know I sure as heck can't proof-read off a monitor or screen and I don't have a clue why.<br /><br />I'm in the middle of my rewrite on my novel after hiring a professional editor and what I'm seeing is I got about 98% to 99% of it right the first time, but that 1% to 2% that's wrong really makes it all wrong.<br /><br />Most of the time I've got stuff in the wrong place, not the wrong stuff, I just put it in the wrong place. Pacing?<br /><br />My biggest problem probably has more to do with impatience and I gave away too many details at various points in plot-line. The editor has put a stop to that.<br /><br />How does all that help you? It's just this. You are already a good writer or so many of us wouldn't come here everyday, but in my opinion fiction writing is harder even than tight newspaper writing and our experience level is low....comparitively speaking at this stuff.<br /><br />Due to my location (and isolation) finding a writer's club was out of the question, that's why I hired a pro, but you live in a relatively 'Artsy' location, I'm sure you can find a group who would be willing at their meetings to work you through some rough spots...<br /><br />All The Best,<br />Frank W. JamesFrank W. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13226349436102265762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-79656536610421488382013-06-30T15:34:06.278-04:002013-06-30T15:34:06.278-04:00I think Jeff Soyer has been doing proof reading fo...I think Jeff Soyer has been doing proof reading for people. <br />http://www.alphecca.comJOe in Renonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-22675531480221426202013-06-30T14:42:35.011-04:002013-06-30T14:42:35.011-04:00As to uncaught typos, dropped words, and other sol...As to uncaught typos, dropped words, and other solecisms, my problem is as yours. I've been told they happen because of a certain form of mild dyslexia. Dunno, but it sounds neater than being a careless slob. <br /><br />There's a certain weirdness there. Before computers, I had a rep as a pretty good copy editor/proof reader. If so, the knack absolutely died when I faced a computer screen.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00034752526895428019noreply@blogger.com