tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post1939323100298124086..comments2024-03-22T23:59:37.332-07:00Comments on Les Edgerton on Writing: A MAJOR FLAW IN TEACHING CREATIVE WRITING (FICTION) EFFECTIVELY LIES IN OUR TERMINOLOGYLes Edgertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-37244794675403154222010-09-20T12:53:36.326-07:002010-09-20T12:53:36.326-07:00Thanks Juliette and Crystal. You guys are so nice!...Thanks Juliette and Crystal. You guys are so nice! Writers are just about the best folks in the world.Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-56802631528478681022010-09-20T08:50:25.139-07:002010-09-20T08:50:25.139-07:00Fabulous post. Me and my students talk about this ...Fabulous post. Me and my students talk about this all the time and I love HOOKED. I carried it around like the Bible for some time and suggested my students do the same.Crystal Wilkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05695181831964538544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-5082110834065125932010-09-18T10:34:31.870-07:002010-09-18T10:34:31.870-07:00Les, thanks for going to visit, and I'm so gla...Les, thanks for going to visit, and I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks to J. Nelson also! I'm going to link to this blog, because they'd be interested in the subtleties you explore (particularly in this post). And I'll be back around regularly, I expect!Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-42970432524699553682010-09-18T07:52:58.050-07:002010-09-18T07:52:58.050-07:00Hi Perri--thanks for the comments. I've visite...Hi Perri--thanks for the comments. I've visited your own blog and am adding it here.<br /><br />And, you're a shepherd! That's something I've always wanted to be! That's the trut'! Actually, I've always wanted to raise chickens--broilers--but not in a big, factory way but smaller. Organically-raised. I did that when I was a kid and it was the coolest experience of my life.<br /><br />Blue skies,<br />LesLes Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-78382997480698743062010-09-18T07:48:58.817-07:002010-09-18T07:48:58.817-07:00Hi Jennifer--glad you liked the post. I see we'...Hi Jennifer--glad you liked the post. I see we're both Acquarians--I'm Feb. 13.<br /><br />I'm adding your blog to my list here.<br /><br />Best of luck with your own writing!<br /><br />Blue skies,<br />LesLes Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-4126396719078694522010-09-18T06:28:41.083-07:002010-09-18T06:28:41.083-07:00Thanks, Les. I've just discovered your blog an...Thanks, Les. I've just discovered your blog and it is really informative. <br /><br />It's easy for writers to get hooked by certain phrases, "Start with action" for example without understanding them fully. <br /><br />I'll be back!Perrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08485133856416996635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-1139312377535250802010-09-16T16:45:29.915-07:002010-09-16T16:45:29.915-07:00My 6th grade Algebra teacher had been teaching the...My 6th grade Algebra teacher had been teaching the subject for over 30 years, so whenever one of my classmates would struggle with a new concept (never ME, bec I alllways got it ;)) my teacher would freak out. The students weren't stupid; my teacher just forgot what it was like to be on the other side...<br />It's nice when someone well-educated in a subject takes the time to break it down for the newbies. So thnx =)<br /><br />http://jenniferharrellscott.blogspot.comjennifer.harrell.scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01209143337224235244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-56151119200349937602010-09-15T08:20:15.893-07:002010-09-15T08:20:15.893-07:00Thanks, J.! I'm honored you not only visited h...Thanks, J.! I'm honored you not only visited here but very honored that you talked about the post on your site. For the folks that don't know J. Nelson Leith, he's one of the most respected writer-bloggers out there. Do yourself a favor and visit his site--he'll always engage our gray matter!<br /><br />Thanks again, John!Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-78420717553328547702010-09-15T07:56:28.171-07:002010-09-15T07:56:28.171-07:00Thanks for the trackback, Les!
And, I'm with ...Thanks for the trackback, Les!<br /><br />And, I'm with you on Juliette's blog. I've been going there for a while now ... lots of good stuff.J. Nelson Leithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447435354556646276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-47774374018929737472010-09-15T06:08:10.872-07:002010-09-15T06:08:10.872-07:00This post was commented on in J. Nelson Leith'...This post was commented on in J. Nelson Leith's blog at: http://j.nelsonleith.com/2010/09/14/what-do-action-and-problem-mean-for-writers/<br /><br />Thanks, Glynis.<br /><br />Sex Scenes - Looks like you "get it."<br /><br />Dirty White Candy - God, I love you guys' names! - appreciate your comments.<br /><br />Juliette - I looked at your blog and it's really, really good. I'm listing it on my blogsites and plan to visit it regularly. Thank you.Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-33341215323227327582010-09-14T08:47:13.680-07:002010-09-14T08:47:13.680-07:00Very insightful post. This is the kind of thing t...Very insightful post. This is the kind of thing that gets me volunteering to teach writing in the schools - so people don't have to wait until college to start having a sane orientation to the structure of stories. As a linguist, I entirely agree that hidden differences in the definitions of terms can be a problem. Your concept of "selective reading" is definitely consistent with reading research inasmuch as a lot of what a reader "reads" comes from inside him/herself rather than from the text. I try to bring my linguist/anthropologist's perspective to discussing writing at my blog, and would love it if you could take a look. It focuses primarily on science fiction and fantasy, but I actually think non-genre writers could benefit sometimes from an extensive and explicit sense of how to build worlds. Anyway, thanks for the great post!Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-534843648712244202010-09-14T05:12:44.358-07:002010-09-14T05:12:44.358-07:00Two misnomers, nicely explained. I'd thought o...Two misnomers, nicely explained. I'd thought of this before in terms of the 'action' definition - basically I explain it as the difference between a character doing something that we vicariously join in with, and doing nothing but thinking or being described. <br /><br />The problem with 'problem' is interesting. I've come across that too, but explained it to writers as 'give the characters problems and make them very important'. But redefining the terms is perhaps an easier way to go!<br /><br />Thanks, Les - good post.Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088813423467048081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-18236852645794360262010-09-13T18:30:49.482-07:002010-09-13T18:30:49.482-07:00This took me a long time to get. I've worked a...This took me a long time to get. I've worked a lot on my first line for SCAR and finally came up with one that reflects the theme of the book. Trinidad is essentially walking across a churchyard. Not a lot of action. But he's also anticipating something (bad, of course) and the first line represents the conflict between his past, present, and future, a major theme.<br /><br />We'll see if it works...ssashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15527483283426518167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-5152717953965909982010-09-13T10:14:13.795-07:002010-09-13T10:14:13.795-07:00I am with Margaret. I have 'lightbulb moments&...I am with Margaret. I have 'lightbulb moments' when all becomes clear. Only when my brain is ready to absorb the information though.<br /><br />Interesting post, thanks.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-9668055096641171442010-09-12T09:46:52.231-07:002010-09-12T09:46:52.231-07:00Hi Gypsywoman and welcome! I just browsed your blo...Hi Gypsywoman and welcome! I just browsed your blogs--very sensual! You are a dead ringer for a writer friend of mine--Jane Bradley. When I saw your photo, I was taken aback. They say everybody has a twin and she's yours.<br /><br />It's funny sometimes, when you encounter your twin. I remember my such experience vividly. Years ago, I picked up this magazine called (I think) People Magazine and saw the cover and man! It was like looking into a mirror. Some guy named Richard Gere was the photo.<br /><br />You just never know...<br /><br />Anyway, hope you enjoy our blog and I'll be visiting yours. I have a brand-new appreciation for ballet now...Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-65727292669451093672010-09-12T08:16:29.495-07:002010-09-12T08:16:29.495-07:00hello there - i've just come across your blog ...hello there - i've just come across your blog and could not resist following along with you - would love to have you drop by one of my campfires and just browse around should you be so inclined - i have several, so there is a lot to browse! ;) in any event, am really looking forward to more of your "observations" - have a fabulous day!GYPSYWOMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03042621041213415958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-11063459140580115312010-09-11T15:08:28.451-07:002010-09-11T15:08:28.451-07:00Hi Satoribomb (cool name!).
At the risk of being ...Hi Satoribomb (cool name!).<br /><br />At the risk of being immodest, I cover surface problems and story-worthy problems in my book, Hooked. It's probably the only place you can get that info... since I invented the terms...<br /><br />I think you'd get some good info out of it.<br /><br />The shorthand definition is that it's the deeper problem at the core of the story. The surface problem/goal (win the girl, the prize, the job, whatever) is only a superficial symbol of what's really at stake--a deeply personal, psychological problem.<br /><br />It's explained and developed much more in my book. I promise you!Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-4736487719834334502010-09-11T14:36:52.508-07:002010-09-11T14:36:52.508-07:00Thank you for clearing up that bit of confusion ab...Thank you for clearing up that bit of confusion about "action" Les - it's bugged me like an out-of-place detail for ages now. But, I'm still trying to wrap my head around your explanation of a story-worthy "problem". Any other examples you'd be willing to share or resources you can offer for further reading?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580458013477626657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-19979695356043228352010-09-11T06:10:20.097-07:002010-09-11T06:10:20.097-07:00Thanks, Margaret. I'm as guilty as anyone of &...Thanks, Margaret. I'm as guilty as anyone of "selective reading." As well as "selective listening."<br /><br />I've been thinking about this and think I know at least a contributing cause. Being older than yellow snow, I've seen a sea change in society's life style, and when I was a kid, people read much more leisurely and carefully. Today, we perceive the world to be moving at the speed of light, so we do everything to keep up, including speed-reading. Our lives are spent "skimming" everything and therefore we tend to miss a lot.<br /><br />Just an observation...Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918800617954487311.post-26784108287583840182010-09-10T20:38:24.430-07:002010-09-10T20:38:24.430-07:00Thanks Les. Good information as usual. Talk abou...Thanks Les. Good information as usual. Talk about not being on the same page, I can read the same craft book a second and third time and learn something different with each read. It all depends on where I am as a writer. It seems I can only understand and absorb what I'm ready for, depending upon my stage as a writer.Margaret Duartehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105309340849038764noreply@blogger.com