Indeed. I love that they initially and somewhat sheepishly shared their poetry with each other. That was the first that either had ever opened up literarily to another academic colleague. It was a big deal and a vulnerable move. We all need to make those, I think, to truly hone our craft.
“Readers don’t read books. They read sentences, paragraphs and page.” Brilliant! As is the idea of captivating your audience right away. Even more brilliant? Your choice of beer and unlimited chips at the pub as you reworked the book!
Thank you, Jeff. This post was worth reading and stopping my day to consider. As an artist, I found, “If your big idea can’t be seen in the first few words ( or glance) , it doesn’t matter how many details you put in.” Very helpful! I’ll make a note of it and put it above my desk.
This article came to me at the perfect time. I read the first ten pages of my sci fi novel yesterday and am convinced that I’m writing two separate short stories 😂 perhaps it just needs a change in perspective.
Probably also the threshold of commitment for yourself: if you can manage to climb the mountain of the first ten pages, the rest is just a slope on the way down.
You always give us so much to think about. I liked this post. Do you remember the movie "The Time Machine" There were three books he came back to get off his shelf to help build a civilization? That was my first though when you were talking about those four questions.
Love this whole entire (yes, redundant! For emphasis) post! I love hearing the story about Tolkien and Lewis, who both wrote some of my favourite stories, and how you wrote so well a truth of stories: “We writers are in the attention business.” This post was so well written and shares such useful ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Agree! There’s gold (or publication, at least) in them there hills. Vonnegut had me at his title, too. I love Marion Roach’s teaching on writing the gripping op ed before the book, which I might need to do to find my opening scene. Alas and alak, I’m not in Oxford … !
I'm going to be thinking about that idea of moving your hobbits out of the shire for a long time.
Yes, me too. I felt so called out
Tolkien and Lewis were lucky to be able to confide in each other- their respective fictional universes show what influence each man had on the other.
Indeed. I love that they initially and somewhat sheepishly shared their poetry with each other. That was the first that either had ever opened up literarily to another academic colleague. It was a big deal and a vulnerable move. We all need to make those, I think, to truly hone our craft.
“Readers don’t read books. They read sentences, paragraphs and page.” Brilliant! As is the idea of captivating your audience right away. Even more brilliant? Your choice of beer and unlimited chips at the pub as you reworked the book!
Thank you, Jeff. This post was worth reading and stopping my day to consider. As an artist, I found, “If your big idea can’t be seen in the first few words ( or glance) , it doesn’t matter how many details you put in.” Very helpful! I’ll make a note of it and put it above my desk.
This was a really helpful read! Thanks for sharing!
This article came to me at the perfect time. I read the first ten pages of my sci fi novel yesterday and am convinced that I’m writing two separate short stories 😂 perhaps it just needs a change in perspective.
Thank you :)
Probably also the threshold of commitment for yourself: if you can manage to climb the mountain of the first ten pages, the rest is just a slope on the way down.
You always give us so much to think about. I liked this post. Do you remember the movie "The Time Machine" There were three books he came back to get off his shelf to help build a civilization? That was my first though when you were talking about those four questions.
Thank you for this 🙏🏾
This post and your last have really set a fire under my seat! Thanks for your pointed encouragement.
Love this whole entire (yes, redundant! For emphasis) post! I love hearing the story about Tolkien and Lewis, who both wrote some of my favourite stories, and how you wrote so well a truth of stories: “We writers are in the attention business.” This post was so well written and shares such useful ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Agree! There’s gold (or publication, at least) in them there hills. Vonnegut had me at his title, too. I love Marion Roach’s teaching on writing the gripping op ed before the book, which I might need to do to find my opening scene. Alas and alak, I’m not in Oxford … !
Next time!
Wait — what are the four questions? at least give us 1.5 of them 😅
You'll have to wait for the book for those. ;)