Tag Archives: Writing

A blog on writing, An author and her thoughts on writing

An awesome book versus a crappy book: Can you tell the difference or do you care?

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Can you tell the difference between a great book versus a crappy book? Most people, if not all, would say yes. And yes it should be yes. I am not talking from a writer’s perspective. We all know what we like when it comes to art, music, books and movies.

But what if someone told you that this is what you should like in these forms of art? If I told you that the book you read had a poor plot line, poor character development, head hopping from character to character, poorly researched and rushed at the end would you not like the book anymore?

If I told you it should have gone through a beta group, a critique group and if nothing else to an editor one more time would you not like the book anymore? If I told you it had many loop holes, your protagonist wasn’t believable, how the transition between the beginning to the twist was flawed would you not like the book anymore?

I bring this up for one main reason. I was on Amazon leaving a review for two books. I tend to read the reviews that are placed there for the same book. When I see many positive reviews it causes me to wonder. Didn’t they see the error filled chapters? Didn’t they see that in one chapter it was her boyfriend and the next chapter it was her husband and the next her boyfriend again? Did they not see how the ending was just tidied up with little rhyme or reason? Either you are a friend of this author or you like what you like and nothing above matters to you.

We like what we like for reasons that works for us. I read a book hat had an amazing plot, twist and well-developed characters. The grammar and edits were atrocious. If I can let go the writer in me it would work. Other times I just want to pull my hair out.

But a the end of the day what works for you is what matters.

Blog on writing

This book or movie is based on a true story: But how much really?

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You have seen the movies where it says the following is based on a true story. I use to be impressed with that expecting that the movie would be upfront and accurate from the story they took it from . That came tumbling down with the first of the Jason Bourne movies. Walking out of the movie theater I asked my husband, who had read the book, how accurate was it. He said, “ My name is Jason Bourne.” He then proceeded to walk to our vehicle. Catching up I inquired more of how it was accurate. He said that is it. I think I remember that line correctly.

How true do you want your book to be? How much do you want it to be accurate to a story or headline you are writing it from? As writers or movie makers we can take a wide leap and a huge circle of license to complete the story line.

Now when I hear this statement I take it with a grain of salt. When a movie is based on a book if it is decent enough I will go back to the book and read to see how much they used versus how much they changed the outcome.

It does come down to the artist and how they want to proceed with the project. But it be nice if they write that it is based on a true story that a portion of it is accurate and not just the statement alone.

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Has your journey as a writer been great?

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I been spring cleaning my office. It is something I have been avoiding for way too long. With it came two full cabinets stuffed with papers that I had to go through one by one. Joy, right? The bookcases were not bad. The roll cart that is dedicated to writing and etc was easy peasy. But the file cabinets not so much

But as I sorted through sheet after sheet of paper I found some awesome stuff. Cards from years and years from my husband with his message inside each one. I came across some old pictures that made me pause and smile as the memories came back alive. I came across stacks and stacks of papers concerning writing whether it was an article, an old notebook from classes I have taken, notes from a conference, pictures from conferences I been to and so on.

I have been doing this a while now, writing. It really has flown. People have asked me, “Hey, are you still writing?” I get why and yes I am. In fact one book has been ready since March of last year but life gets in the way at times.

It was awesome to find photocopies of quotes I have received or made myself. I saw an old calendar of my events, programs and speaking engagements I have done over the years. It has truly gone by so fast. But it has been a great experience for me for this is something I never expected to be doing when I was younger. Heck, even years ago.

So while it took me a number of trash bags, a lot of shredding, a lot of filing and finding room for everything my office is now in order and there is a place for everything so I am better organized. That alone was worth it. But the journey to get here was hard work but so much fun as I scanned visually the last few years as an author. It has been really great, I have met some amazing people, I have formed long-lasting friendships that go beyond writing, and I have come to be happy with this.

I hope those who are writers who follow me can say the same that the journey has been worth it,