tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post2554733569058610477..comments2023-10-19T10:08:00.241-04:00Comments on Write First, Blog Later: You've Come a Long Way, Baby Blogfest/ContestUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-46445181622133883652011-02-06T15:30:33.884-05:002011-02-06T15:30:33.884-05:00Great blog fest. This was my first one. I really e...Great blog fest. This was my first one. I really enjoyed it. <br /><br />The second version sets the scene physically and emotionally. Bravo!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732854288433860194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-47730194688186728482011-02-06T09:07:50.344-05:002011-02-06T09:07:50.344-05:00Hello Christine,
thank you for this great blogfes...Hello Christine,<br /><br />thank you for this great blogfest. I really enjoyed reading some other experiences.<br /><br />I have to say I'm not a fan of long description in either way, but your second version really grabbed me. The feeling is so much more concrete and there is a good sense of character. I also liked the rhythm.<br /><br />I'm glad to follow your writing now.<br /><a href="http://nahnomclein.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"><i> Nahno ∗ McLein</i> ™</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16548562702122142828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-83422036630479781462011-02-05T20:52:56.309-05:002011-02-05T20:52:56.309-05:00Hi Christine!
I followed your comment on Trisha&#...Hi Christine!<br /><br />I followed your comment on Trisha's blog and entered. Thanks for the fun challenge!Becky Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02880501542510014819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-74958948799262797572011-02-05T20:44:17.783-05:002011-02-05T20:44:17.783-05:00Thank you, everyone, for your very kind comments. ...Thank you, everyone, for your very kind comments. I sometimes get discouraged that I don't write in the action-packed way that others do. But I'm starting to have confidence that there may be an audience for my voice, too.<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading everyone's posts. I'll try to tally the points up and select the winners by the end of the day tomorrow.Nighfalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745824744507928211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-66837410158937045122011-02-05T19:12:00.138-05:002011-02-05T19:12:00.138-05:00Your descriptions were always strong, Christine. B...Your descriptions were always strong, Christine. But as you said, there is an emotional connection that brings the second one to life. Your writing has a beautiful, calm, serene kind of voice. <br />It has been fun reading how so many writers started out and how their writing matured. It has been an educational Blogfest ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459671422564355990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-22512429512529939162011-02-05T18:44:11.173-05:002011-02-05T18:44:11.173-05:00I love your use of description! I agree, emotion m...I love your use of description! I agree, emotion must be present, or else we only see a scene, minus the "investment" need to pull in a reader. Nice job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-22589838382135762142011-02-05T15:38:03.148-05:002011-02-05T15:38:03.148-05:00I'm so glad you did, Donna!!!I'm so glad you did, Donna!!!Nighfalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745824744507928211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-55763341860432702802011-02-05T13:51:33.074-05:002011-02-05T13:51:33.074-05:00OK, reading some of the other entrants changed my ...OK, reading some of the other entrants changed my mind, and I decided to enter.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-14283799758477288202011-02-05T09:19:10.639-05:002011-02-05T09:19:10.639-05:00Yay for the the blogfests! I have to tell you, th...Yay for the the blogfests! I have to tell you, that while your first version was dry and maybe left the reader with questions like 'But why do I care what this place looks like?' I would have read on simply because your descriptions were so articulated and detailed. But the second version post-chopping is definitely a keeper!Artemis Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10849091563671031929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-78753680057549025782011-02-05T09:02:41.628-05:002011-02-05T09:02:41.628-05:00Hi Christine, thanks for your comment at Artemis&#...Hi Christine, thanks for your comment at Artemis's. I decided to add my name to the list and allow people to filter to my last post.<br /><br />Thanks for your example. I do the opposite with my setting, I forget all about it. My characters are in a perpetual state of etherealness. I know I need to change that, and your advice about tying setting to your character's emotions is golden. Thanks!Jonathon Arntsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17366218140886892757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-81619788383828859612011-02-05T08:42:46.611-05:002011-02-05T08:42:46.611-05:00The sense of sound really helps the second one com...The sense of sound really helps the second one come to life. Either way I'm drawn to the beautiful voice in your writing. Thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-50812989658089739152011-02-05T08:09:06.307-05:002011-02-05T08:09:06.307-05:00Your descriptions in the first snippet were lovely...Your descriptions in the first snippet were lovely, but didn't draw me into the story the way the second did. It felt disconnected from any characters, so there was nothing to grab on to. <br /><br />I did feel the setting sparked more emotions in the second. But again, the first paragraph doesn't have any people in it. I was thinking, and this is just food for thought and nothing more :)), that this may be a stronger first line, because it tells me right away about the people opening the story: <br /><br />"The party crossed the bridge, hooves clattering on the stone, and turned to look one last time at the slope behind them." <br /><br />That sentence has me immediately intrigued. Who are the people in the party? Where are they going? And then coming right in with the setting exposition adds emotion to those questions, heightens their departure -- to where? I want to read on to find out.<br /><br />I'm enjoying this blogfest!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-54639644151969654682011-02-05T06:49:40.748-05:002011-02-05T06:49:40.748-05:00Hey Donna,
No worries about the blogfest. I know...Hey Donna,<br /> No worries about the blogfest. I know you are busy. I love your new profile pic!<br /><br />Simon, I have not read "The Road" but I suppose I should. Right after I get around to "War and Peace." But he's published and I'm not so who am I to judge?<br /><br />Dawn, I'm not a fan of first person either. The only books I really like in first person are the Amelia Peabody series and the Goldy Bear books, both mysteries with very strong female voices. Normally I like knowing more than one person's point of view.<br /><br />Michelle, I can't wait to read yours!Nighfalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745824744507928211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-31296936420926703332011-02-05T02:40:07.574-05:002011-02-05T02:40:07.574-05:00I liked the first one, but it did lack heart.
I l...I liked the first one, but it did lack heart.<br /><br />I loved the second because it was tied to Maryena's feelings of home and loss.<br /><br />You have learned a lot, and I'm sure cutting the first setting was difficult. When I first started writing I found it hard to cut out anything I'd written, but later I found that if I didn't feel it added to the plot or characters, it was way easier to cut. <br /><br />Learning editing and revision lessons have been the hardest for me, but I find revision now my favorite part of writing the novel.<br /><br />Good entry to your blogfest. I'm sorry I'm not participating; I've got myself bogged down in my current projects. But I'll enjoy reading the entries.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-76278993975641622402011-02-04T23:16:26.785-05:002011-02-04T23:16:26.785-05:00Yes, indeedy! Setting and emotion should be inextr...Yes, indeedy! Setting and emotion should be inextricably linked. Unless you're Cormac McCarthy. In which case, your characters are so repressed that the setting has to do the emoting for them. You know how that goes.<br /><br />You have, indeed, come a long way, good lady. Congratulations!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-48130484575887017602011-02-04T21:43:54.480-05:002011-02-04T21:43:54.480-05:00Yay for the blogfest. That is a great example beca...Yay for the blogfest. That is a great example because the first lesson learned is to write. It's a great lesson and something people need to figure out if they ever are going to write the novel they have dreamed about. Seems you have learned some great lessons. I didn't post the lessons I'd learned from one draft to the next but I do know I learned I don't like first person after the first draft, lol.<br /><br />Looking forward to all the entries.Dawn Embershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00214560861614476799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922561838307837931.post-11372724602083687982011-02-04T21:10:09.071-05:002011-02-04T21:10:09.071-05:00i think i read that first version. i love how you ...i think i read that first version. i love how you incorporated it into the narrative with the emotions. i'll post mine tomorrow.Michelle Gregoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747275507200268417noreply@blogger.com