Interesting stuff, John. I'm willing to bet a ten-spot and raise you a box of stale donuts there are more than 300 "exorcisms" performed in the deep south on any average weekend. I saw a whole boatload of weird when I first started researching the subject for one of my projects.
I also find it rather odd that the Catholic Church recently started a school in which the sole purpose is supposedly wrapped around teaching the exorcism ritual. Not a church. The Church.
Pretty damned odd considering the Vatican's long held, close-hold position regarding exorcisms.
Kerry, I've got faith that you'll find a home for your work. I've seen your stuff, and believe it's only a matter of time. You've also got another quality that will pay dividends, eventually: tenacity.
Haggis, that's a great tool; Letting your work sit for a few weeks or months, then looking at it with a fresh eye. It's amazing how "things" sort of leap out at writers when we do this. It's damn difficult to put the little darlings away for extended periods, sometimes, but it can pay off with some major new insights. (Especially if we've kept busy reading.) I suppose the optimum time limit varies from writer to writer. For me, six-eight weeks is sufficient. It's a short enough period that I can still recall what I wanted to say, and long enough that I've gained some distance and can now read it with a fresh perspective.
It's funny how the little stuff can yield so much. Like reading your dialogue, aloud. If your dialogue (or narrative) is stiff or wooden, reading aloud will usually tell the tale.
GhostAuthor, I think most of us can feel your pain. It's great to hear that you're not wasting time over a situation you can't control, and started a new WIP. Way to go!
Hiyas Lee! How long have your shorts been out, now? How far along are you on the potential novel? Is this your first crack at a novel-length piece?
Jbal wrote- "The first novel I wrote, I outlined extensively, character backgrounds, etc., without which I would never have finished. I'm approaching this one with no outline or notes whatsoever. When I'm done, maybe I can compare the two methods!"
I'm anxious to learn the results, J. I did the exact opposite. I wrote my first novel via the shoot-from-the-hip method. I never quite knew what was happening from day to day, or page to page. I outlined my second. I did learn one thing about myself during that second process. While the outline made for a very manageable story, there was a constant conflict between the outline and "stream of consciousness." I knew what chapter 10 should have been. I had already been over that during the otuline process. But by the time I started chapter 10, my characters are all yelling, "Screw that crap. Take a left turn! Left turn!" I finally found a way to reconcile the two methods, but it nearly drove me to drink. Be sure and let us know the outcome of your comparison.
Hiyas Kevin! Yep, you've tackled one hellaciously ambitious (in scope) project. Maybe we can come back to this one, and discuss precisely where you are in the story. It's a strong premise, I think, and I'm anxious to see where you're going with it.
More to come with Pike, NightWynde, dclary and Marlowe
Any newcomers have anything to report?
LJ
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