Allen Guthrie's Infamous Writing Tips

[indiriverflow]

Ah gotta love those glowering Klingons...but would Vulcans glower? Wouldn't that be going against their whole "no emotion" thing they have going on? Glowering implies a negative emotion and those snotty gits see emotions as being illogical...by snotty gits I mean Vulcans and quite possibly university professors.

You obviously don't know many Vulcans...glowering is their default setting. They are very upset at all the emotion going on around them.

Besides, it's a total fallacy that Vulcans lack emotion. If anything, our copper-blooded cousins are fronting because they come from a desert planet and get really wacko when they're horny.

I ought to know, I was raised by them. Odious lot, but those ears are a turn-on. Lots to nibble on.

 

[Glyn]

Thanks for this. Off now, to hunt my pleonasms.

Glyn

 

[RocketMonkey]

Sweet! Even a monkey can understand it

 

[chasingadream]

This is awesome thanks for posting it

 

[Obi_1_Kinobi]

Tips? More like the 32 Commandments of Literature!

English is not my native language ,so this is a blessing. Thanks!

 

[Dirtpoor]

Working my way through the avalanche of information on this site, these rules are a stand out summary of no-no's and must do's.

They have been printed and posted onto my wall.

 

[Vincenzo]

Good Advice

Thanks for this -- really useful stuff in concise form.

 

[MrMarshmallow]

It seems as if most is sound advice, but as noted in other's posts, it would be best to follow it as a set of guidelines, rather than solid rules. It even says: if it works, ignore the rule that says it doesn't.

 

[Luray]

I love the information, now I just have to put it to use.

 

[Storyfixer]

Love your stuff. Nice value. You and I should get together and do a workshop -- your focus is on technique, style and little nuances... mine is big picture storytelling: structure, character, theme, concept, scene construction, writing voice. One realm, yours or mine, without the other is an incomplete picture. I encourage writers to study Robert's post careful. And, to master the big picture issues of storytelling, which are just as complex.

 

[khwaish]

Thanks so much!

 

[Pearl]

Thank you so much for this. I hope I follow the rules as closely as possible.

 

[Steam&Ink]

16: Start scenes late and leave them early.​

17: When writing a novel, start with your characters in action. Fill in any necessary backstory as you go along.​

20: Torture your protagonist. It’s not enough for him to be stuck up a tree. You must throw rocks at him while he figures out how to get down.​

Berr-illiant advice
As I write this, I'm trying to find some rocks to throw at my protagonist...

 

[Loretta]

Loved the advice! AND the way it was worded...I haven't done any stoning yet, but since mine has voo doo in it, I have all sorts of tricks up my sleeve, or better yet, tucked in the bodice of the heroine

 

[MisterEThoughts]

My favorite rule: 32: If something works, forget about the rule that says it shouldn’t.

 

[Loretta]

I agree. I attended a brainstorming session one day, and one of the people there said they never read their work outloud to proof. I thought then, well everyone has to do it the way that works for them...myself, I need to read it outloud, I can feel the pace, and also hear if it's flowing well, or if I tend to stutter over the sentence.

 

[AuntieJoy]

Thank-you for this list. I am an old woman but a new writer. I am having to unlearn everything I was taught as a child in the public school system. I have finished my first book but it has yet to be published. Perhaps your list will help it find life.

 

[AuntieJoy]

It's a sign of my barbarism, but every time this thread's title pops to the main screen, I read it as Arlo Guthrie.

Don't feel lonely. The same thing happens to me!

 

[Emi Blue]

Darn, I guess I have some work to do on 29... and especially on 24 xD How is anyone supposed to know who's talking with rule 24 in play??

 

[seemass]

thanks a lot it was useful

 

[Radio Changes]

The speeches one is something I'm guilty of, though I have a question, do character's thoughts in a first person POV count as a speech? Because stuff Holden in Catcher in the Rye thinks arranges itself like an inner, unspoken monologue.

 

[Hobbles]

Guthrie's tips

I've been a member for less than 24 hours. These tips, if followed, are worth a year at the Uni. of Iowa workshop.

 

[scarletpeaches]

Fantastic list. I agree with all of them. Except maybe 19 but then I do write erotica.

I'm assuming that 'jealous partner' could also be a job, location, other person, situation or mental state, though.

 

[scarletpeaches]

Darn, I guess I have some work to do on 29... and especially on 24 xD How is anyone supposed to know who's talking with rule 24 in play??

Easily.

(Damn. An adverb).

 

[Romie]

Just read your tips, they were fab!!! thanks so much, though i am now away to go delete the most of my book, rather know now than later!!!!!!