Learn Writing with Uncle Jim, Volume 1

Cassiopeia · Aug 14, 2006

I am not sure what kind of novel this is, my first guess would be swash-buckler romance novel and unfortunately back in the day, I read one too many JoAnna Lindsey books not to catch the same impression as you janet.

Allynegirl · Aug 15, 2006

Thank y'all kindly for your suggestions and comments. It has been most helpful. If you are interested, head over to SYW. I have posted several sections of my short story WIP.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 16, 2006

Hi, all.

Not really back yet; a million things to do.

Q: So tell me, Uncle Jim, what's a six-day hike on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains like?

A: Imagine six days on a Stairmaster...with rain.

Allynegirl · Aug 16, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
Hi, all.

Not really back yet; a million things to do.

Q: So tell me, Uncle Jim, what's a six-day hike on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains like?

A: Imagine six days on a Stairmaster...with rain.

Poor Uncle Jim! But I just gotta :ROFL:

Bufty · Aug 16, 2006

Think of all that research material gathered for the next novel.

Avalon · Aug 16, 2006

You did six days on the Appalachian Trail?

I'm incredibly jealous! Bet it was terrific.

Nangleator · Aug 16, 2006

Hard to break your ankle on a stairmaster. Much less hard on a trail.

I've done Katahdin a few times.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 17, 2006

Avalon said:
I'm incredibly jealous! Bet it was terrific.

"When you lie back and close your eyes you sometimes see 'floaties,' right?"

"Yeah."

"They aren't supposed to look like mosquito wrigglers, are they?"

"Don't think so."

"Probably shouldn't look like paramecium reproducing by binary fission, either, then."

Nangleator · Aug 17, 2006

Oh, my.

Are you suggesting not drinking the water in the Appalachians?

James D. Macdonald · Aug 18, 2006

Actually, I got to like the taste of iodine....

SeanDSchaffer · Aug 18, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
Actually, I got to like the taste of iodine....

Ugh! That sounds....fun.

:e2thud:

ETA:

Uncle Jim, I hope you'll forgive me for this, but I've not been BIC'ing the way you've prescribed. My reason is that I find my work suffers when I push myself too hard. I've been writing whenever the inspiration hits, but I've not been getting the specific time in that I was for awhile.

One plus to this situation, however, is that my writing has improved since I've done this. It does not seem so stilted as it did before; it flows much better and is easier for me to read.

This is not to impune anything you've already pointed out; it's only to say that apparently the same method does not work for every writer. In a way, it bothers me that this method works better for me than the method prescribed by a professional, but I can't get past the fact that my writing has tremendously improved.

NicoleJLeBoeuf · Aug 18, 2006

Welcome back, Uncle Jim.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 18, 2006

SeanDSchaffer said:
In a way, it bothers me that this method works better for me than the method prescribed by a professional, but I can't get past the fact that my writing has tremendously improved.

Ah, Sean. Do not forget the master rule: What works for you is right.

SeanDSchaffer · Aug 18, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
Ah, Sean. Do not forget the master rule: What works for you is right.

Thanks, Uncle Jim.

MidnightMuse · Aug 18, 2006

Any hike through the woods that doesn't involve a scene from Deliverance can't be all that bad.

Welcome back, Uncle Jim

alanna · Aug 18, 2006

You're back you're back! :Hail:

MacAllister · Aug 18, 2006

Q: So tell me, Uncle Jim, what's a six-day hike on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains like?

A: Imagine six days on a Stairmaster...with rain.

Wow...that's exactly what the Pacific Crest Trail is like, too. Who'da thunk it?!

James D. Macdonald · Aug 18, 2006

I've added a new chapter to the Mist and Snow excerpt available on-line.

http://mist-and-snow.livejournal.com/

Ken Schneider · Aug 18, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
Hi, all.

Not really back yet; a million things to do.

Q: So tell me, Uncle Jim, what's a six-day hike on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains like?

A: Imagine six days on a Stairmaster...with rain.

I was on the trail just a few weeks ago in The Smoky Mountain national park, Tennessee. but only for a day hike. Eight miles up to Clingman's dome, and back.

If my research on the trail serves me right, up on the white mountians they say it can snow in a any month of the year? Rocky climbing, too.

Good place to quiet the mind.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 19, 2006

Plot Bunnies

Nangleator · Aug 19, 2006

Who is the seller? My muse?

Plot bunnies do a terrible job on my character carrots.

Ken Schneider · Aug 20, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
I've added a new chapter to the Mist and Snow excerpt available on-line.

http://mist-and-snow.livejournal.com/

Already pre-ordered mine; not goin to read any more 'til I get it.

On another note related up-stream.

Jim, ever consider a walk-through of the App trail? I know you're close to the northern starting point of the trail.

I don't suppose you'd have the time, but, paper and pencil will fit in the pack.

I know one better be in tip-top shape for the attempt.

During my day march the surroundings helped me form many story ideas and plots for an adventure packed book of any genre.

I guess it would be a lesson for any writer to get out and walk whether it be in the city or country with an eye for that next wip.

James D. Macdonald · Aug 20, 2006

My companion on this trip was another writer who managed to write 24 pages (longhand) during the course of it. We blocked out a climatic sword-fight scene at the Carter Notch Hut, to the vast amusement of all.

stevejohnson · Aug 22, 2006

Quote
I'm sorry, this isn't about POV or plot, but there's a bit in that Mary Higgins Clark scene that drives me straight up the wall:

"Your mother's always been a pretty woman, and all the tender loving care she's received from me over the last forty-three years has only enhanced her beauty," his father said. He paused. "What are you two smiling at?"

"You know full well I've also waited on you hand and foot, dear," Dolores Stephens replied.

Does anyone in the world talk like that?
Endquote

Actually, my wife and I spar like this all the time.

HConn · Aug 24, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
My companion on this trip was another writer who managed to write 24 pages (longhand) during the course of it. We blocked out a climatic sword-fight scene at the Carter Notch Hut, to the vast amusement of all.

For the last few months, my only "writing" time has come during the down time at my temp job. It's less than ideal, but there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it right now.

Maybe I should switch to longhand.

Learn Writing with Uncle Jim, Volume 1

Otherwise Occupied

Wax the Cat

Your Genial Uncle

Wax the Cat

Where have the last ten years gone?

Linda J. Daly

Rep Point Whore

Your Genial Uncle

Rep Point Whore

Your Genial Uncle

SeanDSchaffer

a work in progress

Your Genial Uncle

SeanDSchaffer

Midnight Reading

Tired and worried.

Your Genial Uncle

Absolute sagebrush

Your Genial Uncle

Rep Point Whore

Absolute sagebrush

Your Genial Uncle

Whore for genre