tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post3715502478954294143..comments2023-12-26T23:07:08.005-08:00Comments on TOMORROWVILLE: Stephen Koch (My favorite books on writing)David Isaakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-89192405210231546372008-02-11T06:53:00.000-08:002008-02-11T06:53:00.000-08:00"I find that to be an idea that's both useful and ..."I find that to be an idea that's both useful and confusing!"<BR/><BR/>...and yet so very very true. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-35396738882454304412008-02-09T11:54:00.000-08:002008-02-09T11:54:00.000-08:00I like that comment too. I am just about to embar...I like that comment too. I am just about to embark on my first-ever outlining-a-novel-in-advance experiment. I discovered from the last one that winging it with just the central story idea and a vague idea of the ending was downright traumatic for me. But I think Koch is right. So I will not build my structure with metal girders, but with Tinker Toys. I expect there will be a lot of shuffling as I actually write the thing.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600030574995481267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-34275460214442884372008-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:002008-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:00Hi, Alis--One of the things that Koch argues about...Hi, Alis--<BR/><BR/>One of the things that Koch argues about drafts is that you don't know a story until you've told it, and therefore you can't really plot it until you've told it once. I find that to be an idea that's both useful and confusing!David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-91239319201453936212008-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:002008-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00Hi, Tim--Yes, Block's fiction is pretty good, too....Hi, Tim--<BR/><BR/>Yes, Block's fiction is pretty good, too. His "Eight Million Ways to Die" (the number comes from the population of New York City) is up there in the noir pantheon with the best of Chandler and Hammett.David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-41356912472376976742008-02-09T09:32:00.000-08:002008-02-09T09:32:00.000-08:00Hi, Janet--Yeah, I've got a big stack, too. But tr...Hi, Janet--<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I've got a big stack, too. But trust me, this one's really useful...!David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-60255085180513574572008-02-09T09:10:00.000-08:002008-02-09T09:10:00.000-08:00I was ripe for those words on rewriting - i keep l...I was ripe for those words on rewriting - i keep looking at my 80% finished novel at the moment and thinking 'it's OK, there's the second draft to come...' Looks like i need to get this book. Thanks for the recommendation, David.Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-74598703340140247492008-02-09T00:33:00.000-08:002008-02-09T00:33:00.000-08:00Damitty, this is another one I need to buy...I'm h...Damitty, this is another one I need to buy...<BR/><BR/>I'm halfway through Lawrence Block's "Telling Lies". It's great stuff. Is his fiction any good at the end of it?Tim Strettonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08598897603628943741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371628584376797540.post-66486998704139429262008-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:002008-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00Ah! I like the comment on revision time. My essa...Ah! I like the comment on revision time. My essay-writing style as a student was a very slow first draft and minimal revision. I hope it holds true for my fiction too; that first draft took forever!<BR/><BR/>It really does sound like a good book. I should hate you. My reading list is already a gazillion books long.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600030574995481267noreply@blogger.com