Dysfunctional Marriage
Work your words or cut them loose35 total reviews
Comment from tfawcus
Great wisdom. Cutting words is a severe catharsis. I slashed my last novel from 120,000 to 80,000. Like a fruit tree, it benefitted from pruning by a third. I like to think it grew sturdier and produced more luscious fruit. Sadly though, on rereading, parts of it still give me the pip.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Great wisdom. Cutting words is a severe catharsis. I slashed my last novel from 120,000 to 80,000. Like a fruit tree, it benefitted from pruning by a third. I like to think it grew sturdier and produced more luscious fruit. Sadly though, on rereading, parts of it still give me the pip.
Comment Written 08-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
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Yes, I did take a look. What a lovely lady she is.
Comment from amahra
You are so right. I can't tell you the number of times I've written something quite unique that sounded so poetic and beautiful in a piece of prose only to admit it didn't fit into the story and was thrown out kicking and screaming. It just didn't want to go. But like you, Liz, I learned a long time ago that it's the whole story that counts, and not a bunch of pretty words.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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You are so right. I can't tell you the number of times I've written something quite unique that sounded so poetic and beautiful in a piece of prose only to admit it didn't fit into the story and was thrown out kicking and screaming. It just didn't want to go. But like you, Liz, I learned a long time ago that it's the whole story that counts, and not a bunch of pretty words.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thanks for stopping by!
Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I love the metaphor of a marriage and our writing. When I read it to my hubby, he said he agreed, adding he felt I was more married to my writing than to him!! I guess I will have to sort that out! Okay! This was a really interesting piece, and I'll be checking through my writing in future to see what parts I can divorce and which will make the marriage a more pleasant read. Lol. Well done, Liz, I really enjoyed this one. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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I love the metaphor of a marriage and our writing. When I read it to my hubby, he said he agreed, adding he felt I was more married to my writing than to him!! I guess I will have to sort that out! Okay! This was a really interesting piece, and I'll be checking through my writing in future to see what parts I can divorce and which will make the marriage a more pleasant read. Lol. Well done, Liz, I really enjoyed this one. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 07-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Comment from strandregs
I was so happy
My favourite subject.
Then you go and talk about editing.
It seems I will have to keep writing my coded failed real or unreal marriage tails.
Tales as well. :-))Z.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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I was so happy
My favourite subject.
Then you go and talk about editing.
It seems I will have to keep writing my coded failed real or unreal marriage tails.
Tales as well. :-))Z.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is a valid reminder that it should be the writer who controls his words, and not the other way around. In other terms the words are only as strong as their master. Thank you for this insightful read.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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This is a valid reminder that it should be the writer who controls his words, and not the other way around. In other terms the words are only as strong as their master. Thank you for this insightful read.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thankssssss!
Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Comment from Susan Newell
This is so true. I also benefited (at least I think I did) from spending some time in a writers' group. We provided hard copy and would both discuss and physically edit the works of other members. Most of the time my critics were right. I'd made errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation or word choice. Sometimes they'd tell me where I needed more or less, or where I needed to balance the dialogue with more narrative. Sometimes they told me I had derailed the train. At first it hurt when they wanted to cut something I had fallen in love with, and most times, if I took a step back and used all the objectivity I could muster, I would have to agree with them.
I like the way you used a metaphor of a marriage. Sometimes we need counseling, and sometimes we just have to admit that we entered into a relationship too hastily and must accept a no-fault divorce.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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This is so true. I also benefited (at least I think I did) from spending some time in a writers' group. We provided hard copy and would both discuss and physically edit the works of other members. Most of the time my critics were right. I'd made errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation or word choice. Sometimes they'd tell me where I needed more or less, or where I needed to balance the dialogue with more narrative. Sometimes they told me I had derailed the train. At first it hurt when they wanted to cut something I had fallen in love with, and most times, if I took a step back and used all the objectivity I could muster, I would have to agree with them.
I like the way you used a metaphor of a marriage. Sometimes we need counseling, and sometimes we just have to admit that we entered into a relationship too hastily and must accept a no-fault divorce.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Work your spot-on review into a post on the writing process!
Nice to see you again, Susan!
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I did read Karenina's review, and it was superb. I just posted a poem (Words Cry Out To Me) that covers a lot of that territory.
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I think there is a line where we're changing our story and making it better. We have to be open to critiques but also know what we want to convey and not lose that. I do like the idea of not being wedded to our writing. I mean even marriages there is an out if you need it. Just because we go into something with one idea doesn't mean we can't change it.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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I think there is a line where we're changing our story and making it better. We have to be open to critiques but also know what we want to convey and not lose that. I do like the idea of not being wedded to our writing. I mean even marriages there is an out if you need it. Just because we go into something with one idea doesn't mean we can't change it.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Thanks for stopping by!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You expressed your thoughts and feelings well, Liz. I understand the situation due to your attention to details. Though it is difficult to do as Jim did, hearing how readers react to the author's words is important. I like how you interjected your thoughts about the same process and what you do.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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You expressed your thoughts and feelings well, Liz. I understand the situation due to your attention to details. Though it is difficult to do as Jim did, hearing how readers react to the author's words is important. I like how you interjected your thoughts about the same process and what you do.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
Comment from Judy Lawless
This is a point well-made, Liz. The most difficult part of writing long pieces, is trying to chop out the unnecessary and distracting passages. I've heard that many times in writing classes I've taken. I try to remember it. If I fail, I always appreciate honest, constructive criticism. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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This is a point well-made, Liz. The most difficult part of writing long pieces, is trying to chop out the unnecessary and distracting passages. I've heard that many times in writing classes I've taken. I try to remember it. If I fail, I always appreciate honest, constructive criticism. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!
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I did read her wonderful review, Liz. She?s an mzing writer.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I do understand. I'm wanting to edit out some areas of the novel I'm posting write now. I haven't quite decided which ones are the least important. LOL Thank you for sharing and I enjoyed reading.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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I do understand. I'm wanting to edit out some areas of the novel I'm posting write now. I haven't quite decided which ones are the least important. LOL Thank you for sharing and I enjoyed reading.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Check out Karenina's stupendous review--I'm not referring to the stars but to her brilliant segue to the theme! She's a wonderful person to boot--she always boosts fellow writers--the only person she criticizes is herself!