Comments on: What Kind of Storyteller Are You, Anyhow?

By: Jodi

Jodi — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:03:19 +0000

Larry,

Thank you so much for this site. It is exactly what I was looking for. I gave up on writing 15 years ago because there were bills to pay and the words weren’t quite keeping the lights on and the cat fed. Now that I am determined to get all the people out of my head and down on paper (makes me seem like I need heavy medication!!), I really feel I need a reintroduction to the structure beneath the art. Thank you so much for putting your energy into helping me get that much closer to the goal.

By: janice

janice — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:46:12 +0000

Hi Larry,
Again, I’m reading as an interested learner, an observer. That happened when I read your first question and answered it with a resigned smile. I’m a rubbish storyteller, always have been. When I dress the concept in the word “storyteller”, that is. Yet I can make up stories that keep my kids enthralled; lay out screenplay plots to the family who go on to say “But where did you see that one, mum?” I can draw folk into a scene and co-create the sensation so that they feel like they’re there, living the details, but I’ve never attempted a novel. I know I haven’t enough years left to learn the craft and blend it with the art. I have characters and films in me, but no deftly woven plots. That means I’ve never had to put in the hard graft or maintain the stamina that’s totally necessary to pan in and out of a longer story, vary the pace, frame scenes, add back scenes and vistas, and mix up the tension and the emotional releases.

Another enjoyable one, Larry. Thank you.
PS Are you planning on adding the Subscribe to Comments plug in?

By: Bamboo Forest - PunIntended

Bamboo Forest - PunIntended — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:50:50 +0000

The more I write, whether it be short stories, or non-fiction, the more I realize that writing, more than anything else, is simply a craft.

If you can learn the craft well, you’re writing will fall into play. I’m continually striving to learn the craft. By reading books on it, by just reading books and by writing often. It works. And my game can only ascend higher as time well invested progresses.

By: Julie Wuthnow

Julie Wuthnow — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:46:24 +0000

Dave – I understood you correctly the first time, and I’m sure others did too.

And Larry, this is a great post! And oddly serendipitous for me. I’ve been busy for some weeks setting up a website, trying to get a freelance writing business going, and just this morning in a fit of mild grumpiness, I came to a clear awareness – I need to be WRITING. And your words really hit home with me. Quality, working hard at it over a period of time- yup, all very helpful to me at just this moment. So thanks.

Glad you were on Copyblogger – not sure how I would have found you otherwise.

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:50:05 +0000

Dave — thanks for clarifying. I feel better now. It’s clear in the rear view. Glad you’ll be back. And, LOVE THE CAPS, too. L.

By: Dave Ebright

Dave Ebright — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:29:04 +0000

Hey! Yo! Wait A Minute! I said MINUS the condescension!! In other words – Zero – None – Nada. I read through some of your other posts – before making the comment & found that you were NOT CONDESCENDING. Sheesh. I better go back to square one – seems I caused some confusion with my response. NO criticism from me. I thought you made sense. I said it was rare THERE WAS NO ATTYTOOD. Wish I could underline in these comments. Well, CAPS will have to do. I shall return. DE

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:29:25 +0000

I wandered over here from your post on Copyblogger.com
Great site and I look forward to reading more from you.
24 years? I hope I live that long LOL.

p.s. your post didn’t strike me as condescending at all. But then again, maybe that’s because I have read a lot of THOSE type of writer/publishing blogs so I have thicker skin

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:11:04 +0000

Thanks for all your comments on this post, much appreciated.

And Dave, I like to think there’s a thin line between sarcasm and a condescending context. Seems like I nudged it with you… I’ll cop to sarcasm on occasion, but I never knowingly write condescendingly about anyone or anything. So I apologize if that’s how it came off.

I’ll be on notice for that. Hope you’ll all come back again soon.

Larry

By: Dave Ebright

Dave Ebright — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:30:19 +0000

Stumbled across your blog today. Lots of great tips – minus the condescension. Very cool & way too rare.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:00:32 +0000

I loved this post!

Your story embodies what I truly believe creates success. I am a great pianist, but took 12+ years of lessons when I was growing up to get there. I am a molecular biologist, which took ~12 years after high school to learn the tools and background.

Now, as an aspiring novelist, I am prepared to spend the necessary time learning the craft and fundamentals before I get my feet wet. This site is a great place to build my tool box!

Thank you!