I liked reading the description of your Naval training, and why you're a "by the book" type of man. It especially made me laugh when you said you don't want to make any errors around the nuclear warhead. I was already anticipating hi-jinks when you pointed out that metric conversion might need to be figured. Few of us would make it past the math.

Wow, Lynn, what a drag to have to have all those colonoscopies. But, at least, with your family history, you have very little alternatives.

I have had two colonoscopies so far and that anesthesia really works fast without any side effects. Both times, "This may sting a little" and the next words I hear are those of the nurse telling me the procedure was completed.

I've had three or four colonoscopies as I've a family history of colon cancer. I physically could not finish the solution the past two times. It was making me ill. So, like you, I stopped once my bowels were clear. I had no problems with the procedure.

Of course, the prep is the worst part. The procedure itself is a breeze. You lie on your side, they give you the "Michael Jackson joy juice" (as one assistant put it), and you're dead to the world until it's over. And waking up is almost effortless compared to other forms of anesthesia. I can see why Michael got addicted.

And I agree with your second comment about editing comments, but I refuse to "Like" it.

Yes, I agree with your points.

Reviewing the works of others has to make you more aware of what reads good and what doesn't. As you review, if you are like me, you take a glimpse in your mind at some of your works and wonder if you did the same thing you are pointing out. You grow in your writing abilities.
It is much like being a teacher because you learn more than the students because you have to digest the information you are teaching or the students will nail you to a wall!

The problem with evaluating your own work is that often when you make a mistake, you didn't recognize it then and you might not recognize it when you proof read it later. You have a "blind spot" to that particular mistake.

I write the scene the best I know how and then just move on. You just can't worry over it. If it is not good, either it will show up in reviews done by others or it won't market.

I use my writing books for reference. I did read "Dialogue" from cover to cover, but I just don't have time to read them all and do the other writing I want to do. When I work on a scene, I plan to go to the scene book and do a scan. I will try to pick out things that will help me.

Wow! Good at dialogue and making scenes! I look forward to seeing you go places in the writing world.

I'm with you. I get started on an inspiration and I just can't put it down until it is finished! I hate staying up half the night because I never quite recover that missed sleep at the appropriate time.

I believe too, that making a time and place is just a "guideline". I will try to know what times are available around my schedule, but to micro manage my time is counter productive for me. I will attempt to be organized, but when it fails to happen, I will bend with it. Some of my most productive time is when I am working outside and an idea starts rattling around in my head. I will work on it as I work, but if it is a job that can wait, I sometimes just stop and go work with my idea.

I feel your one handed pain! I hate texting and I had a tough time right after my wrist operation typing one handed on the keyboard. My hand is good now for typing. I still am not able to lift heavy things, but am improving daily.

I haven't read "Story Architecture" but I have seen it advertised at Amazon.com. It is on my wish list! The title has been enticing my mind for a while and I am determined to buy it.

Er, "life time" should be "real life". I wish these comments could be edited without the copy/remove/correct/ and paste technique!

Actually, I was trying to find the humor in a life time situation!

The doctor instruction sheet was a perfect example of "good enough" guidelines vs. giving good instructions! Most people would not go to the extreme of figuring out the sheet.

But, yes, others will perhaps wonder why the instructions are not making perfect sense. I am sure the instructions from my colonoscopy center is different than the instructions from others.

Then, I added the ol' pit a "by the book" person against the "throw away the book" person. I always find tension and laughter in this as the two dead set opposing views collide.

When a writer builds different characters for their novel, these would be great examples of how different characters can be and even present a cause of conflict as perhaps a "by the book" character traveling with an extreme "common sense" person experiences a car jacking or such. As the two use their different approaches and skills to overcome the situation, I am sure some sparks could fly.

Thanks for stopping by! I loved your comments.

Because I review other writers items it is far easier to see when something doesn't read well. I've come across a few writers whose items. Might have a decent story premise, plus followed the rules, yet there's something not quite right. It could be something so simple yet I can't quite put a label on it.

Each time i write and share it, I wonder which elements of my writing needs help. I might not be able to tell even though it's more obvious to someone else. Besides comma errors, it would be good to realize just what story components need attention.

I was told that dialogue is one of my strong areas, and so I feel more capable as far as that goes.
Still, I wonder if I forgot something in it.

I have a mess of books on writing. I usually get asked if I really need all of those. Some of the books are ones you mentioned. I have found that just like classes or teachers. You can learn at least one new thing that maybe the other either forgot to mention or focused more on another. Instructional books seem to be the same way. Also some of them are easier to understand than others.

I should probably sort through my pile of books and only keep those that aren't just a repeat of what I found in other books. I can say this though. I do like Make a Scene. In fact, this is usually how I write. Also it seems to help if you have some knowledge in the psychological field so you know how a charcuterie might act in a given situation. At the same time, I'm finding out what works. And what doesn't. ( upon a later review/edit session). You'd laugh at how often I find myself correcting whatever I typed. I accept that it will happen, and so there's sense in worrying too much about it yet you'd thInk I'd learned after repeating the same errors. It doesn't stop me from trying anyway.

I'm not a very organized writer as far as writing a specific amount or having a certain time to do it. Life can keep you busy with all it's complexities and distractions. Late night to very early morning seems to be the.best time. The bad thing is that it means I might stay up all night writing until my eyes start watering. It's just that once I get those creative urges moving, it's like a locomotive picking up speed toward that destination.
Besides when inspiration hits i cannot sleep until I've at least written the idea down

My apologies for typos. I'm not use to one finger typing on this iPod. Just thought I'd share.
By the way, have you read Story Architecture?

It sounds very confusing. I'm glad you figured out what to do and all turned out well for you. Your posting is helpful to anyone who might have to do this same thing.

Between my one year old grandson and all my doctors' appointments, I am not blogging all that is on my mind.

But, I get a break tomorrow and between catching up on all my financial stuff that I have let stack and writing a review, I want to start my series on writing a 90 day novel "my way" Blog plus adding to that blog the first chapter of my 90 day novel as an example.

If you are writing a novel, hook up with me as I go along. I will be more than glad to review your work as you go.

Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks for sharing!

-William

I believe you will write your 90-day novels. You seem to be a reader that can digest many books, and you must be a prodigious typist, because your blog entries are full-blown articles. I am comparing your talents in those areas to my underdeveloped skills in those particular areas. I think that is a big basis for my "starting the novel" fears. But you are inspiring me, so I thank you.

Walkinbird

Walkinbird