I have no objections. :)

Contrary to the popular misconception that professional authors have deadlines and have to stick to them...

Actually, I was teaching a private seminar headed by the current Hogwart's potions master, on the creation of a certain type of love potion. (Did I forget to mention that I'm a Ravensclaw alumni?) Anyway they just showed up at my fireplace without warning, and the next thing I knew I was Flooed to the the coast of East Anglia. They had rented out the Orford Tower...

Uh, no not really, though I wish...!

Sadly, I really am concentrating on a manuscript. So sorry I've been away so long. It won't be much longer now, seriously!

I love Orson SC! I'm going to download his books and read them on vacation next week. Thanks!CR

Orson Scott Card ROCKS!

Yes, Characters and Viewpoint is one of a handful of favourites references that I keep going back to.
Me too!

I see MorganHawke has one or two on "scenes" that I must check out.
It's an excellent book about writing in Chronological Order, (Action THEN Reaction.) Not just the paragraphs, but in the sentence itself. I only wish I'd read it BEFORE I learned it the hard way.

Another favourite of mine on that theme is Novelists Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld.
Oooooo! Sounds like something I'd really like!

Some good stuff in this thread.
I agree!

You're being sarcastic I take it?!!

NEVER!!!

...Exceptional American sex hangup.

Tell me about it. I've been fighting it all my life.

You should read her stories, you'd like her even more. She's evil at scrabble too.

You have the coolest friends. Really.

...The small minded that aren't really among us merely alongside us, can screw themselves and wank over the Sharon Stone clip for eternity.

ROFLMAO! I like you!

GAWD that stuff drives me nuts. >.< Sex is an enormous part of the human condition, and acting like we shouldn't write about it is absurd. Especially when most of the people who spout all that crap have no problem at all with violence. ... And don't even get me started on people who think smut is "well, it's okay, I guess", but are horrified -- HORRIFIED I SAY! -- about gay erotica. ... Great post, Morgan, as always.

Why is it that murder is just fine, in music, on TV, in the movies... while making love is not?
-- That's what I'd like to know.

Great recommendations!

I also highly recommend Writing the Breakout Novel by Don Maass , and How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman .

Oh, I've heard extremely good things about both of those books! I just haven't had the opportunity to read them -- yet.

The werewolf drifted through the crowd of writhing dancers at the club, Gothic Noire and scowled. Although the moon had yet to rise over the horizon, he could already feel its power calling to his soul right through the brick walls of the club. I’ll have to find someone to fuck soon, or I’ll spend the next month locked in my wolf shape. In the smoked mirrors that lined the club’s walls,...

Added 07 May 2011 | Category Supernatural | Votes 49 | Avg Score 4.98 | Views 12,052 | 21 Comments

The Alchemist was getting ready to close his tattoo shop when the bells on his door chimed. He turned and there she was, a shattered angel. She stood paused, frozen in his doorway, neither in nor out, motionless on the threshold, undecided. The setting sun bled over the rooftops from across the street, staining her hair and cheek with the illusion of mortal wounds. The empty hunger in...

Added 10 Feb 2011 | Category Supernatural | Votes 60 | Avg Score 4.98 | Views 15,142 | 29 Comments