tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1695280310697378421.post3313645551941711542..comments2024-03-25T02:15:02.505-07:00Comments on Nancy's Blog: Novels, Movies and T-Shirtsadminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11442349453021015062noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1695280310697378421.post-56939972174256035272008-01-22T13:54:00.000-08:002008-01-22T13:54:00.000-08:00I'll have to look that novel up. And who can blam...I'll have to look that novel up. And who can blame her for nailing a husband for walking out on a pregnant wife.<BR/><BR/>Respects,<BR/>S. F. MurphySteven Francis Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02246600213078993467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1695280310697378421.post-26204912332425852512008-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:002008-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:00As for the "revenge novel" of Tuckerization - my f...As for the "revenge novel" of Tuckerization - my favorite example is Nora Ephron's HEARTBURN, in which she skewered ex-husband Carl Berntein for walking out on her while she was pregnant. And she did it with so much nasty style!Nancy Kresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834410304227906387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1695280310697378421.post-26205988338263725112008-01-22T12:06:00.000-08:002008-01-22T12:06:00.000-08:00The problem with too much time in the main charact...The problem with too much time in the main character's headspace is whether or not it is all that interesting to read. If the character is interesting enough to the Reader, then you don't have a problem. <BR/><BR/>But a lot of internal pondering within characters tend to be pretty mundane sorts of stuff. However, if you are looking for a positive example of that sort of writing in the science fiction context, then I think Jack Skillingstead's <I>Dead Worlds</I> is a good one to consider. Another example is Greg Egan's <I>Reasons to be Cheerful</I> which is spent almost entirely inside the protag's internal ponderings. <BR/><BR/>As for the threat of being tuckerized, it has already happened to me. I think with the latest project that I am helping out with, I'm up to seven tuckerizations. <BR/><BR/>That I know about. <BR/><BR/>And that is an interesting thing to consider, Nancy. British and Australian Writers seem to take tuckerizations in stride whereas American Writers and Readers seem to be horrified by the notion that a writer might pull a Stephen King and exact some small measure of revenge against someone by means of the pen. <BR/><BR/>What are your thoughts on this?<BR/><BR/>Respects,<BR/>S. F. MurphySteven Francis Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02246600213078993467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1695280310697378421.post-73401436136405981202008-01-22T11:05:00.000-08:002008-01-22T11:05:00.000-08:00Nancy,Interesting timing. I was just dreading havi...Nancy,<BR/>Interesting timing. I was just dreading having to tell someone in my critique group that her story (of her novel) really begins on page 14. How many times have we heard this? The thing is, that since it's been drilled into me for so long: start with a hook, start with action, jump into the story, that I'm not sure if it's good or not. I mean, I didn't ESPECIALLY mind the slow pace while she did a lot of characterization through inner monologue. But the style rules pounding around in my brain may have deprived me of the different sort of beauty to that kind of prose. >sigh< <BR/><BR/>I prefer action, I think, overall. However, there is something to be said for a writer that can really get us into the heads of the characters. I think you're established enough to give it a shot. Us newbies can't get away with it, but you could. Why not try? <BR/><BR/>As to it working specifically in SF? I have reviewed SF books that had much of this and the reviews were favorable. Case in point, Dan Simmons' The Terror. I like strong characterization nearly as much as I like action, but I don't know that I'm your typical SF reader.<BR/><BR/>The thing that makes it so compelling is that the masks come off and we see the character as he or she sees himself, in harsh white light, with all his or her flaws and fears intact. <BR/><BR/>I say go for it!Ann Wilkeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353577107068761686noreply@blogger.com