tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7929291281839892177..comments2024-03-28T11:55:00.428-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Jeffery Deaver's Writing Commercial Fiction MWA WorkshopJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-73626520683150520592018-05-19T18:02:40.940-04:002018-05-19T18:02:40.940-04:00Jim, I'm less of a pantser, but I use a very f...Jim, I'm less of a pantser, but I use a very fluid outline that's subject to change.<br />Warren, I agree. As writers, we try everything before we assemble our own toolboxes.<br />Claire, I'm glad you had the opportunity to attend Deaver's workshop.<br />Ellen, I've tried it both ways and while I free write the initial outline, I carve it into some semblance of structure before I start writing.<br />Nora, I'm not sure I'm ready to write scenes out of order, though I do free write character sketches before I start a new story.<br />Kathleen, it was wonderful to learn how a real pro writes commercial fiction. Commercial, not upmarket, not women's, not literary.<br />Kaye, I'm doing more plotting these days. It's easier to take the plunge if I have a general idea of characters and situation.Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-40055505179689123372018-05-19T14:43:34.298-04:002018-05-19T14:43:34.298-04:00Thanks for the information, Margaret! It's ama...Thanks for the information, Margaret! It's amazing how differently people approach writing. I have to start with a plan, but nowhere as detailed as he does it. I take a week to a week and a half to line up my ducks, then go in. Actually, that initial phase includes writing the first chapter to get myself acquainted with my characters, especially if it's a new series. But old series always have some new characters, so it helps for all of my novels.Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-67280951806328728362018-05-19T14:00:02.945-04:002018-05-19T14:00:02.945-04:00Glad to hear these tips from an organized writer. ...Glad to hear these tips from an organized writer. You certainly make a case for attending one of the workshops if we can!KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-54500365623777144632018-05-19T12:21:02.374-04:002018-05-19T12:21:02.374-04:00Thanks for this summary, Margaret. I saw his prese...Thanks for this summary, Margaret. I saw his presentation in Denver earlier this spring. I love the idea of being able to write any scene in any order if the outline is there. I'm going to give it a try for a new story, although it could backfire with me and turn into procrastination.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15094329912232168588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-67766341702473529162018-05-19T12:15:32.215-04:002018-05-19T12:15:32.215-04:00And sorry about the typos!And sorry about the typos!Ellen Byronhttp://www.ellenbyron.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-43197784535266790582018-05-19T12:14:20.061-04:002018-05-19T12:14:20.061-04:00I took his workshop here in L.A. in September. Lov...I took his workshop here in L.A. in September. Loved it. I could never do Post-its, I hate writing by hand, but I outline, too, although mine aren't as long as he are. My last one was 40 pages. Outlines are organic, too, which will eventually be the title of a blog post I write. And in my experience, they aren't the word of God. I can go over that thing a dozen times and still have to write my way out of it at some point. But the benefit of getting stuff organized first? I spent a few weeks doing nothing but creating my last outline, and finished a first draft in 10 and a half weeks. A good one that will require plenty of work, of course, but the bones are sturdy. <br /><br />I tried a very bare outline for a stand-alone. I had trouble coming up with a major plot point so I thought, you know what, I'll pants it for a change. Well, what I came up with didn't work and I haven't figured out a solution so the draft is in my computer collecting e-dust.<br /><br />I wish I had outlined it.Ellen Byronhttp://ellenbyron.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-85351646027290381252018-05-19T11:27:17.402-04:002018-05-19T11:27:17.402-04:00Thank you for sharing this, Margaret (and Paula). ...Thank you for sharing this, Margaret (and Paula). I love seeing how writers approach their work. I still am figuring out what works for me, but I'm getting lots of ideas and inspiration. Deaver's "idea block" is a good thought to mull today.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-86424011903142365782018-05-19T10:51:10.176-04:002018-05-19T10:51:10.176-04:00I attended this workshop in MA a month ago and agr...I attended this workshop in MA a month ago and agree that his methods works for him but would make me crazy. I find for me that a writer's tool that blends the best of the sticky notes world with actually writing the fine details works best. I use scrivener and write fairly short scenes. This lets me have a virtual sticky note wall. <br /><br />Deaver's presentation is instructive no matter your writing style, as he has much to offer that anyone can learn from and adapt to their needs. Glad you like his presentaiton and posted this. Clamo88https://www.blogger.com/profile/16742188896080634218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-32228882824606635172018-05-19T09:58:55.526-04:002018-05-19T09:58:55.526-04:00Jim ia right. It's instructive to learn how ot...Jim ia right. It's instructive to learn how other people write, but that does not mean a writer should adopt another writer's method. I think about how others work and I find bits and pieces to try out but I'm not willing to give up what has worked for me.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-77538689342636408492018-05-19T05:52:03.316-04:002018-05-19T05:52:03.316-04:00I enjoy Deaver’s books, but would give up writing ...I enjoy Deaver’s books, but would give up writing if I had to follow his process. I am a pantser. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s part of my voice – just as Deaver’s intricate process is part of his voice. There is not a single method to writing, and that's an important lesson for us to learn.Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com