Comments on: Where No Mind Has Gone Before

By: arabic chat sexy

arabic chat sexy — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 06:52:25 +0000

Very entertaining read.

By: Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 01:35:12 +0000

While I’m writing a rough draft, I always try to write too much detail. It’s so much easier to cut then to add. If, while I’m polishing and editing, I find myself wanting to gloss over a particular section, I know I’ve got too much. If I can’t visualize the scene, then I know I’ve got too little.

By: booksquare

booksquare — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 00:50:46 +0000

Okay, the good news is that you’re not schizophrenic. Unless I am, and I know I’m not. At least I’m pretty sure I’m not.

One of the problems I see in the work of others is where the author does so much work that he or she can’t resist sharing the fruits of their research. This probably speaks more to editing and being ruthlessly honest in your work , but how can an author gauge “too much” versus “too little”?

By: Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 16:07:43 +0000

For me, the best way to handle world and creature/alien building is to ground the reader in reality by using the five senses. We all identify with how things taste, feel, smell, sound, and look. When you talk about those things, suddenly the place or person in question comes alive. Also, get to know both character and planet intimately. And no, I still don’t use character charts or world maps, but I do hold conversations with the characters in my mind. (My mother tells me this makes me schizophrenic) Where was he/she born? Or how was he/she created? What motivates your character? Their past can actually reveal details of the planet’s past. Whether you actually end up using all of these details in the actual plot matters little. But if you understand the character’s history, you can build a believable present and future for your readers.