tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post343133169689777629..comments2024-01-06T11:19:53.852+00:00Comments on Kate Walker: New Voices ThoughtsKate Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-83045359857697223082010-09-13T21:51:43.471+01:002010-09-13T21:51:43.471+01:00I know I should come to a course, Kate. Sadly I...I know I should come to a course, Kate. Sadly I'm booked up on the day you're doing the Halifax one, babysitting my little princess. <br /><br />At the moment I'm settling for the next best thing and reading my way through your 12 Point Guide. I'm up to Chapter 11, and I've learned loads from reading it. It proves that what the reader thinks is effortless is actually very well thought out and blooming hard work.Quillershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00148636009202550512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-23775684128520326282010-09-13T18:15:31.114+01:002010-09-13T18:15:31.114+01:00Hello again Rachael - good luck to you, and Quill...Hello again Rachael - good luck to you, and Quillers and anyone else who has had the courage to enter New Voices - I hope you do well.<br /><br />I agree that sometimes you can be too close to your own work, but as I said, a submission needs to be as professional as possible.<br /><br />I'm glad that you have looked at your entry as not just the first chapter but the beginning of a story - but then when you've been on my course, I wouldn't expect anythign else from you! You are so right that writing only the first chapter is not the best way forward - I always, always go back over my first chapter once I've finished the book.Kate Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-71128141716489577872010-09-13T18:10:34.489+01:002010-09-13T18:10:34.489+01:00I'm glad you agree Lindsay - I felt that so...I'm glad you agree Lindsay - I felt that some of these chapters read more as if they were working on a 'chapter' rather than the opening of a book. There is a gap - quite a wide one - between a punch you in the face opening that may have impact but then where do you go from there, and one that is less dynamite but carefully sows the seeds for plenty of conflict later on. I suspect that is what the published authors are aiming for.<br /><br />Thank you for the comliment on the 12 Point Guide - I'm always delighted to hear that people have found it helpful because after all that was why I wrote it!Kate Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-31210123208926731522010-09-13T18:06:15.795+01:002010-09-13T18:06:15.795+01:00Hi Sally - you've put your finger on a problem...Hi Sally - you've put your finger on a problem about commenting. I think that the comments are so that the editors can see which stories appeal to readers - but if there are grammar problems etc then that is going to detract from the comments on the story which is why I wish people would check their grammar, spelling etc before sending in submissions. I always do a spellcheck etc before I send in a ms. I may have an MA but I can still make mistakes.<br /><br />'Cute meet' hmm - personally I dislike (very much) the use of 'cute' in that - it implies that it has to be quirky, fun, over-clever . . . I'll have a think about your question and hope to get back to it.<br /><br />You really should come on one of my courses!Kate Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-24746995216597545422010-09-13T18:01:48.377+01:002010-09-13T18:01:48.377+01:00Hi Susan
I totally agree with you - those mistake...Hi Susan <br />I totally agree with you - those mistakes in grammar and any factual errors ruin a read for me. When submitting a novel for a major publisher it needs to be as professionally presented as possible and those mistakes lessen the professionalism of the submission.<br /><br />And if reunderstand isn't a real word, it should be! I underestood exactly what you meant.Kate Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-83549862627592603152010-09-13T17:56:42.900+01:002010-09-13T17:56:42.900+01:00Hi Lidia. I know that grammar concerns you. Somet...Hi Lidia. I know that grammar concerns you. Sometimes I use it creatively and for deliberate effect - but I do think a writer should know the right way to do things. Personaly I grit my teeth when I see apostrophes where none should be and things like that. It can spoil a read for me because it pulls me out of the book and the story.Kate Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277223651288830541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-38984568918227481292010-09-13T16:33:07.559+01:002010-09-13T16:33:07.559+01:00An interesting post Kate, especially as I have jus...An interesting post Kate, especially as I have just been brave enough to enter New Voices.<br />I really hope that mine is not an entry riddled with grammar errors. I have read my ts over and over, but sometimes you can be too close to your own work.<br />I have also written a synopsis and discovered more about my characters as I hope to continue with the entry once I've finished my current wip. Your 12 point guide and courses have at least taught me that writing a first chapter on its own is not the best way forward and I hope it shows in my entry.<br />Good luck to all entrants.Rachael Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12848406521940836271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-12511112660798924882010-09-13T11:41:04.927+01:002010-09-13T11:41:04.927+01:00Thanks Kate you made my day. I have been privatel...Thanks Kate you made my day. I have been privately contemplating the sustainability of 'slap in the face' opening chaps, and felt a right bitch for doing so. Having quickly reviewed 30 odd MB moderns published over the past 12 months, its amazing to see how many (nearly all) established authors adopt a more measured pace.<br /><br />PS Working v closely with your 12 Point book without which I would be lost.LindseyHugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08897427820851021234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-41801362385967670702010-09-13T11:08:02.765+01:002010-09-13T11:08:02.765+01:00Interesting post, Kate. I too have been dismayed b...Interesting post, Kate. I too have been dismayed by the number of grammatical errors in stories. There are some where I haven't even commented because I felt I'd really be putting the boot in to someone who is probably as nervous as I am about entering.<br /><br /><br />I wonder if you've got the time, whether could expand on what you mean by a 'cute meet'. Bringing my hero and heroine together is one of the things I really struggle with (and don't get me started on getting them to the point of actually kissing!).Quillershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00148636009202550512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-174891317630485702010-09-13T07:33:09.501+01:002010-09-13T07:33:09.501+01:00I've been driven insane by the number of typos...I've been driven insane by the number of typos, grammar mistakes and sometimes factual errors that I've encountered in New Voices. But I've only been driven insane because these things throw me out the story and makes me reread and sometimes try to reunderstand a sentence. (Drat - I'm quite sure reunderstand isn't a word - but you know what I mean!)<br />I don't want to do that, I want to flow through these stories and read them for pure enjoyment. There are some real gems in there, can't wait to vote for my favourites!Scarlet Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03784722625468146993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-5631384285455419162010-09-13T02:57:51.856+01:002010-09-13T02:57:51.856+01:00Of course, I posted with typos and there is no edi...Of course, I posted with typos and there is no editing feature. Oh well!lidiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465764786056030423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055731.post-41908985996579552812010-09-13T02:56:26.077+01:002010-09-13T02:56:26.077+01:00Kate,
You brought up grammar -- a big sore point...Kate, <br />You brought up grammar -- a big sore point with me. Many published authors use bad grammar when it comes to the use of "me" and "I." It surprises me that the editors don't catch these things.<br /><br />A few years back a lot was written about the missuse of "me". Now everyone uses "I" even when "me" should be used.<br /><br />For example, Sally and I went to the park -- correct. You can speak to either Sally or I (incorrect)-- You can speak to either Sally or me (correct).<br /><br />What baffles me is that the "check" to determine whether to use "I" or "me" is simple but people just don't bother. <br /><br />You wouldn't say "You can speak to I" instead you say "You can speak to me" therefore, "You can speak to Sally or me" is the correct form.<br /><br />I can't tell you the number of published HPs with those mistakes. It is rather sad that neither the author nor the editor pick up on these type of mistakes.<br /><br />In case you haven't notice, this is a pet peeve (another - LOL) of mine!lidiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465764786056030423noreply@blogger.com