Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Blog Goodness

I read brilliant things on blogs (you have a blog reader, like Bloglines or Google Reader or something, so you only have to go to one place to read them all, right?). Sometimes I think I should just re-post what other people write on their blogs, since they are smarter, funnier and more successful than me. So, here are a few things I liked that I read on blogs this week:

"When you're considering what to write about, you have to start with the assumption that everyone you're up against in the slush pile can write -- it's your idea that will set you apart." -- Super Agent Nathan Bransford, and this is even a re-post 2007.

"Dialogue made up of nothing but words rarely works." -- Agent Jessica Faust at Bookends . Sounds so obvious, but think about it. What else is the character up to while talking? Give the reader that stuff too!

"Wanting to meet the author who wrote your favorite book is like wanting to meet the cow that produced your hamburger. Basically, you’re only going to be disappointed." -- The prolific and adorable author Meg Cabot.

"So every scene should in some way show the character (I mean, the scene's protagonist or central character) acting and reacting with the motivation or goal in mind. Their ambition/desire doesn't take a vacation. And if he should find himself going several hours without thinking of the goal or acting to fulfill the motivation, then it should be a conflict." -- Editorrent, a blog that I love but don't quite know how to pronounce. Editor rent? Edit torrent? Edit or rent? Anyway, it's written by two editors and they give lots of good craft advice.

Now that's what I call blog goodness.

11 comments:

  1. I have to disagree with the Meg Cabot quote. All the authors I've met have been wonderful. I met my absolute favorite (Jen Lancaster) about two or three years ago and she not only was a riot in person, but even recognized me from my postings on her myspace.

    Her quote makes me wonder what her self esteem is like. Did she disappoint her own fans in some way? Or has she had some overwhelming experiences that led to her believe this? Looking at her website, it doesn't seem like she's got any problem being a very outward and sociable person. *scratches head*

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  2. Hey Yvonne! I just think Meg was being a little tongue in cheek. Plus I think it's a funny comparison!

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  3. Three of these blog quotes I recognized and loved too. The Meg Cabot one, I hadn't read, but it made me think, Oh my, would I disillusion my fans?! Of course, first I have to get published, and then I have to get fans. But still ... :-)

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  4. Hi Linda, glad you liked it! I admit, when I read Meg's blog I dreamed about what it would be like to meet fans too. So many things must happen first, but still, a little dreamin' is fine by me!

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  5. Hi Lisa,
    I followed you home from Joe's site.
    I enjoyed this post and the comments. Linda,I alluded to my as still yet imaginary fan base the very first time I posted on my blog. perseverance + talent + luck = fans (fingers crossed)
    I don't know how an author could disappoint in person if they are only being who they are...maybe if you build them into something they aren't that's how you get disappointed. I've met some great ones. Now, true, they don't always look quite like their air brushed photo.....but you can't have everything.
    I'll be back. Thanks for the new site to poke around in!
    Karen :)

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  6. Hi Karen,

    Thanks for stopping by! I love the linkiness (linkyness?), well I guess you know what I mean, of the internet. Please stop back for more conversation!

    Lisa

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  7. Thanks for the welcome Lisa. I know I like the linkyness too. (good word)
    Are you going to come by for TEN QUESTIONS TUESDAY with Joe on tuesday? It should be a blast. I'm pretty excited about having him come to my blog. He's kinda a running theme throughout. btw: does it bug you if you post something and no one comments on it? LOL
    I'm just wondering...being new to the whole blogging thing. I had the BEST comment sent to me via email about the piece I posted about Alexandra Sokoloff, but I can't really cut and paste it into the blog (or can I?) um..no I can't really cut and paste it into my blog, so I just have to bask quietly in the glory of the comment all by my lonesome. (sigh)
    Karen :)

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  8. Lisa,
    As a follow up?

    Alexandra Sokoloff came in this morning and commented on the piece about herself.

    I had to go lie down in a dark room for a while to get a grip.
    Karen :)

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  9. Hi Karen,

    That's so great that you got a comment from Alexandra herself! What a delightful treat! Have you recovered?

    I will definitely stop by for Joe's ten questions on Tuesday, thanks for the tip.

    I don't mind when I post something and there aren't any comments. This is still a very new blog, but I hope more people (like you!) will stop by in the future.

    Lisa

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  10. Hi. Great post. I've heard of the agents, but not Meg or Editorrent, so I'll have to check them out.

    I'm not sure what genre you write. If it's romance, you might want to stop by my blog. I'm hosting a contest for romance writers. You can check it out at: http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

    Lynnette Labelle

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  11. I've just recently discovered Meg Cabot -- she's the author of The Princess Diaries series. The movie stared Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. Meg writes mostly YA, but I've read her Queen of Babble series and they are light and funny and adorable.

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