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LINE-BY-LINE Discussion Thread; The Workshop
Topic Started: Sep 23 2008, 04:24 PM (4,934 Views)
messyhead
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I would croak without my online thesaurus.
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OJFan
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Oh, I DO use the online Thesuarus...but I still have problems. SOmetimes it isn't just needing a specific word, but maybe stringing them together, or maybe finding a BETTER thesaurus... I find that if I want a synonym for a word like smooth and I am talking about a voice, it never gives me mellifluous...just somthing like velvety... It's hard to come up with those more interesting, sublte words, but they make such a difference.
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Lola
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I find that too. The suggestions from the Thesaurus might have a similar meaning but just don't fit the context. Webster's Comprehensive is very good though. It gives in depth definitions of synonyms and how the meanings change according to use.

It's been a favorite since I wanted the exact meaning of 'regard' as in 'my high regard for you' and it told me 'love, attachment, affection and friendship'. :)
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melchycat
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You are right they do. It's so hard to come up with new words and make sure you don't repeat and all that stuff. I do have a slight advantage at work as I'm surrounded by dictionaries and thesaurus. But I really don't write that much at work anymore.

And thanks!
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Lola
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I was reading last night that in order to write you have to risk revealing your dreams and deepest emotions and that many people find this quite daunting. Do any of you find yourselves worrying about that? I must admit I do. I find it very difficult sometimes to write about things that show my true emotions or feelings about something.
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messyhead
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Even if those are the emotions of a character? It's like putting a mask on. What is it that makes you nervous about that Lola?

(I sometimes think I'm emotionally dishonest enough that I might not even KNOW what my true feelings are to worry about committing them to paper.)
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Lola
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Well, I suppose even if it's a character the ideas still come from the author so if it seems silly or isn't very good then it's open to criticism. I suppose that's what I don't like --being vulnerable to what others think. I know here you are all so supportive so that's not an issue. Still though I find it hard. Perhaps it will get easier. I like your idea of putting on a mask. Being someone completely different and hidden.
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OJFan
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I do wonder what our stories reveal about us. I don't worry about revealing my emotions for two reasons. First, like messyhead said, they are the character's emotions, not mine. I'm sure my take on them is affected by my own personality, but ALL the stories have very similar traits for the characters. Second, just because I write something doesn't mean it was an experience I had PERSONALLY, or even my point of view or take on things. I don't think this means I am dishonest in my writing, because I never set out to make this a mirror of something that happened to me.

I'm sure though it isn't hard to guess I am a hopeless romantic, and find Oscar extremely sexy. The way Oscar treats Jaime (overall - not specifically) is probably somewhat like how I like to be treated - with love, respect etc... It IS hard though isn't it to expose yourself? Maybe that's why I DO have a hard time writing some stuff for the characters - because I feel like I am exposing them - or maybe it's just because I don't usually talk about stuff like that with most people and here I'm writing about it for anyone to see.
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messyhead
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Also, even though we 'know' each other, you're really quite anonymous here. You don't have to look anyone in the eye and say "Yes, I wrote that silly thing."

As these are Oscar and Jaime stories, and not Dostoevsky, there's already a lack of seriousness inherent in it. Hell, we're just having fun, aren't we?
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Lola
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Exactly. It's the writing about things I don't usually even talk about that's a challenge. It's fascinating though at the same time because it makes me really have to think about how I do see things and feel about them. I agree a lot of the writing isn't me personally as I'm just using traits or parts of the characters' personalities that are revealed in the series so that's not a problem. Also, as you say, I don't use personal experiences or opinions directly although they might inspire some of my ideas to some extent.

I certainly don't mind being revealed as a hopeless romantic either.
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OJFan
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Oh, I definitely think it's safe to say there is a lack of seriousness. I'm not trying to expose some great injustice in the world or affect some sort of global change - or even try to acquire world peace :) I'm just writing for fun, and hope others like it was well.

There is NO WAY I could write the way I do if my friends in town were reading my stories - NO WAY!!! There are only a few friends I would even discuss personal things with like I do in my stories - especially the more romantic moments. It's not like I talk about people climaxing at a PTO meeting ```` ```` The anonymity gives me the courage to write at all, and I'm glad it does because I really enjoy it now - yes we ARE having fun...

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Lola
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You're right. I shouldn't take it too seriously and it is lots of fun so I'll be less concerned.--at least I'll try.
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melchycat
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What Amanda said is good. We aren't the characters, they are themselves. It's like being in a play. You can say and do things in a play that you would never do because you are not you. And that's what writing is like.

I have a friend that can not write if it is not something she hasn't done. I rarely do that. I'd rather write about stuff I haven't done that my characters can do--it's like giving me another life, if that makes sense. I just try to make sure that it is something that the character would do.

I do write from experience though. My dad is a funny guy and we are always teasing and joking and have weird senses of humor such as when you a sign that says huge yard sale, the first thing I think is that I don't really need a huge yard but surely someone will! And that kind of come across in my stories if I think it will fit the character. I do like to send characters places I've been, but that doesn't stop me from sending them to someplace I might never see--the internet is a wonderful thing. I was even able to get a map of Philadelphia in the 1860's to help with one story. I do a lot of research, but I do have a whole library behind me.

I don't let many people I know read my stories. I don't want them to make fun of me. I don't let anyone I know read my mature stories. They wouldn't understand. My mother would lock me up and even though we aren't Catholic and I am 44 she would put me in a convent. But I love sharing them with people who understand them. (And If I met any of you, you could still read them). I don't like to write about sad things a lot, I don't like to always give my characters problems. I like them to be happy and content and write about good things for them. But I can write the other way too. A girl once criticized me, saying me stories were too sweet and romantic. Too bad, that's who I am. And most people seem to like that just fine!
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OJFan
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Oh, I never get tired of a good romance story. I do like giving my characters something to deal with - it gives tension and drama, but then I also like making other stories where they are simply sweet and happy. There are SOOO many possibilities for Oscar and Jaime that I just haven't explored. I too would't care if I met anyone on the board in person now, because I know how much everyone likes Oscar and Jaime and their stories, so I don't think I'd be embarrassed.

I too would DIE if my mom read any of my stories - she wouldn't think I had it in me. I don't know about the convent though - I could probably duck out of that one. My husband would NEVER let up on the teasing though - NEVER and he would critique my stories more that I would care for I'm sure.
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melchycat
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My mom would like just an ordinary story. I know this because she found some old notebooks form college that I had written stories about SMK. But the red stuff. Please. She assumes because I'm not married I know nothing about sex. I'm not going to be the one to tell her otherwise.

I do love meeting friends I've met like this and being able to talk over all this stuff in person. It's a great feeling to know you are not alone.
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