Comments on: The Rule of Three

By: Writing Classes – why they’re important, and what to do when you get there « Flash Fiction Chronicles

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:46:35 +0000

[...] ruined my work. Yes, ruined–because the story was no longer mine. Nowadays, I work by the rule of three, [...]

By: Peta

Peta — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:58:42 +0000

@Livia - I love his "how to write" stuff. I attended a couple of sessions with him at Harvard year before last and learned So Darned Much. We are a pretty small group, so 2 might be a better number. I count a few of my outside readers, too, though--I have 3 others plus group, sometimes 4. I find I'm more likely to take something on board, though, if I can (a) see how to fix it straight away (b) the critiquer can explain their issue a bit. I'll look at things regardless, but (a) and (b) make it much easier for me to work out what's wrong, so I'm more likely to find a fix.

Reply - @Livia<\/a> - I love his \"how to write\" stuff. I attended a couple of sessions with him at Harvard year before last and learned So Darned Much.\r\n\r\nWe are a pretty small group, so 2 might be a better number. I count a few of my outside readers, too, though--I have 3 others plus group, sometimes 4. \r\n\r\nI find I\'m more likely to take something on board, though, if I can (a) see how to fix it straight away (b) the critiquer can explain their issue a bit. I\'ll look at things regardless, but (a) and (b) make it much easier for me to work out what\'s wrong, so I\'m more likely to find a fix.'); return false;">Quote

By: Livia

Livia — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:41:54 +0000

Since we're such a small group, I tend to go by the rule of 2. If two people (50-75% of my critiquers)say the same thing, then I'll give it serious consideration. Orson Scott Card had some good advice for avoiding an information dump while still conveying information in How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Reply - avoiding an information dump while still conveying information <\/a> in How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy.'); return false;">Quote

By: Peta

Peta — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:54:24 +0000

@Amitha - Gifts is a pretty strong YA, and you might find it loosely relevant just now. It's part of a series, but I've only read the first so far. I think the books after Wizard of Earthsea are stronger. Tales from Earthsea is short stories you might like, though The Farthest Shore is probably the most relevant to this post. It's very metaphorical in parts--I don't know how you feel about that. I think I know where both my copies are, so I can drop them 'round sometime if you like. (Gifts is still on loan, otherwise you could have it, too.)
Reply - @Amitha<\/a> - Gifts<\/i> is a pretty strong YA, and you might find it loosely relevant just now. It\'s part of a series, but I\'ve only read the first so far.\r\n\r\nI think the books after Wizard of Earthsea<\/a> are stronger. Tales from Earthsea<\/i> is short stories you might like, though The Farthest Shore<\/i> is probably the most relevant to this post. It\'s very metaphorical in parts--I don\'t know how you feel about that. I think I know where both my copies are, so I can drop them \'round sometime if you like. (Gifts<\/i> is still on loan, otherwise you could have it, too.)'); return false;">Quote

By: Amitha

Amitha — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:29:18 +0000
Do you have any rec's for good Ursula Le Guin books? I tried Wizard of Earthsea but couldn't get into it.
Reply - Quote