I would also point out that numbers 1, 5, 8 and 9 also apply when writing insurance appeal letters. Especially numbers 5 and 8 because you really have to break it down for the fools.....
Ooh, not a big fan of the ninth commandment there. Well, I like it fine when it's done well, but it too often leads to mediocre moralizing. That's it -- I'm converting to writing Protestantism! ;)
Number six is particularly relevant to me. A young writer asked me to review a Kindle of his SF short story and he spent more time telling than showing. No actual character appeared until about fifteen percent of the story and dialogue was almost nonexistent.
He thanked for for my observations and wanted me a few days later to check more stories, having made the changes I commented on(in just a few days?).
Ooh, not a big fan of the ninth commandment there. Well, I like it fine when it's done well, but it too often leads to mediocre moralizing. That's it -- I'm converting to writing Protestantism! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe 11th Commandment should be "Thou shalt proofread carefully," because whoever created this sign left the r off you in the first commandment.
ReplyDeleteI think the ninth is part, at some level, of every story. Every story, at some level and regardless of the genre, confronts the human condition.
ReplyDeleteI think it was done deliberately, Barry. I think it is supposed to be funny.
Number six is particularly relevant to me. A young writer asked me to review a Kindle of his SF short story and he spent more time telling than showing. No actual character appeared until about fifteen percent of the story and dialogue was almost nonexistent.
ReplyDeleteHe thanked for for my observations and wanted me a few days later to check more stories, having made the changes I commented on(in just a few days?).