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Messages - pj

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1
Author Craft / Re: Jim blogs again!
« on: November 19, 2007, 08:45:59 PM »
I love this series he's done on Writing Craft.  Having recently studied the Swain method (Techniques of the Selling Writer), Jim pins down all the relevant points of that book in a few postings, and believe me, in a lot more palatable way.  I blogged about it recently, and advise all my writer-in-waiting friends to follow the Butcher condensed method of writing, it's a surefire winner to a good, enganging story.

PJ

You can find my blog post here:  http://fictionmonster.com/2007/11/05/when-a-butcher-gives-you-advice-take-it/

2
Author Craft / Re: Who uses novel writing software?
« on: November 08, 2007, 08:49:45 PM »
i use Storyist on the Mac.  Great piece of software, keeps everything neat and together.  Sheets for characters, notes, chapters and sections.


http://www.storyist.com

PJ

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Author Craft / Re: Very interesting new market for the writers here...
« on: November 06, 2007, 05:31:33 AM »
Thanks,

Always loved the old pulps, this could be an interesting market if it takes off :)

4
Author Craft / Re: The first line
« on: November 06, 2007, 05:23:35 AM »
Here's one from a mystery I just finished:

Quote
Maybe, at some point before all this, I’d wanted to be the kind of reporter who toppled corrupt governments.  Back there in the long ago when I’d been bushy haired and thought my couple of inches in the campus rag would change the world.

And another.

Quote
A big fat vampire wanted to hire me, and who was I to disagree?


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Author Craft / Re: Finding an Agent
« on: November 06, 2007, 05:13:22 AM »
I've been using this site specifically, up to date and very informative.

http://www.agentquery.com

PJ

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Author Craft / Re: Inspiring Writing Quotes
« on: November 06, 2007, 05:11:41 AM »
Build your wings on the way down - Ray Bradbury

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Author Craft / Re: Query Before Completed MS?
« on: November 06, 2007, 05:04:25 AM »
I came here because I've just got into the Dresden books, after the show, and having them on my reading list for too long a time.  And here I find all this great 'writing' talk too.

I'm about to embark on the great agent search myself.  And I think the advice given above is sound.  I've been polishing the completed manuscripts I have so that those first 50 pages shine.  Hopefully the rest of the pages shine also, but it's worth taking extra care with the first 50.

And I also heard the five agents at a time is the best method.  I came across a site that has a good agent listing, so I've been scouring that for the last week or so doing my research.

Crossing my fingers for some good responses.

PJ

8
Author Craft / Re: Author In Progress
« on: November 06, 2007, 04:48:49 AM »
Hey all, my name is PJ Lyon

Sadly an author-in-waiting as I like to put it.   

I'm currently finishing up two novels in a series about a London based Albino vampire who runs a nightclub (polishing).  One straight ahead mystery series about a Columbo-like Hollywood gossip journalist called Joe Luna, who keeps stumbling across dead bodies (polishing and rewriting the last few chapters).

My latest project is here http://www.fictionmonster.com/lazarine

I'm posting it chapter by chapter as I write, and using NaNoWriMo as a motivator to get it done.  It's a cataclysmic tale of ancient evils that trigger a war of undead across America.

I studied English and got a Masters degree a few years back (absolutely useless in the real world).  Other than that I worked for a brief period as a teacher, and for the last six years I worked in the IT field as an indentured slave (technician) until I went 'Hulk' a few weeks ago with my boss and quit.  Hey, you've got to take a leap at some point, right?

In any case, glad to be here in good company, and any tips you have before I embark on the agent merry-go-round I'd be glad to have 'em.

PJ





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Author Craft / Re: Who's going to participate in NANO this year?
« on: November 06, 2007, 04:31:06 AM »
I thought I'd put this in here for my first post as I'm doing Nano this year.  It's a lot of fun so far, really get's the old writing muscles flexed.

PJ

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