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Insider tip
The biggest key to voice is not worrying about it. Bad style often comes from trying too hard to imitate the style of other writers. Gotham Writers' Workshop: Writing Fiction-
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Getting lost in London
I went to an important meeting in London yesterday – held at a venue I know well, in a part of London I know well.
Given those facts, I didn’t bother to print out a map, just had a quick check on a bus stop and leapt on a bus bound for Farringdon Street.
It gradually dawned on me as I headed in an unfamiliar direction that this wasn’t going well. The bus terminated at Farringdon Street, at which point I remembered the meeting was being held in Farringdon Road… Luckily the two streets are not too far apart, so I stomped up to Farringdon Road, cursing my inability to check details, only to see I was at the wrong end – number 500, when I was after number 60.
So, in very much a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ piece of advice – check small details – in my case it would have saved me from a long walk – in the case of a manuscript submission, it can make the difference between getting read and being rejected.
Best wishes,
Cressida
(editorial consultant)
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Comments
One Comment on Getting lost in London
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Xean Puccio on
Aug 6, 2010 at 10:40am
Cressida,
Anatomically, the composition of a story is similar to the composition of a living being. From a skeleton plot outline, the sinewy body of a story develops, overlaid by a smooth skin of refined details; infusing splendor that renders the spirit sublime.
Xean
6/8/2010
PS.- You know sometimes, one small incident can invoke great ideas. I wonder Cressida, what is your opinion on sharing a story idea with someone else? If say, somebody inspires you with an idea for a story, would you tell them?
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