Frank, I don't advocate never reading any how-to books, but I do STRONGLY advise avoiding those that say the same old thing all the others say. Dean's books don't mimic the myth-spouting how-tos, and neither do mine.
I typically shy away from certain authors who keep the myths alive. That's what makes selecting how-to books quite difficult. You, Dean, and Mr. Bedford-Jones are aligned in that fiction is personal, fun, and can be rewarding so long as we allow our creative voice freedom to play in the fiction sandbox. It was refreshing to see the lessons I learned from you and Dean vindicated from a book in 1922.
I like the idea of "hack writing". I write really fast myself, and I'm prolific. I often jokingly refer to my "bashing out an article" but I do. I don't do shitty first drafts either, so this HBJ person and his book sound great, and just up my street even though I don't write fiction (apart from my to-do list). Thanks for such an insightful review, which I've restacked!
100%, This is wisdom I relate to, I'm glad you "broke" your own decision about what to read at the moment, Frank, thanks for sharing these gems from an old Master.
Frank, I don't advocate never reading any how-to books, but I do STRONGLY advise avoiding those that say the same old thing all the others say. Dean's books don't mimic the myth-spouting how-tos, and neither do mine.
I typically shy away from certain authors who keep the myths alive. That's what makes selecting how-to books quite difficult. You, Dean, and Mr. Bedford-Jones are aligned in that fiction is personal, fun, and can be rewarding so long as we allow our creative voice freedom to play in the fiction sandbox. It was refreshing to see the lessons I learned from you and Dean vindicated from a book in 1922.
Yup. The good stuff remains good and is passed along, albeit to seemingly fewer and fewer serious writers in each generation.
Thanks Frank! I think I'm suitably motivated to hammer out some words today after reading this!
I like the idea of "hack writing". I write really fast myself, and I'm prolific. I often jokingly refer to my "bashing out an article" but I do. I don't do shitty first drafts either, so this HBJ person and his book sound great, and just up my street even though I don't write fiction (apart from my to-do list). Thanks for such an insightful review, which I've restacked!
Thanks Terry. Much appreciated!
A pleasure, Frank.
Great stuff Frank!
“The rules are there ain’t no rules” - Leo of the Scorpians to Danny Zuko before the race at Thunder Road.
100%, This is wisdom I relate to, I'm glad you "broke" your own decision about what to read at the moment, Frank, thanks for sharing these gems from an old Master.