Recent content by Karlin

I have 4 or 5 four letter words in what I am editing now. Only used at emotionally charged points. Otherwise, it's just silly. I'm reminded of a quote attributed to MArk Twain: “Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be...

Do you need another antagonist? If Vashti is plotting revenge on the Persian court, there will be plenty of tension between her and the court. You could also have a local political faction that wants to avoid friction with Persia, and opposes her

I'm what they call a "pantser". I get an idea, and run with it, not knowing where it will go, or even who the characters are, beyond some basic idea. I've written several novels over the years. Once I start, I'm committed to finishing. I have one book published by a traditional publisher. It...

But will.they know if they are robots dreaming of being electric sherp? Or maybe sheep dreaming of being robots?

Bought Zorba the Greek as an ebook, new translation. Rereding it- thsi is probably the third or fourth time I'm reading it. Realizing that not only is the "Boss" a Buddhist, but Zorba is likely a Daoist.

I recently picked up Terry Pratchett's "Night Watch", with an eye to see how he handles time travel. I am working on a story with time travel, so it was one of the books I read (others include Zorba the Greek, for how he handles the contrast between the characters. And a few others that are more...

cute, but long winded

I'm a pantser+. I start with an idea, then start writing. Not always from the beginning. Once the story gets going, and the characters have appeared, I'll write notes to myself, about what's next, and where the story is going. I am editing a novel now, and when I wrote it, I didn't k ow how...

It depends what you mean by " original idea". Like an idea for a timec travel story. Well, time travel has been written many times. Has anybody had Abraham Lincoln time travel to Tang China ? I doubt it. Were the mutant teenage ninja turtles an original Idea at the time? I would think so, and...

There are a lot of lousy podcasts out there. I have little payience for those that are 80% ads and banter, and 20% content. I have found some good ones, like History and Literature, China History Podcast. I've been on a few myself. Iprefer to read, but if you spend a lot of time commuting...

Exactly. I would add podcasts as a learning source. I found thatbpodcasters are often happy to correspond with listeners too.

I've had Festus, who was stupid, and rose1, who was slightly more convincing

I rarely think consciously about the technical sides of my writing. Though I do catch myself at times doing something that will cofuse the reader. Nor did I study literature past high school, besides reading hundreds of books. Did your daughter enjoy what you wrote? Irrespective of voice etc.

Terry pratchett does this quite a lot

I've read a fair amount of Chinese and Japanese classic novels. They refer to the Chinese calendar, but usually (at least in translation) as "1st Lunar month" or something along those lines- and it comes with a brief description of the weather. So you don't need to know exactly when the 1st...