Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

I made it home. Rocket says never leave again. I had books waiting on my porch for me. YAY. I'm too tired for a proper writerly ways so let me just give these two bullet points.
1. That Janet Evanovich book really DOES overuse the dialogue tags (I listened to the second half on the drive home) Literally every other line or less even with only 2 speakers. Wow, yeah watch out for that.

2. Nostalgia doesn't always equal good. I've now watched a handful of the new Night Court. I'm shocked at the level of acting especially out of Melissa Rauch. I'm like have you forgotten how since TBBT. It's unfunny, uncomfortably so. Granted I've changed since the 80s. The world has changed. I wanted this one to work but for me, it's not. Has anyone else tried this?


Open Calls


So, I Married A Narcissist They seem to be looking for fictionalized 'true' stories


Orion’s Belt 2023 Window

Untitled Bathroom Horror Anthology

Necronomi-RomCom

World West Revue – First 2023 Window

Artemesia Publishing: Now Accepting Manuscript Proposals

The Sprawl Mag: Now Seeking Submissions

Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Authors this March

11:11 Press: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions on climate change




From Around the Web


3 Steps to Taking Your Character Further and Deeper With…Anger?

Mastering the Art of the Cliffhanger Chapter Ending

How to Rescue a Book in Danger of Dying

Emotional Wound Entry: Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

Storyville: Some of the Best and Worst Writing Advice I’ve Ever Gotten

Genre Tips: How to Write Horror

Ego and Self in the All is Lost Moment


Women Writers Shaping the Future of Horror

Wicked Women

Short Story Substack April 2023 Window (Early Listing)

Writing: a habit you don’t want to break – but how do you start and maintain it?

The Importance of Reading Debut Novels

When’s the best time to publish your book? Now!

How To Define Your Book’s Target Audience In 6 Steps

How To Deal With Writing Criticism And Negative Feedback

Choose Kindness When You Give Writing Feedback

How To Get Book Reviews




From Betty

More Cool Settings

Why Fear Is a Terrible Friend … and How to Crush It

What is “Bad Writing?” (And How Can We Avoid It?)

Six Tips to Make Your Fantasy Setting More Immersive

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Conditional Love

Character Arcs: Making a Long Story Short

Necromance Your Darlings

How to self-edit your novel

Comments

[goddess47]

We tried the new Night Court and have essentially given up on it. Although I find I am *very* picky about comedies at this point. There is too much self-deprecation, too much... cringe that I cannot define that makes me uncomfortable. I can watch TBBT re-runs but I cannot watch some of the older comedies like 'Everyone likes Raymond'... and don't get me started on how much I hate 'Seinfeld."

Glad you're home safe!

[cornerofmadness]

I've always been picky about comedies much more so than any of my cop shows for example. But I think you put your finger on it, the self-deprecation AND for me, watching Dan fail again and again whether it's dating, getting to go for a much anticipated dinner etc, that stopped being funny in the 80s.

I actually never did like Raymond or Seinfeld

[spikedluv]

You are me!!! Friends was the last sitcom I watched until The Big Bang Theory. I abhore shows like, what I started calling, Everybody Hates Ray, where people do something stupid and it's supposed to be funny. The checking account episode comes to mind. And the wife is always the idiot when in fact . . . The only other sitcom I watched on DVD and loved to pieces was Sports Night, which I called a smart comedy.

and don't get me started on how much I hate 'Seinfeld'

Same!!

[under_the_silk_tree]

I'm glad you were able to spend some time with your family. I hope your mom's toe continues to heal.

Congrats on your winnings!

I can't remember what book it was but I was listening to the audio and the dialogue tags were so noticeable it got annoying. They don't bother me in an e-book or physical copy, but with audio, it becomes clear when an artist uses them too much.

[cornerofmadness]

Thanks. Should know more tomorrow about mom's toe

Yes it's very blatant in audio in a way it's not in the written form. I don't listen to a lot of audio (It's not a good format for me) but this one was really bad for that.

[ysilme]

*hugs and pets* for Rocket

2. Nostalgia doesn't always equal good.
I hear you on that! I used to love to re-read some old and beloved teen novel series as comfort reading, as well as a few other old favourites. But recently, I really can't stand them any longer - I always knew they were dated (some of them were even already old-fashioned when I was a teen, but I loved them for reasons) and clearly 80s or before socially and politically, and I already know in what ways they were problematic back then; but what I liked or loved about them seems to have been enough even so until a couple of years ago. Some I've always wanted to give to my nieces and nephew to read, but not any longer. (Same goes for so many old movie/TV show favourites...)
On the plus side, clearing all of them out means more space for the new books Siljan keeps dragging home. ;op

[cornerofmadness]

Yeah honestly I don't WANT to reread things I loved as a teen and 20-something because I'm afraid of just that (and then Popsugar keeps tossing me reread challenges, OMG stop)

I've had too many cases of WTF was I thinking back then but the truth is I've changed so have my tastes.

[spikedluv]

I tried it. I watched the first two eps when they aired and thought it was okay, then somehow didn't record the others and didn't care overly much. I really expected it to be stellar and wondered if I was missing out by not watching it. Guess not.

Aww, Rocket missed you!! What a crazy cat.

[cornerofmadness]

I am very surprised at how awful I'm finding the acting, especially from the women. John Larroquette seems to be the only one putting in any effort.

Rocket is such a little weirdo