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| Writers' Workshop with Stella Cameron 5/20/00 |
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Stella - Are we ready to go?
Stella - 
clyons - logged on - 5/18 at 9:22pm EST
tkwriter - yes
Stella - I may be tired, but I'm on the ball and you'd better have lots of questions.
Cissy - Poor Stella - yep, we're ready. Do you have any opening thoughts on POV before we start bombarding you with questions?
Sara - 
- 5/18 at 9:24pm EST
Stella - Yes. POV is much more that who tells the story, the eyes the reader sees through and looks at the action through. POV sets up the "distance" as which the story is told. Henry James was a third-person narrator who sat on the sidelines
Sara - logged on - 5/18 at 9:24pm EST
Stella - handing out juicy little asides that has theability to keep you distant from the action.
Stella - Hi, Sara, Welcome back, I thought I'd said something bad!
Sara - no, I had the wrong color <G>
sooner - logged on - 5/18 at 9:26pm EST
Stella - First person limits to only what the viewpoint chracter sees, thinks and hears. Of course, this makes it a perfect tool for trhe mystery which is why so many mysteries are told in first person. It's easy to hide villains, etc.
Cissy - Hi sooner! 
- Stella talking to us about POV
Stella - We like third person past, multiple because, properly used, it's both very intimate and very revealing.
Stella - This tense lets us keep secrets where we want to (if we're clever) or reveal all. Multiple viewpoint is fabulous because it's non-limiting. Now. ask away.
Stella - hi, sooner
sooner - Hi everyone!
Cissy - okay guys why don't we use the same protocol we've been using. Type ? to line up for a question and I'll call on you in order
Stella - hi clyons
tkwriter - ?
RobinH - ?
Cissy - okay, tkwriter, you're up. Robin, you'll follow
clyons - Hi Stella, guess I got the wrong color, too.
tkwriter - my ms is in third person, but only one pov. My ? is how to keep his pov intact. do pubs like multiple better?
Cissy - yeah, people. Ther'e s a whole rainbow of colors to choose from when you log in! 
kitty - logged on. - 5/18 at 9:32pm EST
Sara - ?
Stella - No, I don't think publishers like multiple better, I think they like whatever you handle best, better (howzatt for a sentence?). If you're most comfortable with third singular, stick with it, but remember you can't suddenly slide into another head just because you feel like it. ga
Stella - hi kitty
tkwriter - got it, thanks
Cissy - Welcome kitty! We're talking to Stella about POV and using a protocol. Type ? to line up for a question and I'll call on you in order.
kitty - hi stella
Cissy - Robin, you're up. Sara, you'll follow
Stella - 
RobinH - My question involves the use of italics , like when a character talks to themselves....I like this, but don't want to over use it or make folks think my character is a skitzo....how does this come in to play (the use of italics...)any rules?
Cissy - lol, Stella - trying to tell us something?
Stella - Yep--if you don't keep the questions coming, I'm gonna stick pins in you.
Stella - Robin: Yes there are rules
Cissy - okay ladies, let fly with the ?s 
Stella - I like internal monologue, too, but it's a mistake to overuse. There's nothing wrong with writing: And where was this like of questioning going, Blanche wondered. Or,
tkwriter - ?
Stella - _Is this joker permanently attached to my back? He's giving me the creeps._
Cissy - ?
Stella - Just mix it up.
RobinH - ok
Stella - That should have read, "line of questions."
Stella - ga
Sara - Are there any tricks to make sure you don't do the head bopping or hopping. Sometimes I feel like I want to 'bop' the author. I like the multiple but is there a trick as to the change? scene? chapter?
Cissy - (tk, you're up after Sara)
RobinH - gq
Stella - Sara, I hear a lot of talk about head hopping. This only happens when directions are unclear. As long as the writer makes sure the reader knows who happens to be talking, there's no head hopping. I'd just like to bop a few writers, myself!
Stella - ga
Cissy - tk, you're up. My question will follow
Stella - I should add that properly tagged dialogue gets rid of the problem. ga
Stella - okay, Sarah?
Sara - so there are NOT any rules per se?
Stella - Sara
tkwriter - how do you mix action with dialogue with internal thoughts?
Sara - I just HATE it when I have to stop and say, now who is talking? or seeing? if you get my drift <G>
Sara - ga
Stella - Writing isn't about rules, that's the beautyof it. There are definitely things that don't work. Can you explain what you're looking for in the way of rules?
Stella - Sorry, tkwriter--be right with you.
Sara - sorry, TK <G>, but Stella I am searching I guess for some rules for lack of a better description.
Cissy - sorry, I forged ahead too quickly
Stella - Sara, that only happens because the writer has been careless and failed to direct the reader. Sweriously, if rule is a word that works for you, then make it a rule to tag your dialogue meticulously, whether with he said, she said, or action.
Sara - I know that when I read, there are certain authors I can simply not handle because they seem to break the rules that as a reader I have internalized.
Zoage - logged on. - 5/18 at 9:43pm EST
Stella - Plau tlwiter--a tiny question from you, I see!
Cissy - Welcome, Zoage! We're talking to Stella about POV and using a protocol. Type ? to line up for a question and I'll call on you in order.
Sara - but it seems recently, in new releases, it is all jumbled up. even with dialog tags
Sara - okay, I am really done now
Stella - There's a flow to the written work. If you take as much static material into action, get rid of as much internal monologue with dialogue, you're there. Does that make sense?
clyons - I don't mean to interupt but, Sara, are these rules you have internalized as a reader ao, are y
Sara - I think so, thanks, Stella
Sara - it might have to do with "voice" as well
Stella - Sara--tkwriter and I can hold on a minute more. Sara--be more specific, please.
clyons - Sorry, or are you growing as a writer and seeing the deficiencies in the stories you were previously unaware of?
Stella - 
Sara - Clyons, I doubt it <G> unfortunately, my writing practice is press releases these days. But I know that in my work, in one way I am very rules driven.
stella - logged on. - 5/18 at 9:47pm EST
Sara - Perhaps it is just me, but in some authors they seem to take delight in switching back and forth and I seem to get lost. I hate to say DUH!
sooner - - 5/18 at 9:48pm EST
Sara - Did I run off Stella? I am SO sorry. I will hush now.
stella - Wow, this thing is kicky tongiht! If you're gettting lost Sara, then the writer or writers are not reading their own material adequately and neither are their editors.
stella - This shouldn't happen. When I read my work I stop instantly
stella - if there's any doubt about who said or did what.
stella - tkwriter--the patient one--lets get down to business.
stella - we were takjubg about balance. do you still have questions.
Cissy - do you need her to repeat the question?
RobinH - (I forgot TK's question?)
stella - If TK wants to repeat, go ahead.
Cissy - TK, can you repeat?
tkwriter - how do you mix action with dialogue with internal thoughts?
stella - Clyons made a comment we need to come back to, also.
stella - Oh, yes and I tried to give a simple formula. Nothing that can be active should be passive and nothing that can be put in dialogue should be in internal monologue. There are excetpions
Zoage has timed out.
stella - to the latter but they're mostly a question of style.. If you've written five pages of narrative in which you've tried to breakit up by having the heroine talk to the dog, forget it. Start again. If a building is imploding and people are dying but you're reporting events via a radio show, forget it--someone needs to be on the spot or it doesn't work. BTW. This is all pov. It's the distance at which you tell your story.
stella - ga
stella - Hi TessaMae--just noticed you there
Cissy - I had the next question but it was mostly covered by Sara's multi-view question. No one else is in line. Who else has a question?
Stella has timed out.
Megan - ?
stella - I haven't times out have I?
RobinH - ?
Cissy - Go ahead, Megan
Cissy - Nope, that was from earlier. It was an uppercase S
Megan - I love to write, but I'm a beginner and don't know much about the technical aspects of writing. Could you clarify the difference between first person singular and multiple?
Megan - I told you -- beginner with a capital "B"!
TessaMae - Hi Stelle, I'm just sitting her writing notes on what you're saying...
RobinH - (I would like to know too!) LOL
stella - Okay, Megan. First person, singular: "I"
stella - Sorry--I have to leave in about ten minutes and I'm not changed. We're having a Birthday Party!! People keep tryinging to talk to me
Cissy - Stella, chat up until you have to leave and we'll pick next month's topic without you
stellla - logged on. - 5/18 at 10:01pm EST
stellla - Argh--I keep gettingkicked out.. First person singular is "I"
stellla - perfect example is Dick Frances.
Megan - Oops, Imeant third, sorry.
stellla - Multiple vp is where there are many viewpoints. I write in multiple.
stellla - Third=past tense.
Megan - I understant third, I just don't clearly understand the difference between the "singular" and "multiple" points of view.
Cissy - you get to see inside lots of peoples heads with multiple, Megan. Not just the heroine (or the hero)
stellla - Y'know, somewhere in my copious records, I have a very detailed paper on viewpoint. Perhaps I can get a volunteer to put it on disk.
Megan - OK, I think I get what you mean. That's what I like to read the most, and I think that's what I've been writing in also. I would love access to ANYTHING you can put on a disk!
stellla - Cissy has it. One of the problems with multiple is that if you show inside the villains head, it's very difficult not to give him/her away.
stellla - Megan--this would be manuscript and need to be typed in. It's very extensive and I don't tnink I have disks anymore.
Sara - I can scan to text if you fax it to me stella
Cissy - I could probably scan it in, Stella
Sara - hey, cissy, we can get PHIL to do it. He loves to do that <G>
Cissy - Phil does??
Sara - it would be a break from contracts <G>
TessaMae - I'm a typist...I can help
Cissy - Stella, any requests for next month's topic before you have to leave?
stellla - I say from time to time--no one listens, please go to my site and get the book I list on P. It's fabulous. Janet Burroway's book on writing fiction. It has a weath of infoon pov.
Sara - yeah, he has a scanner and handy dandy OCR software
stellla - Okay, I'll dig it out and one of you can scan or type it. That's very nice of you all to offer.
Cissy - lol, Stella - we always listen
stellla - What topics do you have in mind for next month?
Megan - Will do Stella, thanks for the advice! I'll be doing lots of reading this Summer! Have a great time at the party!
Sara - yes, ma'am. I have the author noted
RobinH - I have in mind conflict or characterization
Cissy - free for all, everyone - toss out your ideas
stellla - You won't regret buying the book. It's fabulous. Now, toss out ideas. Conflict is good.
tkwriter - thanks for the info stella
TessaMae - Conflict would be a good one
Megan - dialogue?
stellla - //smoch
RobinH - I vote for conflict....LOL
stellla - 
stellla - If we do conflict, the gloves are coming off and I'm getting tough, heh, heh.
stellla - 
kitty - I vote for conflict
Cissy - do we have a consensus for conflict? 
RobinH - (we can take it!!)
Megan - Sure!
clyons - conflict then love to see Stella with her gloves off
Sara - yeah conflict
stellla - Conflict is the single most neglected element in commercial fiction.
stella has timed out.
stellla - People mistake a cute situation for conflict.
clyons - - 5/18 at 10:11pm EST
stellla - it ain't
RobinH - (so my teacher told me tonight!!! LOL)
stellla - O
Cissy - I disagree! 
Megan - Great, let's go for it!
stellla - We'll do an excercise and as many as want to can add to the pot until it really boils.
Megan - What say you, Cissy?
stellla - whddaya disagree with, Cissy? (hands on hips)
RobinH - Is it next month yet??? I can't wait
Megan - That sounds like great fun and practice, Stella!
Cissy - just trying to stir up a little conflict, sheesh
tkwriter - cute
stellla - Oh, that Cissy. Just for that--You're up first. You give the opening mini bone, the little thorn that sticks between the toes and gets us going. Okay?
Cissy - The opening mini bone? First big conflict? Cool beans!
stellla - We'll hve a great time. Now I've got to go eat whatever those chinese dumplings are.
RobinH - bye Stell, thanx!!!!!!!
RobinH - cya to all you ladies too!
Cissy - Thanks, Stella! See you next month!
Sara - bye and thanks!
TessaMae - Bye Stella, enjoy the party!
Megan - Bye Stella! Thanks for another informative chat!
RobinH - er, not that Stella ain't....LOL, that came out wrong....
