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Archive for June 22nd, 2010

Tananarive Due Talks About Sex

Categories: Black Pack The Writing Life
June 22nd, 2010 by

Well, writing about sex. Or more concisely, writing sex scenes:

The best sex scenes are the ones that deepen and reveal the characters or forward the plot.  What’s the key to writing good sex scenes?  It’s the same standard as any scenes in fiction:  Story logic (don’t ram them in, so to speak), emotional honesty and attention to detail.  I also try to walk a line between being too clinical and too coarse.

I wonder if the genre and writer makes a difference. The collection that I’m working on comprises quite a bit of sexualities and frank scenes of getting down and dirty. Does the above sage advice hold true for all types of writers?

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Rules For Writers

Categories: Ramblings The Writing Life
June 22nd, 2010 by

The Guardian’s (UK) Ten Rules For Writing Fiction offers up several good, timeless tips for writers. I love the mix of writers and the advice, especially since so much of it is the same: read lots, edit often, have stick-to-it-ness, etc. This bit from the brilliant  Jeanette Winterson is one that I adhere to wholeheartedly:

Don’t hold on to poor work. If it was bad when it went in the drawer it will be just as bad when it comes out.

In fact, I did just that with some pretty old, rambling short stories of mine. I only saved two to reuse/recycle the salvageable bits for a collection that I decided to start over the weekend. Among the writers offering advice at the above link are Zadie Smith, Ian Rankin, Colm Tóibín, and Rose Tremain.

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Ramblings

Categories: Ramblings
June 22nd, 2010 by

I just posted news of the impending close of my personal blog, a burst of light… *

I haven’t truly posted anything new and relevant in gawd knows how many years. I think right after the Central Park 5 were released (talk about a book that needs to be written!), I pretty much lost interest in (somewhat) personal blogging.

For now, The Black Lion is my baby and where I want to be.

There’s two reasons for this:

1. I’m passionate about reading and writing again. Partially due to finding some of my college writing. Both short stories and some term papers. I tossed most of it, but intend on working on a collection of short stories and possible novella.

2. Today marks the 1st anniversary of moving in with the hubby. The time went by so fast. Being around him day in and day out has proven inspiring. That’s important to me and our relationship. I want and need to spend more time on the important things. Personal blogging is no longer important enough in my life to devote time to it.

The Black Lion can and will lead to production. You may not see it, but the potential is there.

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