Norm Benson

Ten Words You Don’t Want Used to Describe Your Story

Starting with “pretentious,” the Mysterious Matters blog lists “[T]he 10 worst words we can use to describe a manuscript.” I scanned the list and think my ts fits, eight out of ten. Ouch. I’ll keep at it. My story is simply waiting for a writer to appear to let it out.

My Dana by AlphaSmart, One Year In

I got my Dana wireless by AlphaSmart about thirteen months ago so it feels like a good time to comment on how well I like the electronic critter. I do this partly because last week I attended the Willamette (rhymes with dammit) Writers’ Conference a week ago. People saw me using my Dana to takeContinue reading “My Dana by AlphaSmart, One Year In”

Elizabeth Lyon on Style and Voice

A few months back Elizabeth Lyon gave a talk about Style and Voice from her book Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford To Ignore. She says that she put style first in her book because style (words used to create a desired effect to fit genre and character),voice (“…the author’s natural useContinue reading “Elizabeth Lyon on Style and Voice”

Eric Witchey-Five Minutes on Fiction

Eric Witchey, Five Minutes on Fiction In the video (part of Willamette Writers’ Five Minutes on Fiction) he talks about a common problem aspiring writers have and how to overcome the obstacle. He gives some good solid advice and it’s worth your time if you want to improve your writing. Eric Witchey has published scienceContinue reading “Eric Witchey-Five Minutes on Fiction”

Wiring Your Story

Lynn Viehl (39 novels in 5 genres) is fast becoming my favorite blogger. Her Paperback Writer blog of July 28, 2008 is terrific. It’s titled VW#1: Power Plotting (I think VW = Virtual Workshop). I’ve heard of stories compared to building before, but her use of electricity as the power and the wiring as howContinue reading “Wiring Your Story”

Analogies, Similes, and Metaphors

QUERTY Educational Services, Inc has a fun list titled, Analogies and Metaphors Found in High School Essays. I liked “McMurphy fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.” It gives you a good idea of what sort of person McMurphy had been.

William Shatner should demand a recount

A poll of musical experts has said that Celine Dion is responsible for the worst cover song ever. Six years ago in Las Vegas, Dion performed AC/Dc’s You Shook Me All Night Long. See the BBC story. Hear a clip of Celine Dion singing You Shook Me All Night Long. William Shatner did not makeContinue reading “William Shatner should demand a recount”

Football (soccer) Koan?

Perhaps German striker Lukas Podolski meant to psyche the opposition at the 2008 European Football (soccer here in the US) Championship, when he provided a koan–a puzzling statement used in Zen Buddhism to meditate on. Or, perhaps, it came from one too many headers. “Make haste slowly” while you meditate on this one: ‘Football isContinue reading “Football (soccer) Koan?”

What is Plot?

Literary agent Nathan Bransford has an excellent post on what constitutes plot.

Going Green

Here in the US, gas is above $4 a gallon and on its way to $5. Everyone is looking to save gas and lower their carbon footprint as well. Time to consider a hybrid? Read Who are you kidding? in Britain’s Telegraph first. “However much fuel it does or doesn’t save, the Toyota Prius hasContinue reading “Going Green”