“Hey, Twiggy. You want to play? It’s Friday.”
“One more chew on this starfish, Lucy and I’ll be ready.”
Yup, it is Friday, and we all are thankful for that. We had some rain here in Parched City, which was mighty welcome.
The week has been pretty calm. It started with temperatures in the 90s and looks like it will finish in the 70s. It means fall weather has finally arrived here in Texas.
Been plugging away at the WIP. Most of my edits have been additions to the dialog sections. I’ve been adding bits of what could be called Emotional Beats. As you may know, I construct whole stories with nothing but dialog. That may be well and good with less than 1000 words, but throughout a novel, it could be tiring for the reader.
There is plenty of dialog, but I’ve added some points of interest to bring the characters alive when they are talking. I still don’t use tags (he said, she said) since I think it is pretty obvious who is talking and tags just slow the story.
We’ll see if it all works. I’m planning on asking for Beta-reader interest around mid-November. I think I won’t ask for the comments back until mid-January since there are some holidays in there. All in all, the story is still holding, so I’m pretty happy with it.
I had an interesting discussion with someone last weekend. They asked me if I was self-published, and I said, “yes.” Her response was a very patronizing, “Writing is a very good hobby.” I guess we all have had that kind of comment. Today’s John Ku talks about discouraging words. I hope you have a great weekend.
Discouraging Words by John W. Howell © 2019
Everyone should know,
If you can’t say something nice . . .
Then shut the fuck up.
Fiction Favorites 
Way to shake things up on a Friday, John. 🙂 People who give their opinion, especially a negative one, when not asked, are typically jealous and insecure. I try to follow the rule of keeping my head down and ignoring the noise. Have a great weekend! Happy Friday@
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Thank you, Jill. Have a good visit with mom.
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Thanks, John. We had a great time today. ❤
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❤️
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So no point in that sort of comment. The woman obviously doesn’t understand the modern publishing world at all. The story progress is sounding good. Keep at it. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. You as well.
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I wonder how an all dialogue book would go. Sounds like it be similar to reading a play.
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I would think so. I’ve been tempted but don’t think the world is ready yet.
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Growing up, one of my mom’s golden rules was, “if you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” You’ve added a bit of spice to that expression and elicited my chuckles! 😀 Some people must not have had the same upbringing and feel more powerful or accomplished or whatever when they belittle another. Sad…
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So true.
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If I could I’d repost it… so agree!! 👍👍💕💕🕺 but I saved for mentioning later on
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Thank you. VR. 😁🎶
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Brilliant words! If you need a Beta reader . . . .
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Thank you. Pamela. I have you down. 😁
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It seems God didn’t give everyone common sense. I agree with your Johnku, 100%.
You have a great style of writing, John. I found your novel, Our Justice, to be well balanced. There should be an even distribution of dialogue and narration. Also, if you’re writing a book with only a few characters where no more than two people talk in a discussion, you can omit dialogue tags. However, if you’re writing an epic story with more than ten characters and several of them are in conversation, it can get messy if you don’t use dialogue tags once in a while. Besides, he said, she said, are practically invisible and should not slow the story. 🙂 xo
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The tags I hate are the ones where the author adds more than a simple he said.)( “I love you,” she said breathlessly while throwing off her coat.). Your point about multiple discussions is very valid.
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Thank you, John. 🙂
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[…] UPDATE: The GIVEAWAY is over and we have a winner: Congratulations John H. Jacquie will reach out to you very soon to determine how to get you the copy. Thanks for entering […]
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Thank you, Jay.
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John, I am ALL about that thought of yours. I find it curious how some peeps are so oblivious to their own ignorance, but I guess that’s what keeps us writers fueled up.
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If I had a tuna in my hand at the time I would have smacked her with it.
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Buahahaha!
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Or a bananna cream pie.
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Oh, the banana cream pie would be SO much better. Because you can swipe a taste of it before you launch.
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Hahahahaha. You now see how I handle people who are rude. I just picture smacking them with something unusual.
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That’s probably the best solution I’ve come across.
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Oh-la-la! Twiggy seems be be swimming! What a nice shot & moralité of the week! Thanks for joy, dear John!
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Maria.
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🙂 All for you, my dear John!
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😊
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From Two Tramps In Mud Time – Poem by Robert Frost.
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Unite indeed. Thanks, Greg.
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My mom used to say, “If you can’t say something positive, then don’t say anything at all.” She was a firm believer in positive reinforcement. You’ve added a bit of spice to the saying and evoked my chuckles. 😀
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Thank you, Gwen. I agree with your mom. 😁
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OMG, I did NOT see the close of that JohnKu coming. Fist pump!!
I was already bristling at that person’s comment to you. I freaking loved your JohnKu!!
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Thank you, Mae. Sometimes I have to wonder. During the same occasion one of the city commitee chairs came up and asked me if I would be willing to start and author a blog for the City’s Heritage Commitee. Just the opposite feeling of that woman’s comment. Life is funny like that. 😁
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That’s kismet. That chair for the city committee rocks. They know a good writer when they see one. I’m so glad to hear there was a flip side to that woman’s comment. (And I’m still working at smoothing my ruffled feathers on your behalf!).
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Thanks, Mae.
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I agree with that Johnku 100%, John – happy Friday!
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Thank you, Teri.
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The picture is amazing. A really great composition.
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Good Johnku, John. Can’t remember you ever swearing before. People tend to look down at self-published authors. Personally, it wouldn’t bother me if I was making loads of money (or even a moderate amount) from my writing. But that’s still a fantasy at this point in time. Have a good weekend.
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BOOM!
Way to go, John. I don’t know what I hate more, the patronizing tone, the condescension… Fuck ’em if they can’t take a walk on the positive side of things.
And, I am throwing my name into the hat, if you want…
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Ha ha! Love your poem this week. I may never get rich from my writing, but I’ll bet I’m having more fun than that lady. Bet you are, too.
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I think we are. Thanks, Craig.
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Amen to your JohnKu! Why do some people feel they have the right to slam others, especially when it’s doubtful they could even do half what the ones they’re dissing do?! Grr! Dallas is a bit green over Twiggy being able to flatten out like that. He says it looks like a great way to get cool!
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She likes that position in the heat. She normally stretches out on the tile floor. We have a feels like 48 right now so she doesn’t need it.
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Hobby? I’ve tried writing and it was work!! What the heck is wrong with that woman?
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I wondered myself. Thanks, GP.
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Lol!! That may be your best JohnKu yet!!! 😃
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Thank you, Jan. 😁
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Perfect Johnku! It had me laughing! I would be happy to Beta read:)
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Thank you, Denise. I have you down.
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Ouch, John! I am sure you were tempted to say that to the woman’s face but you are a gentleman! What was she thinking? Obviously she knows nothing about books. And no one ever says, “Oh, I write for a hobby.”
Sunny. windy and cool on the coast. Nice to have a change. TGIF to you!
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We are having cool weather as well. 55 degrees. TGIF to you as well.
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Some form of that old adage has been around for a long, long time for a reason.
Best of luck with the book, and I hope you have a lovely week-end.
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Thank you, Deborah. You as well.
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I’m taking a training at work that addresses diversity and inclusion. One of the videos deals with microaggressions. I would put the patronizing comment you received in the category of microaggression. Ironically, the video ended with the same sentiment as your John Ku.
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Hahahaha. Not as crude I’m sure.
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The video I’m referring to WAS that crude!
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Oh, my.
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I am soooo sorry to be late to this John Ku – I could embroider that on a sampler and hang it proudly for everyone to see! Hobby this, lady. I now lump those comments into the passive-aggressive category.
Did I mention that beta-reading might be a hobby I take up after retirement?
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I would love you to beta read my hobby output, Dan. Thanks.
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🙂📖
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Great johnku! I’ve had family members refer to my “hobby.” Nothing you can do but move on.
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So true, Marie. Thanks. 😊
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Amen. How about, “Those who can’t do, teach.” I feel your pain, John.
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The nice thing about being a writer the pain is short-lived and worked out in a poem. Thanks, Jennie.
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Haha! 🙂
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