What do you think of Joseph Conrad’s first paragraphs? For example in Heart of Darkness:
“A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth.”
Yet Conrad is always “setting the scene” including the weather in his openers. Like in Nostromo.
I think I get it, but still weather, or perhaps “climate,” seem important in Conrad’s writing. Perhaps because he paints so beautifully and completely.
Yes, this is common to happen for 2 reasons. The first is that literature is a technique, not a science, so there are consensuses about what is “good” or “bad”, but there are also other things that depend a lot on the work, the author's style and other characteristics.
The second reason is that literature evolves and there are works that currently would not be perceived as “as good” because of their style. A clear example of this is the speed of the action. In classic books the action is slower, in more modern books the action is faster. Elmore also wrote crime novels, where the action is faster.
In this case you said, it might be a good idea to start with the weather.
I'm happy that you liked them. This book was quite a discovery for me, because Elmore Leonard is not so well known here in Spain. I really appreciate that he took the trouble to write the 10 most important lessons for first time fiction authors :)
Ohh, excellent. I love Elmore Leonard. Thanks for this. Think I read it long ago and it was time for a repeat. And regarding overdo on words, on sending my manuscript to my editor. she suggested I cut 30,000 words (I almost put an exclamation point here . . . ) which I did. Took it from 100k to 70k. It being a thriller, it read fast as thrillers should. But there were tears and anger involved at first.
It's interesting what you say, and I understand you. I go through that process with each of my texts too. First I write it, then I cut it. I almost always write more than I should. My purpose is simple: if it can be said in fewer words and none of the meaning or connotation is lost, it should be written in fewer words.
Yes, you're right. It does work. I actually enjoy editing. It was my first time out w/ writing a novel and having it edited, so it was a definite learning curve.
It's appreciated that Elmore took the trouble to write such a book for not-so-experienced writers. It's always appreciated to hear the opinion of those decades ahead of you in the same thing you do.
I’m a huge Leonard fan and believe I have read everything he published going back to his first books in the fifties. He “painted with his typewriter”, and I rank him amongst greats like Conrad, Hemingway, and LeCarre.
What do you think of Joseph Conrad’s first paragraphs? For example in Heart of Darkness:
“A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth.”
Or the opening paragraphs of Nostromo? Thanks for this I learned a lot.
Hi David! :)
What are you referring to in particular? What do I think in what sense?
“Never start a book with the weather “
Yet Conrad is always “setting the scene” including the weather in his openers. Like in Nostromo.
I think I get it, but still weather, or perhaps “climate,” seem important in Conrad’s writing. Perhaps because he paints so beautifully and completely.
Ah! now I see what you mean.
Yes, this is common to happen for 2 reasons. The first is that literature is a technique, not a science, so there are consensuses about what is “good” or “bad”, but there are also other things that depend a lot on the work, the author's style and other characteristics.
The second reason is that literature evolves and there are works that currently would not be perceived as “as good” because of their style. A clear example of this is the speed of the action. In classic books the action is slower, in more modern books the action is faster. Elmore also wrote crime novels, where the action is faster.
In this case you said, it might be a good idea to start with the weather.
Excellent thank you!
Good lessons all. In essence, rite tite.
Hi Sue! :)
I'm happy that you liked them. This book was quite a discovery for me, because Elmore Leonard is not so well known here in Spain. I really appreciate that he took the trouble to write the 10 most important lessons for first time fiction authors :)
Ohh, excellent. I love Elmore Leonard. Thanks for this. Think I read it long ago and it was time for a repeat. And regarding overdo on words, on sending my manuscript to my editor. she suggested I cut 30,000 words (I almost put an exclamation point here . . . ) which I did. Took it from 100k to 70k. It being a thriller, it read fast as thrillers should. But there were tears and anger involved at first.
Hello Jeanine!
It's interesting what you say, and I understand you. I go through that process with each of my texts too. First I write it, then I cut it. I almost always write more than I should. My purpose is simple: if it can be said in fewer words and none of the meaning or connotation is lost, it should be written in fewer words.
And it works! It always works for me!
Yes, you're right. It does work. I actually enjoy editing. It was my first time out w/ writing a novel and having it edited, so it was a definite learning curve.
Love this
Thanks!
It's appreciated that Elmore took the trouble to write such a book for not-so-experienced writers. It's always appreciated to hear the opinion of those decades ahead of you in the same thing you do.
I’m a huge Leonard fan and believe I have read everything he published going back to his first books in the fifties. He “painted with his typewriter”, and I rank him amongst greats like Conrad, Hemingway, and LeCarre.