Dear Ladies,

There was a thread recently about favourite writing books. Can't find it now, but I wanted to thank anyone who recommended the Robert McKee doorstop. I've just come back from Easter in Spain and whilst I haven't written a sodding word, I have read Story. I was so inspired that I wrote a complete synopsis of what I learnt. So, thank you.

Perfect if you want to write a Hollywood blockbuster. To be treated with caution if you want to write plotless, domestic, boring, pretentious crap, like me. Still, the point about each scene including a turning point in some value for a character might pull me back from some of the worst excesses of self-indulgence.

Rod.

Do you know what's the difference between flinch and blench?

My big dictionary is out in the summer house and it's cold and it's night and I don't trust the internet but I do trust you.

Blench means to go white. = blanche in French

Flinch means to start back from something threatening or distressing.

Emma

Thanks.

I've just bought Story today.

Hi Leila,

I'd like to hear how you get on with it. It should only take four months to read.

Now working through Hodgins A Passion for Narrative after a short recreational break with Never Let Me Go.

I'm not sure if someone here recommended the Hodgins book, but I had to order a second hand copy from USofA. It's all part of the quest to know everything.

Rod.

Just curious... why did you start your msg 'Dear Ladies'?

Deb

Well, I love the Story Event idea, and the general sequencing structure, but he is very dogmatic.

From your profile I would guess that you're a lady. Would hello girls be better?

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[quote]Just curious... why did you start your msg 'Dear Ladies'?[\quote]

Well, I love the Story Event idea, and the general sequencing structure, but he is very dogmatic.

Yep, it's useful, but if you followed everything he advocates it would all end up somewhat formulaic. Since reading it I can't watch a movie without checking for the whole McKee treatment. Thelma and Louise follows it closely. But that's not the case for lit fict.

Have you finished it?

Blench means to go white. = blanche in French

I realise that I'm talking to myself here, but . . . I meant the other meaning of blench: the one that means exactly the same as flinch. What does that mean? And how is it different from flinch? We should be told. As in Waterland, when Swift says, inwardly he blenched. I'm sure his guts didn't go white.

Rainstop, I am female, but dislike being called a girl (I ceased being that years ago) and don't much like lady. I think of myself as a woman.

However, my query was more about why you addressed it to the female population of WW when there are also men on here. It doesn't matter - I was just puzzled/curious.

Deb

I was puzzled too - did you think you were posting in Women's Fiction by mistake or something? Just interested.
I haven't finished it yet - only just started.

Rainstop, yes, as well as the 'whiten' meaning, SOED gives it as originating from old english 'blencan' = impose upon, and then later influenced by 'blink'. Start aside, shy, flinch, shrink, quail, elude, avoide, ignore.

Earlier meanings which dropped out of use by E17 include decieve/cheat, glitter/gleam, glance, turn aside esp. deer, disconcert.

Emma

Dear Deb,

As I write, I sometimes have a typical or ideal reader in mind. When I post on WW I have a clear image of the potential audience. That's why it popped out as Dear Ladies. In my mental map WW is populated by four clearly delineated consumer groups.



In other words I was just being silly. Sorry.


Let's all try to work the word blench into our current projects. Do not blench from the task, ladies. Sorry, there I go again.

Best wishes, Rod.