Comments on: Summer Returns http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/summer-returns/ Reflections of a working writer and reader Sat, 19 May 2012 08:23:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Bill Liversidge http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/summer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-109805 Bill Liversidge Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:10:01 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=1263#comment-109805 Hi John Enjoy your break - you've certainly earned it; your blog is consistently informative and entertaining. I recently read "White Skin Man" which has one of the most gripping starts of any book I have read - a really good read. Earlier this week I finished "Walking With Ghosts" which I thought was even better. Thoughtful, richly textured, moving and intelligent. One of the best thrillers (although it's much more than that) I've ever read. Start the next one when you're ready - it'll be worth the wait. For both of us. Bill <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks, Bill. It really makes a difference when people take time out to say something nice about the work. Hi John

Enjoy your break – you’ve certainly earned it; your blog is consistently informative and entertaining.

I recently read “White Skin Man” which has one of the most gripping starts of any book I have read – a really good read. Earlier this week I finished “Walking With Ghosts” which I thought was even better. Thoughtful, richly textured, moving and intelligent. One of the best thrillers (although it’s much more than that) I’ve ever read.

Start the next one when you’re ready – it’ll be worth the wait. For both of us.

Bill

jb says: Thanks, Bill. It really makes a difference when people take time out to say something nice about the work.

]]> By: Iain Rowan http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/summer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-109804 Iain Rowan Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:36:24 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=1263#comment-109804 Sounds a grand summer, John, with family, friends and some time for quiet and reflection. Enjoy! <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks, Iain. I can barely wait. . . Sounds a grand summer, John, with family, friends and some time for quiet and reflection. Enjoy!

jb says: Thanks, Iain. I can barely wait. . .

]]> By: Paul http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/summer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-109792 Paul Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:47:54 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=1263#comment-109792 I used to have a method which seemed to be outline - write the whole thing - edit/rewrite. The part I really enjoy is the editing (how perverse is that). For me it's in the editing that the characters acquire some depth, and I can play with pace; weave in some sub-plots, develop a sense of time and place etc. With the current book I'm trying to edit as I write and I'm not sure that it's working. Have a seriously good break John - May it bring you all that you expect/hope for, and more. p.s. Read a little of the extract which drew me in quickly - saving the rest for later. <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks Paul. I've used both methods and wouldn't be able to choose between them. Maybe the novel itself dictates the method by which it is to come into the world. Mysteries. I also enjoy editing, I believe because I know much more about the characters and what drives them by that stage. I know how far I can go with them, what they may be capable of. I used to have a method which seemed to be outline – write the whole thing – edit/rewrite. The part I really enjoy is the editing (how perverse is that). For me it’s in the editing that the characters acquire some depth, and I can play with pace; weave in some sub-plots, develop a sense of time and place etc. With the current book I’m trying to edit as I write and I’m not sure that it’s working.
Have a seriously good break John – May it bring you all that you expect/hope for, and more.
p.s. Read a little of the extract which drew me in quickly – saving the rest for later.

jb says: Thanks Paul. I’ve used both methods and wouldn’t be able to choose between them. Maybe the novel itself dictates the method by which it is to come into the world. Mysteries. I also enjoy editing, I believe because I know much more about the characters and what drives them by that stage. I know how far I can go with them, what they may be capable of.

]]> By: Jim Murdoch http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/summer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-109782 Jim Murdoch Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:45:47 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=1263#comment-109782 When I first started to read this post I assumed you were off to Scandinavia TO write. There are times I wish I could seclude myself away for a few weeks. Just to get the guts written. Or skeleton, to be more accurate. That's how I work, get my characters from A to wherever B ends up being as quickly as possible and then I can flesh out the story in bits and pieces over time. At the moment I have a pair of very fine, if a little bony, legs and a decent pelvis but that's my lot. The backbone is proving to be a real bitch. Have a good time. Enjoy the fresh air. Do find time for a few more café stories. And, yes, for God's sake ditch that Kronus title. <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks for that, Jim. I think I need more than a skeleton. I get the chronology down and have to feel comfortable with at least one character. All through the process I have to be able to hear echoes coming and going and not stray too far from the central metaphor. The latter stages involve detecting which parts aren't working and need fixing and identifying the parts that aren't working and need ditching. When I first started to read this post I assumed you were off to Scandinavia TO write. There are times I wish I could seclude myself away for a few weeks. Just to get the guts written. Or skeleton, to be more accurate. That’s how I work, get my characters from A to wherever B ends up being as quickly as possible and then I can flesh out the story in bits and pieces over time. At the moment I have a pair of very fine, if a little bony, legs and a decent pelvis but that’s my lot. The backbone is proving to be a real bitch.

Have a good time. Enjoy the fresh air. Do find time for a few more café stories. And, yes, for God’s sake ditch that Kronus title.

jb says: Thanks for that, Jim. I think I need more than a skeleton. I get the chronology down and have to feel comfortable with at least one character. All through the process I have to be able to hear echoes coming and going and not stray too far from the central metaphor. The latter stages involve detecting which parts aren’t working and need fixing and identifying the parts that aren’t working and need ditching.

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