tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post3894850444977810695..comments2023-09-25T02:24:22.087-07:00Comments on Anne R. Allen's Blog: Style That Doesn't go out of Fashion: Style Sheets, Style Guides, and Why Audrey Hepburn Style is a Writer’s Best FriendAnne R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-35687724429890758242015-10-20T04:42:44.440-07:002015-10-20T04:42:44.440-07:00Melissa—Thanks for the kind words—and for the fabu...Melissa—Thanks for the kind words—and for the fabulous tip! Just brilliant.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-3320052584450707262015-10-19T18:35:06.734-07:002015-10-19T18:35:06.734-07:00Argh. Sounds like I should have started a style sh...Argh. Sounds like I should have started a style sheet from the get-go. Well, better late than never. Thanks, Ruth.<br /><br />One tip: I use my iCalendar to mark out the dates when things happened to my protagonist, medical resident doctor Hope Sze. That way, I know what day she started on her emergency rotation, or saved an escape artist/Elvis impersonator's life, or got kidnapped. Even more crucial now that I've started writing short stories interspersed between her novels. ;)Melissa Yihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01714047923814805076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-32509927609762767722015-10-01T14:37:14.152-07:002015-10-01T14:37:14.152-07:00Stephanie—Scriv is great, isn't it? I use the ...Stephanie—Scriv is great, isn't it? I use the Notes function and make one page into a style sheet. Super handy—and indispensable.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-15321416130083491902015-10-01T06:54:58.138-07:002015-10-01T06:54:58.138-07:00I just started using Scrivener--it isn't free ...I just started using Scrivener--it isn't free (although there's a 30-day trial) but OMG--everything is right there. You can add your synopsis and do character sketches for each person. The best part is, when I forget a character's name, I just have to look to the left and there it is, in the left-hand panel. You can do places, too. I also took the advice to name each chapter with the setting and basic info. of what will be happening in that setting. It's like a mini outline.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-77545481592364669962015-09-29T02:36:10.697-07:002015-09-29T02:36:10.697-07:00Have used it for my new series, gives me so much m...Have used it for my new series, gives me so much more confidence that I'll keep details straight in subsequent books. Think it'll be a life saver!<br />Have always wanted something like this.<br />Thank you!Romance, Rumours and Rogueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963588627159310121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-41556931698172785502015-09-28T10:28:36.732-07:002015-09-28T10:28:36.732-07:00Linda–Thanks for the kind words. "Vital"...Linda–Thanks for the kind words. "Vital" is the perfect word! To (mis)quote: Don't start a book without it. ;-)Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-27318009003566673202015-09-28T09:41:10.159-07:002015-09-28T09:41:10.159-07:00This is great advice for any writer, self-publishe...This is great advice for any writer, self-published or not! I've always kept notes on a master sheet as I write. It's vital, especially in stories that cover a span of time. Linda K Sienkiewiczhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13713681661106680128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-22995989698391368012015-09-28T09:08:20.810-07:002015-09-28T09:08:20.810-07:00Patricia--This post is 100% from Ruth. And I agree...Patricia--This post is 100% from Ruth. And I agree it's full of fantastic information and inspiration! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-12796950405819368932015-09-28T07:15:11.780-07:002015-09-28T07:15:11.780-07:00"Why not accentuate the positive?"
This ..."Why not accentuate the positive?"<br />This is genius. And such great advice. Thank you for this, Anne. It's something I'm going to focus on from now on.Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11512099085568969698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-76761834394837939402015-09-28T03:54:47.771-07:002015-09-28T03:54:47.771-07:00Nicola—Your style sheet to the rescue! It will sav...Nicola—Your style sheet to the rescue! It will save time, money and sanity. And it’s free!Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-54350753492389598952015-09-27T18:38:19.230-07:002015-09-27T18:38:19.230-07:00I've published 55 books and never used a style...I've published 55 books and never used a style sheet…this information is fantastic! Have always wanted a resource to keep information straight for my series, which is always tricky.<br />Thank you!Romance, Rumours and Rogueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963588627159310121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-28489574299671329522015-09-27T17:50:28.375-07:002015-09-27T17:50:28.375-07:00Southpaw--O yes! Those pesky details like updating...Southpaw--O yes! Those pesky details like updating. ;-)Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-52926500315540248172015-09-27T17:33:45.239-07:002015-09-27T17:33:45.239-07:00I have one though it's more like a style book....I have one though it's more like a style book. :) The thing I have to do is remember to update it, if I add new information or change something.H. R. Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715450637785127208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-17050194905156703412015-09-27T17:26:52.662-07:002015-09-27T17:26:52.662-07:00It did big time. I had the quote upfront. The firs...It did big time. I had the quote upfront. The first thing folks saw on the creating authentic LGBT characters handout. Thanks again. mindprinterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874142522106185186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-85556531190758997252015-09-27T16:37:31.985-07:002015-09-27T16:37:31.985-07:00Jan--thank you! Very gratifying for Anne and me to...Jan--thank you! Very gratifying for Anne and me to know that what we've done is helpful.<br /><br />Yes, a style sheet is indispensable! And, yes, being yourself *sounds*simple but as you say, it's not. Between the pressure to conform and our own fears / hang ups, there's a lot to fight thru. But soooo worth doing.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-46271647546715456372015-09-27T16:12:11.672-07:002015-09-27T16:12:11.672-07:00Ruth, Oh, how I love this post. First, thanks for ...Ruth, Oh, how I love this post. First, thanks for the tip on the style sheet--had no idea what one was. I will use one from now on! I so appreciate the insight that being yourself is how you stand out, no matter what that unique quality might be. It sounds simplistic, but it's not, when it seems society is more concerned with conformity. I love how you used the various actors/writers/singers to explain this point. Perfect. And yes, Anne, I once had re-written a spell in a story, then forgot to add the rewritten one back in before I hit 'publish' on my self-published book. Had to take it down. Still re-writing other things, though. If I'd only had a style sheet... :) Thanks so much Ruth and Anne. Wonderful as always.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749764166768552266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-9936459566372821052015-09-27T15:04:22.529-07:002015-09-27T15:04:22.529-07:00Frances-thank you for the kind words. Happy to hea...Frances-thank you for the kind words. Happy to hear the post was helpfuRuth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-83725320419888334782015-09-27T14:59:51.638-07:002015-09-27T14:59:51.638-07:00Phyllis--does being "reckless" mean not ...Phyllis--does being "reckless" mean not being afraid? ;-)Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-53894935882835007182015-09-27T14:50:57.164-07:002015-09-27T14:50:57.164-07:00When I was a journalist, we memorized the AP Style...When I was a journalist, we memorized the AP Style Book. I often refer back to my initial training when I write, however, I know that the Chicago Manual of Style is the preferred style book in the publishing industry. I think it's a great idea for fiction authors to create style books for their novels. What an easy way to remain consistent throughout the pages of a developing story. Thanks for exploring this idea, and suggesting great resources, in this post.Frances Caballohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029295766447541574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-55686700131539410992015-09-27T14:35:06.439-07:002015-09-27T14:35:06.439-07:00Like Alex, I was making a style sheet each time i ...Like Alex, I was making a style sheet each time i started a book. I just didn't know that's what it was. And my writing style didn't appear until I got reckless and just wrote what I wanted. Then I discovered a publisher who was looking for that!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11560755679498126758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-65868251387956507992015-09-27T14:06:02.557-07:002015-09-27T14:06:02.557-07:00Jacqueline—Thank you! Sounds like you’re keeping y...Jacqueline—Thank you! Sounds like you’re keeping yourself on track. Super important especially as the book gets longer & more characters need to be corralled.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-10374073456625062652015-09-27T14:03:46.835-07:002015-09-27T14:03:46.835-07:00Jess—Thanks! Adding a list of common errors is a g...Jess—Thanks! Adding a list of common errors is a great idea! We all make them and need to warn ourselves. This is a terrific way to accomplish that.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-72859502798874812172015-09-27T14:02:11.676-07:002015-09-27T14:02:11.676-07:00Paul—Yeah, I think about collecting some posts int...Paul—Yeah, I think about collecting some posts into a book. All I need is the time to do it. Ha.<br /><br />Re working w your strengths, this quote in today’s NYT is from a Yankee hitter who’s on a hot home run streak: “Everyone takes what they’re good at and perfects it and molds it and makes it their own.” Very well stated and can certainly apply to writing as well as slugging baseballs.<br /><br />Hope the quote helped at the conferenceRuth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-19436065774858509952015-09-27T13:49:17.739-07:002015-09-27T13:49:17.739-07:00I guess I do this naturally. I never knew it had a...I guess I do this naturally. I never knew it had a name. When starting on a new story I mark some names in yellow to make changes to later, if i'm in the flow of getting it all down, then make a list of the characters at the top of the file to remind me of the growing cast. I think writing Plays has helped me with this process.<br /><br />Love the Gandhi quote.<br /><br />Some interesting links. Thanks for sharing, Ruth. Have a pleasant Sunday.Jacqueline Howetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522485407848765933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-68886363913441322362015-09-27T13:37:38.491-07:002015-09-27T13:37:38.491-07:00What a helpful post! I have been thinking for a wh...What a helpful post! I have been thinking for a while that I should make a sheet with the important information about my book (characters, setting, etc.) I started one- but never finished. I should also include some of my common mistakes as reminders to myself. Thanks so much for all the information. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.com