February 8, 2007
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Three-Part Harmony
This entry has three parts. The first is a video of The King of Peach Fuzz (for englishwestern mostly). The second is a book review. The third part is some interesting news.
First, the video. Tonight at play practice, we blocked/choreographed the fight scene. Before you watch, realize that the main girl was a sub (albeit an excellent one); the Old Woman (in white, our very own GhostFroggy_123 !) has her arm in a cast, we have no props, scenery, or costumes yet; and tonight was the first time we had tried this scene. Natethehunter is in the green t-shirt. The one in blue plaid who runs across the stage and leaps is The_Art_Of_Wit . The three who stomp out at the end and surround Hunter are soldiers with no swords yet. It bears watching a few times just to see the three sets of fighters: center stage, the left corner, and back left/center where two brothers go at each other. Of course, one time should be sufficient for most folks… Thanks to wesjanson1138 for his help!
The second is a wonderful book written by our very own Patenaude ! The book is Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart. I began reading this book last night, and I am so excited about the message she shares that I’d like to use this book for a study this summer for high school and college girls.Singles have the “sexual purity” message preached to them, but very few people or books mention the idea of emotional purity. What is emotional purity? It is not getting involved emotionally with a member of the opposite sex until you are sure that both of you are interested in marriage with each other. How does one avoid such emotional connections? What about being friends? I had the same questions, but Paulsen (her name when the book was written) handles all these issues. Each chapter ends with questions designed to get the reader thinking or a group talking. This book would be great for parents and children to work through together, small groups (single gender!), or as a book to read solo.
The third thing to report is that I got an email back from the publisher to whom I had submitted a book proposal idea. The email read–
Dear Ms Sellers,
An interesting idea! When you have written at least 3 chapters or 50 pages, please send it to us for further consideration.
–WP [Wytherngate Publishing]
Should I be excited? If I actually had three chapters written, I suppose I would be! So, now begins the task of turning my play into a novel. I just don’t know if I want a first-person novel or third-person. Such decisions! Any suggestions?
Comments (31)
Thanks for video. I truly enjoyed that. Great job!!
Congrats on the email back. Most people don’t even get that far!! I think you should definitely be excited!
Well, as far as point of view goes, it is “typically” said that third person is easier to master than first person, and so it is usually suggested that if one is a “beginner” or if it’s a first book, one should go with third person.
That advice was given to me when I started writing and I stuck to it for my first two novels. I’m thinking it was probably incredibly wise advice. I’m beginning my third book and I’m now trying first person. While it feels more personal, I’m having a hard time keeping it in the voice of the “character” without wanting to slip into my own, if that makes sense.
Anyway, just some thoughts. Whatever you choose to go with, just make sure you stay consistent. I think that’s probably the number one killer of fiction — inconsistent narration, however it’s done.
Good luck!
Hmmm. Given that its a play, with an emphasis on dialogue and external action – would third person be easier?
Mary,
Some day…soon….I’ll get to play with my saws, lol.
God bless you.
Interesting video.
I would suggest third person. I find it easier to handle in many ways. The only trouble is that in third person there’s always the danger of slipping into an omniscient point of view, which most publishers don’t much like these days. I find, however, that first person narration has the equally if not more undesirable danger of slipping into more frequent telling than showing. It also is hard to avoid over use of the word “I”. And then you must make sure that your writing style fits the character who is narrating. All things considered, I prefer third person narration.
Congrats! That is definitely exciting news.
I read the same book a few years back, and also thought that it was a great one to use with some younger girls (which I did). Hope that you have the opportunity to share it with some who will benefit from it!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you: you passed the first step! At least they are interested in your idea.
I would also suggest third person. It is much easier & you can give the thoughts to every character in the book in stead of just one. I think first narratives are more for seasoned writers– but then again, maybe you are & I didn’t know that!
That book looks so interesting. It is especially interesting because my oldest 2 daughters were talking about the youth group leader wanting my oldest to talk about purity to the rest (she’s very adamant against sex– even AFTER marriage!!! lol). But she & her boyfriend have a very good relationship & each the first love for the other. They waited until they were sure they were ready to look for a marriage partner (although he is a little young– the most mature 16 year old boy you will ever meet). The wedding is less than 3 1/2 years & they’re both counting the days! lol At any rate, I think I’ll get that book & the one Amazon recommend to buy with it. They both look like good stuff.
You’ve gotta love Dave jumping into the fray. Just priceless…
AWESOME news: I’ll be waiting to read your book!
Amazon.com cracks me up–I went to purchase Emotional Purity and under “Customers viewing this page may be interested in these sponsored links” are:
Heart ringtones–thousands in 3 easy steps
A free e-course called “Stop the Affair,” which includes 46 clues your partner is having an affair
Psychic readings–genuine advisors, 3 free minutes
Mediomega nutrition for your heart–delivering the heart-healing power of the Mediterranean diet
Definitely third-person. I never liked ANY first-person books nearly as much as third-person books. They were interesting and different, which was good, but I just never thought they were AS good as third-person books…
Should you be excited? Yes!!!!!! Almost nobody gets a response back like that on the first submittal. Should you spend your entire weekend writing those 3 chapters? Yes!!!!! First person or third person? I have no idea.
1st person for sure. but i agree with the second comment on this post–its hard to keep it consistant… i think you can do it though and i think it would fit your story better
I think you have to watch it more than once to get the whole picture…
I just ordered the book on emotional purity– sounds great and I hope you do that study for the girls!!
Lol! I couldn’t understand a word of that except “flower”, but the fight scene was cool.
That sounds like an interesting book. I’d love to read it sometime. And you’re going to turn the King of Peach Fuzz into a novel? Coolness!
Thanks for the plug on my book! I can’t wait to hear what happens with your book!
heather
haha wow! i can’t wait to see this!!
Dude, that was fun getting to slug Superman….
Like that video!
Are they throwing shoes??? Way to go Mary on the book….I know they’ll love it, you’re so talented!
Actually, we were supposed to go to the F’s house for a movie night but we decided to have them here under the circumstances of Kim’s condition. Thanks to all of you in your family for your prayers– things went very well and she is sleeping comfortably under the influence of mucho drugs that they gave her at the hospital. We will not see the pins as they are hidden under her sling, but they do protrude outside of the skin, we were told! I will send Barry with her on the day they are taken out!
Second person, future perfect habitual.
No, I’m quite happy and chipper. I just love that song and think it’s romantic. It also seems fitting for a person who wants to celebrate valentine’s day without a valentine.
Hmmm…That makes alot of sense. Thanks! I love the video clip! I didn’t get to see the whole scene done, since I was singing in the other room. It’s excellent and very amusing!;D
Okay, I almost went right to the bottom for the interesting news, but I’m a sucker for video. That melee is a display of several budding talents. The spins, jabs, and punches were fun to watch. The red shirted that goes down for the count at the end is a nice touch. Congratulations on the interest in your book. Would it about Peach Fuzz or something else?
I love the video. Totally wonderful — reminds me of the guys up at CU engaging in an impromptu snowball fight in the parking lot of Friendly’s.
RYC: Never heard of Poldark. As to other miniseries, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY cannot recommend enough the BBC North & South based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel. It is AMAZING!!! Wives & Daughters is also very good, but N&S is better. It’s hero, Mr. Thornton, trumps Darcy IMO. He is FABULOUS!!
Did you watch all of the latest Jane Eyre? Wondering what you thought…
I read Emotional Purity and I really got a lot out of it! I agree that young hearts can become so easily entangled emotionally. I remember those years as well, and I really appreciated the book. The fight scene looks like FUN!
PGF! (Pretty good fighting!) Is that your voice, “Old woman that’s your line.” It’s not what I expected you to sound like if it is.
No you sound so young, about twenty something, and so patient!
I think there have been a lot of books written on it… “guarding your heart,” etc.
Try “Lady in Waiting,” anything by Eric and Leslie Ludy, looking up “courting,” or young adult Christian reads.