I took a class once where we were forced to do an exercise where we took a chapter of our book and cut out every single adverb. Then we were supposed to reread it and discover only some--if any--of those adverbs were really necessary to tell the story.
What I discovered was that every ounce of VOICE was COMPLETELY eradicated from the chapter, and I was left with AI level twaddle. I put all the adverbs back in. Every. Single. One. 😏
Suck it, Stephen King. If that's even your real name. 🙄
🤣 Writers love their rules. Don’t get me started on “show, don’t tell.” 🤣 The rules and formulas all seem designed to make everyone sound the same. How boring!
My only writing rule is one I adopted and altered from Outback Steak House:
Three years, Mark! That's quite the milestone. I love the Famous Writer's Writing Advice. Can't wait to get back into your "Space Travels" once the wife goes back to work. I am so far behind...
Jack London knew how to go after inspiration with a club. He never restricted himself to doing one type of writing all the time- and that's why I admire him.
Thank you, Justin. We are in the mutual admiration club.
Yeah, I never like calling this a newsletter. There is rarely any news. 🤣 It is more like a mini magazine. Once Substack becomes better known by non-writers, I hope we can just call them "my Substack" or "my stack.
Haha, I don’t even know what I refer to mine as. But I agree, yours is more like a mini magazine. And yes, that sounds wonderful. Maybe in another three years we can do just that!
It’s an honor sharing the 7:00 AM Monday morning slot with you! 😀
Wow, Mark! What a post -- from the ridiculous ( a six-mile walk for a taco) to the heart-breaking (Pearl Harbor letter) . I absolutely loved your refutation of the famous writers' advice (especially Mansfields, God help us). And your far better advice to wake up and be original! You made me laugh with, "I am not a fan of cement shoes." Congratulations on your Substack three-year milestone. That is a hell of a lot of writing. Substack is such a vast sea of words. I am glad I ran across your little island.
Thank you, Sharron. I have loved doing it. And I am glad I found your oasis in the non-fiction and personal essay desert of Substack. Not that I don't some of those enjoy those. But your fiction is unique. I am a fan.
“The Path Of Endurance” — If I’m walking six miles in heavy snow (no, 12! return home!) somebody had better need insulin or morphine, not a pseudo-burrito!
“The Evening Before” — Minor error, a low-ranker in the Navy would be “seaman,” not “private.” Otherwise rang totally true.
“Famous Writer Writing Advice Proven Untrustworthy” — I need advice on how to remember ideas I have in the shower. Anybody? Anybody?
“Murder at The Pasta Conglomerate” — Check for bits of basil in the red stuff before assuming it’s pasta sauce. Just sayin’. 😉
Congrats on three years!
Thank you, Sarah. It went by quick. 🤓
The adverb one kills me.
I took a class once where we were forced to do an exercise where we took a chapter of our book and cut out every single adverb. Then we were supposed to reread it and discover only some--if any--of those adverbs were really necessary to tell the story.
What I discovered was that every ounce of VOICE was COMPLETELY eradicated from the chapter, and I was left with AI level twaddle. I put all the adverbs back in. Every. Single. One. 😏
Suck it, Stephen King. If that's even your real name. 🙄
🤣 Writers love their rules. Don’t get me started on “show, don’t tell.” 🤣 The rules and formulas all seem designed to make everyone sound the same. How boring!
My only writing rule is one I adopted and altered from Outback Steak House:
No rules, just write.
Thank you for the shout-out Mark. I look forward to your Substack every week, even more than I look forward to pizza. :)
Happy three year anniversary. Substack is a great place, made even better by your stories and wit.
Whooo. That is a high compliment. I might make that my new description. “Better than pizza.” 🤣
Thanks, Bill. 🤓
Three years, Mark! That's quite the milestone. I love the Famous Writer's Writing Advice. Can't wait to get back into your "Space Travels" once the wife goes back to work. I am so far behind...
Thanks, Ben. No worries. I am perpetually behind on my reading.
Jack London knew how to go after inspiration with a club. He never restricted himself to doing one type of writing all the time- and that's why I admire him.
I couldn't stick to one genre either. I love variety. It was all in fun. They were/are famous writers for a reason.
Authors advice-- love your interpretations. Now where to find advice?
That is the rub. How can you trust writers who make things up for a living. 🤣
Happy anniversary, Mark! The Taco Bell line in the quick story really got me.
Thank you, Patricia. That story is basically how my mind works. 🤣
Absolutely awesome. Read you and Adler every day. Until the asteroid gets through.
Thanks, Johnny. It's a good thing Japan has those Window people. 🤓
Thank you, Mark.
It's only the truth. 🤓
Of course, as the fiction writer said.
Hmm... 🧐🤣
Congratulations on three years, Mark! Your “newsletter” is hands-down one of my favorites.
Thank you, Justin. We are in the mutual admiration club.
Yeah, I never like calling this a newsletter. There is rarely any news. 🤣 It is more like a mini magazine. Once Substack becomes better known by non-writers, I hope we can just call them "my Substack" or "my stack.
Haha, I don’t even know what I refer to mine as. But I agree, yours is more like a mini magazine. And yes, that sounds wonderful. Maybe in another three years we can do just that!
It’s an honor sharing the 7:00 AM Monday morning slot with you! 😀
All the cool kids publish on Monday at 7:00 am. 🤣
🤣🤣
Wow, Mark! What a post -- from the ridiculous ( a six-mile walk for a taco) to the heart-breaking (Pearl Harbor letter) . I absolutely loved your refutation of the famous writers' advice (especially Mansfields, God help us). And your far better advice to wake up and be original! You made me laugh with, "I am not a fan of cement shoes." Congratulations on your Substack three-year milestone. That is a hell of a lot of writing. Substack is such a vast sea of words. I am glad I ran across your little island.
Thank you, Sharron. I have loved doing it. And I am glad I found your oasis in the non-fiction and personal essay desert of Substack. Not that I don't some of those enjoy those. But your fiction is unique. I am a fan.
Three years already? Good lord!
“The Path Of Endurance” — If I’m walking six miles in heavy snow (no, 12! return home!) somebody had better need insulin or morphine, not a pseudo-burrito!
“The Evening Before” — Minor error, a low-ranker in the Navy would be “seaman,” not “private.” Otherwise rang totally true.
“Famous Writer Writing Advice Proven Untrustworthy” — I need advice on how to remember ideas I have in the shower. Anybody? Anybody?
“Murder at The Pasta Conglomerate” — Check for bits of basil in the red stuff before assuming it’s pasta sauce. Just sayin’. 😉
Yeah walking in the snow for Taco Bell requires some serious fake Mexican food love.
I am pretty sure I knew that about the navy. Brain malfunction! Thanks for the catch.
I know! I get so many ideas in the shower. I just keep repeating them over and over until I finish. 🤣
I hear you! But Max is never one for subtlety or nuance.
Great points, Mark. You'll note, all those writers 'offering advice' are fiction writers! Lies! Lies! And more lies!
Exactly. All fiction writers do is make stuff up. They can't be trusted! 🤣
I know. I'm a fiction writer.
And one of the finest I know!
You cranked up more fun in a single newsletter than many comedy writers in a lifetime of work. 👏
Thank you, Claudia. That is sweet music to my ears. I appreciate it!
You’re welcome, I also appreciated having a good laugh 😆
Congrats!!!
Thanks, Jim. I am too stubborn to quit. 🤣
Oh! What a delight! 😂 Thank you Mark. Now I must go read... I mean write.
Thank you 3. That made my heart happy.
Yes, write, write, write! Only read when you have nothing else to write. Except my Substack, of course! 🤣
I like being called 3. 😁
And yes… I’ll be looking for you in my inbox next Monday!
I figure if someone uses a user name, that is what I will call them. 3 for short because we’re Substack friends.🤓