Rattle, Rattle, Thunder, Clatter

Quote on writing by Katy Raymond, which she sincerely hopes other writers will wish they'd said first:

"When writing a novel for the Christian market, resist the urge to preach. Instead of asking 'What should this character do or say next?' force yourself to ask "What would he do or say next?' If you begin to write what should happen, don't worry. You'll recognize the gravity of your error soon enough. The death rattle of an expiring story makes a truly frightful sound."

Posted by Katy on 12/23/03 at 05:50 PM

Fallible Comments...

So, hopefully without negating the thought and insight that you put into this wonderful quote, Katy, I thought I'd run it through an Ebonics translator and give you a new one:

"When writing uh book fo' da God fearing peeps, fight preachin' it. Instead o' axin' 'What should dis here peep do or spit next?' force yourself ta ax "What would he do or spit next?' If ya begin ta pen what should happen, don' trip, dog. You will find out dat ya iz wronng sho 'nuff. The death rattle o' uh the dyin' word makes uh really flippin' sound. Brace yourself foo'!"

-----
Posted by timsamoff on 12/24/03 at 11:44 PM
OMG, that's so much better than mine...
Blessed Christmas, Tim!
Posted by Katy on 12/25/03 at 12:33 AM
Or, you could get out of the way and just let the characters do and say what they will. But doing so may require a follow-up exorcism.
Posted by bob pilato on 12/25/03 at 01:52 AM
Bob, Yeah. Like needs to happen whenever I myself do or say whatever I will...ouch!
Posted by Katy on 12/25/03 at 03:40 AM
oh gosh...all kidding aside, that's really one of the best things i've heard said about writing. it's an adage that many existing Christian writers should wish they'd heard before they got published. i feel like stitching it on a pillow. if i ever write a book on writing (that is, if i ever write a book on anything, thereby qualifying me to write a book on writing), i want to quote you. or maybe you should write your own book on writing; you're a far better candidate than i.
Posted by lisa j on 01/26/04 at 09:55 AM
Lisa J--I just saw your nice comment! You have my permission to quote me in your book! Just make sure I get an autographed copy... ;)
Posted by Katy on 01/30/04 at 09:21 PM

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Personal blog of christian writer & fallible mom Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri Katy is represented by Greg Johnson at WordServe Literary Read more Katy at LateBoomer.net Follow Katy on Twitter Follow Katy on Facebook 123 Recent Posts Try Becoming Brenda Starr Off Beat Scattered That’s It So I’ve Finally Signed With An Agent. Now What? The Spoon Sciatica Sweetheart A Woman’s Train of Thought Has No Caboose However much we own, we are all still living on borrowed time After all, when restaurants shrink portions, they don’t shrink prices. As with everything in life, balance is key. Slow down, you move too fast… Yeah, I know. I have issues. Search Advanced Search Syndicate Login E me at katy @ ngenius.com	Rattle, Rattle, Thunder, Clatter Quote on writing by Katy Raymond, which she sincerely hopes other writers will wish they'd said first: "When writing a novel for the Christian market, resist the urge to preach. Instead of asking 'What should this character do or say next?' force yourself to ask "What would he do or say next?' If you begin to write what should happen, don't worry. You'll recognize the gravity of your error soon enough. The death rattle of an expiring story makes a truly frightful sound." Posted by Katy on 12/23/03 at 05:50 PM Fallible Comments... So, hopefully without negating the thought and insight that you put into this wonderful quote, Katy, I thought I'd run it through an Ebonics translator and give you a new one: "When writing uh book fo' da God fearing peeps, fight preachin' it. Instead o' axin' 'What should dis here peep do or spit next?' force yourself ta ax "What would he do or spit next?' If ya begin ta pen what should happen, don' trip, dog. You will find out dat ya iz wronng sho 'nuff. The death rattle o' uh the dyin' word makes uh really flippin' sound. Brace yourself foo'!" ----- Posted by timsamoff on 12/24/03 at 11:44 PM OMG, that's so much better than mine... Blessed Christmas, Tim! Posted by Katy on 12/25/03 at 12:33 AM Or, you could get out of the way and just let the characters do and say what they will. But doing so may require a follow-up exorcism. Posted by bob pilato on 12/25/03 at 01:52 AM Bob, Yeah. Like needs to happen whenever I myself do or say whatever I will...ouch! Posted by Katy on 12/25/03 at 03:40 AM oh gosh...all kidding aside, that's really one of the best things i've heard said about writing. it's an adage that many existing Christian writers should wish they'd heard before they got published. i feel like stitching it on a pillow. if i ever write a book on writing (that is, if i ever write a book on anything, thereby qualifying me to write a book on writing), i want to quote you. or maybe you should write your own book on writing; you're a far better candidate than i. Posted by lisa j on 01/26/04 at 09:55 AM Lisa J--I just saw your nice comment! You have my permission to quote me in your book! Just make sure I get an autographed copy... ;) Posted by Katy on 01/30/04 at 09:21 PM Page 1 of 1 pages Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. Next entry: Lapsed Blogger Checks In Previous entry: Escape << Back to main


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Personal blog of christianwriter & fallible momKaty McKenna Raymondin Kansas City, Missouri

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Rattle, Rattle, Thunder, Clatter

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri