#WritersCoffeeClub May 8: When writing technical or scientific detail, how much is plausible versus imagined?

I often don't write technical or scientific detail. Most of my work takes place in present day, in a reality much like mine, featuring characters who aren't scientists, who use tech (computers, cell phones, tablets...) for familiar, everyday tasks.

For example, I'd write, "He rebooted his PC," not which command he typed into a terminal to reboot his PC.

#WordWeavers Who is your most fun character?

My most fun character is a roguish charter pilot MC. He gets in trouble and gets out using his wits, sleight of hand, pickpocketing, impersonation, etc.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 6: Have you ever copied a piece from another book or a movie as a homage to that work?

No. Copying is or close to #Plagiarism, far from #Homage. One can refer to another's work very obliquely while paying homage. One can start w/ the same premise and take the plot in a completely different direction paying homage. No need to copy or get permission to homage. Likewise, emulation and evocation are well short of copying.

Here's the story of a high school principal who refused to let a #MrsDoubtfire child actress continue studying at the school, despite rec'ving a letter from #RobinWilliams. The principal didn't reconsider, but framed the letter, a jerk move: https://deadline.com/2024/05/robin-williams-went-above-and-beyond-for-mrs-doubtfire-kids-1235904642/

#PennedPossibilities 305 — Are there any characters of yours that you wound up HATING once you were finished with a story or WIP?

I wrote several stories about a spy MC, throwing in everything I liked about spy movies and books. I don't aim to publish any of those. I dislike the character now b/c he's all trappings and tropes. He doesn't feel like a character I can explore endlessly.

In an interview some years ago, #TomSelleck said that you could lift #ElmoreLeonard's dialogue right off the page to the screen.

I disagree. The most popular adaptations of Leonard's work are #GetShorty, #JackieBrown, #OutOfSight, #Justified. Before that, I think screenwriters had wrong takes on Leonard. Talky dialogue like Leonard's used to be generally discouraged in movies and TV. Still today, #DenisVilleneuve hates dialogue in general.

#WordWeavers May 5: Are there characters or events that challenge your MC's belief system?

None of them has expressed a belief system to be challenged. If they have belief systems, those are accepting of other characters and events such that the MCs don't feel inherently challenged, threatened by others or events. Someone would have to attack or threaten them directly, specifically, for them to feel challenged, threatened.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 5: Is there a certain kind of story or arc that is easier for you to write as a short story than others?

I don't know. I tend not to think anything is easy, but if it seemed easy, it wouldn't interest me as subject matter. I suppose my favorite genre is mystery b/c I write to resolve or at least express what I think are difficult issues, "problems," not trifles. I wouldn't want my work taken lightly b/c I wrote about trifles.

I thought the #TV show title #TheFallGuy was a reference to #Autumn. The show always premiered in the fall after all.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 4: What's the worst thing about being a writer?

Overthinking language. Writers consider every word and how words sound together as part of the job, but it can lead to times of overthinking to the point I hesitate to write or say anything b/c it could be taken the wrong way.

#WordWeavers May 3: MC POV: What do you dislike about yourself?

If they thought about it, my MCs could come up w/ a lot to dislike, but they're positive ppl who don't see much point in it.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 2: Have you had an idea halfway or more through a project that requires extensive rewriting of what you've already done?

If throwing out what I'd already done and re-conceiving the project counts, yes, I have.

Most notably I'd been working on a novel w/ a male potential series lead on and off for 26 years and decided to re-conceive the idea as a flash story, promoting a female SC to MC.