Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

I too am a fan of Clive Cussler. The Dirk Pitt novels are always a sure bet when lounging by the side of a shimmering azure pool, being served ice cold beer or wine by a smiling attractive waitress, gazing out upon a beautiful tropical vista, and wondering why the current Mrs GT is so afraid of the sun, she has to put so much sun cream on that she looks like a doughball before you roast or fry it.

The one thing about the Kurt Austin series that slightly irritated me is that the lead characters are exactly the same format as Pitt/Giordino. Leading man is heroic, charming, womanising and funny, side-kick is handy, loyal etc - a bit monodimensional in my opinion.

And as for the 2 lost twins of Dirk turning up? that lost it for me. I re-read the book they are alledged to have been conceived in and no-where did it mention that Dirk got his oats with the girl in question - oh maybe when they were underwater with a nuclear missile on its way in.

Dunno about you, but nuclear weaponry being fired at me is a sure-fire way to dampen my libido.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'm working on it, although it would help if I actually finished writing something first. I'm going to the local college's open evening tonight to sign up for a creative writing course. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I for one will buy your book.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

dogscoff I am writing as well..

Its damn hard... If I must tell you... I am thinking that working on characters, and an overall story line first is the way to go..

then write a chapter on one of the ideas in the story line... Then another and another...

Then link them..

Most stories are in 3rd person. So the goal to a chapter seems to be keep the view point from just one character and one time line...

I am looking at the books I enjoy and seeing how they are structured...

But it is hard to write everyday...

We can chat off line about it... Pass on tips etc... No need to reinvent the wheel or for both of us to commit the same mistakes

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You're right about Kurt Austin. He's almost a perfect clone of Dirk Pitt. If you're going to create a new superman/diver/all around good guy, then at least make him different than the original. I guess Cussler is so used to Dirk Pitt mold that he can't break it for a new guy.

As far as Pacific Vortex, I don't remember much about it now. It's probably been close to 20 years since I've read it, and I don't know where my copy is at the moment. Probably in storage. I'll have to re-read it one of these days.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

Sachmo: Thanks.
Tesco: Yeah, I'm always happy to chat/ email about writing.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well, yes and no. I mean I can see your point but put yourself in that situation: There you are, with the knowledge that nuclear obliteration is headed your way. Barring some sort of miracle or superheroic intervention, you have only minutes to live. You look to one side and sitting next to you you see your wife or lover or maybe even just some random woman*. Her chest is heaving with fear and you can see despair welling up in her eyes.

I know I would.**

--
*I can't be arsed to type out the various gender/ sexuality options, but you know, imagine who or whatever it is that happens to push your big red button.
--
**Within certain boundaries of taste, obviously..

[ February 04, 2004, 15:28: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

Dogscoff, fair comment and yes, if I knew I was facing certain death, any female within grabbing distance would be in for trouble I can tell you.

BUT

I should have qualified my statement to say that "nuclear weaponry being fired at me, where the only chance I have of avoiding being incinerated in a bLast of actinic fire, means that I have to move really really very very quickly indeed, always dampens my libido".

If certain death, sure thing, I would rather go on the job than sitting under the table gibbering in terror

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">May I recommend Stephen King's excellent book On Writing? It has lots of wonderful tips, and the guy is a master author.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

Why thank you. I will look for that book.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

what would i do if i knew death was coming for me? anyone else seen the 'Last'* episode of red dwarf? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

* i put it in qoutes becuase i'm still hoping they'll make more.

Re: Fan Fiction For Sale
 

I know I've seen every Red Dwarf episode at least once, but I can't recall the "Last" episode of season 8. What was it about?

Also, speaking of Stephen King, if you're not really into horror, then read the book that got me interested in King in the first place. When I was in tech school, someone loaned me their copy of The Dead Zone. After reading that, I was hooked. I haven't watched the tv show, though, so I can't say how it compares to the book or the movie.