With horror writer Mark Leslie
DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO “GETTING PUBLISHED WITH MARK LESLIE, EPISODE 5″ HERE
If you missed Episode 1, you can listen to it here
If you missed Episode 2, you can listen to it here
If you missed Episode 3, you can listen to it here
If you missed Episode 4, you can listen to it here
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Read Mark’s story here
Read “Scene with Mack” here
Read Mick Halpin’s critique of “Scene with Mack” here
Read the scene that introduces the werewolf’s girlfriend here
Read Mick Halpin’s critique of the scene that introduces the werewolf’s girlfriend here
In episode 4 of “Getting Published, with Mark Leslie,” we learned that Mark was taking a detour from his horror story A Canadian Werewolf in New York to publish a picture book for his niece and work on some other projects. We also dug into a critique of one of Mark’s chapters from Writing Show guest host Mick Halpin.
In episode 5, we find out whether Mark has indeed returned to writing his horror story. We also go over another entertaining Mick Halpin critique and hear a fabulous reminiscence about clove cigarettes (inspired by one of Mick’s critiques) from Writing Show listener Mark Herbst.
We invite you to offer your feedback on Mark’s story and his saga by commenting on our blog and/or writing to Paula B. at paula at writingshow dot com. You can also send your feedback to Mark at mark at markleslie.ca or comment on one of his blogs (see addresses below).
Interviewee: Mark Leslie
Host: Paula B
Date: July 16, 2007
Running time: 01:22:04
File size: 40 megabytes
Rating: PG
Mark Leslie’s Web sites:
www.markleslie.ca
www.markleslie.blogspot.com
I, Death” - A Serial Thriller In Blog Format
North of Infinity II - Released June 2006
One Hand Screaming - Short Story Collection
Prelude To A Scream - Experimental Podcast on my Writing
July 30th, 2007 at 4:35 pm e
Just for the record, Mark, I use ‘that’ way too much myself. For some reason it flows out of me while I’m writing, and later, when I go back and edit, I find I can cut usually at least three-fourths of them. All I can figure is that ‘that’ (see!) must be used frequently in conversation without the user really being aware of it. I became conscious of it in my early published works when I began to notice that (!) the editors were cutting out most of my ‘thats.’ Once that brought it to my attention, I started editing them out myself, and greatly improved my writing.
Jean
July 30th, 2007 at 4:38 pm e
Regarding outlining: I do it. I am a obsessive outliner. For a full-length work, I might spend a month on my outline. I work out the plot points in my outline, and use it to keep from writing myself into a corner. That’s not to say I don’t allow myself to deviate. I do, otherwise the process of writing would get pretty dull, but I have the basic structure down and for me that’s invaluable.
And you are fortunate to have Mick Halpin so generously giving you his time with constructive advice. I always find his comments right-on, and listen with an ear as to how I can implement his suggestions myself.
Keep up the good work!
Jean
July 30th, 2007 at 4:38 pm e
Regarding outlining: I do it. I am a obsessive outliner. For a full-length work, I might spend a month on my outline. I work out the plot points in my outline, and use it to keep from writing myself into a corner. That’s not to say I don’t allow myself to deviate. I do, otherwise the process of writing would get pretty dull, but I have the basic structure down and for me that’s invaluable.
And you are fortunate to have Mick Halpin so generously giving you his time with constructive advice. I always find his comments right-on, and listen with an ear as to how I can implement his suggestions myself.
Keep up the good work!
Jean
July 31st, 2007 at 12:46 pm e
I have a tendency to “over-that” too, Jean. Fortunately I usually catch them.
Paula B.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:50 pm e
We have heard about a wide variety of practice on planning and outlining on the show, as you know, Jean. Some people are like you, outlining rigorously. Others just let it happen. I once heard that the crime novelist PD James spends about a year planning and outlining her books, but I could be misremembering. I just did an interview with a writer who says he works backwards from the ending. Go figure!
Paula B.