>>> Item number 33591 from WRITERS LOG9407B --- (36 records) ----- <<<
Date:         Wed, 13 Jul 1994 18:35:01 JST
Reply-To:     WRITERS <WRITERS@NDSUVM1.BITNET>
Sender:       WRITERS <WRITERS@NDSUVM1.BITNET>
From:         Mike Barker <barker@AEGIS.OR.JP>
Subject:      TECH:  Let's Try Basics 101 Again!

A couple of months ago, in the midst of tussles over "whatsa genre" and
"isa genre bad" and "what makes sf sf" (all good and fun points to
ponder), I asked about making up a list of "basic skills" and maybe even
pulling together some kind of TECH pieces on each one.

The discussion at the time had pointed to something like this list:
    characterization
    pacing
    plotting
    conflicts
    tension
    rhythm
    figurative language
    description
    point of view
    etc.  (VERY POPULAR!)

It still seems like a useful exercise for the group--pick out pieces of
"the art of writing" (or "the craft of writing") that we can pretty much
agree are "basic" and summarize what it is and how you as writer go
about making it happen.

While you're having fun in the summer sun, you want to help me crank out
our very own "How-To" pamphlet?

or should I listen to the virtual rumble of the oldies?

"V--A--C--A--T-I-O-N in the summer sun...put away the books, forget
about school, ... we're on vacation, in the summer sun..."
tink