RE: A Low Rumbling Sound . . . Haiku, The Destruction of Port Royal, and a forgotten chapter in the founding of the New World *****
Thanks, I appreciate your confidence.
I'm not familiar with Elizabeth Letts, but that could also be a great description of Antonia Fraser, whose historical fiction always kept me enthralled.
Michener too, though like Stephen King, his books were sometimes overkill, and could have stood more judicious editing.
And I think that's what I'm afraid of, is winding up with a 700 page tome that no one in their right mind would read.
But then, I come to my senses, and know that my years of familiarity and love for Strunck and White would (hopefully) save me from such a fate.
Not to mention a good editor. ;-)
Which reminds me, did you ever read Edwin Newman's wonderful book, "Strictly Speaking?" It is essentially about the use and misuse of language, and far from being dry, is a delightful read.
My mom loved it so much that we all wound up reading it, and it was great fun.
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Oh gosh yes, Stephen King, Michener, and Joyce Carol Oates could use some judicious editing! They're impervious to that imperative to "don't write the parts readers will skim" or skp (Elmore Leonard advice?). I've been trimming out and finally not even bothering to write the details I used to indulge in. It's liberating, on the one hand, but the results can be stark, on the other hand. Historical fiction is a genre where detail is expected and welcomed. You will have more than you can use, but you will also have an editor and publisher to help you make that painful decision on what to "amputate" (that's how it feels!).
Yes, it's amazing how wrapped up we can get with our creations, especially when they seem to take over and start telling the story themselves.
Amputation is right, and sometimes it feels like you're losing a kid, if not a part of yourself.
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Haven't read it but will! Thanks -I can see his influence or inspiration in your writing: He deflates the pompous, the grandiose, the stilted, and the hollow. He rejoices in language that is lucid, graceful, direct, civilized. The reader rejoices with him.
Your prose is all that! Even your replies are!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1215408.Strictly_Speaking
Thank you, @carolkean!
High praise indeed, especially coming from you. I am honored, and my mom wou lo d be proud.
That said, I'm still working on improving my tendency toward using convoluted run-on sentences. ;-)