Comments on: Weekly Wrap: Our 2 Sentences

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:14:57 +0000

Welcome, Dean. I’d have lots of family members unhappy with me if I posted where the cemetery is on the internet. I can say it’s on Oahu and you’d have better luck finding it if you looked under Henderson rather than Campbell. Glad you enjoyed Hawaii! My favorite’s The Big Island.

By: Dean Whittle

Dean Whittle — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:39:48 +0000

Hello, my wife and I have just returned from Hawaii (Maui and Oahu) and we just loved it. Your photos are great. Being a Joseph Campbell fan I was intrigued as to where you found his grave. Can you tell me where it is? Thanks.

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 22:07:12 +0000

Carolyn, Gail, Juliet, Julie, and Simon - Thanks so much for your notes. Tomorrow’s my self-imposed deadline for finishing my novel, and I’m right on-track as long as I don’t get distracted. So just wanted to say a real quick hi and then bye.

By: Simon Haynes

Simon Haynes — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 03:32:29 +0000

Nice pics! And I’m sure we’ll talk you into sharing those two lines some time in the future. Or else ;-)

By: Julie Ann Shapiro

Julie Ann Shapiro — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:06:24 +0000

Susan,
I love you Hawaii pictures. The water just looks so much blue and pure.

I can understand about not wanting to mention a pitch on a work in process. I don’t say much about my third novel, my second one that’s at publishers or even my various ideas for the next one.

I also see the importance of starting a novel with the two sentence pitch or even the query or the synopsis. I started my second and third one that way. Others may well start with the merging of flash stories that I’ve previously written.

After working on a series of characterizations for a client I see the value in starting a novel with that kind of upfront sketch. Although, I prefer running with inspiration and writing organically.

Julie

By: Juliet

Juliet — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:54:02 +0000

Great photos! I hope your year goes well, and that you are much blessed.
J

By: Gail Siegel

Gail Siegel — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:52:48 +0000

These are wonderful photos, Susan. And I understand perfectly about the pitch. I actually refuse to read book jacket blurbs because they inevitably ruin my reading experience. I want to read your book itself.

By: Carolyn Burns Bass

Carolyn Burns Bass — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:37:19 +0000

Susan said:
But sharing the two sentences reminds me how much a bookâ€™s plot doesnâ€™t speak to the things I care about most in a story - the heart of the characters, the commentary on society, the detail and the rhythm of every last sentence.

So true. I suppose thatâ€™s why my 2 sentences held 84 words and included this: Set in the turbulent 1960s when divorce was a sin, negroes were untouchable, Vietnam sent bloody images into American living rooms, and the Beatles led the British invasion of rock and roll, â€¦

Hope the hours since you posted this have been productive and youâ€™ve typed those brilliant words THE END.

By: Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:47:13 +0000

Sarah - Thank you!

amy - Can you imagine if Dickens and Kafka and Twain et al were told social commentary isn’t in?

Robin - Ooh, I better clarify. Josh and James and I did Mexican food and drinks and lots of good talk, and then we went to see John read at KGB. He wasn’t part of our date, though he is sweet and awesome and would have been welcome to join us. Both John and James are on This American Life. (Josh and James, whenever you guys want to announce any of your cool news, I’m all for celebrating right here.)

And Robin, I’m so happy you’re coming on Tuesday!

Myf - I better get back to my novel this minute. Just as soon as I say hi to Lance.

Lance - Hi! xox

By: Lance Reynald

Lance Reynald — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:15:16 +0000

nice cemetery…

looks like a nice holiday.

great photos.

xo-L.