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ExquisiteElf
Joined: 04 Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Location: On the moon
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 Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:42 pm Post subject: drabble?? |
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Hey all,
I have an evil little plot bunny in my head for a drabble and I'd like to write it. Thing is I'm not 100% on how to go about it. I have never written a drabble before, so I'm pretty clueless and I'm sure I'm really acting the part now. Any tips or advice would be great.
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SilverMoonLady
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 1201
Location: Breaking in a Brandybuck... *wicked grin*
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:02 am Post subject: |
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ah, the art of drabbling... 
Well, first, be aware of just how long and short 100 words are:) A good exercise is to start writing; when you get a paragraph or portion of dialogue, stop and count. That will give you an idea of what 100 words looks like:)
Much of the time, at least for me, there is a single phrase/thought/sight that I want to communicate, and that is what gets concentrated on and built on; mostly I end up writing and then trimming down. One can think of it as a photograph, a snapshot, which you want to focus on what is at the heart of the picture you are trying to show.
I would also recommend a good thesaurus and a good dictionary, since every word counts and you want each one to be the right one.
After that, it just takes practice and patience:)
Have fun!!
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:59 am Post subject: |
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My goodness, you are just a cup running over, aren't you EE! Well, good for you.
Sil has given you excellent advice ... I just can't resist adding my two cents.
As a form, nothing is better than a drabble to bring a specific idea, vignette, or person into sharp focus, but they are no good for communicating anything complicated, and never (at least, I can't remember any) have action that takes place over more than a few moments. The least successful drabbles are those that squeeze their subject into form. Drabbles are not for those afraid of a little red pencil  .
Think about what you want to communicate, and if a drabble is the way that's going to help you express it best, go for it. Otherwise, make it a short story in which you can relax about detail and development.
You can easily read a bunch of drabbles by going to the Challenge Section page, and clicking through the stories written for the Weekly Drabble Challenges. I think my new one would be a great place to start .
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NB Duchess of WHY TF Cant'chu Punctuate, First Duchess of F*&(ing &*ll yur comma placement sux!
Nazgul #3 in charge of ducking & sniggering
Garo golf a conu ned i eneth aran an ir ho delitha ad |
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ghettoelleth
Joined: 06 Nov 2004
Posts: 1804
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:10 am Post subject: |
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| NancyBrooke wrote: | My goodness, you are just a cup running over, aren't you EE! Well, good for you.
Sil has given you excellent advice ... I just can't resist adding my two cents.
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More like 47 cents, Duchess, but who's counting, snort!
 May I remind you EE, the importance of proper punctuation? Remember, every time you use an unnecessary comma between compound elements that are not independent clauses,  Duchess stabs Ghetto with a red pencil 
Now, I have a serious question for the Duchess. What the hell is the difference between a dash and a hyphen? 
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ExquisiteElf
Joined: 04 Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Location: On the moon
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone!
Great advice...I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! 
Now I'm going to go start my drabble...
Cheers!
EE |
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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| ghettoelleth wrote: | | Now, I have a serious question for the Duchess. What the hell is the difference between a dash and a hyphen? |
Size matters.
A hyphen is this: - it links two words or two halves of a word etc.
A dash is longer: – and is sometimes represented by a double dash --
As Mr. Strunk and Mr. White tell it, 'a dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.His first thought on getting out of bed -- if he had any thought at all -- was to get back in again.'
Also, when using a dash, S&W don't use spaces--like this--got it? There'll be a test later.
K, G?
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NB Duchess of WHY TF Cant'chu Punctuate, First Duchess of F*&(ing &*ll yur comma placement sux!
Nazgul #3 in charge of ducking & sniggering
Garo golf a conu ned i eneth aran an ir ho delitha ad |
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ghettoelleth
Joined: 06 Nov 2004
Posts: 1804
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| DutchessoftheDanglingModifier wrote: | | As Mr. Strunk and Mr. White tell it, 'a dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses. |
Oh! See, one of these days I will learn English so that I may have a native language.
I have always wondered why the hell people do that in fic. Yay, now I have a new toy to abuse! I am sooo kidding, Nancy, stop looking at me like that.
Seriously, thank you. I need all the help I can get with the little aside I am so fond of using but never quite sure how to punctuate.
You Rock Duchess 
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"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can not confirm their validity." Abraham Lincoln |
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