Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Artful Dodger



The Artful Dodger, a character in Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, was very good at dodging trouble.  He did what he had to do to survive.  I think our stories need to be as crafty in order to dodge the negative aura which can add up to their demise.



Fred and Barney also had a way of dodging trouble which came their way.  Self-destructive criticism, poor writing skills, and weak characters are the bullets that shoot holes through our stories.  What could have been a great story dies a slow death because writers either don't know how to salvage the story or they allow others' negativity to get in the way of a great recovery.




I promise myself to diligently watch over my works in progress.  To artfully dodge anything that stands between myself and publication.  I want to be crafty in my writing and creative with my words to prevent them falling by the wayside.  Only then can I call myself the Artful Dodger...






10 comments:

  1. I once knew a horse named The Artful Dodger :) And while we may have to dodge trouble, our characters need to fall in it so they keep their stories moving - always a hard thing for me because I always want everyone to be happy :)

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    1. Your comment, Susanna, made me smile! Of course, the more trouble we stir up for our characters, the better the story!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. I was just blogging about how we writers need to watch what we say online--the internet is forever. Yet another thing we have to dodge! ;) And I like Susanna's idea--don't let the characters dodge trouble--just us.

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    1. So true, Jean! People act sometimes like FB is either a very intimate conversation between two people (and millions of others looking over their shoulders...lol) or as a soapbox to push their opinions down other people's throats (equally annoying...;0).

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Good writing advice. I need to spend time thinking about my characters, and if I let them dodge trouble.

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    1. Hi, Stephen, I was wondering where you were hiding...lol...normally I get a response from you before now...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. What a clever approach! Love it! Now I'm going to think about getting focus and avoiding procrastination in a new way. Right now I need to artfully dodge the internet LOL.

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    1. Lol...I LOVE your comment Karen! I never thought about it before but I need to dodge the internet as well...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. SO true. There's a LOT to dodge. Look out!!

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    1. Hey, it might be safer if I start writing with my sparring gear on...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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