tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post7941073004107832684..comments2024-03-17T02:20:03.772-05:00Comments on Riding With The Top Down: Debra - Come on...cry like a baby!Kathleen Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-57070492028258648702009-03-24T16:49:00.000-05:002009-03-24T16:49:00.000-05:00Aw...Kathleen. now I have to go look!Aw...Kathleen. now I have to go look!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-35418428703097260952009-03-24T10:49:00.000-05:002009-03-24T10:49:00.000-05:00Okay, I'm all teary now over a new read. Baby sis...Okay, I'm all teary now over a new read. Baby sister posted on my Barbie blog. She came way late to the party, but her comment is a big moment for me.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-22289466821283813942009-03-23T20:33:00.000-05:002009-03-23T20:33:00.000-05:00The Parting Glass? No, I haven't heard that one. ...The Parting Glass? No, I haven't heard that one. I'll have to head over to iTunes.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-7189771465874200692009-03-23T18:39:00.000-05:002009-03-23T18:39:00.000-05:00Music, ohmygosh. Has anyone every listened to the...Music, ohmygosh. Has anyone every listened to the Irish tune, The Parting Glass? That songs gets me every time. Tears like crazy.Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-34106937507258005502009-03-23T17:27:00.000-05:002009-03-23T17:27:00.000-05:00Betina-- Music can move you to tears? Do you wri...Betina-- Music can move you to tears? Do you write with music playing?<BR/><BR/>I can't watch anything where people or animals get hurt. I have to close my eyes.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-34081525507015920522009-03-23T16:45:00.000-05:002009-03-23T16:45:00.000-05:00I used to cry at the drop of a hat. Don't seem to...I used to cry at the drop of a hat. Don't seem to do it as much these days. . . except in church. The music gets to me big time. And those pictures of abused or abandoned animals on TV. Arghhhh!<BR/>I have to leave the room.<BR/><BR/>Little kids do it to me, too. And men who are struggling with their emotions, trying not to cry. . . like your guy, Deb. Oh, man. . . I wanted to hug him.Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-44121302370229506272009-03-23T13:38:00.000-05:002009-03-23T13:38:00.000-05:00Kathy-- Cool! My scenes have taken over your mem...Kathy-- Cool! My scenes have taken over your memory? I'll take that as a compliment because I'm really good at taking stray comments and turning them into statements about me! (g)<BR/><BR/>But I know what you mean, when I've "just" finished reading something that's the scene in my mind for a while.<BR/><BR/>Re: Crybaby<BR/>Yep. You and Brenna are some of the more obvious softies I know. Deb Smith is a HUGE animal softie. It just breaks her heart for bad things to happen.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-67336812553866369092009-03-23T13:19:00.000-05:002009-03-23T13:19:00.000-05:00Deb, I can't think of any other scenes but yours r...Deb, I can't think of any other scenes but yours right now. And I'm a big crybaby.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-47546647987952275832009-03-23T13:10:00.000-05:002009-03-23T13:10:00.000-05:00Marilyn-- Certainly, you can quote me. And if yo...Marilyn-- Certainly, you can quote me. And if you don't mind, I'd love to send your article to our newsletter editor for possible inclusion in a future newsletter. We have a lot of newbies in our chapter and I think an article on passive voice would be great.<BR/><BR/>But I'm not the editor, so that's why I say "possible" inclusion. She may have a full year already. Not likely, but she might!<BR/><BR/>debra dixon AT aol DOT comDebra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-29684352881712864482009-03-23T13:07:00.000-05:002009-03-23T13:07:00.000-05:00Kyle-- Suck-in-your-breath emotion is very cool t...Kyle-- Suck-in-your-breath emotion is very cool too. The best writers, the ones I love, engage me. Make me suck my breath in. Make me cry. Make me laugh.<BR/><BR/>There is no "try" in those special books. The authors do what they set out to do and that's involve the reader with characters will never forget because we've been on a real (not fake) emotional journey.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-91014350919170137192009-03-23T12:19:00.000-05:002009-03-23T12:19:00.000-05:00"To be" is a lovely verb and gets a bad rap becaus...<B> "To be" is a lovely verb and gets a bad rap because not every use is passive and not every passive use is bad. It all depends on the POV, the character, the story, the scene, the action.</B><BR/><BR/>May I quote you on that? ::grin:: I wrote an article last year called "Passive Voice for Dummies." It was in response to seeing every instance of the verb "to be" circled and marked passive when most times it's not.<BR/><BR/>And Kylie, I like "grab you by the jugular" moments too. I'm such a soft touch. I cry at Hallmark commercials.<BR/><BR/>Verification word = nawfing, as in "Whatcha doin'?" "Nawfing. Got somethin' in mind?"Playground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-58335450041306254812009-03-23T11:53:00.000-05:002009-03-23T11:53:00.000-05:00Hmmm-I don't know how much polishing I do, LOL! I...Hmmm-I don't know how much polishing I do, LOL! I'm usually a one time through writer than edit out repetitions or word choices before sending it in.<BR/><BR/>There was another scene in the book (like I said, unusual for me!) where the heroine is restraining her crack whore of a mother from using drugs again. They've been estranged for years and the emotion of that scene sort of grabs me by the throat each time.<BR/><BR/>I guess that's how I write emotion--a more grab you by the jugular type that dab an eye sort.KylieBranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02521116390801346909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-5356647068901612642009-03-23T10:48:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:48:00.000-05:00PJ-- Brilliant! Fabulous! I love stories like t...PJ-- Brilliant! Fabulous! I love stories like that. It could only have been better if I'd been there to see the big lug have his cry! Love it.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-91596832222698208252009-03-23T10:45:00.001-05:002009-03-23T10:45:00.001-05:00Michele-- LOL! How considerate of you not to sub...Michele-- LOL! How considerate of you not to subject the hubby to the ugly cry. ::snort:: That's funny.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-30369596091706213362009-03-23T10:45:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:45:00.000-05:00Oh, yeah. I forgot that Brenna cries when you say...Oh, yeah. I forgot that Brenna cries when you say, "Hi!"Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-81686882990231674642009-03-23T10:44:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:44:00.000-05:00Marilyn-- LOL! It wasn't a big crying scene (g) ...Marilyn-- LOL! It wasn't a big crying scene (g) but I thought it was fun to plop into the blog today to illustrate that I like those moments that catch us by surprise and ask more of us.<BR/><BR/>And I had to go reread the scene for "was." Whew. I'm okay with my "was quotient." (g) "To be" is a lovely verb and gets a bad rap because not every use is passive and not every passive use is bad. It all depends on the POV, the character, the story, the scene, the action.<BR/><BR/>But having said that, this was out of my computer and not out of the edited book. (g)Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-43558552916188084252009-03-23T10:36:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:36:00.000-05:00I'm so glad your mom is doing better. I'm sitting...I'm so glad your mom is doing better. I'm sitting here wiping away the tears after reading your blog and envisioning Shelby's arrival so I guess it's pretty obvious that I'm a certified, card-carrying crybaby. :)<BR/><BR/>My late husband's daughter and grandson lived on the west coast and we lived on the east so we had only seen our grandson once as his 2nd birthday approached. As a gift to hubby (his birthday was the following month) I arranged for daughter and grandson to fly out for a visit but told hubby we were going to the airport to pick up a friend and co-worker who was coming into town for business meetings. (She usually stayed with us when she came to town.) We were in the waiting area when passengers started to come off the plane. All of a sudden a pint-sized towhead wearing a shirt that said, "Happy Birthday Grandpa" burst through the crowd and threw himself into hubby's arms as he shouted, "Hi Grandpa! I'm your birthday present!" The other passengers applauded (apparently grandson had spent the 5 hour flight roaming the aisle and telling everyone on board that he was his grandpa's present) and my 6'2", macho, ex-military husband burst into tears. Yeah, not many dry eyes in that crowd. That was 23 years ago and I still tear up when I remember. :)pjpuppymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18234101901405553621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-66374354604724758642009-03-23T10:35:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:35:00.000-05:00Susan-- Yep. Yep. Unexpected support really get...Susan-- Yep. Yep. Unexpected support really gets me too. That realization that "I am not alone" is lovely.<BR/><BR/>When I see "shining" human beings who rise to the occasion, I love it. It usually gives me a lump in the throat.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-72099660956862364372009-03-23T10:34:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:34:00.000-05:00Well, Deb, I wait for the ugly cry in the car. I ...Well, Deb, I wait for the ugly cry in the car. I sniffle in the theater, then when secure in my car, I let it all out. Unless the hubby is with me, then I have to suck it back until I get home.Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-66068325688603565262009-03-23T10:33:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:33:00.000-05:00Cyndi- Ah...the time-honored guilt and pain of lo...Cyndi- Ah...the time-honored guilt and pain of losing a child who trusts you to care for them. I buy right into that scenario. Guilt is universal.<BR/><BR/>If people read it and cry...it worked! No worries there!<BR/><BR/>In general I find that writers who work too hard for "drama" in the emotional scenes miss the mark and wander into melodrama territory. But it sounds like you did good!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-48042899931422252052009-03-23T10:32:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:32:00.000-05:00Oh, hell, I cry all the time.Deb, glad to hear you...Oh, hell, I cry all the time.<BR/><BR/>Deb, glad to hear your mom's okay!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-46019924901390542612009-03-23T10:28:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:28:00.000-05:00Michele-- You can wait until the car to cry? My ...Michele-- You can wait until the car to cry? My tear ducts are very impressed and want to talk to your tear ducts. 'Cause if I'm gonna cry, it'll be right there.<BR/><BR/>I remember crying through some scenes as they were written, but I agree that if I know what's going to happen and it still hits me as I write it...the scene is probably going to work for the reader too!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-54974329277679119622009-03-23T10:25:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:25:00.000-05:00Keri-- Exactly! The emotion will sneak up on you...Keri-- Exactly! The emotion will sneak up on you as you write. You might know everything you're going to put a character through and have a very clear understanding of the emotional arc, but then when you write the scene and whoosh!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-64716185637312012382009-03-23T10:23:00.000-05:002009-03-23T10:23:00.000-05:00Kylie--Whew is right! She gave us a good scare.No...Kylie--<BR/><BR/>Whew is right! She gave us a good scare.<BR/><BR/>Nora does you in? LOL! She's a pro at battering down defenses.<BR/><BR/>If you get a chance to swing back by the blog today, I'd be interested if polished the scenes of TERMS OF SURRENDER which made you emotional or if you left them raw for fear of removing some of the magic.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-21915522621077348732009-03-23T09:15:00.000-05:002009-03-23T09:15:00.000-05:00dabs eyes with a tissueI'm right there with Cyndi ...<I>dabs eyes with a tissue</I><BR/><BR/>I'm right there with Cyndi on your excerpt. I also noticed how many times you used "was" and decided to ignore the blog post I read last night about getting rid of all instances of the verb to be. Sometimes it simply cannot be replaced without sounding stilted.<BR/><BR/>Back on task here... Yay for your mom! I'm so glad she's doing better.<BR/><BR/>At our fall retreat last year, we had a plotting party and for the first time I jumped in with my book. I gave a brief overview and told about the epilogue. One of my chaptermates who is normally quite stoic was sniffling. So I figure I'd nailed it. <BR/><BR/>I remember sniffling through Linda Howard's CRY NO MORE. Ironic, huh?<BR/><BR/>MarilynPlayground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.com