tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post2541888971167154947..comments2023-12-15T02:38:55.020+10:30Comments on Still Life With Cat: Good writing, bad writingKerryn Goldsworthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270814460793882309noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-26974805186011217782008-10-15T22:09:00.000+10:302008-10-15T22:09:00.000+10:30There's a truly hideous piece of swords and sorcer...There's a truly hideous piece of swords and sorcery writing that has achieved a sort of cult status where people read it out at parties and get prizes for the person who gets furthest without breaking down in hysterical laughter (or tears of horror). If there's more where this came from Koontz might just displace it.Feral Sparrowhawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828397163776767308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-54249940817654449892008-10-12T20:51:00.000+10:302008-10-12T20:51:00.000+10:30Heh, today I read a quote from Shelley's Alastor t...Heh, today I read a quote from Shelley's Alastor that made me think of this post: <BR/><BR/><I>And my heart ever gazes on the depth<BR/>Of thy deep mysteries.</I><BR/><BR/>Even brilliant writers can be simply, unselfconsciously bad. <BR/><BR/>My favourite book for the writing/music comparison is Mike Moorcock's 'The Condition of Muzak' - the title is obviously a reference to Walter Pater, but also a good joke about the artificial 20th-century style of music found in elevators. And the broader point being that even groundbreakingly original and works of art are over time sentimentalised until they reach 'the condition of Muzak'.TimThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10333303180015967125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-75971631521370072332008-10-12T15:40:00.000+10:302008-10-12T15:40:00.000+10:30The heroine-narrator appears to be some kind of cr...<I>The heroine-narrator appears to be some kind of cross between Kinsey Millhone and Buffy, and there's blood everywhere by page 2.</I><BR/><BR/>Now that sounds like a damn good romp.<BR/><BR/>I gave up on Koontz years ago, and by the sign of him repeating the overblown phrase <I>"at the ascending moment of her fulfilment"</I> twice in one paragraph I was entirely right to do so.tigtoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17989643095255493683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-23584818949694846492008-10-12T11:39:00.000+10:302008-10-12T11:39:00.000+10:30TimT, yes, I too gasped at the staggering chutzpah...TimT, yes, I too gasped at the staggering chutzpah of putting the phrase 'venereal aftermath' to paper. Or perhaps he dictates, which would explain a lot.<BR/><BR/>Bernice, oh yes, I'm afraid so.<BR/><BR/>Zarquon -- see, it's contagious as well!Kerryn Goldsworthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11270814460793882309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-85229136805638703062008-10-11T20:33:00.000+10:302008-10-11T20:33:00.000+10:30'Between the motion and the act' means between air...'Between the motion and the act' means between airs of teeth grating and nipples going <I>spung</I> and the full-on act of lubriciousness.Zarquonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04549353321138561998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-38516599128800282322008-10-11T15:00:00.000+10:302008-10-11T15:00:00.000+10:30He is talking about s*x isn't he? O....K..... Give...He is talking about s*x isn't he? O....K..... Given how safe your $10 000 will be from just claim, I think Henry Paulson would appreciate a call...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-17529687927786051902008-10-11T13:16:00.000+10:302008-10-11T13:16:00.000+10:30Sorry Fifi -- pavlov dot cat at gmail dot com ... ...Sorry Fifi -- pavlov dot cat <I>at</I> gmail dot com ... forward slash sheeshKerryn Goldsworthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11270814460793882309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-13624154109421554502008-10-11T11:46:00.000+10:302008-10-11T11:46:00.000+10:30I tittered uncontrollably at that sample of bad wr...I tittered uncontrollably at that sample of bad writing. Nice to know that Koontz was just working up to his grand conclusion up with the phrase 'veneral aftermath'. <BR/><BR/>Oddly, it's often the sentimental or melodramatic bits of serious literature that get to me. Dickens is very good at it; another example would be, say, 'Howl howl howl howl howl' from Lear. I think often the author works you up to a point where that sort of sentimental/garish expressionism works on you.TimThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10333303180015967125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-15198946582799330362008-10-11T10:46:00.000+10:302008-10-11T10:46:00.000+10:30I am giving the paper in November, and I am hoping...I am giving the paper in November, and I am hoping to edit a couple of minutes out of it as it is a fraction too long.<BR/><BR/>I would be happy to send to a copy, after its final edit, thoughI would be a bit daunted by the prospect : I'm not an especially good writer.fifihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946945635726214503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-84549290133768586412008-10-11T10:09:00.000+10:302008-10-11T10:09:00.000+10:30Fifi, I would love to read that -- is it online? W...Fifi, I would love to read that -- is it online? Would you consider <I>putting</I> it online? Or emailing it to me (pavlov dot cat dot gmail dot com)?Kerryn Goldsworthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11270814460793882309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459693255389523642.post-12406924459401782632008-10-11T09:47:00.000+10:302008-10-11T09:47:00.000+10:30Beautifully put, as usual.I have just writ a paper...Beautifully put, as usual.<BR/><BR/>I have just writ a paper on the topic of affect and bodily response to art and poetry. It's something I have much interest in. <BR/><BR/>I have often shot books across the room in disgust after a chapter I don't care for. I am always annoyed I didn't spot the awfulness coming.fifihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946945635726214503noreply@blogger.com