What do you think to this plot? (brief)

[SineadTemptation]

Jist of it is that main character was a bully at school to one girl inparticular.

She becomes an adult, has kids of her own, feels guilty about her bullying behaviour and searches for the girl she bullied on facebook. Finds her, realises she's led a pretty crap adult life and makes it her mission to help her achieve more.

Things go ok for a while but the whole thing brings back memories that the bullied girl had actually surpressed and whilst the main character focusses on helping her build some amazing life, the bullied girl is actually plotting revenge.

Very, Very early stages yet but I'm thinking it will involve adultery, theft, humiliation etc etc as well as a bit of light comedy?

Would you give it a go?

It depends on how it was pointed out. I would be offended if I were advised to return to primary school for not remembering the 7 times table.

It's incredibly competitive according to my editor. I don't think the posts on mumsnet represent someone's true ability though.

Cote, I'm reading what you're writing in received pronunciation, but the " are definitely coming across like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.getreligion.org/wp-content/photos/2008/12/air_quotes.jpg&imgrefurl=allforhymn.blogspot.com/2009/10/finger-quotes.html&usg=__Oy7BRTWy00oxZsoFcZhZ5VTxI3k=&h=364&w=450&sz=29&hl=en&start=0&sig2=5BZimItkiIfJou0DTe9gow&zoom=1&tbnid=WYngK_pR9pm0aM:&tbnh=154&tbnw=180&ei=t6_JTZmeN42o8AOqmuzZCA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dquote%2Bmarks%2Bfingers%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D622%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=134&vpy=80&dur=1042&hovh=202&hovw=250&tx=171&ty=91&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this.

Well, people who don't know multiplication tables don't generally need to be told that a career in mathematics is probably not the best option for them. However, for some reason, everybody feels they can write the next Bestseller. They might not be wrong, ironically, judging by the pathetic excuses for prose in some Bestsellers we have read in our book club.

I'm currently reading Middlesex and would recommend it to aspiring writers, just to see how good some people write. I'd recommend it to everyone, actually, as it is a fantastic book.

I'm v bemused by the 'all stories are essentially the same basic plot' line. Don't understand or agree with that comment at all.

The plot proposal overall sounds okay - it would have to be v cleverly written to sustain the interest though, I think as it could so easily descend into 'bunny boiler' cliche territory without careful consideration.

Time

I will try not to confuse you with quotation marks from now on.

You could write point of view of characters in alternate chapters.

('Think to' perfectly acceptable see Shorter Oxford Vol II page 3282 column 2 about 20 lines from end of page.)

('Think to' perfectly acceptable see Shorter Oxford Vol II page 3282 column 2 about 20 lines from end of page.)

Oooooooh.....

Was that the dramatic twist toward the end of the book?

Shocker, didnt see that coming!

It is as perfectly acceptable as the name Chardonnay.

I think probably colloquial (as in 'just to see how good some people write.' cf. the possibly more acceptable 'just to see how well some people write'.)

It's almost midnight here and I'm about to turn into a pumpkin, but in my last post for tonight, i would like to post from Cambridge dictionary online:

think
verb ( CONSIDER ) /θɪŋk/ (thought, thought)

Definition
[I or T] to believe something or have an opinion or idea
[+ (that)] I think (that) I've met you before.
I don't think Emma will get the job.
"Do you think (that) you could get me some stamps while you're in town?"
[+ noun or adjective] Salmon used to be thought expensive/thought a luxury.
[+ to infinitive] He was thought to have boarded the plane in New York.
What did you think of the film?
What do you think about this latest government scheme?
I think it is important to learn English.

I don't see a "What do you think to". And I can't argue with that last sentence

Maybe if you can post a link to your Short Oxford, we can see if it says "perfectly acceptable" or "used by some illiterates, so yes, not unheard of, but in no way correct English".

Yes, barbarian, that should have been "how well" instead of "how good".

Good night, everyone

Poor Pumpkin (for I perceive you have already turned). Think on, before you make such unreasonable demands! I cannot post a link. It is a real book, sitting here on a real (editorial) desk. You will find it in any good library though. ("Shorter Oxford" not "Short Oxford.")

(eating popcorn and enjoying the fight)

The plot has potential. But then again most plots do - it all depends if the characters are good and their dynamic works well. I think it's definitely worth a try.

Cote, I've always been a grammar pedant, but then I moved countries and now I write in English that is not my first language. Now I have to rely on sub editors as I'm hopeless with prepositions (among other things). Fortunately I found out if the ideas are good you can get away with poor grammar. It's not the ideal, but it can be done.

I guess there is a reason behind having Creative Writing and Pedants Corner as separate topics.

...and never the twain shall meet, and so on.

And whilst this has been extremely amusing, I guess, from a linguists perspective, it would all depend on whether you subscribe to a prescriptive or a descriptive grammar. IE whether language should follow strict rules and "good" language is language which adheres to these rules, or whether language is fluid, and in change like people and cultures. Only one such view would be subscribed to in Pedants Corner, I suspect. A linguist I know is totally thrilled by text speak because it gives her a chance to study development of language as it happens, at great speed. Usually language takes a long time to develop. Whereas another linguist would tear her hair out at the disintegration of language as we know it. hey ho!

And to be honest, having had the pleasure of reading both Plato and Homer in original, I know which one I prefer for beauty of language....

This thread becomes increasingly interesting when one considers that 'innit' and 'thang' are now being added to the dictionary. It makes 'think to' seem no less accurate but certainly far less offensive!

I'm waiting for 'safe blood' to be added. I shall then move onto a deserted island and become a hermit.

Amusing Interesting thread.

As an aside- how should 'jist' be spelled? Is it 'jist' or 'gist' or are both acceptable? (sorry, not near a dictionary at present)

SineadTemptation (an amusing name!) - the plot sounds okay to me, the execution will determine whether or not I'd read it. If you don't intend to be a best-selling author, may I ask what your intention is in writing it? Is it for personal reading only, or do you intend to approach a publisher? Thanks.

The little box on the corner of my screen says 'jist'

but it also says this.

Ha! Either then
French- gesir, Latin Jacere... tomayto, tomato.

I think it depends upon the context?? I'd say jist as in a vague idea, I wouldn't use it in a text though but that's just me.

'books have the same basic plot'

I'm wondering if plot and structure are getting confused here because they are two very different things.

Many books share a similar structure - this is the framework you hang the story on in a way the reader expects. The places where conflict and tension rise, the distinct separation of acts, the dark moment when you believe all is lost before it all turns around for the ending.

A huge variety of plots can all hinge around the same basic structure but feel very different to each other.

Cote - "I'm currently reading Middlesex and would recommend it to aspiring writers, just to see how good some people write."

"So what do you think of Eugenides then Cote? How does he write?"
"Good, Bloof. He writes good".

Sorry, I was tired last night. I'll pick on Romeo and Juliet. This plot has been used many times, like in Westside Story. Structures are also very similar, in a childrens book there's a handful of basic structures, like the reluctant hero.