TECH: Let's Try Basics 101 Again!

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 18:35:01 JST

A couple of months ago, in the midst of tussles over "whatsa genre" and "isa genre bad" and "what makes sf sf" (all good and fun points to ponder), I asked about making up a list of "basic skills" and maybe even pulling together some kind of TECH pieces on each one.

The discussion at the time had pointed to something like this list:

1. characterization
2. pacing
3. plotting
4. conflicts
5. tension
6. rhythm
7. figurative language
8. description
9. point of view
10. etc. (VERY POPULAR!)

It still seems like a useful exercise for the group--pick out pieces of "the art of writing" (or "the craft of writing") that we can pretty much agree are "basic" and summarize what it is and how you as writer go about making it happen.

While you're having fun in the summer sun, you want to help me crank out our very own "How-To" pamphlet?

or should I listen to the virtual rumble of the oldies?

"V--A--C--A--T-I-O-N in the summer sun...put away the books, forget about school, ... we're on vacation, in the summer sun..."

TECH: A List of Dilemmas

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting: Sun, 7 Aug 1994 18:35:01 JST

Howdy, folken. Having stumbled across a lovely list of cultural dilemmas, I've decided to post the seven little dilemmas. Please take your time, and then fire your best shots at the target...

We might as well argue about known significant problems, right?

1. Universalism vs. Particularism

When no code, rule or law seems to quite cover an exceptional case, should the most relevant rule be imposed, however imperfectly, on that case, or should the case be considered on its unique merits, regardless of the rule?

2. Analyzing vs. Integrating

Are we more effective when we analyze phenomena into parts, i.e., facts, items, tasks, numbers, units, points, specifics, or when we integrate and configure such details into whole patterns, relationships, and wider contexts?

3. Individualism vs. Communitarianism

Is it more important to focus upon the enhancement of each individual, his or her rights, motivations, rewards, capacities, attitudes, or should more attention be paid to advancement as a community which all its members are a part of?

4. Inner-directed vs. Outer-directed Orientation

Which are the more important guides to action, our inner-directed judgments, decisions, and commitments, or the signals, demands, and trends in the outside world to which we must adjust?

5. Time as Sequence vs. Time as Synchronization

Is it more important to do things fast, in the shortest possible sequence of passing time, or to synchronize efforts so that completion is coordinated?

6. Achieved Status vs. Ascribed Status

Should people's status depend on what they have achieved and how they have performed, or on some other characteristic, i.e., age, seniority, gender, education, potential, strategic role?

7. Equality vs. Hierarchy

Is it more important that we treat people as equals so as to elicit from them the best they have to give, or to emphasive the judgment and authority of the hierarchy that is coaching and evaluating them?

You might start by thinking of various issues which fit into these extremely generic dilemmas. Then start swinging your broadswords, macing your lances, or whatever mode of dancing around the poles you like...

Or, of course, you might write stories...

[note: dilemmas listed in:
The Seven Cultures of Capitalism
Charles Hampden-Turner and Alfons Trompenaars
Doubleday, 1993
ISBN 0-385-42101-X]