@KurtHohmann@writing.exchange
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KurtHohmann

@KurtHohmann@writing.exchange

Writer, reader, podcaster, Heathen, minister, hand drummer, storyteller, mad kitchen scientist, foodie, nature lover, metaphysical teacher, woodworker, retired-from-corporate-BS, probable socialist.

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KurtHohmann, to random
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29
Do you share your name with other writers?

Not that I'm aware of. But...

I set up a Google alert a few years back against my name, and promptly forgot about it. Until last week, when I received a hit on that alert to let me know that my obituary had been published online.

That other Kurt Hohmann (neither relative nor writer) lived about four hours away, and his middle name (unlike mine) was Henry.

Same name as both of my bio grandfathers.

There's a story here 🙂

golgaloth, to writing
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Have you ever had to update one of your stories due to technological advancements?

KurtHohmann,
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@golgaloth I think this counts - the first piece of fiction I ever got published involved a character getting strangled with a phone cord. I'm envisioning some blank looks on that concept.

KurtHohmann, to Bloomscrolling
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Marsh marigolds. This is our local harbinger of the Beltane season.

KurtHohmann, to random
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24
When older novels use outdated or racist language, should they be edited for the modern world or left alone and viewed in context?

Viewed in context, with one exception. If the original author is still alive and chooses to publish an updated edition, fine.

Word compromises are made between authors and editors pre-publication; nobody else (looking at you, Ian Fleming's estate) should be creatively editing.

Content warnings work, and inspire more thinking.

(continued)

KurtHohmann, to random
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5
What’s the best thing about being a writer?

The ability to bring an idea full circle: to pull it from the air, breathe life into it, nurture it, and make it into something real. It's real magic we make happen.

KurtHohmann, to random
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4
Is there writing advice you used to follow but changed your mind?

"Write what you know"

Like a lot of writers, I love research. Delving into specific topics is a lovely, deep rabbit hole that can prevent me—for hours—from having to open my manuscript and consider the next sentence. 😆

But research also means I'm learning something new, and I don't think I've ever written anything of worth that didn't involve that learning. So I suggest a change.

"Write what you want to know"

Firlefanz, to random
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4/4: Is there writing advice you used to follow but changed your mind?

When I started out, I wrote either with no chapters at all, or long, endless ones. I mean, I was writing Epic Fantasy, and that means long chapters, right? (Wrong.)

Since then, I've come around to using shorter chapters, especially when changing perspectives. (The headhopping I did as a newbie was atrocious.)

If you want to see my awful newbie writing, check out Der Ritter von Lar Elien...

KurtHohmann,
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@Firlefanz My own psychology has influenced my chapter lengths more than anything. I've always been a bed reader, and have the habit of glancing at the clock, then checking how long the chapter is before delving into it. I'll justify—one chapter at a time—reading six chapters of five pages each before the light goes out, but if the chapter is twenty pages long? Maybe tomorrow. 😆

KurtHohmann, to random
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2
What books/resources have you used to improve your writing?

I've read a lot of craft books and have gleaned nuggets from most of them. I've also worked through a few of the "Great Courses" lectures on writing, and gotten bits and pieces there also. But for the past few years, my most useful resource for craft enhancement has been listening to the Writing Excuses podcast. The most useful one for motivation and commiseration has been chatting with fellow writers, like you folks. 🙂

KurtHohmann, to random
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16
How much do you edit as you write, and how much do you leave to the second draft?
Which stage is "the second draft?"

  1. Brilliant idea! Write dialogue between a couple of characters.
  2. Rewrite portions of the dialogue. Add some actions.
  3. Rewrite portions of the dialogue and change a few actions. Add some scenery.
  4. Rewrite portions of the dialogue, actions, and scenery. Submit x for critique.
  5. Return to step 1 and start scene x+1. Rewrite scene x based on critique.
KurtHohmann, to random
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10
Do you want to write full time or are you happy for it to be a hobby/side hustle?

I early-retired 2 years ago, give or take a day. Since then, as I'm no longer staring at a computer screen for 10+ hours a day to make some c-suite weenie a few pennies richer, I've spent a lot more time on writing and improving my skill.

But I won't ever let it become a job. Because that would cut into my time gardening, cooking, reading, woodworking, drumming, hiking, storytelling, etc.

PaxAsteriae, to random
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I was feeling very sorry for my container clematis, which has been brown and forlorn since December (though it was still blooming happily in November!). But look! It's growing again already! 💜

KurtHohmann,
@KurtHohmann@writing.exchange avatar

@PaxAsteriae I'm a bit envious - it will be many weeks here before I see any signs of life on the clematis (or much of anything else in the yard).

KurtHohmann, to random
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31
Would you ever cosplay one of your characters? Which one?

I garbed up as Hel one year for Samhain. I think she was okay with it, but I suppose I'll find out for sure a few years down the road when she calls me home.

Unless Baron Samedi catches up to me first. Because I've borrowed his appearance a couple times also.

KurtHohmann, to random
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31
Where do you write?

Sometimes it's in the office, using the big double monitors. But that's a lot of desktop space, and therefore a lot of potential distraction.
More often this time of year it's in the living room, not far from the woodstove, somehow balancing a wee Chromebook and 1-3 cats on my limited lap space.
Summertime pulls me out to the screen room, letting the buzz of the insects who cannot get at me drown out the traffic noise.

anderlandbooks, to random German
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205: Do any of your characters have an accent?

I come from that area in Germany where the "cleanest" high German is spoken. Yet, I most certainly have an accent when speaking other languages (my English accent is a weird mix of German und MidWestern US).
It quite honestly never occurred to me that any of my characters might have an accent. Maybe they do. But I don't put that down in writing because I find it exhausting a reader. 🤷‍♀️

KurtHohmann,
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@anderlandbooks I grew up hearing from my grandmother that she found "high German" difficult to understand; in her mind it was the language of politicians and not the common folk she'd grown up around.

Years later, I learned that "high" and "low" were terms related to geography and not social class. So what my Bavarian-born grandmother likely spoke was high German, and as for the people she couldn't understand? Well, I don't understand a lot of what comes out of politicians'' mouths today. 🙂

KurtHohmann, to random
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28
Thoughts on using real brand names in your writing?

In dialogue: People IRL say things like "Check your phone," not "Check your IPhone 15 Pro." I follow that lead.

In narrative: I avoid big-name chains, and my characters do the same. Walt's Diner is preferable to Denny's (for many reasons that go beyond writing) and the Mountain Motel beats the Quality Inn.

If it's critical that a character carries a Glock G19, okay...otherwise they'll be happy to have a 9mm pistol.

gahlearner, to random
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  1. If you could remove one rule of grammar, which would you choose?

English isn't my native language hence it'd feel presumptuous to consider changing grammar rules.
That said, language is a living, changing construct. These rules aren't set in stone and will change through (lack of) use over time or by some language keepers deciding on changed rules (as happened for German grammar during my lifetime). So, these rules may be there for a reason, but not forever.

KurtHohmann,
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@gahlearner @Saposcat I also find the dynamic quality of language fascinating. Changes in English over several hundred years mean we can still use numerous Shakespearean phrases verbatim, while some of his rhyming couplets...er...no longer rhyme.

As a native English speaker who can speak just enough German to procure a room and a hot meal, I'm curious...what changed in the language rules, and who has the power to effect that sort of change? The "language keepers" sound ominous. 🙂

18+ PaxAsteriae, to random
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9: How would you write an online chat or text message conversation in your novel?

No one online chats in my books, apparently. You'd think Caeso might, but it still involves talking to people even with PCs in the way...

I have a couple of old, short prompt pieces from Alex and Milos and their SMS conversations though. I use bold text for the messages because I don't use it for anything else. I might use a different font if paperback publishing, but Alex doesn't text much...

KurtHohmann,
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@PaxAsteriae If you ever decided to update this one, I don't think you'd need to lose that bit about paying by the character for texts. It's a funny line whether or not you've ever paid for texts like that.

KurtHohmann, to random
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8
Do you write in the active voice, passive voice or a mixture? Does it matter?

Definitely a mixture.

A lot of conversation IRL uses passive voice, so I write it into my dialogue in an effort to make it sound natural. I'll also choose passive if I want a surprise at the end of a sentence, e.g. "Mr. Boddy was murdered in the Observatory by..." And absolutely if the object is the star of the sentence, e.g. "A flowing crystal hamster had been propped atop the dresser."

KurtHohmann, to random
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30
How much detail do you put into character descriptions?
In my notes? A lot. On the page that the reader sees? I try to cut it down to 'just enough.'

If the firelight from the open hearth reflects on dark paneled walls, and the ancient leather chairs hold a history of cigar smoke and brandy, you can see the room.

Likewise, a brushcut man draped in a faded tropical shirt and the smell of liniment, white socks emerging from his sandals providing little contrast to his legs.

floofpaldi, to random

I just realized that I never did an introduction post on here. I've almost been on Mastodon for about a year now. Oops.

KurtHohmann,
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@floofpaldi Don't think I ever did one either. Same timeframe 😅

KurtHohmann, to random
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A year ago today, I gave myself a birthday present and tried Mastodon (after getting disgusted with Twitter). I stumbled for a few weeks, then found a few writing/artistic communities, most notably the predecessor of , then later and

Even if I don't play every day, I know this platform will treat me to smart, respectful discussions about writing and art. My writing has been enhanced. And I've met some wonderful people as well.

Cheers!

KurtHohmann, to random
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3
"Are dialogue tags flexible?" laughed John.

I have been accused of not using enough dialog tags. Consider the following snippet:

"Damn." Matt stared up at the rafters overhead. "Isn't this the same place they shot Evil Dead?"

"That one was a lot bigger." Al snorted. "And better decorated." He turned to the entrance. "What say we grab our stuff?"

"Okay, but first, where's the loo?" Rachel shifted back and forth from one foot to the other. "I really do need to go."

KurtHohmann,
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@Firlefanz Thank you! I have certainly been guilty of using the same structure too many times in a row; I'm trying to get better about that.

KurtHohmann, to Halloween
@KurtHohmann@writing.exchange avatar

Pour out an extra glass of wine,
And set a place as though to dine.
Speak out their names and call them in,
Tell stories of good deed and sin.
From those who've gone to distant shore,
A chance to hear their voice once more.
Tonight your ears need play no part,
Instead just listen with your heart.

Blessed .
Happy .

KurtHohmann, to random
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6
Are you self-published or trad-published? How's it going?

I haven't published anything novel-length yet. But I'm hoping to leverage some of what I've learned from short fiction, where I've managed to convince other humans to publish me on multiple occasions. Some lessons learned:
-listen to critique partners
-grow a thick skin
-I'll write better tomorrow
-practice pays off
-keep submitting/querying
-anticipate non-responses
-not every market fits my level of weird

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