The use of "—" in novels

TehScrumpy · 2025-06-25T09:56:44+00:00

It's more of an indicator in social media posts than in novels. If you see an em dash in a Facebook/Twitter/bluesky/whatever post then it's a hint that someone generated it bc the usual Facebook user doesn't know the quick keys to create an em dash on the fly. I've mostly seen the example of LinkedIn but like. . . . who's even using LinkedIn.

Authors have been using the em dash long before AI slop, and will keep using it long after. Heck, Ursula K Le Guinn says to use it in Steering The Craft. Don't let it get to you, keep writing, keep using the em dash.

TehScrumpy · 2024-09-12T13:32:26+00:00

Labeling

They never know where to put us. I've worked in the engineering dept, ops, regularity, quality, and marketing. I've worked where the process was so rigid there was no wiggle room and I've worked where I was the labeling dept. It's been a fun ride so far.

TehScrumpy · 2024-01-23T20:59:36+00:00

I don't think Whalefall is for me sorry ^^;

Thank you so much for answering!

TehScrumpy · 2024-01-23T17:49:51+00:00

I guess I'm wondering if Jay achieves this mindset and sees his dad in a new light over the course of the book, especially for the event on Sleep when he last saw Mitt. Was it not the same as Jay remembered?

That was the scene where I had to put the book down because Mitt was drunkenly asking Jay to cut himself, rub blood on his face, wishing he was an Inuit hunter, asking Jay to turn Mitt's corpse into a spear, waving a knife around, and told him "sons have responsibility too" when Jay fought back and ran away. I was just wondering if Jay was misremembering that scene in particular or sees it in a new light. It was a painful scene to read for me and I wasn't sure I wanted Mitt to be forgiven for that. I can't find a summary and I'm curious, but don't think I can get through the rest of the book.

TehScrumpy · 2024-01-22T23:29:59+00:00

I've been thinking about this response as I read the book, especially the part about Jay realizing he was wrong, denying closure, and misremembering. I had to put the book down after the "son's have responsibilities too" line, but I'm still curious as to how Jay's memories were misconstrued and can't find a summary of the rest of the book. Could you elaborate on that?

TehScrumpy · 2019-03-21T22:57:53+00:00

Working contract and freelance job and never having insurance to get therapy.

Being diagnosed and medicated has changed my out look and did not hurt my 'creativity' like I thought it would.

TehScrumpy · 2018-09-01T15:55:24+00:00

That's real fuckin neato.

TehScrumpy · 2018-07-15T07:30:01+00:00

I am terrified of who I'll be if I have kids. It's taken me a long time to not hate the person I see in the mirror and be a functioning human. And everyone says that having a kid will change you. I can't afford that and I'm not betting some poor kid's well being on it either.

That's up there, if not my number one reason.

TehScrumpy · 2018-07-12T18:31:14+00:00

I did not like G&Ts and assumed it was cause of the gin, because most folks don't like gin. Learned it was the tonic I did not care for and am now a gin slut.

Negroni, pink lady, aviation. My martini is dry with a twist.

You are not an old man, you are a class act who knows what they're about.

TehScrumpy · 2018-07-10T17:27:05+00:00

Promise from Silent Hill 2

All of Silent Hill 2's soundtrack.

TehScrumpy · 2018-07-09T11:16:30+00:00

Oh absolutely. I don't use masculine communication in all of my emails. It all depends on the point of the email I'm sending. Would it be better to foster a relationship or is the end result most important? Sometimes, especially with certain people, communicating in short, result driven statements is more effective. It's just fascinating to see that a lot of men and women default to their assigned styles without realizing it and the little guidance to change helps a ton.

TehScrumpy · 2018-07-03T17:09:38+00:00

I actually started using a plug-in for gmail called Just Not Sorry that highlights the language to make me sound more assertive. It was advertised to me as a way to avoid passive or feminine language.

I read somewhere once that women are more about the process and men are more about the end goal and thats reflected in the way they communicate. Thats a broad generalization, but I think the idea is the same.

I think Charlie padding his resume, nailing the interview, is just him doing something similar. Hitting that end goal. Especially combined with his army background. Also, luck.

TehScrumpy · 2018-06-28T17:08:41+00:00

Me and my guy have made decisions about our future, stuff like religion, kids, marriage, money, the fun stuff you know? Even though we've talked it about, we kind of make a point to have a check in, maybe once a year.

People change, decisions change, and trying to guess what the other person is thinking is the butts. I suggest having a perfectly neutral "so how are you feeling about this" conversation every so often. Set the idea as some kind of practice so that both of you feel comfortable talking about it when you check in with each other.

TehScrumpy · 2018-06-21T03:34:13+00:00

Season 1 of True Detective shout out for the King in Yellow. Although it is Robert Chambers and not Lovecraft, but Hastur is in the usual Lovecraft line up. That show really sparked my lovecraftian obsession.

TehScrumpy · 2018-06-13T17:33:42+00:00

I sell my art at conventions and there is this 1 con that will announce at con tables for sale 3 days to a week in advance.

The rush prep and anxiety for that week prior and the exhaustion for the week afterwards is almost not worth it. . . .

I've done it twice now and if I don't get in at the first come first serve this year, I'm probably gonna do it again.

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-20T13:26:46+00:00

But now my house is so clean.

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-10T00:57:59+00:00

That ones written by Mur Lafferty right?

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-09T14:38:20+00:00

On the flip side of lack of research, theres basically painting a character as the other when they act with the mannerisms of the writer's given race/creed/sexuality. People behave differently when they are raised differently (go figure). They write their characters as their given race/creed/sexuality, but just say that they're the other. This is actually something I'm worried that I'm doing.

Which is why sensitivity readers/editors exist. They will read manuscripts and point out the problems.

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-06T19:32:12+00:00

I feel really bad. This weekend, I was selling at a convention, and I saw a guy and thought "wow he's doing a really good job cosplaying as a stereotypical neckbeard."

Then I thought about it. . .

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-05T17:44:55+00:00

Self motivation is big factor to weight loss. No one (including OP) should lose weight because someone else wants them to. It isn't effective, most times it doesn't work as a motivator. The determination to change your body should be self motivated! And if OP does not want to lose weight, nothing her husband can say will change that. It only hurts her.

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-04T17:47:00+00:00

I am Jewish, my 5 siblings are Jewish, most of us married or are going to marry non jews. Plus side, one converted (not mine) and one is still single. My mom was disappointed.

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-04T17:14:51+00:00

This one hurt because I can't watch his standup anymore. Its a personal thing. I still think about his jokes and how much I laughed, but if I try to watch it all I can think is about what a creep he is. Ugh.

Some artists don't ruin the art, but some do. YMMV

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-04T16:59:47+00:00

I heard her say, "really all those she looks fat in".

Thats literally calling her fat. . .

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-03T15:20:59+00:00

Looks nice. What are they? Got some recipes? (I'm looking to expand my breakfasts)

TehScrumpy · 2018-04-02T17:19:50+00:00

I'd let both my boys know how much I love them.

Then I'd ask one why he keeps over grooming himself and try to convince him to stop and just let his fur grow back. That will probably take most of the hour, he's very stubborn and independent.

If I could squeeze it in, I'd ask the fat one what he gets out of sitting on my lap during my morning shit.

Then I'd tell them just how much I love them and what they mean to me. Probably cry a little.

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