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My Writing and Improvements
15 years ago
I have never had a writing class in my life and I have read little in the way of articles regarding writing. I do not read often, so I have nothing to base my voice on but my own. Thus, I am so pleased when my audience responds with feedback.
I recently learned that my writing voice is passive versus being active. Instead of showing you something in the story, I am telling you. I am not giving you, the reader, the opportunity to make your own judgements on the character. Instead, I am telling you how you should judge the character. I had no idea I was doing this and I am ever so grateful that I was informed of my behaviour. For this, as a writer to my dearest readers, I apologise.
I have been researching active vs passive voice and showing vs telling. I also read an article about not being so wordy, and thus, I will do my best. I take my writing seriously and I want to improve in every way that I can.
I think my problem, other than lack of interest in reading another's prose, is that when I do read, it is from novels written in the 1800s. That is what captures my interest, and thus, influences my own writing voice. The authors "back in the day" were very wordy and often used unusual words that one may not commonly use. I need to pull my head out of some Victorian's ass and get with the modern times. You readers nowadays like shorter, more vivid sentences with some flare and a punch. You readers tend to like minimalism vs overt description. You want to see the character in your imagination instead of being told what the character is doing. I understand this now.
In the past, I have never received criticism before. This is bad. I have always desired it, even though I am thin-skinned when it comes to writing (inadequacy in writing is a fear of mine), but yet, I do desire it. I am willing to sacrifice my ego for the sake of my craft. So please, if you ever see something in which you, as a reader (my most important teacher), see that I need to change, please let me know! For example, I just created a run-on sentence. I am naturally wordy and need to work on this. Also, if you want to praise me, please do so, as well. I crave your praise, as it encourages me and ultimately helps me to write better. I need the good and the bad.
So, thank you to my readers. Thank you for pointing out where I need improvements. When I re-type the first 6 chapters of this novel again, I will change it to a more active voice and reupload. I am not expecting anyone to go back and re-read, but I will do it nonetheless for new readers in the future. Also, I will now write in this active/showing voice instead of my previous passive/telling.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to you all. Thank you so much for reading my story. I will always write for the pleasure of doing so, but it is so much more fun with you all aboard. :)
Thank you! Cheers!
I recently learned that my writing voice is passive versus being active. Instead of showing you something in the story, I am telling you. I am not giving you, the reader, the opportunity to make your own judgements on the character. Instead, I am telling you how you should judge the character. I had no idea I was doing this and I am ever so grateful that I was informed of my behaviour. For this, as a writer to my dearest readers, I apologise.
I have been researching active vs passive voice and showing vs telling. I also read an article about not being so wordy, and thus, I will do my best. I take my writing seriously and I want to improve in every way that I can.
I think my problem, other than lack of interest in reading another's prose, is that when I do read, it is from novels written in the 1800s. That is what captures my interest, and thus, influences my own writing voice. The authors "back in the day" were very wordy and often used unusual words that one may not commonly use. I need to pull my head out of some Victorian's ass and get with the modern times. You readers nowadays like shorter, more vivid sentences with some flare and a punch. You readers tend to like minimalism vs overt description. You want to see the character in your imagination instead of being told what the character is doing. I understand this now.
In the past, I have never received criticism before. This is bad. I have always desired it, even though I am thin-skinned when it comes to writing (inadequacy in writing is a fear of mine), but yet, I do desire it. I am willing to sacrifice my ego for the sake of my craft. So please, if you ever see something in which you, as a reader (my most important teacher), see that I need to change, please let me know! For example, I just created a run-on sentence. I am naturally wordy and need to work on this. Also, if you want to praise me, please do so, as well. I crave your praise, as it encourages me and ultimately helps me to write better. I need the good and the bad.
So, thank you to my readers. Thank you for pointing out where I need improvements. When I re-type the first 6 chapters of this novel again, I will change it to a more active voice and reupload. I am not expecting anyone to go back and re-read, but I will do it nonetheless for new readers in the future. Also, I will now write in this active/showing voice instead of my previous passive/telling.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to you all. Thank you so much for reading my story. I will always write for the pleasure of doing so, but it is so much more fun with you all aboard. :)
Thank you! Cheers!
Why write 'Jesus' when they said 'By Jove'?
From my perspective, but that's just me, it's like someone else mentioned.
They keep writing fantasy that has the technology like the dark ages. They write as if night was just like day, just darker. The problem is, we have so much light pollution, we do not have nights like they had back then. Then it was dangerous to go out at night. People got killed by walking out at night. They drowned in streams, broke their heads by stumbling over a root and similar accidents.
Worse, in some times you were also suspected being a criminal because you slept during the day.
Similar is the style to write novels theses days turns me off. Most of them are filled with padding just to give the book more pages. I have older and very old books that I like much more than those today. The Gandalara books for example. Seven books with six having around 200 pages, only the seventh having more. They are more interesting to read as Eragon was for example.
I hope I made my point. How you write is your choice of course and this is just my opinion. On the other side I see enough books that are up to printing industry standards and are boring like hell. Heck, I nearly fall asleep by reading the description on the backcover. *shrugs*
"Why write 'Jesus' when they said 'By Jove'?" Dialogue is completely different in this scenario. Dialogue should absolutely remain accurate to the era. I am speaking more about my description between the dialogue.
Who is they? What technology are you speaking of? Your middle paragraphed confused me.
Thanks for your input. ^__^
Fantasy writers today write as if night in a middle ages fantasy setting is just like day, just darker.
Today we have so much light pollution that it does not get really dark anymore. Not like it was untill at least 200 years ago. Night was black then. Really black, unless the moon was quite full, even then it was dangerous to be out at night.
People got seriously hurt and even got killed by stumbling around at night.
A little detail that just gets ignored in fantsay novels today. Characters constantly run or ride thoughout the night which is just not possible.
That's what I meant.
The point is, one's overall style isn't necessarily important, it's telling a story well that matters. It's knowing what details need explaining and what details don't require any additional explanation at all. It's knowing your characters and making sure your characters know one another. It's keeping things consistent and knowing when to show and when to tell. Finally, it's making sure it all flows and well.
The act of writing is an easy thing to do, but the art of creating is a lot of work. It can be fun and rewarding but it is a lot of work, which from what I can tell you understand. But there are a few things I also want to say:
1. Never apologize. It's your passion and it's your work. Don't apologize for what you do.
2. Remember that our criticisms and opinions are just that, ours. Now if you notice trends in comments then maybe it's worth looking into but, you don't have to take anyone's opinion as gospel. You are the ultimate judge as to how you want your story to go and sound.
3. No story is complete until it is complete. This may mean after may revisions, this may mean after the author is tired of writing the story. Whatever the case, it's ultimately your call as to how to proceed.
4. Keep doing whatever it is you do because you enjoy it. The moment you stop enjoying it it's time to step back.
I look forward to reading chapter six when I get the shot. I wish you all the best in writing, art or whatever.
1. I always apologise. I am more apologising to myself than anything. I'm, unfortunately, very hard on myself, especially when it comes to my writing.
2. Yes, I know your opinions are yours, and I found yours very, very helpful. :) I have heard your opinion said to me before by others, as well. I tend to agree with it.
4. I only write because I enjoy it. :) If others gain enjoyment from my works, then I am even more pleased. It is the cherry on the cake, but I always at least have frosting.
The very best way to learn how to write better is to read more. Period.
Many people will say to just "read anything," but really, "anything" today includes a lot of subpar reading material. So scale back a bit. Personally, I love love love literature written from about 1930 to 1970. A lot of authors during this period wrote in interesting new ways that broke from the tone of the previous centuries and was really quite refreshing. It may help you achieve that "modern" voice you're aiming for.
Of course, the tone and voice of your work depends heavily on the story you're telling and the characters that that story carries. You should choose your diction and sentence structures accordingly.
As far as creating the story itself goes, I would recommend reading the book How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster if you haven't already. It's a good book about the importance of underlying themes of literature and life itself that many people don't notice.
Finally, I'd like to congratulate you on doing something I could never commit myself to doing: writing fiction. Six chapters! Wow! I wouldn't even have been able to finish one!