playful sub's 1st level two assignment
How can I become a better writer?
Honestly, I use very little structure when I write. This isn't because I refuse to , or think I don't need to; it's because I really don't know how to. I could certainly use some help in this area. I have never used an outline – at least not when writing fiction. In fact, in all but the shortest of stories, I never know how it will end until sometimes halfway through. In my experience, characters grow as the story unfolds. I have a general idea about who this character is, but they grow according to what they encounter in the story. Sound chaotic? I guess it probably is! Character development, therefore, isn't one of my strong points.
Another of my weaknesses is the excessive use of attributes and adverbs, although I have cut down on these.
My strengths lie in descriptive language and dialogue. I love to use dialogue to move a story forward. In that vein, I often take notes of dialogue going on around me. I jot notes while sitting at the doctor's office, the oil change garage, a council meeting. I write the dialog exactly the way I hear it. I have copious notes of exchanges I have heard that, one day, may end up in one of my stories.
I edit more than I write. In fact, I edit to a fault sometimes. There are times I can't move forward until I get the last chapter 'just right.' I have wasted a good bit of time doing this, as there have been times that I have deleted a whole chapter because it ended up not working anyway.
On characterization: This is another area where I lack structure. I'm of two minds on this one. In some stories, I think having a detailed character sketch would be helpful. On the other hand, I often prefer to not describe the character's appearance, instead leaving that to the reader's own imagination. For me, some of the most enjoyable literature I have read allowed me to decide what the characters looked like. I do give my characters quirks, traits, and a general background. I can see how having a character sketch would be necessary when there are multiple characters.
On dialogue: I absolutely, positively agree with this! (Look – two two adverbs in one sentence!) Using dialogue makes a passage far more interesting to the reader, in most circumstances. And a great deal of information can be shared by using dialogue.
On conflict: Here is a subject where I feel completely ignorant. I have never put into words the internal or external conflict contained in one of my stories. They just seem to 'be.' When I finish the story, it ends up being obvious what the conflicts are, but I didn't consciously put it in there. I could use help in this area!
On scene and sequel: [/B] This is another area where I didn't know what I was doing initially, but it ended up working. I credit that to all of the good writing I have read. I suppose I internalized this dynamic without having any idea what it was called.
Burn the deadwood: Word! (enough said)
Let you characters lead you to your plot: Again, this is an area I need to improve. Most of my characters thus far have had a great deal in common with me, therefore it's been easy to know what their internal conflicts, goals, and values are. I want to branch out more in my character development and allow them to set the story, as opposed to the other way around.
Dialect: I think this may be another of my strong points. I look forward to more practice with this in future writing.
The pros and cons of outlining: I've always been quite averse to using an outline. Too much structure causes my writing to sound sterile. But, I like the idea of the Triple-O. It's general enough to provide some basic structure without being too confining.
These tips have been tremendous food for thought. I've been writing for a long time, but have just recently taken it seriously. I am always glad for the chance for feedback from other writers.
