Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

it's the what was i thinking time. I did sign up for camp nano because trying to type 10k one handed and highmust have sounded like fun.

speakingof which i decide to try and write another contemporary short story for the holidays. genre just doesn't work so hot for holiday shorts but i'm not sure contemporary is something i can do.

have you ever tried writing in a completely different genre? did you pull it off? How did you approach it?

there you have it the world's shortest writing post. maybe i'm not sut out for contemporary. lately i feel like i'm boring people regardless of what it is. sigh.

Comments

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

You're not boring! I finally ahd a free minute to sit & start that fic you sent me & I'm loving it so far! :D I like Temple, Caleb & Agni. :D They're very likable characters. :D

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

I did a gritty, contemporary short story for a themed collection. That's right, not a historical fic for once. It must have worked, because the story was accepted for the collection. If I ever tackle science fiction--now that will be stepping completely out of my comfort zone. Not the mechanics of writing SF, per se, but more coming up with a strong concept. Concept is everything in SF, and my creative process just doesn't flow that way.

Don't be down on your own writing. You have the basics nailed, and your work ethic is a publisher's dream. And don't let getting called on some details and a bad habit or two derail your enthusiasm for writing. Being pushed is how you grow as a writer, even if it pisses you off at first (been there, done that--repeatedly).

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. i'm trying to cut the narcotics some

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

you must have done very well indeed. For me keeping abreast of the scienceis getting toohard for writing SF

thanks. i would be more impressed with myself if icould actuslly keep on track with my editing or if the edits didn't often boil down to this is dull. i should have finshed Soldiers half a year ago and now that's like a boot on the throat for me that ican't knock off

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thank you for saying so. maybe once my love's lanscape story comes out i'll feel better

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Yeah, and I'm sure not feeling well, cuz of your surgery doesn't help, either. Feel better! :D

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

I check out the newest "Year's Best Science Fiction" anthologies when the library gets them, just to keep abreast of what's good these days. I am truly impressed with most of the writing I see. Not just technically proficient, but clever and entertaining to boot. It isn't easy to make science entertaining.

A major part of the perceived "dullness" in your writing is that you tell rather than show. Telling is faster and easier than showing, and it's handy for your full-speed writing style, but it sucks as a storytelling technique. You can "tell" yourself the story all you want to in the rough draft, but the second draft should be dedicated to turning all the explanation into stuff that's acted out by the characters, not told directly by the narrator-voice. If you focus on that one, single issue and conquer it, you'll see a huge reduction in the number of pink bubbles cluttering up your manuscript margins, and you'll hear the word "dull" a lot less.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

truth be told i gave up on SFin the 90s when it got all boring military SF


Actually that isn't the problem i have with my editors. they raely tagged me for that i get it for emotional coldness. apparently mt characters are flat and distant

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

my sugar is pretty high due to the stress of surgery and that rally affects my moods and thoughts

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

*nods* I hope you can get it down so you'll feel better. *huggles*

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

But that's what I'm telling you. It's the telling-not-showing that gives your characters that flat, distant feel. Your editors are pegging the effect (emotional coldness) without digging down to the root cause (not experiencing the characters emotionally because the narrative voice removes immediacy). They will stop saying that about your writing if you can erase the narrative middleman. "Tell" keeps the reader at arm's length, which is exactly what your editors and other betas are complaining about.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i suppose orthat i'm just bored with sex scenes and my i don't give a damn is coming thru. they must not be getting edited before i turn it in

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thank you

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.