Writing Discussion 5

[kriadydragon]

They're ba-ack!

If anyone is curious as to why I haven't touched on some of the suggested topics it's because some of the topics are rather fanfic centered and I want the discussions to be centered around both fanfic and original fic.

Tonight's topic is on wording, word choices and using words in a way that makes your story flow and holds your reader's interest.

I start with this question: Have you ever read a story that A) even though it was well written, interesting, the content superb and agreeable, something about the story still managed to give you a headache or B) have you ever read a story that though well written and interesting, made your mind wander more often than not and you wished the author would - to put it bluntly - shut up already? I just finished a book not too long ago that actually did both. Though it was good, it just kept going and going and going... yes, the plants have special powers, we get that already. To quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Get on with it!

And also this question: have you ever stopped reading a story for something as trivial as, say, the author's choice of words? I have. I believe it was because of the gratuitous use of the word giggle. I don't trust stories written by people who actually think grown men giggle, and said men are neither drunk, drugged, insane or ten years old.

Now on to the topic question - how the heck to avoid all the above mentioned pitfalls?

Comments

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

Interesting topic! Because yes, I have stopped reading both orignal and fanfic because of excessive descriptions or weird/annoying word choices.

From a fanfic point of view, I sometimes feel that certain word choices may 'disagree' with readers (i.e. me) because it links to characterisation (as you use the example of the giggle). Use the wrong word for a character and the ick factor is generated.

How do you avoid these pitfalls? One thought that springs to mind is - less is more. As writers we may fall into the trap of 'showing off' our vocab or ability, or just simply get carried away with long descriptions. Yet, so often, less is definitely better. Shorter, sharper, less convoluted writing. The reverse side of that coin is the minimalist approach and not even the bare bones being provided in writing. So as a writer you need to find the happy middle ground of painting enough of a picture with your words, but not overwhelming the reader.

I think it is a true skill to be able to sketch out the scene in a few sentences rather than paragraphs and paragraphs. Or let the scenery unfold around your dialogue, let the reader discover it with you.

And then... there is editing. If a word feels overused, it probably is. This is one of my checks, if I see a word occuring too often, I'll try and rethink the whole sentence rather than be repetitive. And likewise the check - would my character actually use this in dialgoue and does it fit their own style especially in POV writing.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

What I really love about "less is more" is that (well, for me at least) I find it easier to go back and add what's needed as opposed to going back and taking things out. You have what you need in terms of the basics, you just need to touch it up, and I love the feeling you get when you start to see your story coming together little by little. While with taking away - though it's very much a necessity - it can kind of hurt, sometimes, especially if what you're cutting is something you really liked, but it just didn't fit.

[tari-roo.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I agree. Adding is far more creatively pleasing than needing to edit out. :)