The past few weeks have been really difficult for me in terms of writing. Actually, they have been horrible. Here are just a few reasons:
1. I accidentally/ my computer deliberately deleted a 30 page chapter of my in-progress-novel; consequently, it was one of my favorite chapters with innovative characters and developments that I could not possibly recreate. I looked everywhere for it...in the recycle bin, in folders hidden in far away galaxies, in my email sent box, in back-up. It's gone. I cried half the night. I ate chocolate and Dr. Pepper. I printed the majority of my 4th draft to make myself feel like I've accomplished something. It was sad. R.I.P. chapter 27-scene.
2. This blog has been on hold for a while. I've been so busy with school, with the demands of others. I got lazy. Worst of all, I began to wonder, who would want to read Lynn's opinions on writing, anyway? What credentials do I have? I stink at writing. Would this blog even help advertise my writing career? Will anyone ever read my posts? How many posts do I need before I can post my link under the comment section on my favorite blogs? 10? 100? 1000?
3. I failed to pass an English essay test-out exam. This was difficult for me, because the test was read independently by two English professors (professionals, the gods of word and thought) and there were a few personal comments on the quality of my writing. Derogatory comments. This is a particularly difficult situation for someone who takes their writing so seriously, but doesn't have any publications to wave in anyone's face like, "See, you're WRONG! I have published X number of short stories, X number of books, and have been reviewed in the New York Times! Eat this, you conservative, rule-loving doctorates!" Eventually, I managed to feel better about this by consoling myself that they rejected my essay, not my novel. I never claimed to be a world-class essayist--I just wanted to get into an advanced English class early.
4. After I lost the aforementioned chapter, I was so heartbroken that I could barely type out my daily quota of writing. Ok, I'll admit it. For a while, I didn't write at all: I just stayed stuck on one of my least favorite scenes, staring at the still autumn landscape, the pond that rippled in the breeze, and a sneakily camouflaged cabin that was empty, so empty...
But things are looking up! That was last week, and this week will be fresh and new, full of fantastic possibilities! Now, if I could only write one more page...
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Importance of Being Earnest: On Emotion and Feeling in Writing
James put his hands over his face. His jaw shuddered; his hands reddened with the flush of blood. Dropping to his knees, he screamed, "White Wonder!"
This post is going to focus on emotion and feeling in stories. I believe it is good to tell the reader what to feel, to clearly describe the character's emotion, instead of just letting the reader feel for himself or try to figure it out by analyzing the character's facial expressions or actions. Over the years (yes, since I am young, I realize the years have been few in number) I remember one oft-told writing mantra above all else: show, don't tell. Let me be the first to say that those words are not ALWAYS the wisest advice to follow! Just like a person should not always listen when somebody tells him or her to rearrange a paragraph's sentences, or to get rid of this subplot, or that character.
There are exceptions. Like emotion in writing. This is my own exception, and I feel very strongly about it because I've dealt with the issue on such a deep level. My books are emotion; when somebody reads my words, I want them to feel emotion above all else. So, back to the story excerpt I typed up at the beginning of the blog entry:
James put his hands over his face. His jaw shuddered; his hands reddened with the flush of blood. Dropping to his knees, he screamed, "White Wonder!"
Now, I haven't told you what James is feeling. I have "shown" you--just like many people suggest we do. But, although the sentence paints a vivid picture, what is James feeling? Fury? Hate? Misery? Sadness? Loss of Control? Extreme thankfulness? Physical pain?
We don't know. The picture isn't so vivid anymore, is it? I think that writer's should tell readers what the character is feeling, and essentially, what the reader should feel himself. Don't writers tell a story instead of show it? Yeah, I know this adage doesn't apply in every situation, but consider the revised sentence:
James put his hands over his face. Thankfulness flooded through him like clear, cool water. His jaw shuddered, his frustration melted away in tears and flushed through his hands, diluted with the redness of blood. The happiness was even more difficult to control than yesterday's anger. Dropping to his knees, joy bursting in his heart, he screamed, "White wonder!"
It is clear that in the above version of the sentence, James is thankful; he is uproariously happy. Perhaps he has been excused from the death sentence. I am of the opinion that this is the best way to write: to state of the character's emotions, not the mere bodily reaction, the mere expressions, for our body reacts much the same way for several different feelings. I think that writers should be clear and tell us what their characters are feeling. However, I'm not saying that "James was happy," would suffice, nor am I advocating deliberately shoving emotion into every single paragraph just for the heck it. My method is for clarification only; this is an alternative for those writers who have heard the advice "Show, don't tell" far too often, and have considered it to be the only legitimate advice. Read my examples and decide for yourself which rules to follow.
This post is going to focus on emotion and feeling in stories. I believe it is good to tell the reader what to feel, to clearly describe the character's emotion, instead of just letting the reader feel for himself or try to figure it out by analyzing the character's facial expressions or actions. Over the years (yes, since I am young, I realize the years have been few in number) I remember one oft-told writing mantra above all else: show, don't tell. Let me be the first to say that those words are not ALWAYS the wisest advice to follow! Just like a person should not always listen when somebody tells him or her to rearrange a paragraph's sentences, or to get rid of this subplot, or that character.
There are exceptions. Like emotion in writing. This is my own exception, and I feel very strongly about it because I've dealt with the issue on such a deep level. My books are emotion; when somebody reads my words, I want them to feel emotion above all else. So, back to the story excerpt I typed up at the beginning of the blog entry:
James put his hands over his face. His jaw shuddered; his hands reddened with the flush of blood. Dropping to his knees, he screamed, "White Wonder!"
Now, I haven't told you what James is feeling. I have "shown" you--just like many people suggest we do. But, although the sentence paints a vivid picture, what is James feeling? Fury? Hate? Misery? Sadness? Loss of Control? Extreme thankfulness? Physical pain?
We don't know. The picture isn't so vivid anymore, is it? I think that writer's should tell readers what the character is feeling, and essentially, what the reader should feel himself. Don't writers tell a story instead of show it? Yeah, I know this adage doesn't apply in every situation, but consider the revised sentence:
James put his hands over his face. Thankfulness flooded through him like clear, cool water. His jaw shuddered, his frustration melted away in tears and flushed through his hands, diluted with the redness of blood. The happiness was even more difficult to control than yesterday's anger. Dropping to his knees, joy bursting in his heart, he screamed, "White wonder!"
It is clear that in the above version of the sentence, James is thankful; he is uproariously happy. Perhaps he has been excused from the death sentence. I am of the opinion that this is the best way to write: to state of the character's emotions, not the mere bodily reaction, the mere expressions, for our body reacts much the same way for several different feelings. I think that writers should be clear and tell us what their characters are feeling. However, I'm not saying that "James was happy," would suffice, nor am I advocating deliberately shoving emotion into every single paragraph just for the heck it. My method is for clarification only; this is an alternative for those writers who have heard the advice "Show, don't tell" far too often, and have considered it to be the only legitimate advice. Read my examples and decide for yourself which rules to follow.
Friday, April 16, 2010
I've Been Waiting For This Moment For All My Life...Oh Lord
As a novelist, I do a lot of waiting. Sometimes it seems I'm a waiter, not a writer; I've trained myself not to want, nor to hope, nor be to impatient, because that would be the death of my work. Because isn't anything wonderful worth waiting for?
Sometimes, the waiting takes on the form of a snarling dog that rips away at a your insides, making you want to finish the project as soon as possible so you can dump it in the hands of the publishers, thus ridding yourself of the the pain and difficulty of writing. This is also a time when impressing people seems to take center stage: "I've got to finish my book/story soon, or nobody will take me seriously! Hey you, wait--it'll be good in a year, two years--please, don't give up on me!" To writers melting under this horrible impatience, I say--learn to love the dog, pet the dog, bring the dog into your heart and perhaps then it won't overstay it's welcome. (Sorry about the excessive metaphors) I was at this stage about six months ago, when I felt that my novel was heavy and dead; a mere anchor dragging me backwards to my old mistakes. Now I'm at the stage (see my third point) where I'm learning to love my novel for itself, flaws and all. Time does that sometimes, and the benefits wouldn't come without the waiting. Good Puppy.
Other times, the waiting takes on the slow, monotonous motion of constantly dripping water. Drip...drip...drip...drip. It splashes onto your head, your desk, your computer, making you wish you didn't have this f-ing rain cloud of work hanging over your head. Every day is the same: get up, go to work or school, go home, sit at the computer, and type for long hours. Perhaps your day is a bit more varied, but you get the point. The impatience is more annoying than enraging; in the back of your mind, you feel this tangible duty, this chore. The water never stops dripping. To these writers, I say, just fix the leak already! Remember why you became a writer in the first place. Instead of having monotonous days of a normal occupation, you have monotonous days of the world's most fun job! (or hobby) Isn't there peace and freedom in monotony as well as boredom and impatience? All you have to do is change your mindset to the "Waiting For Summer Stage."
As the above name implies, the last stage occurs when the waiting resembles the passing of seasons. I dont' know about you, but I absolutely adore spring and summer...and detest fall and winter. But I've learned to deal with the long days of snow and sleet, the fizzled grass under my feet, because my cold northern state is the most wonderful state in the USA, and the seasons are what makes it my home. Writing is the same way. Although sometimes waiting almost kills me, I've learned to slide into this seasonal mindset and to ride out the impatience for publication, to push back the desire to have something tangible to show for my hard effort. Because it will come, just like summer. *Brings to mind Wayne's World: If you book them, they will come* (And no matter what, writing is still the best job in the world.)
Sometimes, the waiting takes on the form of a snarling dog that rips away at a your insides, making you want to finish the project as soon as possible so you can dump it in the hands of the publishers, thus ridding yourself of the the pain and difficulty of writing. This is also a time when impressing people seems to take center stage: "I've got to finish my book/story soon, or nobody will take me seriously! Hey you, wait--it'll be good in a year, two years--please, don't give up on me!" To writers melting under this horrible impatience, I say--learn to love the dog, pet the dog, bring the dog into your heart and perhaps then it won't overstay it's welcome. (Sorry about the excessive metaphors) I was at this stage about six months ago, when I felt that my novel was heavy and dead; a mere anchor dragging me backwards to my old mistakes. Now I'm at the stage (see my third point) where I'm learning to love my novel for itself, flaws and all. Time does that sometimes, and the benefits wouldn't come without the waiting. Good Puppy.
Other times, the waiting takes on the slow, monotonous motion of constantly dripping water. Drip...drip...drip...drip. It splashes onto your head, your desk, your computer, making you wish you didn't have this f-ing rain cloud of work hanging over your head. Every day is the same: get up, go to work or school, go home, sit at the computer, and type for long hours. Perhaps your day is a bit more varied, but you get the point. The impatience is more annoying than enraging; in the back of your mind, you feel this tangible duty, this chore. The water never stops dripping. To these writers, I say, just fix the leak already! Remember why you became a writer in the first place. Instead of having monotonous days of a normal occupation, you have monotonous days of the world's most fun job! (or hobby) Isn't there peace and freedom in monotony as well as boredom and impatience? All you have to do is change your mindset to the "Waiting For Summer Stage."
As the above name implies, the last stage occurs when the waiting resembles the passing of seasons. I dont' know about you, but I absolutely adore spring and summer...and detest fall and winter. But I've learned to deal with the long days of snow and sleet, the fizzled grass under my feet, because my cold northern state is the most wonderful state in the USA, and the seasons are what makes it my home. Writing is the same way. Although sometimes waiting almost kills me, I've learned to slide into this seasonal mindset and to ride out the impatience for publication, to push back the desire to have something tangible to show for my hard effort. Because it will come, just like summer. *Brings to mind Wayne's World: If you book them, they will come* (And no matter what, writing is still the best job in the world.)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Oh, Go Find a Hobby
Hi!
This is my first time on Blogspot. Well, I thought it was Blogspot, but the address says blogger.com. Whatever.
Anyways, a few months ago, I tried to start a website on fiction writing, but then I realized that I didn't have enough "professional" advice to fill an entire website; I only had these psychological musings on the topic of writing floating around in my head. Therefore, I concluded that blogging is a better way to spend my time. Plus, I can no longer procrastinate--now it's simple: I just sit down and write about whatever is in my head. By the way, if you do want to read my old posts on the aforementioned website, here is the address: http://writinginthevortex.weebly.com/
Today, my topic is People Who Do Not Understand. PWDNU's are a writer's worst nightmare. They are the people who stand behind you while you are whittling away at your story/book/memoir and say, "boy, you're slow. You must have writer's block. Why don't we go for a walk in the park instead? I hear the ice cream truck will be coming by." Or, they tell you what a certain someone in my life has been telling me lately. "You never have time for me! You never have time for anything or anybody besides your book! No, I can't give you three hours in the morning to write, and by the way, your book is stupid." (Said in anger, but not sincere, I hope) Besides friends, parents and relatives can also be a part of a writer's social nightmare: "You're throwing your life away sitting at the computer all day; you should go out and exercise like normal people; you can't make a living off of writing; come take out the trash...etc."
As is implied, these are people who just don't understand. And it makes sense. How can someone who has not experienced the joy of the written word, either in reading or writing, understand the love involved, the love between story and author? And even those who have experienced the feeling...well, they haven't experienced the drive or the desire to be a writer. Not everybody is willing to put in the time actually writing a book or story, and even less are able to comprehend the time, nurturing, and learning involved with writing. Perhaps we as writers should try to understand our dull, uncomprehending counterparts; perhaps we should pity those poor souls who have not a drop of ambition or creativity in their veins. Just kidding! (no hard feelings to those who don't write.) My point is, don't give up...even if your friends or family just don't get it. It's worth it.
Well, it's getting late and sleep is calling. Night!
This is my first time on Blogspot. Well, I thought it was Blogspot, but the address says blogger.com. Whatever.
Anyways, a few months ago, I tried to start a website on fiction writing, but then I realized that I didn't have enough "professional" advice to fill an entire website; I only had these psychological musings on the topic of writing floating around in my head. Therefore, I concluded that blogging is a better way to spend my time. Plus, I can no longer procrastinate--now it's simple: I just sit down and write about whatever is in my head. By the way, if you do want to read my old posts on the aforementioned website, here is the address: http://writinginthevortex.weebly.com/
Today, my topic is People Who Do Not Understand. PWDNU's are a writer's worst nightmare. They are the people who stand behind you while you are whittling away at your story/book/memoir and say, "boy, you're slow. You must have writer's block. Why don't we go for a walk in the park instead? I hear the ice cream truck will be coming by." Or, they tell you what a certain someone in my life has been telling me lately. "You never have time for me! You never have time for anything or anybody besides your book! No, I can't give you three hours in the morning to write, and by the way, your book is stupid." (Said in anger, but not sincere, I hope) Besides friends, parents and relatives can also be a part of a writer's social nightmare: "You're throwing your life away sitting at the computer all day; you should go out and exercise like normal people; you can't make a living off of writing; come take out the trash...etc."
As is implied, these are people who just don't understand. And it makes sense. How can someone who has not experienced the joy of the written word, either in reading or writing, understand the love involved, the love between story and author? And even those who have experienced the feeling...well, they haven't experienced the drive or the desire to be a writer. Not everybody is willing to put in the time actually writing a book or story, and even less are able to comprehend the time, nurturing, and learning involved with writing. Perhaps we as writers should try to understand our dull, uncomprehending counterparts; perhaps we should pity those poor souls who have not a drop of ambition or creativity in their veins. Just kidding! (no hard feelings to those who don't write.) My point is, don't give up...even if your friends or family just don't get it. It's worth it.
Well, it's getting late and sleep is calling. Night!
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