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.
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