Intro to Creative Writing - Spring 2015 → What area of writing do you find most challenging?
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I have a draft syllabus I plan on following that includes paragraphs, dialogue, point of view, and active versus passive sentences. Is there anything else that you would like covered? If so, let me know.
Thanks,
Sol
"Head jumping". I don't write first person and I work on avoiding "head jumping", which I think I am managing well. It was mentioned on the work I recently posted, but if I am not writing first person, it seems to me that there has to be some "head jumping." How much is generally acceptable.
"Head jumping". I don't write first person and I work on avoiding "head jumping", which I think I am managing well.
What is head jumping? That's a new term for me 
. Do you mean switching from one character's point of view to another's?
The computer and the program. How do I post a story for the group, which was our assignment. I have probably missed something. Britt
The computer and the program. How do I post a story for the group, which was our assignment. I have probably missed something. Britt
You did it perfectly. That was exactly the way it should have been done.
I would like to have included a discussion on - pacing. This site has a number of published and self-published authors. I've been fortunate enough to have a few of those in my reciprocal review circle, and one has pointed out I have too much pace overall within my first seven chapters. I feel he is onto something but I'd like a more specific format/suggestions on pacing the events and such. I have to balance against that the fact, we know if you don't have anything to "hook" the reader by the 3rd chapter or so, chances are very high they are done with the remainder of your story.
Yes, point of view.
I would like to have included a discussion on - pacing. This site has a number of published and self-published authors. I've been fortunate enough to have a few of those in my reciprocal review circle, and one has pointed out I have too much pace overall within my first seven chapters. I feel he is onto something but I'd like a more specific format/suggestions on pacing the events and such. I have to balance against that the fact, we know if you don't have anything to "hook" the reader by the 3rd chapter or so, chances are very high they are done with the remainder of your story.
Hi Jube, pacing is a more advanced area of study and while we might touch on it, we aren't going to spend a lot of time on it. Anita Mumm's Strongest Start Class goes into this in detail and if it's an area you are interested in learning more about, you should think about taking her class when it is offered again.
Sol
I find keeping my motivation to write every day the most challenging. From a technical perspective I find passive/active to be the most challenging.
I find the point of view the most challenging in writing.
personally, and though I know the rules, I have problems with comma usage.
I would like to see something about how to best incorporate backstories, twists(transitions into twists), how to end a book, how to build up to the climax, and outlining details that a writer should focus on if he/she intends to take that route. Could you also explain in some detail the Snowflake Method and is it a good method for beginning writers'--successful, I mean.
Sol,
Do you know or have you heard of a "in a nutshell this is what he is doing" explanation as to what makes Game Of Thrones go over so well with its readers? I read the books when they first came out before the TV shows began, and it would help me, in terms of writing concepts, to know if there is something in particular that George R.R. Martin does in his writing to win over his readers. What I took away from the series was: He has no problems, like a Japanese manga, in killing off even major characters to inject a sort of realism (I think everyone picked up on that). He uses violence and negative emotions within his characters in abundance throughout the novels. Anything else you know of that makes his writing somewhat unique? I figure once I have a good handle on what makes 4-5 of the top authors in my genre tick that will help a lot with which way I should be pointing my pen and what direction to avoid. I"m guessing from MICE he's more of a character driven writer with some Milieu since he does have a world build going that is more than pasted together on the fly.
Do you know or have you heard of a "in a nutshell this is what he is doing" explanation as to what makes Game Of Thrones go over so well with its readers? I read the books when they first came out before the TV shows began, and it would help me, in terms of writing concepts, to know if there is something in particular that George R.R. Martin does in his writing to win over his readers. What I took away from the series was: He has no problems, like a Japanese manga, in killing off even major characters to inject a sort of realism (I think everyone picked up on that). He uses violence and negative emotions within his characters in abundance throughout the novels. Anything else you know of that makes his writing somewhat unique? I figure once I have a good handle on what makes 4-5 of the top authors in my genre tick that will help a lot with which way I should be pointing my pen and what direction to avoid. I"m guessing from MICE he's more of a character driven writer with some Milieu since he does have a world build going that is more than pasted together on the fly.
I've read the Fire and Ice series and like them. I haven't heard anyone disassemble their success, but in my opinion it's a combination of factors:
1. He has complex characters who are not just good or bad. This is refreshing to many readers.
2. He has created an interesting and complex world that resembles the middle ages but with some significant differences: magic, dragons, the Wall, etc.
3. His plot is not predictable. He kills off major characters, the good guys do not always win, etc.
4. He knows how to write to maintain reader interest and suspense. This is probably the hardest element for any writer to emulate or capture and comes with either natural talent or experience/practice. The best writers can put the reader into the character's mind with just a few sentences or describe a scene in a way that draws in a reader.
Anyway, these are my thoughts. All others are welcome.
Smoothing an "abrupt" POV change mid-scene. I don't use this often, but given my genre is romance, it is needed at times. I only change the POV once in any scene, and not every scene, and would appreciate any pointers as how to make the change less of a shock to unsuspecting readers.
It is all challenging, if not why do it. I am intimidated by grammar owing to my limited education, only a hi school graduate and hated grammar in school. I am always afraid that my grammar errors will take over my writing and the reader will miss the point of the story or poem.
It is all challenging, if not why do it. I am intimidated by grammar owing to my limited education, only a hi school graduate and hated grammar in school. I am always afraid that my grammar errors will take over my writing and the reader will miss the point of the story or poem.
Well, grammar is something you can work on and improve. The will and desire to tell a story is the most important ingredient.
I think a big hurdle for me is going to be capable of thinking up a way to give each of my characters a unique identity and way of speaking. I am not a people person and do not hardly leave my house, so I don't communicate with hardly anyone except my spouse and don't overhear people conversing. This is going to be a weakness in dialogue I'm sure.
Also, I am already worried about bringing across theme properly or themes if the case becomes that and finding symbols and motifs to use and how do I use them? When? Putting the pieces in the right place is such a challenge it seems to create the proper effect. It's an art I suppose. I do not have the education yet from things like writer's workshops or creative writing classes in college.
Finally, active verbiage and finding just the right words to express what I'm saying is scary to me because I feel a little insecure about my abilities considering when I read, I am constantly looking terms and words up that I probably should know from my college years. I feel that I am starting late in life (at almost 40 now as of July 10th) and I have not dedicated years of schooling for this as some did/have. What are the variety of things I can do to, over time, and with hard work, improve my creative writing skills.
Also, I want to write in a transgressive fiction genre but even though I understand the components, I'm definitely missing the mark already I think. Help with any ideas on how to work it like clay into the genre mold I desire, if this even should be a goal. Thank you.
amcii cullum bellamy
I think a big hurdle for me is going to be capable of thinking up a way to give each of my characters a unique identity and way of speaking. I am not a people person and do not hardly leave my house, so I don't communicate with hardly anyone except my spouse and don't overhear people conversing. This is going to be a weakness in dialogue I'm sure.
Also, I am already worried about bringing across theme properly or themes if the case becomes that and finding symbols and motifs to use and how do I use them? When? Putting the pieces in the right place is such a challenge it seems to create the proper effect. It's an art I suppose. I do not have the education yet from things like writer's workshops or creative writing classes in college.
Finally, active verbiage and finding just the right words to express what I'm saying is scary to me because I feel a little insecure about my abilities considering when I read, I am constantly looking terms and words up that I probably should know from my college years. I feel that I am starting late in life (at almost 40 now as of July 10th) and I have not dedicated years of schooling for this as some did/have. What are the variety of things I can do to, over time, and with hard work, improve my creative writing skills.
Also, I want to write in a transgressive fiction genre but even though I understand the components, I'm definitely missing the mark already I think. Help with any ideas on how to work it like clay into the genre mold I desire, if this even should be a goal. Thank you.
The best thing you can do is write and write and write. Practice makes perfect. Don't worry about getting it perfect the first time. Just get your story down. Most writers do many drafts before their story is done.
"Head jumping". I don't write first person and I work on avoiding "head jumping", which I think I am managing well.
What is head jumping? That's a new term for me
Yes, that's what they tell me is head-jumping. Going along in one POV, and all of a sudden inserting another character's POV. At first I was unaware that I was doing it, but now I can usually spot it. It can be incorporated into the lesson on POV.
Now, my concern is this: I keep hearing I'm writing "too much tell, and not enough show." At the same time, people tell me I don't give enough description. What's that all about? Aren't those two the same thing? I need a discussion of "tell" versus "show." With examples--I learn better with visual stimuli.
I thought this was show:
"Jane, get that damned hat out of my face! I asked you twice already!" So saying, Bill reached over and ripped the big purple ostrich plume away, leaving the yellow ribbon sagging.
Jane squealed and slapped Bill in the face. "I hate you!"
Conflict, action, emotion, dialogue. Obviously, you can't write a whole book like this, so what do you do?
dags--That's just it--I don't know. I'm only guessing, but I know you can't sustain a whole book at that level. It would read like a Three Stooges script. I'm just wondering if low-key is a question of taste and style, or if there are rules about this show/tell issue. Can't wait to find out. JP
At present I am spending a lot of time editing my first chapter and doing a lot of reworking the story in the process using an online software editing tool to help me see my weak points so that I can rewrite to make it stronger. This is for my only posting so far of work Glass Shard Inferno. I will publish more as I work out the nuances that make it problematic at present. The story has definitely become more interesting with quite a few interesting twists. I am weak on metaphor and finding my voice. I need some help with workshop training I believe but it is so costly. I am too poor at present. I will just keep persevering and read every tidbit of tip or information I can find to strengthen the varieties of components in fiction novel writing.
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Intro to Creative Writing - Spring 2015 → What area of writing do you find most challenging?
