I'm not sure I know what you mean by "defines [my] style" of writing, but I've definitely noticed that my fiction and non-fiction seem to be very different.
One of the things I noticed today, even while I was (o! so gratefully!) realizing that Jewel was getting better as it went along, is that it read like as I was trying too hard. Trying for le mot juste instead of just, you know, telling the story.
I don't think I have a natural flair for poetic prose; my metaphors and other (wannabe) bits of "pretty" writing usually fall flat.
On the other hand, I think I'm very good with dialogue and basic narrative. I can tell a story effectively without a lot of description or exposition, but instead let the characters words and actions drive the plot forward. (And actually! That's a lot of what's wrong with Jewel — too much trying to write what I'm not good at. Well, duh! I hear the mob cry!)
I think that style is really important because it makes your writing stand-out and often times more interesting.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. But if I venture a guess, I think I disagree with you about the virtue of making one's writing "stand out". To me, the best writing serves the story and is only noticeable if you're actively looking for it, analysing it. Otherwise it's mostly invisible.
Interesting questions. I'm curious if you, as a reader of at least some of what I've written, agree with my self-analysis.
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dancing_serpent
Re: bonne chance
Date: 2009-08-19 09:56 pm (UTC)I'm not sure I know what you mean by "defines [my] style" of writing, but I've definitely noticed that my fiction and non-fiction seem to be very different.
One of the things I noticed today, even while I was (o! so gratefully!) realizing that Jewel was getting better as it went along, is that it read like as I was trying too hard. Trying for le mot juste instead of just, you know, telling the story.
I don't think I have a natural flair for poetic prose; my metaphors and other (wannabe) bits of "pretty" writing usually fall flat.
On the other hand, I think I'm very good with dialogue and basic narrative. I can tell a story effectively without a lot of description or exposition, but instead let the characters words and actions drive the plot forward. (And actually! That's a lot of what's wrong with Jewel — too much trying to write what I'm not good at. Well, duh! I hear the mob cry!)
I think that style is really important because it makes your writing stand-out and often times more interesting.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. But if I venture a guess, I think I disagree with you about the virtue of making one's writing "stand out". To me, the best writing serves the story and is only noticeable if you're actively looking for it, analysing it. Otherwise it's mostly invisible.
Interesting questions. I'm curious if you, as a reader of at least some of what I've written, agree with my self-analysis.