Quote by AaronArcher
Unfortunately, no one seems to have much interest in discussing writing.
There was a time… but with people like yourself asking this very thing… that time may soon be again.
The site is going through a rough transition, but it is for the positive. We almost lost it. If you can, please be patient. Lots of history here. Some of us have come and gone and come back again. Some have disappeared. Some have sadly disappeared for good, but their telling of tall tales lives on.
Start the narrative, any narrative and you will have Verbs, Survivor, and so many others jump in.
What’s on your mind? What would you like to begin with? Advice from other writers? Advice for wannabe writers? What gives a story the best and/or most impact?
One piece of advice I carry with me was passed on by Stephen King via an early editor of his. Once you have your final draft, cut ten percent. In that search, you will discover redundancy. Passive language. Stuff that bogs down a story you just don’t need to tell that story.
Another piece of advice I’d give to others I’d helped start writing was when proofing a story, one should read it back-to-front, last paragraph to first. This slows the mind that has become blinded by the flow of the story it had created. Many spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors are caught this way. Finally, before submitting a story, always read it aloud to yourself. Out loud. Aloud. Whatever. Read it so you can hear it. If the story has flow, and beats and breaks where intended, it’s probably good to go.
Verbs is part of a writers group, so he says. We know this is really some form of addictions group counselling, probably has to do with his horse stealing days. He’s a collector of sorts. I jest, of course.
Inspiration is everywhere. If one wants to write, they can write about anything. But always write for yourself. Write what you know. It will reflect in your voice. Never study to the test. Learn the material because you want to.
How about outlines? Are you one that needs structure, or can you start with an idea for a beginning and end, and just go with the flow of whatever moves you? There’s no one right way to write.
Finally, if something someone has written isn’t being received the way that writer had hoped or intended, don’t blame the audience. Those that read it made a conscious decision to expend some of their finite time on that story. If they provide any feedback, be grateful and learn from it. They could have said nothing, or worse, never read it to begin with. I guess humility is the message. Verbs taught me that a few years ago. He still sucks. LOL
So, what’s on your mind?
I fought long and hard to get comps reinstated on this site. They are back. Next one starts in the new year, hopefully sooner than later. I even donated my winnings from my last two comps here to be added to first place prize money with the intention that bigger bucks will attract more writers. I want more people to read and write here. Always have. That was one small gesture on my part. Beginning and engaging in conversations about writing is by far a better one.
So, what’s on your writer’s mind? 👍
