Carol On Writing Archive

Creating a writing style

When I first began writing, I imitated the writing styles of favorite authors. This was a good place to start, but I was crushed when I heard comments from a critique group. Many of the technical errors they pointed out were things I had incorporated from other authors. I didn't know how to respond to this. Their points were correct, yet these were well-established authors. I sat there thinking, but...but...that's what they do.

Since that time, I have learned that it is important to read a wide variety of authors. This will allow you to develop your own style that won't mimic another author as closely. It is good to give your work a distinct voice that although there might be a trace of another author, it's definitely your style.

Inspiration

There's nothing new under the sun. While this is true, that doesn't mean prospective can't give it a different slant. Many people wonder where writers get their ideas, as if we possibly have a bag of tricks tucked away in a desk drawer. Actually, it's even easier than that. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

I have an experiment for you. Give identical pictures of a scene, landscape, cityscape, something like this, to several people. Then ask them to write one page on what they see in that scene. You will get a different answer, and a beginning to a story, from each person.

I have a painting in my living room that was given to me by my grandmother. None of my siblings or my parents care for this painting. It is a scene of an intersection painted in shades of gray. They see drab colors and empty sidewalks. I see a Parisian street after a summer rain with outdoor bistros and patrons squeezing in a few more shops before they hurry home to make dinner. And I'm not even fond of shopping. : )

Another method is to watch people. One Sunday after church, I noticed a young girl listening to her father. I don't know what they were saying, but the look on her face was one of complete adoration. Her attention never wavered from his face; she smiled and nodded as he spoke. Nothing around her mattered, he was her hero. I knew instantly, I had a visual for one of my characters.

But my favorite…follow the action and then veer it off course. This has always driven my mother crazy. She used to ask me, “Can't you accept it for what it is?” Me? Hardly. Not when my mind has already jumped a scene ahead and isn't waiting for me to catch up. Anyway…No matter where you are, watch what is happening around you. Allow yourself to not think in absolutes. As the scene plays out, choose a point and throw something in unexpected. How would that person respond?

Inspiration is all around you. All you need to do is cock your head to the side, squint, and look at it from a new prospective.

A Few Thoughts On Others' Opinions

Ah, yes, all of those helpful opinions. I say this in jest but for the most part, people are extremely sincere in their suggestions, albeit sometimes passionately. It's the passionate suggestions I want to address.

When you allow another person to read your work and then ask for them to comment, prepare for anything. I have read chapters for people and can find nothing wrong, only to have someone else write a thesis on the same material. Was one right and the other wrong? That's entirely up to the author. You, as the author, have the final say on what changes are to be made and what will remain as is.

In my first several critiques received, I was so enamored by other people's suggestions, I changed everything. I don't recommend this. Reason being, when I read additional suggestions, the advice given was sometimes the complete opposite of the first person.

To change text back and forth is not difficult, annoying, but do-able. The danger I found was when people would change things so drastically in my chapter, the ‘voice' of the work was altered. If I were to implement their changes, the feel for the chapter would no longer read as I intended. A writer generally has definite ideas of how their story is to sound. If it isn't coming across, mention that, but allow them to set the voice.

Offering suggestions with an open hand eliminates hurt feelings on both sides. After all, it's only one person's opinion.

A Few Thoughts On Critique Groups

Although my story had a beginning, middle, and an end, it needed to be cleaned up.  Since I already belonged to a books and writers community, (I found this group by sheer accident, btw) I posted this very question to the forum.  I was instructed to join a critique (crit) group. 

Crit groups, especially good crit partners, are worth their weight in gold.  One caution about crit groups.  Online crit groups consist of people from all over the world.  Keep that in mind when receiving crits.  People in different regions, not to mention countries, say things differently.  On occasion, you WILL BE offended, albeit, rarely intentional.  Prepare yourself.

I joined a crit group, read the rules, and learned I had to submit five crits before posting my first chapter.  I had no idea how to critique someone's work.  I read other people's crits for inspiration.  I still didn't know how to look for the things others were pointing out.  Intimidated, I critted the best I could and offered what I knew—spelling.  That's right, my first crit consisted of spelling errors.  This was not received as graciously as I had hoped, and I had four more crits waiting for my expertise.  I made a mental note to stay away from this one person, critted four more, and held my breath.  They were received with a polite, thank-you.  Side note: always thank those who crit for you.  It doesn't matter if they find nothing wrong, they took the time to read your work.  Politeness goes a long way.

Now, it was my turn.  I placed my baby on the chopping block and stepped back.  One thing I learned is most people try to acknowledge when someone is new and are gentle with them.  I was told of weak areas, how to improve, and encouraged to continue.  This was what I needed.  By the end, over 5,000 words disappeared from my manuscript, I learned how to crit for others and most importantly, what to look for in my own writing.

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