There are tons of things I think about blogging everyday:
A Musing on Fan Fiction
Airbender
Mumbai: Why Is It Not “Mollywood”?
Am I Right On This?
Reviews
Why, Yes, I Am Doing NaNoWriMo This Year!
A Musing on Setting and How It Hates Me
Present Tense: Is It Worth It?
Yet, somehow, I never get around to posting them. “Are you busy?” you ask. Not particularly, no.
Aside from when it comes to writing, I am lazy. In fact, that’s all I’ve been doing for the last two weeks. I wanted to blog about that today, but something else came up. Something I’m slightly embarrassed to admit.
I am jealous of other writers. Even if they aren’t published yet.
A fellow blogger, who shall remain nameless, has posted snippets of their writing. Not only do they have several completed projects, but they all seems to be . . . pretty good. Great, really. This writer is brilliant because they are able to create believable characters and setting, an enticing plotline, and most importantly, they are concise.
As a writer, my weakness appears to be overuse of internal dialog, as well as superfluous and almost theatrical wording. It is difficult to explain, but I had several people point of to me that I often use too many metaphors (i.e a person in my story may represent some longing, or the mention of a hairbrush may foreshadow danger from a certain person who provided it) and too much description. A reader told me the other day: My material is not as raw as it could be. I am sort of TELLING through internal dialog, rather than showing.
Even this rambling blog highlights my inability to be straightforward and concise, but I will not change it now, as I hope you’ll see what I mean.
At this point, I can see no example as to how being concise is not a good thing. My question to you is: Is jealousy healthy for a writer, or even justifiable in any case? As long as I am not angry with the person, could this strengthen my writing in some way? Lastly, what is your weakness (writing or otherwise) and how do you go about fixing that?
Still waters always run deep!
“Alex”
Hey Alex! I know whatcha mean … I haven't gotten a lot of writing done lately either. You'd think having more free time during the summer would mean more writing … I guess I just have so much free time that I don't want to do anything. lol.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I'm jealous of a lot of writers too. Everyone has their strengths and their weaknesses. But in my opinion, jealousy is kind of a good thing because it makes you want to be better. And when you have that goal like, "I want to be as good as THAT person!" then it makes you more willing to take risks and try new things and tighten up your own writing style. So yes, in answer to your question, jealousy can be very healthy to a writer––like you said, as long as you are not angry with them.
I also have a problem with telling vs. showing … I love writing internal monologue and long descriptions, metaphors, etc. But when it comes to editing, I realize that a lot of these things don't necessarily add to the story––and the important information they contain can be expressed otherwise, like through dialogue or just in one sentence. You gotta "kill your babies" as a lot of writers say. It's hard to let go of all those precious words, but it's for the best. You don't want your writing to come off as "flowery" or boring. So in short, going on long rambling metaphors in the first draft is fine––I think they help you learn more about the story, even if they end up not making the "final cut". But you need to decide what you REALLY need for the story to be powerful. This is one of the most difficult skills in writing and something I'm still trying to get right ... It's hard.
As for weaknesses, well I think mine is the same as yours. I also have trouble with show vs. tell. I have to do a lot of editing to cut it down to what I really want to say. For example, Walking Shadow was originally nearly 170K words long and now I'm working towards 100K. :P
Hope that helps! :)
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ReplyDelete(Sorry, I accidentally posted my comment twice XD)
ReplyDeleteIt's fine. How do you get people to read and comment o nyour blog? I have ,like, no one reading mine. :P Oh, it's great to hear I am not the only one. I thought summer would meamn more writing too. Guess not. lol! That's strange!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of online friends. lol. Mostly a ton of people I met through Goodreads.com, so I advertise it there and on Facebook too. I'd recommend joining some other writing websites, you meet a lot of fellow writers and bloggers that way. :) Haha, it is weird ... I find that whenever I'm on vacation I tend to write less. Like I said, when you have all the free time in the world you feel like doing the pointless things you never get to do during the school year … like spend hours and hours on the internet or watching TV or something. lol.
ReplyDeleteI know, really! However, I am doing something productive . . . kind of. A new idea for novella is budding in my head. I keep getting this name: Mei or Mai which is why I have picture of Zuko's girlfriend as my Avatar! Yay! I think it has something to do with my current novel Sleep you keep hearing about. I may post on it-- maybe. Check back soon. Oh! If you have any writer friends you think may want to join my blog, would you tell them about it? This is getting pitiful since I'm talking to no one. Maybe you, though. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYay, new ideas! :D I could use some of those … although I should be finishing all the stories I've been neglecting. *guilty* Mei/Mai, I don't know how to spell her name either. Haha. I wish I was Zuko's girlfriend *dreamy sigh* or that he was real in the first place XD Oooh cool! I'd love to read some of your writing. :) And yeah, I'll try to spread the word.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I saw your interview with yourself (lol) and was wondering if you would interview we sometimes since you ask such good questions. Not now, because I have no one to read it, but soon?
ReplyDeleteSure! I'd love to interview you :) Just tell me whenever you're ready for it.
ReplyDeleteOkay send the questions to earthtwins@yahoo.com by around Friday or so. I'll do them either that night (highly likely) or Saturday. If you need any extra info on me or my wriitng for the questions, just ask and I'll provide. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Brigid!
Sure thing, I'll start getting together some questions. :) You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteHey, can I write about this jealousy thing too? I think it's an important topic. (I'll give you credit for giving me the idea! Plus I can advertise your blog while I'm at it.)
Of course you can, dear! The post was, er, kind of about you. LOL! So of course you can use the idea too. :D Love ya Bridig! I'll go answer the questions now and have them up by to tomorrow (maybe). :)
ReplyDeleteOk, shweet. Haha it was? XD awww. I'm flattered. Love ya too!! Can't wait to read your answers to my questions! :D
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read the post! Love hearing stuff from you. What title do you think I can use if I wanted to do Friday teasers?
ReplyDeletePosted it! and saw your comment––thanks! Love hearing from you, too. ;) Hmmm. Something with alliteration in it? Friday Fiction? Friday News Flash? haha idk ...
ReplyDeleteI'll come up with something! I like the Friday Fiction so you might see that this Friday. :)
ReplyDelete