Outside of a formal literary setting, WRITE HOWEVER YOU WANT. · 10:10pm Jun 29th, 2015
Before I even say anything, just know that I have no idea why I chose to rant about all of this right now. Just something that has been in the back of my mind since I've actually started seriously writing fics again.
More than once, ever since I showed up on fimfiction, I've had a few folx calling me out for the way I write in response to posts or replies in forums. My using slang, purposely misspelled words, or words that just don't exist but people tend to use anyway has turned a few (a very few, but enough for me to write this) others off of my ability to actually write "properly," whatever that means. Regarding this, I'm going to give some advice that might be off-the-wall, but fuckit. It's my blog:
If you don't naturally feel the need to write formally outside of your projects, then DON'T force yourself to, no matter who says otherwise. This goes double if you happen to be especially verbally emotive. That is a gift! Why, you ask? Because, at least for me, it helps tremendously with character emoting and speech differentiation once it is time to jump back into that formal writing sphere. Not really sure on what to compare it to, but the closest thing would be like when animators look at themselves in the mirror acting out these exaggerative motions they're about to draw... or warmups before playing a sport or singing... or somethin'...
One thing that often makes my face contort is when all of the characters within a story sound like different versions of the narrator with a pinch of sugar sprinkled on top. Heaven forbid that story starts to delve into emotional, mental, regional, class, or time period differentiation. Honestly, a working class somepony from the country isn't gonna talk like an upper class somepony from some big city, and if they do, and don't at least emote or act differently to signify the difference, then for me that subconsciously limits the scope of the world the writer is trying to create. This goes double if you're writing about actions or habits of groups of characters that are divided by region, class, gender, etc.
I get trying to perfect your writing by forcing yourself to always write the way you wish the narrative of your creative writing to read. That is a good temporary habit to have, but personally, I wouldn't stick with it forever for fear that the particular flavor that anyone from anywhere has when they actually talk to each other—and aren't reading 'Great Expectations'—will be drained from your speech reservoirs in the process.
Figuring out the 'hows' of writing individual character, class, regional, etc. quirks is a whooole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day—and I probably won't ever talk about this again unless someone specifically requests it... but I doubt it so I probably won't—but for now, I will say: Don't let anybody tell you to stop writing "a lot" or cursing like a drunken sailor in forum posts... Ok, I mean, well... maybe don't curse like a drunken sailor. Just bleep it out. But don't feel bad about being an emotive or informal typer or speaker outside of your writing projects, is what I'm trying to say.
So... yea...
Thumbs-up.
3192740
Seconded. Half the fun of language--written or verbal--is figuring out new and interesting things to do with it,