My views on slice of life and writing in general · 2:10am Aug 24th, 2015
"Do you have any tips for writing slice of life?"
One of my followers recently asked me this question recently. My immediate reaction was "I don't have any methods to give tips on!" Then I realized that I do have a method and an approach to my writing, but it's incredibly different from most everyone else I've met. I've never really paid attention to it up until now, but I thought it might prove interesting to you. So, just for today, I'm going to attempt to explain a little of what goes on in my head when I set about writing a story.
This is mostly so you understand me a little better and don't get any misunderstandings. I know I can be confusing at times . . .
[Obviously, this is my opinion and I understand if others don't agree with me. Writing is an art, so there's always going to be differing opinions. That being said, I have moderate depression and get stressed easily, so please, please, PLEASE don't start arguing or debating in the comments. I'm not kidding when I say it makes me physically sick. I've had problems recently with reviews and people arguing with me and others. That left me feeling like crap for days and made it really hard to sleep. So, please be respectful and aware of that if you comment.]
So to recap. Is arguing okay?
Moving on . . .
When I think about writing, it's never a process. Imagination and by extension, writing is the only real talent I've had. Whereas some might approach writing with a conscious methodology, I approach it subconsciously. I write not by steps or checkpoints, but by feel and characterization. Often times, I'll read a story and know when something feels off, but often times can't explain it very well to anyone. It's all been ingrained in me so long that I forget most folks don't even consider the factors of a story I find most crucial. This causes some problems for me as you can imagine.
I've been told before that my reviews are not helpful in the least. Again, I think that goes back to how I approach writing. To me, grammar and plot always takes a back burner to characterization and general flow. I don't point out every little grammatical error because frankly, I don't give a damn. As long as I can read it, I ignore grammar on a whole. When I try to point out grammar stuff, I have trouble finding examples because I really don't notice them all that much. Then the author of said reviewed story accuses me of knitpicking because of the small number of examples. And yet, when I don't mention grammar, I get scolded. This has actually led me to the point where I'm scared to post ANY review.
So, when I try to write a review or comment, it's really hard for me to articulate myself in a way that makes sense. It's like muscle memory. You do it without really thinking about it so often that when you focus on it and try to show someone slowly, you mess up. That's the way writing goes for me.
To me, imagination is hopelessly and inextricably linked with writing. You can't separate them and be a good author, you just can't. The first thing I do when I want to write a story is imagine. Not the plot, not the situation, but the character. I see myself as a character and think about a situation that would test me as a person. Test my beliefs, hopes, dreams, ideals in a way that I'm changed for the better. Once I imagine that, I set out to imagine up the perfect scene to emphasize that transition and the character's struggles. Even in my longer stories, I imagined each section as that character first. Imagination is always present and the lifeblood of all my stories.
What about slice of life and writing slice of life? Well, as a slice of life author, I guess I have a little to say on that front.
Slice of Life is not a genre, but a mindset. To me, Slice of Life simply means a story about characters with a plot to move their development along. The plot is never the focus. There's a saying I use to describe my mindset when I approach any story. "It's always a character piece." That is the truth. Whenever I set out to write any story, it is the characters I set out to write. My "goals" for the story surround where I want to take the character and how I'll take him/her there. Plot might be there in little fragments, but I never have all of it together when I first start to write. I let the characters and their development steer where the plot goes and how fast it goes there.
I don't even touch a story until I can fully understand the characters involved and appreciate their situation in life. I don't just write characters, I write as the characters. Before any scene, I run through the scene as the character. It's a kind of weird, third-person imagination thing I do. In essence, I get into the character's mindset and really delve into their emotions and reasonings. Then and only then do I start to write. I'd say, make sure that you write a scene with the character at the forefront, not the situation. Know how and why they react the way they do. Know what motivates them, what holds them back, what has happened in the past and what changes you want to forshadow.
Stories are tapestries. Weaving together narration, dialogue, description, plot, character development, and the list goes on. Never quarden them off in their own separate world. As an author, you must not only be aware of all those factors, but know how they flow together to make a cohesive story. It's not just getting from point A to point B. It's about seeing the individual ropes and making them tie together in just the right way to make a bridge from A to B. It's never just a happy or sad scene. It's a beautiful mixture of all kinds of emotions. The more complex and interwoven the tapestry, the more engaging it becomes. Even a story simple on the surface should have layers and layers to it. That's what makes a meaningful story.
On another note, a story should always be enjoyable for you to write. Never make characters you hate writing or you'll end up going nowhere. You should be just as invested in your story and characters as you'd like the readers to be. This is your escape, and it needs to be a pleasant vacation for you. Love your stories and it's likely your readers will love them too.
As far as I'm concerned, Slice of Life shouldn't be plot driven. Don't be quick to "get to the good stuff." Every sentence, paragraph, section, and chapter is important because they all present an opportunity for characterization and character growth. Don't just write a description, write a description as that character sees it. Don't just write dialogue, write dialogue that reflects the characters' mental state at the time and hint at what's really below the surface. There are no neutral sentences. There are sentences that add to the depth and beauty of your story and sentences that detract. No middle ground. You as the author must understand this and be mindful about every sentence you write.
Pacing is critical to slice of life. You can't have good pacing if you don't understand the characters. You can't have good ANYTHING if you don't understand the characters. Pacing, be it situational or romantic always flows naturally from the characters. Some characters need faster pacing, others demand you take it slow. Sometimes, characters' reactions to situations will by necessity speed the plot up or slow it down. It's not a cut and dry, "This is how you should pace it." It's all about knowing your characters, where they are in their development, and where they should be headed. The only way you're going to learn that is by imagining and imagining a LOT.
I hate it when people talk about slice of life as being boring. I say, if you really know the characters and can really get people invested in them, you can make just about any situation exciting. I'm serious. The problem I see with Slice of Life is that people get hung up on the plot, worrying over and over again if it's the "right one." Truth is, you should be able to write a meaningful, impactful story with whatever plot you choose. The simpler plots often are better, but they can be complex too. What you want to find is not plot, but a characterization goal. How do you want to see your character develop? How should they be at the end of the story? Answering questions like that will lead you to the plot. Fit the plot to the characters to maximize and highlight that characterization goal. Let the characters lead you to the plot not the other way around.
Back to writing in general.
Because I love characters so much, the first aspect of a story that rubs me wrong in any given situation is the characterization. If you can't understand and appreciate your own characters in their entirety, how do you expect others to do the same? I know I probably seem rude not reading a lot of folks' stories. The truth is, I have a lot of difficulty getting into stories because of characterization. I see authors that know their characters on the surface, but don't take the time to really get to know them at the core. It's like I'm constantly on the outside looking in. As someone who thrives on getting inside a character's mind, I tend to toss away stories that fail to do that.
I'll read just about any genre if I like the characterization. But, I'll toss out any work no matter the writing quality if the author fails to invest in their own characters. It's not just what a character would do at any given point that matters. What matters are all the factors that go into that decision, what it implies about the character's growth, and what it foreshadows for the future. If a scene doesn't build depth to a character, it has failed. That's the way I see it at least.
Grammar, formatting, sentence variation and structure can all be changed later. But if a story doesn't hook its readers on the characters and get them invested in their lives, it needs some serious, SERIOUS revision. As I said earlier, it's not grammar that ruins a story for me, but characterization.
Write for the characters and everything else will follow naturally. That's how I approach my writing.
So yeah, that's a little bit into how I view writing in general. I know my opinion's a little out there, and I accept that fact. It's just something I wanted to explain for you all in case any of my reviews/comments confused you or upset you in some way.
*vibrates* But I have so many opinions!
... I'll only comment on the first part!
I agree with you about grammar. Pointing out grammatical flaws is the editor's job, not a critic's job. And while the prose is sometimes something that critic has an opinion on, I don't think that you need to go through it if you don't have any significant opinions about it.
I've got a ton more, but mostly I know that people have pretty divided opinions on reviews... but I think the most important part is... well how you felt about it. If for you that's how you link with the characters, then that's your review right there. No one can tell you how your opinions should work.
... Not that that will stop some people from trying.
This is why I don't like nonfiction, no characterization. Sure there's biographies, but it's not fun unless you can get creative liberties, such as with your own. Of course, I'm probably just stubborn, though.
Characterization is my favorite part. I often talk as a certain character, feeling their emotions and thoughts. I sometimes make myself cry, lol. So, I totally agree with you. I actually enjoy your writing more than anyone else's, really!
Thanks for writing this! I'm definitely bookmarking this page. This might be a dumb question, but have you considered putting this in The School For New Writers? This would be helpful for others.
~Melly~
Characterization, characterization, characterization! Totally agree with you there. You can have the most interesting plot ever, but if the characters are not well developed to the point of generic personality: Angry at everything and generic personality: Perfect in every way etc., the story suffers to the point of readers losing interest. That's not to say that giving a character 30 different emotions throughout 15 chapters is a good idea either. It's all about building a believable character, with goals, hurts, loves, hates, accomplishments, quirks etc. that all make sense together! You do a wonderful job of that BB.
A good read! A very interesting look inside your creative process!