Criticism... if ever there was something an artist can receive to knock them down or build them up, it's the opinion of others. And... well... I got a good dose of it today.
I know what you’re thinking, Jimmy (do you mind if I call you "Jimmy"?). “cleverpun, this subject has been covered a hundred times before, by authors who are way better at writing than you. What could you possibly tell me that I don’t already know?”
To that I say: this topic is so important, that it is worth having as many perspectives as possible. Hopefully this longer-than-average blog post either provides some new insight into the topic, or at least reinforces its import.
If you think that your own writing is boring and predictable, that's because:
1)You wrote it
2)You’ve read it like eight million times.
Others who haven't read your words before won't have this issue.
EDIT: But it also doesn't hurt to have people read your stuff. People you trust to give their honest opinions.
Today we’re going to discuss a writing topic that some might call overly specialized: writing dialogue for a very specific age group. A good story, however, should strive to make all its components as accurate and tonally appropriate as possible. Even if a character has only a few lines of dialogue, even if a skill or item only appears in one scene, its presence still has an impact on the reader’s willing suspension and mood.
A while ago, I posted a blog covering one of my unpublished stories; the ideas that spawned it, aspects of the writing process that did not work, and why I ultimately chose not to finish it.
Today, I hope to do the same with a different story. Each story presents its own challenges and eccentricities. Today’s story is different enough that I hope it will teach different lessons from the previous one.
I don't opine too often, but I've been mulling over a particular issue lately. In the fanfic community I have encountered good writers and bad writers, but I think the bigger problem is that I don't encounter as many good artists.
Welcome back readers, to the final entry in Being a Better Writer‘s Summer of Cliche Writing Advice!
Overpriced Writing Advice
Where you can learn the stuff I paid thousands of dollars to have taught to me, for free.
Characterization Via Environmental Symbolism
(AKA "How to clue your readers into who your characters are by their stuff and locations.")
Welcome back readers! Another Monday is upon us, and I’m diving right in today. by picking up a request topic from Topic List X!
["Gonna be honest. Feelin' a bit attacked here."]
Dear Readers (including all those writers feeling a sense of impending dread):
So, the following blog post is, at least partially based on the writings of others. Primarily, I recommend you peruse SoloBrony’s (unfortunately incomplete) writing on art under ADPA. I must also acknowledge that GhostofHeraclitus wrote a blogpost that has a similar theme in addressing the same problem. I recommend that, after you read this, you follow
Long-time followers of mine will notice I often make reference to original fiction I’ve been working on. The project in question has hip-hopped and changed numerous times, and my short attention span and work schedule are certainly contributing factors.
Fanfic can be very different from and very similar to published fiction. One major similarity is the importance of titles and descriptions. There is a lot of equivalency between a back-of-the-book blurb and a fanfiction’s summary.
Your title and description are what hook your readers. They are (in most circumstances) what convinces your audience to devote time to your story. They require brevity and a dash of wit, while still being informative.
Giving People the Willies
Three and a half more specific pieces of advice for writing effective horror.
So I recently finished playing Tales of Berseria. Like many games in its genre, it was a dense experience, both in terms of gameplay and story. This density has many expressions, but one that I noticed in particular was its use of invented terms and technobabble. Here’s a partial list of some of the world-specific terms it uses;
* Malevolence – Evil energy. Related to the next item.
* Demonblight – A disease that turns people into demons.
tl;dr: I want to name a writing project and have no good ideas. Skip down a bit for story info.
I don't really have too many people looking my way yet, but I figured I'd drop this for whatever random people scan random blog posts or the few that might have this pop up in their feed.
Before we get into today’s blog topic, I just want to quickly revisit some of the political stuff from my second-to-last blog post.
Bad news: there’s still feds running around kidnapping people. They've retreated from Portland, but are explicitly being sent to other cities.
Horror Stories are Still Stories
Four pieces of actual advice for writing horror that really should go without saying.
Welcome back readers! Today’s post is going to be a bit of an unusual one. Why, you may ask? Well, because of the news you’re about read, which will be followed by a shorter, micro-blast level Being a Better Writer post.
Hello readers! It’s Tuesday, which if you’re a long-time reader of this site, you know is a little unusual for a Being a Better Writer post, usually only happening on the occurrences of a holiday or a work shift taking me away on Monday.
Yesterday was the former. I hope you all made the most of it!
Page generated in 0.023 seconds
Total duration
624 users online
798,371 hits today, 2,004,447 yesterday
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
