Writing: a thread for writers about writing

[Jack]

Due to underwhelming demand I decided to create this thread dedicated to all writers; professional, amateur and the aspiring. It's a place where we can share tips, ideas, suggestions, writing-software recommendations and rejection letters. Writing, especially on a deadline, can be gruesome. Maybe by sharing our thoughts on the topic we can alleviate some of the pain.

One caveat: Don't share any story ideas you may be developing unless you're willing to take a chance on someone else stealing your next Warwick Prize-winning concept.

[grandpa]

Due to underwhelming demand I decided to create this thread
dedicated to all writers; professional, amateur and the aspiring.
It's a place where we can share tips, ideas, suggestions,
writing-software recommendations and rejection letters.

I like the term "underwhelming." I'll start off simply, by noting that not all types of writers/writing are the same. It's sort of elementary, but something often forgotten nonetheless. In fact, I predict my having to say it again.

One problem I feel is the buying, selling and renting of writing. You basically have to be a salesmen: Convince someone to buy the product, and that you're sealable to a large audience. Well, this isn't always the case. The internet has changed this to an extent, but it remains a problem. I'm not a serious writer, really, but I think it's an interesting topic.

Grandpa h.

[Cruella]

Writing is the same process, what I think differs is the ends the writer has in mind. What I write here, for example, has a very different tone to what I write for myself. Ironically, what I write for myself is commercial. Never thought that it would be possible to make money from a hobby.

It's peanuts, but it keeps me in lipgloss.

[barts]

In the interests of full disclosure, among other things, I write professionally and my wife is a novelist. So, writing is an intrinsic part of our lives. Indeed, it's not uncommon for us to discuss the characters in the novel she is always currently writing as if they were neighbors, friends, or family. Rarely does a day pass that we're not editing or critiquing each other's work.

In my very biased view, writing is one of the most important subjects we could teach children. Indeed, if I were "King of the World", I'd nix all the other subjects until high school, and simply have young people write about what interests them. I don't mean the craft of writing, which is important, but rather the expertise that must be acquired with daily practice to be able to understand a subject and then write about it such that it is not just understandable to others, but emotionally engages them. That ability requires that a person learn about a subject, understand it intimately, be able develop arguments, and then defend them, all in a clear and entertaining way. Good writing forces us to think, and often to think well.

William Zinsser, a person who continues to inform my writing, wrote about this notion in Writing to Learn.

Using numerous examples of clear, stylish writing from a broad range of disciplines, and adding the warmth of his personal experiences, Zinsser makes a strong case for his claim that writing about a field of knowledge is the best way to immerse oneself in it and to make it one's own. Three guiding principles emerge accuracy, brevity, and clarity and, Zinsser argues, writers who keep them in mind will avoid much of the misunderstanding that results from bad writing. Zinnser has particularly harsh words for what he calls "corporation-speak," the incomprehensible nonsense that invades many professional publications. His reference, whose title so accurately sums up its philosophy, should become a standard for those who care about good writing.

[Angry Citizen]

I'm an aspiring writer. Obviously I write just about every day, mostly on here or other forums, but for a few years now I've been wanting to write a fiction story. Sadly, characterization is the hardest part for me by far - usually I can't even name a character without thinking it's rubbish and artificial. I hope I can overcome such problems eventually.

[Jack]

Do you base your characters on people you know or do you try to invent them devoid of any familiar reference?

[Angry Citizen]

Usually I try to build characters who are flawed and somewhat archetypal, not based on any real people. I can't imagine basing them on friends/family etc... though I imagine I could make a good villain out of some of the theists on this board

[HoleyCarbonGrid]

I used to write fairly often creatively. I've never been good with stories, chiefly because of issues with characterization - namely, that I'd always want to describe a character almost ad nauseum, which just bogs down any writing for fiction (in my opinion). I used to write poetry quite a bit, although that's gone out the window in the last few years as I've gotten progressively busier.

Something I'm learning a lot about lately: scientific writing is entirely different than writing for any other type of work, I think. I used to (for essays, etc. in school) - and still do, in things like forum posts - write long complicated sentences. What can I say? Big vocabulary and I like to use it. Writing for science is a much different process, though. Brief and to the point sentences, with as limited references to previous sentences as possible.

It's been a challenge.

Anyone else have thoughts about writing for a particular purpose or style?

[Jack]

I ask because I've found that it's easier for me to get to know my characters if they have elements of people I know. Usually they have elements of my own character as well. I have to be able to imagine them as real people even if they're supposed to be from another planet, women or other alien beings.

[Jack]

I present the following video dedicated to every writer's worst nightmare, the typo.



In which John, having discovered an (inevitable) mistake in The Fault in Our Stars, discusses his list of the five worst typographical errors and grammatical mistakes in the history of the English language, from the Bible to Shakespeare.

[barts]

So, in the matter of typos. I write fund raising appeal letter for non-profit organizations. They usually begin with "Dear Friend." Many years ago, I wrote an appeal letter that was read and approved by no less than eight senior people. Approved, it was mailed to over 100,000 supporters. It began, "Dear Fiend".

The good news is it did very well.

[ChimneySweep]

barts:Approved, it was mailed to over 100,000 supporters. It began, "Dear Fiend".

The good news is it did very well.

As with advertising, something that jars or amuses sometimes captures the imagination and gains attention better than a correct version.

Anyway, I was wondering how other writers decide what medium to use or if it's a matter of trial and error. For example, I have a piece in mind which I originally intended as a short story, then as a novel and more recently thought it would be better realised as a play. The trouble is, I have some experience writing the first forms but none of the latter. I really have no idea of how to begin. Any ideas?