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by Melissa Donovan Sep 1, Better Writing 34 comments. A good piece of writing holds your attention. It flows smoothly and everything makes sense. You become lost in great writing. Some would say that great writing shows true mastery of the craft: every word is carefully chosen, every sentence is thoughtfully constructed, and every paragraph is brimming with meaning and purpose.
As long as the story or ideas are communicated clearly and as long as they are captivating, great writing, who cares how sublime the sentences are? So, do we identify great writing by the way words are strung together? Does story matter more than beautiful writing? Or great writing we want it all? But for the most part, we look to the literary camp for style and we look to genre or dare I say — bestseller lists for substance. Which makes me wonder, should we set the bar a little higher?
Could we feasibly demand more from our literature and from our own writing? I want to stop and read the same line again and again. I want to be in awe of how writers can take creative liberties with language. In fact, it may not be about anything. It could be abstract, stream of consciousness. I want to care about the characters, be swept away by the plot, and be inspired by the themes.
I want my thoughts and emotions to be provoked. How high are your standards? Do you want to get lost in poetic language? Do you want to be pulled into a story? Do you want style or substance, or do you want both? What do you think is the difference between good and great writing? And more importantly, in your own work, what do you strive for? On the other hand, great style can never make up for a poor story, great writing.
Is it too much to ask for both though? When reading a story, I speed to the end. Consequences for characters that catch my attention will trigger a fast-paced read of a story. No frequent braking great writing for appreciating scenic descriptions of places and things whizzing by the windows of my imagination. Some authors have the skill to slow the race to the climax with lines that demand attention.
Then I idle while marveling at their creative phrase or idea. Once I discover a writer who can interject substance with style, I will buy all of their work. Although I read four novels of the series in one week, great writing passages entice me to visit again. If I come across an author great writing excellent style and substance, I will read all their books. I think Teri is right about Dean Koontz, great writing. Great writing can ocassionally do both style and substance.
It seems like most people, if forced to choose, would take story over style but would rather have both. I appreciate a well-turned phrase and an exciting and captivating plot, great writing. I agree. I find it all rather fascinating. It must be the practical side of me, which is weird because I write fantasy, great writing. I have to great writing that emotional truth is critical in a story, great writing. No amount of style or storytelling can make up for a story that lacks it.
I lean towards story, great writing. As a writer myself I can and do appreciate a great line, or a poetic passage. If everything in a novel is trying to be beautiful, I think you run the risk of alienating readers. Not all of course, as many people care only for the prose and not the plot or the characters, great writing.
But a lot. That is to say if I can tell what is happening by reading the highly poetic and symbolic language, I am fine with it. I have friends who love to slog through literature like that. If I have to reread every sentence several times, I think the writer has failed in the most basic part of their job, which is clear communication. Having said that, there are lots of old pieces of literature written in Old English, for example where I would have to slog through the text, but when it was written, it was perhaps quite clear.
This is a great point. Although some may argue studying should also be fun. Most mental efforts are now applied in planning the story and fixing plot holes, ensuring motivations of characters are realistic and good endings reward the investment the reader has undertaken, great writing.
Easier said than done though! Right now, I just want great writing figure out the story. I agree with this article to an extent. I think too many people equate style with elaborate, flowery language that strives for poetics over everything else. I prefer reading and writing language that is clear and concise, great writing.
I love books that change its language and its form according to what is happening in the story and the emotion coursing through it, great writing. For those sweeping emotions, use a little flair. Substance should influence style and style should properly reflect substance, great writing.
Great question, style v. I used to prefer style, but as my taste in genres has changed, you just helped me realize that I now prefer substance. That certainly seems to be the reigning opinion! Melissa, you make an interesting distinction between stories that offer a fast ride and those that demand considered thought.
Do we consume a story then leave it on the deck chair — or take it home with us to re-read at our leisure? But where we draw the line is a matter of taste. James Great writing A similar genre but formulaic and disposable. On a second or third reading, we find yet further hidden meanings. I agree!
A book or a film or TV show like that is a true treasure. Yes, I also need to have a good plot, nice rich characters, and plenty of action as well; but if the writing has no style, or the descriptions are not well done, then I will not finish the book. Even non-fiction books need to be creatively done or I find them hard to read, too much like great writing old text book.
That is how I would like to write. Rhythm in writing is essential. I think both are required for the betterment of our goals to be great writing, liguistically and emotionally. Just like bread needs flour to be called that.
I believe we can have both beautiful writing AND a great story that follows the story arc, but a lot depends on how much time you want to spend on the ms. Story always trumps beautiful writing for me! In general, I consider content more important than style. A nice thing about great books is that we can reread them as many times as we want, great writing.
That can great writing an incredibly rewarding experience. So every time we reread them we discover new bits of great writing too. At least, this is so for me, great writing. I think we all aspire to be great writers who can invoke an emotional response in our readers, or completely immerse them in our story so they feel like they are inside the story with our characters. It takes great skill, and creativity to pull that off. Keep writing everyone.
I agree, that kind of writing takes great skill, great writing, and I would say, a little courage. I think some people just want to express themselves or entertain. I seem to great writing willing in practice, though not in theory, to accept mediocre writing if the story and characters great writing me.
But when you started talking about getting both, and your reaction great writing literary fiction, I had to laugh, because I feel mostly the same. BTW, for a writer who I think nails both amazing language and stories that for me, anyway are completely compelling, try Ivan Doig.
I think The Whistling Season is my favorite. Thanks for the recommendation. I recently listened to the audio book Where the Crawdads Singand it totally carried me away — the story, the characters, the language.
So wonderful!
10 Great writing tips from great writers (+10 terrible ones)
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We offer a unique service in writing, editing, and proof reading, as well as book design, production, and marketing. We will work with you to bring your writing to a global audience. “Jim and Sue Holmes are characterized by integrity and efficiency Don’t let your emotions get in the way. This simple, numerical guide holds the key to your editing process. Caroline Schley. Aug 1, 7 Tips for Writing the Perfect Medium Story to Help with 9/1/ · Some would say that great writing shows true mastery of the craft: every word is carefully chosen, every sentence is thoughtfully constructed, and every paragraph is brimming with meaning and purpose. If you’ve ever marveled over a superbly written sentence, you’ve experienced this kind of writing. Others would say that what matters most isn’t the writing but what’s being said
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