I spent all of last weekend with my Aunt Lisa in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She’s authored over 20 religious books, scribed numerous articles and blog posts, but is just about to self-publish her first novel.
We talked about a lot of things. Amongst them, writing styles. She has a very purposeful, down-to-the-point style. I’m different, with metaphors and music. She asked me what I thought made a good writer. My answer? Detail. So then I began wondering what people have to say about their writing and how it shapes them. I asked two people (person A and person B) a series of questions, which I myself answered below. Many thanks to the wonderful Nikki and Bella who cooperated and satisfied my curiousity! You both rock.
Want to answer these questions? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment! How does your writing style define you?
How would you describe your writing style?
Me: As a learner and beginner, it’s a work in progress. When I write, I’m more of a natural poet than a prose writer. I think in poetry, lyric, metaphor. I want to write so when you read, it’s like watching a musical. I want the reader to be able to read it like music. Right now, however, I’m a quarter teenage-angst, half-romantic, quarter drama, with a sea-full of excruciating detail.
A: [It's] having no boundaries. It’s a lot of metaphor, a lot of feeling, and it’s always a lot closer to poetry than prose. I love the small details. I want reading my stuff to be like watching TV in your head.
B: Overly descriptive at times…under descriptive at others…a bit stereotypical…very typical of teenage years.
What makes a good author/writer?
Me: Detail. Lots and lot of excruciating detail, the passion and neuroses to work with that detail and the world around it. Painstaking criticism of every single word until you have a (nearly) flawless masterpiece. It’s not being afraid to swallow scorpions to better your story.
A: Passion, knowledge of ones audience, and the world in general, and the ability to be generally fearless in what they write. You can’t be afraid that what you have to say is going to strike nerves. You gotta know what’s on your heart and write it regardless. It’s the authors who take risks that come out on top. If no never step out of your comfort zone you’ll never know what you can accomplish.
B: Story-telling abilities accented by actually talented writing….or more, accented by an actual talent for writing.
What makes you (in general, people, etc.) a writer?
Me: One who loves words more than anything else, who can know and love them like a first-born child. I am a writer because it is who I am.
A: I guess I just have a lot to see, that can’t be expressed otherwise. It’s always something that comes easily to me. I think in metaphors. I’m willing to fight for it too, and that’s the most important thing. I want to keep going, I want to grow, and I’m not scared of what I’ve got to say.
B: Anyone who puts pen to paper or fingers to keyboard/typewriter or somehow sets unspoken thoughts to paper or internet. Anyone with idea that they cannot keep within.
Why do you write?
Me: Someone once said that if you slit my arm, I’d bleed ink. While this may not be true, I write because I have to. I know I can. There are things that must be said, must be written, and it’s up to me to do it. I cannot live without writing. It’s a necessity. I have to many ideas not to write. It’s the only thing I know.
A: Because I have too to live. I love it. It’s necessary.
B: Because there is nothing else for me to do and because some ideas must be expelled.
I’ve concluded, as so many before me have, that writing is a necessity. It’s worse than crack – once you start, you can’t go back. It’s what we need to live and what sets us apart from everyone else.
So. I’ve done it. I’ve finally reached 50,000 words, and only in 24 days. And boy, what a month it has been. Yesterday I beat my first every NaNoWriMo with 50,088 words. Ahead of schedule, to boot.
