Lacking substance
Jul. 14th, 2008 10:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ellenmillionWith writing, as with art, I am very motivated to improve.
As with art, I know that the best way to do that is to write as much as possible, and to spend time on the craft. No skill grows from a vacuum. The other thing I understand is that clear, unbiased understanding of flaws and weaknesses is key.
So, here's what I need to work on in my short fiction writing: substance. I tend to write little, punchy, emotional vignettes. Characterization seems well-received, and I generally have a solid sense of setting and dialogue and all the nuts and bolts. Sometimes the stories move a larger plot along, but rarely are they self-standing.
I got a story rejection this weekend that said that the piece I submitted felt like a excerpt. This rather solidified my suspicion that this was the case. They liked it enough to ask if there were a longer piece it was a part of that I could submit... but by itself? Not effective.
So. That's my goal with the next bit of writing I do.
In the meantime, have some $%^&* raven feathers:
As with art, I know that the best way to do that is to write as much as possible, and to spend time on the craft. No skill grows from a vacuum. The other thing I understand is that clear, unbiased understanding of flaws and weaknesses is key.
So, here's what I need to work on in my short fiction writing: substance. I tend to write little, punchy, emotional vignettes. Characterization seems well-received, and I generally have a solid sense of setting and dialogue and all the nuts and bolts. Sometimes the stories move a larger plot along, but rarely are they self-standing.
I got a story rejection this weekend that said that the piece I submitted felt like a excerpt. This rather solidified my suspicion that this was the case. They liked it enough to ask if there were a longer piece it was a part of that I could submit... but by itself? Not effective.
So. That's my goal with the next bit of writing I do.
In the meantime, have some $%^&* raven feathers:
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-14 07:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-14 08:47 pm (UTC)I had to do some ravens recently, and OMG. I completely cheated on them, though. "Impressionistic" is my middle name.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-14 10:29 pm (UTC)Beautiful!
Date: 2008-07-15 02:40 am (UTC)As for writing, yes, good practice makes good progress. It's worth trying to write something longer and more developed than you usually do. However, short-short fiction can be great when it's done right -- look at examples by
You might consider posting one of your vignettes on your blog and asking your audience for feedback. Sometimes it's easier to fix things when someone asks just the right question.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-15 06:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-15 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-15 03:26 pm (UTC)It can be frustrating. So best of luck with your attempts to make the short story format work out. And if you come up with any secrets to success, be sure to let us know?
no subject
Date: 2008-07-15 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-16 12:19 am (UTC)*laugh*
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 07:59 am (UTC)