Week 6 Lab: Advice to Writers
I was expecting a bunch of long, drawn out articles that highlight writing techniques, with analysis on "exemplary" writing throughout history, but was pleasantly surprised to see it's just a page full of quotes and snippets from various authors. Here are some I really liked:
You Develop Empathy
As a writer, it's important to approach your work through the lens of someone who's on the other end. This allows you to consider how you want to forge your story into one that the reader can appreciate. As you do this, you will develop this sense of empathy. You can relate to what your readers are feeling, whether that be boredom, interest, excitement, etc., and can adjust your narrative accordingly.
A Character is Never a Whole Person
This title really caught my attention - is he saying that characters aren't really people? Nope, not at all. The writer, upon developing a character, must know every detail about him or her, but then must selectively show specific aspects of that character through the story. This could be through their dialogue, their clothing, their physical attributes, their religion, etc. The character is indirectly applied all these characteristics through interactions with the world the author has created. To really show a good character is not to blatantly state, "Mr. So-and-So was from the South because of his Southern accent," but maybe, "'Howdy, ma'am,' drawled the man as he tipped his hat toward the waitress, boot spurs clinking together as he found a place to sit." This not only freshens up the story with a vivid description, allowing the reader to imagine the scene, but also gives the reader a chance to figure out for themselves that this guy is probably from the South. Much more satisfying to read. I don't consider this much in my own character development, but should.
Find Some Last-Line Grace
They say the ending is just as, if not more, important than the beginning. The beginning gives you an overview, teasing you into the story, but by the end, you've been hit with all the facts, grown with the characters, and are ready to see how it all turns out. We've all had the unfortunate experience of a bad ending, and it just leaves a void in your soul - an overwhelming feeling of "meh" (looking at you, Dark Knight Rises). I like how Colum McCann put it: "Allow your reader to walk out from your last line and into her own imagination." A good ending, in my opinion, leaves you satisfied, but wondering. You shouldn't be completely lost, but given just enough to formulate your own idea of what happened, or what could happen. I really like the last comic strip of Calvin and Hobbes. Bill Watterson, the author of the comic, has a big snow-filled scene, all white, with one line from Calvin: "It's a magical world 'ol buddy - let's go exploring!" Through the comic's history, you see Calvin and his (imaginary?) tiger Hobbes having adventures, goofing off - it's the epitome of childhood experiences! Watterson, in the last strip, culminates and condenses this feeling of childhood wonder into a single line - "let's go exploring!" - that fills those who have been on this journey with Calvin with nostalgia and that same childlike wonder. Yes, the strip has ended and yes, we're all growing up. But hey - it's a magical world out there. Let's go exploring.
You Develop Empathy
As a writer, it's important to approach your work through the lens of someone who's on the other end. This allows you to consider how you want to forge your story into one that the reader can appreciate. As you do this, you will develop this sense of empathy. You can relate to what your readers are feeling, whether that be boredom, interest, excitement, etc., and can adjust your narrative accordingly.
A Character is Never a Whole Person
This title really caught my attention - is he saying that characters aren't really people? Nope, not at all. The writer, upon developing a character, must know every detail about him or her, but then must selectively show specific aspects of that character through the story. This could be through their dialogue, their clothing, their physical attributes, their religion, etc. The character is indirectly applied all these characteristics through interactions with the world the author has created. To really show a good character is not to blatantly state, "Mr. So-and-So was from the South because of his Southern accent," but maybe, "'Howdy, ma'am,' drawled the man as he tipped his hat toward the waitress, boot spurs clinking together as he found a place to sit." This not only freshens up the story with a vivid description, allowing the reader to imagine the scene, but also gives the reader a chance to figure out for themselves that this guy is probably from the South. Much more satisfying to read. I don't consider this much in my own character development, but should.
Find Some Last-Line Grace
They say the ending is just as, if not more, important than the beginning. The beginning gives you an overview, teasing you into the story, but by the end, you've been hit with all the facts, grown with the characters, and are ready to see how it all turns out. We've all had the unfortunate experience of a bad ending, and it just leaves a void in your soul - an overwhelming feeling of "meh" (looking at you, Dark Knight Rises). I like how Colum McCann put it: "Allow your reader to walk out from your last line and into her own imagination." A good ending, in my opinion, leaves you satisfied, but wondering. You shouldn't be completely lost, but given just enough to formulate your own idea of what happened, or what could happen. I really like the last comic strip of Calvin and Hobbes. Bill Watterson, the author of the comic, has a big snow-filled scene, all white, with one line from Calvin: "It's a magical world 'ol buddy - let's go exploring!" Through the comic's history, you see Calvin and his (imaginary?) tiger Hobbes having adventures, goofing off - it's the epitome of childhood experiences! Watterson, in the last strip, culminates and condenses this feeling of childhood wonder into a single line - "let's go exploring!" - that fills those who have been on this journey with Calvin with nostalgia and that same childlike wonder. Yes, the strip has ended and yes, we're all growing up. But hey - it's a magical world out there. Let's go exploring.
(Calvin and Hobbes, final comic strip, from GoComics)
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