What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you improving?

[Nateskate]

In the past two years, I feel I've grown as a writer. And I wanted to know how many of you feel the same.

Do you feel like you are stagnant?

Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?

Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much. What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?

My answer:

I really think I'm twice as good as I was two years ago. I had good ideas, but found so many areas that needed work.

Re-writes have made me aware of many weaknesses, such as "That-syndrome." Example: So that he could- "that" was unneeded, and becomes clunky

I've probably slashed a few "thats" that could have helped my story thinking, "Better one or two too few than way too many"

I can't say I'm better at coming up with ideas for a story. That part came easy to me. But I understand so much more about pacing, trimming, and weakness in my prose and syntax.

[Ella]

Cool thread suggestion.

I've realized that writing is a lot like, say, sports. It's all in the mental fortitude.
If I am writing a piece for fun, or for a submission, I can fly through it and drown out distractions. However, I have a WIP that a publisher is expecting, and this has knocked me sideways. I've realized I'm agonizing over it, because I know it has a solid destination and the pressure is ON. I didn't use to feel like this (in other lives of reporting & editing), so I know I have to get my brain back in the game.
I find I'm learning about the craft of writing everyday. Can't say I've had any major epiphanies.

[JAlpha]

Do you feel like you are stagnant?

I simply won't allow it! It's the death of my growth as a writer. Never, ever will I allow myself to think I've mastered the craft!


Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?

Every time I win another writing contest, tick off another publishing credit, I seek out the most contrary opinions of my writing that I can possibly find. I thrive on the contrary! Right now, after coming off of a banner year of contest wins, I'm sinking into my first novel, and what do I go and do . . . I sign up for a novel workshop with an instructor who absolutely HATES my writing style. Why would I do such a crazy thing? Because I know she will whip me into shape, to help me define, justify, clarify etc. etc. what it is that I want to communicate, and how I want to communicate it. I'm four weeks into the workshop, and it's brutal. But I know I will survive and be a better writer, not in spite of the instructors negative opinion of my style, but as a result of her scrutiny.

Or do you feel like you keep improving.

If so, how much?

I'm at the point now that even with the work that I have had success in publishing, I find myself identifying ways I could have improved on it! Though, unsettling at times, I find that it is a very good thing for a writer to constantly be raising their own personal "bar of excellance", never settling for just getting something published.

What are you good at?

I'm good at coming up with interesting premises--themes. It's that freshness of ideas that I know helps to keep me rising to the top of slush piles, be it a contest or regular submission pile.


Where do you feel you need improvement?

Grammar, spelling and punctuation--it just doesn't stick with me. I'm never farther than an arms length away from a dictionary and style book when I write. And even then, I miss far too many of my mispelled, misplaced modifiers etc. etc.

.

I've only been a member of the AW forum for a little over a month, and this is the BEST thread premise I have read to date.

I can't express enough how important it is for writers, as Maestrowork said to me (in his role as a forum moderator) concerning a touchy situation with a writer that was not open to criticism, "Writers need to grow a thick skin!" In my way of viewing things, it's the contrary opinions that will make a writer, not the idol praise of simply hearing someone tell you that "They liked it!"

If a writer can't step back and take an honest inventory of their work every now and then, it is their work that will suffer, their writing related goals and dreams that will never be realized. IMHO, the more a writer craves contrary opinions of their work, the more they will thrive!

[reph]

No change recently. My strengths remain mechanics and humor. My weakness remains not having a story I feel like telling.

[brinkett]

I'm still improving. I expect that to be the case until they nail my coffin shut.

Recently, I compared the first draft of my finished novel to the final version, and was surprised at how much I'd improved (I also couldn't believe there was a time when I thought the first draft was decent). When writing my WIP, I'm automatically applying the lessons I learned from the first. In other words, the draft I'm writing now is much better than it would have been if I hadn't written the first novel. I'm positive I'll learn more lessons as I continue to write.

[azbikergirl]

My strength is, and always has been, dialog. I've always been interested in the ways people communicate, and have studied it extensively, so it comes through in my writing. Have I improved? HECK YEAH. I continue to improve all the time, but I think my progress has slowed. Probably because I sucked far worse two-three years ago than I do now. I hope I never reach a point where I think I've 'mastered' the craft -- everyone can improve somehow. I think I need the most improvement in setting scenes and in writing narrative so that it's not dry. I feel like my plotting and sense of conflict has come a long way, and I'm constantly working to improve those areas.

The next Big Thing I hope to learn is how to inject emotion into my writing. I'm not talking about melodrama, but honest strike-a-chord-with-the-reader emotion. Defining that is step #1. :D

[KTC]

Do you feel like you are stagnant?

Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?

Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much. What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?

Good questions. It's always good to consider how you are making out along the road.

"Do you feel like you are stagnant?"

As a novelist...YES. In the course of the past two years I have started no fewer than 3 novels. I have finished one...but not to the point where it is ready to send out. I just start really fast out of the gate and then lose the passion for the thing I am writing. So, in that regard, I feel like I am stagnating.

"Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?"

I feel like I will never be on top of my game. I hope I haven't peaked. I feel there is so much room for improvement that the ceiling is nowhere in sight. As a poet...and I add here that I am a very reluctant poet...I am doing fantastic. I have several poems coming out in the next few months in various journals. As a writer of novel length fiction...I need lots of help. I take courses when I can. I read everything I can get my hands on. But I just can't seem to find the formula I need for this length.

"Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much. What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?"

I do feel like I am continually improving. I think I am really open to advice and take it whenever it is given. I'm really good with grammar and language. I think my dialogue works great. I need lots of improvement at moving from scene to scene. I tend to have characters walking a lot...moving into the next scene. Whereas a clean cut from one scene to the next is something I only think about in the editing process. I have these long drawn out "GETTING THERE" scenes that I need to remove from my writing all the time. I also need improvement on structuring my fiction prior to writing it. I never think things through, just type out the story in one fell swoop. I am constantly feeling surprised by events as the story comes up to them...as if I am reading it rather than writing it. I guess that's a control issue, and I feel like I don't have control when I'm writing fiction.

Great questions. Thanks!

[Fillanzea]

Strengths: I used to say I was good at characterization; see below. I still think I'm good at characters who are passionate. I think that I am good at dialogue and at putting characters in insoluble moral dilemnas (mwahah). Faaairly good at plot.

Weaknesses: Just recently I discovered that I'm actually bad at characterization. My characters are passionate, but they're not REALLY real. Real in the way that Lord Peter Wimsey is, with a sharp sense of wit and aspects of personality that have nothing to do with the plot. I am bad at descriptive prose, telling details, and pacing.

Sometimes I think improving is in large part a matter of realizing anew every few months that I'm a bad writer in ways I didn't even know about. :Wha: (misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=0#)
So I am improving. I hope. But it doesn't feel that way very often.

[SeanDSchaffer]

I feel I've grown as a writer in the last two years as well. My answers to your questions are listed below:

1. Do you feel like you are stagnant?

I felt stagnant about six months ago. I don't feel stagnant any more, and there's a simple reason for that.

I had been given the advice early on to 'Join a Writer's Group.' I never had, because I was at one time of the opinion that I could do everything myself. About two months ago, I joined this particular online writing community. I am glad I did, because not only was I able to get some stuff off my chest about my publisher, but also because I now have access to the advice and experience of literally more than a thousand different writers on my desktop. All I have to do is go online, log on to AW, and read. (And trust me, I do a lot of reading on this site.)

Because of this, I now feel like I'm learning again, and my writing is becoming better. I've even submitted not only a book manuscript to a major house, but also a short story to an e-zine.


2. Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?


Have I peaked? No, I don't believe so. I've been writing for roughly 22 years, but I've only attempted to be published since about 1998. I've been published (If you can call it that) once since then, and that by a very disreputable company that I personally consider a scam.

Am I at the top of my game? Though I feel like I may be, I know deep down I'm not. Again, though I've been writing for over two decades, I've only been at the business of writing for a relatively short period of time. I think in the next few years I may see myself to a grander place in life, but not yet.


3. Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much. What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?


I definitely feel like I'm constantly improving, but nowadays I feel as though, because I belong to this writers' community, my writing is improving at an exponential rate as compared to before. My Dad used to tell me I could be a good writer if I put my mind to it; he's one of the reasons I took up the writing craft -- that and the fact I love it so much. I've been steadily improving for decades, but only recently have I learned to improve in the sense of accepting criticism and also in the sense of BIC, which Uncle Jim mentions often all through these forums.

Another thing I've improved upon tremendously is taking time almost every day to sit down and write something new. It's a bit sporadic right now, but it is becoming more of a discipline for me and is beginning to show a pattern. It's a habit I look forward to keeping, although it isn't two hours like Mr. Macdonald recommends, but rather roughly fifteen to twenty minutes a day.

Really, the one improvement I can see that I desperately need to make is that of my patience with my works. I've never been a patient man, and even with works that have taken me seventeen years at a clip to finish, I'm always rushing to get the job done. I literally have to pace myself so I don't end up cutting my manuscripts too short these days.


Anyway, that's where I stand with my writing. It is definitely improving, but to say I'm at the top of my game would be premature at this particular time.

[wurdwise]

I think the biggest change for me in two years has been the way I look at the craft of writing, my attitude toward it. It is really now just beginning to sink in how much true work is involved. I have the talent, but it is like any other artistic talent, unless I have discipline and continually practice, I cannot become a professional.

[firehorse]

Great thread! My writing is improving, and I hope it will continue to improve and evolve for as long as I live (cuz that's how long I plan to keep writing).

My strengths are humour, voice, dialogue, the ability to see a variety of viewpoints, and technical things like spelling and grammar. I'm great with story structure when I'm helping other people, but I often struggle with my own.

On the flip side, the list is longer: I overwrite. Even when I think I've cut something down as far as I can and - as the expression goes - killed my favourite children, my pieces are still usually twice as long as they should be. I also have a nasty habit of authorial intrusion, particularly when I'm writing essays. I want to make sure the reader feels exactly what I want them to feel, so I find more and more manipulative ways to ensure they will feel X. It's reached the point where I'm so sneaky about it that I don't usually realize it until someone points it out. I'm terrified of being misunderstood, which also happens to be a major personal anxiety. (I have a theory that our weaknesses as writers reflect our personal insecurities)

My discipline is erratic. When I have a deadline, when I'm working on a project that really excites me, or when I feel inspired, I'm golden. Otherwise, I'll spend hours worrying about getting the next job but not taking steps to get the next job, if that makes sense.

I have extremely thin skin; sometimes I wonder if I'm not missing a few of those seven layers we were taught about in grade school. I'm learning that the only way to develop a thick skin is by getting used to criticism and not taking it personally. I take everything personally.

A few years ago, I couldn't write in the third person. I'd only written personal essays and sketch comedy (in script format), and when I started to write stories, it was as though I was back in high school - no, wait... I was a better writer in high school. That fear paralyzed me for a long time. I believed I simply could not write fiction.

The Idol contest is teaching me things I never realized I could do - like short stories and (the biggest and coolest surprise) writing a twist.

Oh, and I'm hopeless at networking. I don't like going to parties and schmoozing; I pretty much suck at the whole self-promotion thing. This is the only area in which I have no idea how to improve. I tell myself to go to a certain number of cocktail parties or readings or events, because I never know who I might meet, but I make every excuse to avoid social functions. I really, really need to learn how to be more assertive, if not outright aggressive, on my own behalf. And the minute I can afford it, I'm hiring a publicist so I don't have to worry about this stuff.

One thing's for sure: aside from the amount of time I spend on here just playing and having fun, AW and the advice I've gotten here has helped me get *much* more organized and motivated; I treat myself like a professional now. Even though I've been making a living as a writer for the better part of ten years, I think I've been holding myself back by hesitating to submit to larger markets.

Whew - more than you ever wanted to know, eh? (Told you I overwrite ;))

[gp101]

Dialogue has become my strength with humor right behind it. I think I've nailed those two. But two glaring problems are the final act (always seem to screw up the ending after being very happy with everything leading up to it, even though I usually know what the ending will be before I start the damn novel!), as well as sometimes differentiating characters; ie I'm pretty good at characterizations but always manage to have at least a couple characters that act, think, or speak too similarly and it becomes difficult to differentiate between them. Getting better at it, but still needs work.

Also discovered the world of "rhythm", thanks to an article in WD by Nancy Kress a couple years back. Actually concentrating on the rhythm of sentences and paragraphs has made my writing a whole lot juicier and less bland. She is phenomenal, BTW, for those of you who have never read an article of hers.

[CalicoBean]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while and thought I would chime in here. Interesting thread and responses.

I hope my writing is improving, and for the most part I think it is, but sometimes I get a sinking feeling when I go back and re-read bits from my first draft (I'm working on final revisions of a YA fantasy novel) and think my first draft reads BETTER than my final. Ugh. I feel like giving up, but I'm terribly down on myself and my writing most of the time, so I think that's just me panicking.

My strengths I believe are pacing (although where the pacing is off it seems too fast) and balancing elements like description, dialogue, and reflection. My weaknesses are dialogue itself and perhaps characterization. My writing seems competent for the most part (and receives that feedback from my critique group) but to me it lacks the air of authority that my favorite published books seem to have. I can't quite put my finger on it.

My greatest weakness is the self-doubt I have to fight every time I sit down to write. I love writing, but it seems like I have to wrestle myself to the computer then expend lots of energy keeping myself there.

Calico

P.S. This is my first post. I hope I haven't messed anything up mechanically. Oops, there's that self-doubt again! :Smack:

[pepperlandgirl]

I feel like I'm improving in every area. Recently I've been focusing specifically on POV (I had head hopping syndrome something bad), word choice (mainly killing the adverbs), and context. I have a hard time with context, because I have no problem with providing the dialogue and asking the reader to provide the rest. Until somebody pointed out this was a problem, I didn't give it a second though. Now my second drafts consist pretty much completely of adverb-removal and context-adding.

[Note On]

I think my greatest strength is finishing things. (Second greatest is starting them.)

Greatest weakness... probably spending too much time on Internet message boards.

[sunandshadow]

My greatest weakness is inarguably plot. In the last 4 years I've worked through pretty much every available book on the subject. Every once in a while I find something that gives me an insight, but it's never enough of an insight to improve me to a passable plotter. So in this area I suppose I'm stagnant. :( (Although my internal scene structuring has gotten tighter.)

My strength... well, it depends who you ask. I've had people tell me they love my 'voice' but my characters and their psychology are unrealistic, but I've had other people tell me they're madly in love with one of my characters. I've had people tell me my worldbuilding resembles Frankenstein and they hate it, and other people tell me my worldbuilding is a fascinating sociological construction with cool genetics/magic/technology/whatever, and more importantly a great place to escape the real world. So, I don't know, lol. I would say I'm pretty good at everything except plot, but that there's plenty of room for improvement too. I've probably improved a bit in each of these areas over the past few years, but I haven't actively been studying them or trying to improve myself in any area except plot, so no real dramatic improvement.

The area I think I've improved at most is POV, not because I was trying to but just because my recent projects have all needed different approaches to POV to best develop them.

In conclusion, I'm very afraid that if I cannot make a breakthrough with understanding plotting I will never succeed at becoming a professional writer, no matter how much I improve in other areas. :cry:

[maestrowork]

Thank goodness I think I'm always improving. What kind of life is that if I'm not? I'm always learning new things and applying what I learn. I love it.

I think my strength is characterization and dialogue. Someone once told me: "You made me lust for this woman with only a few words and sentences..." I found that a great compliment.

My weakness is probably pace. Sometimes my story is too slow or the pacing is not right, and I don't know how to fix it. I always start my book too slowly, and it takes a few rewrites to fix that. I always have false starts. But once I get the story going, the ending is usually pretty strong. I am okay with plotting. I try not to be predictable.

[Maryn]

I progressed by leaps and bounds when I was newer to writing. Now my progress is small--but it still matters. Small improvements are worth making.

My strengths are character development and dialogue. My weaknesses--both major deal-breakers--are wordiness and sluggish pacing. Ugh. I'm so-so at plotting, no worse than many but not brilliant, either.

I like what I wrote yesterday afternoon. Although it's a chapter of a WIP, it could stand alone. I reread it by the light of a cold morning and only a half a cup of coffee, and it's still pretty solid.

Maryn, not often that satisfied

[Nateskate]

Cool thread suggestion.

I find I'm learning about the craft of writing everyday. Can't say I've had any major epiphanies.

"Epiphanies" is one of my favorite words. I've had hundreds of ephiphanies, even since I've joined Absolutewrite. In fact, seeing frequent suggestions caused me to redo my story only weeks before submitting it.

Why would I do such a drastic thing? I realized there is only one chance to make a first impression. At first I was bull-headed, and my story "Fantasy Genre" was well over 100,000 words per book. I kept seeing themes- not from first time authors-publishers consider the value of shelf space.

So, instead of pig-headishly trying to tell them why they should make an acception, I decided to change the formate of the whole series, which in fact improved it, but gave me a mountain of homework to do. It was virtually demoralizing at first, but being done with book one, and 3/4 through the new version of book two, I can see light at the end of the tunnel again.

Other epiphanies- go to the writer, don't make them come to you. If this is the MTV generation with somewhat shorter attention spans- they don't want a protracted scene, but faster pacing. I've seen that comment over and over, so I changed pacing.

"There is wisdom in a multitude of council." (Solomon) If people keep saying the same thing, then maybe I should listen. Hard for this sometimes stuborn mule, but I think it will pay off.

[aka eraser]

Strengths: Dialogue - humour - adverbs. And sentence fragments.

Weaknesses: Punctuation and getting sidetracked.

[Ella]

I think the biggest change for me in two years has been the way I look at the craft of writing, my attitude toward it. It is really now just beginning to sink in how much true work is involved. I have the talent, but it is like any other artistic talent, unless I have discipline and continually practice, I cannot become a professional.

I am putting this on my computer monitor:

I have the talent. With discipline and continuous practice, I will become a professional.

I think it would make a great AW banner at the top of the page. (With appropriate punctuation.)

[Nateskate]

I've only been a member of the AW forum for a little over a month, and this is the BEST thread premise I have read to date.

I can't express enough how important it is for writers, as Maestrowork said to me (in his role as a forum moderator) concerning a touchy situation with a writer that was not open to criticism, "Writers need to grow a thick skin!" In my way of viewing things, it's the contrary opinions that will make a writer, not the idol praise of simply hearing someone tell you that "They liked it!"

If a writer can't step back and take an honest inventory of their work every now and then, it is their work that will suffer, their writing realted goals and dreams that will never be realized. IMHO, the more a writer craves contrary opinions of their work, the more they will thrive!

Metaphorically, you sound like the writing equivalent of Demi-Moore in G.I Jane. That's not an insult. It's a realization that you put a lot of pressure on yourself with your approach.

I can't wait to hear how your novel goes. It seems to me, if you are that determined, you'll have to get there.

[Susie]

Great question, Nate. Hi all. I definitely think I've improved with my writing. I've had short stories accepted which before were always rejected and even since being here my greeting card acceptance rate has increased. We learn from reading what the pros on AW have to say! And you know who you are.:)

Hugs, Susie:)

[Nateskate]

No change recently. My strengths remain mechanics and humor. My weakness remains not having a story I feel like telling.

We'd probably make a good writing pair. My weakness is mechanics. My problem is that I have too many stories to tell. Dry humor might be a strength, but only if people get my jokes.

[Nateskate]

I'm still improving. I expect that to be the case until they nail my coffin shut.

Recently, I compared the first draft of my finished novel to the final version, and was surprised at how much I'd improved (I also couldn't believe there was a time when I thought the first draft was decent). When writing my WIP, I'm automatically applying the lessons I learned from the first. In other words, the draft I'm writing now is much better than it would have been if I hadn't written the first novel. I'm positive I'll learn more lessons as I continue to write.

Amen to that. It's not that I thought I was a great writer. I felt I was an adequate writer with a good story. Well, I still feel it's a great story, but now I can't believe some of the clunkiness of my prose, and wonder, "What was I thinking?"

There's little as rewarding to me as going back and reading something without seeing some glaring errors staring back at me. And more and more I'm actually getting things better in the first write, but not enough for my satisfaction.

[Sharon Mock]

I'd never describe myself as "at the top of my game" -- especially without any publishing credits! But I do think I'm past the point of learning how to write, and now it's just a question of learning how to write this story.

My greatest weakness is that I'm slow and not prolific. If I wrote more and more quickly, I'd be further along than I am now.

Otherwise, my stories are too passive, too interior -- I have difficulty getting my protagonists to "protag". I can only compensate for it in the current WIP, but next time I'm going to try to address this issue in the conceptual stage.

Plotting and storytelling used to be a major weakness. I've improved, but I still sometimes have trouble with logistics -- moving characters from point A to point B. On the other hand, I think at this point I'm actively good at using inter-character conflict to drive a story forward. (I can plow my way through a broken scene by putting two characters together and letting them poke sharp objects at each other.)

"Voice" is probably my greatest strength, but I don't put a lot of value in it. It's a crutch more than anything. A few too many "well-written but" rejections back in my misspent youth will teach you exactly how much good writing counts when you can't put a story together.

[Nateskate]

I'm reading all of these. But I don't want to have half the posts on the thread, so I'll condense comments.

I relate to so many of your posts. Frankly, this is an art. There are so many ways to blow it, no matter how good your idea is.

I wrote the whole skeleton of the story flat out- and for a series, that's quite an accomplishment. I just didn't want to lose momentum. Then I had this 1000 lb gorilla to clean up, and said, "What in the...did I get myself into. This is a lifelong project, not a story!"

I even called my mother and said, "Do you think I'm wasting my life on this thing...here's what I could be doing..." Honestly, it wasn't like this or cleaning car windows on mainstreet for my next meal. I had to sacrifice some really important opportunities to commit to this thing. I still haven't stopped asking this question.

Here's the problems you'll face writing an Epic Fantasy. "How can you grab them in the first pages without giving away the story?" In the first stage, the novel could have begun, "Once upon a time...in a far far away land..."

It had a fable quality that is cool in its own ranks, but it wasn't supposed to be a light and airy story, and I didn't know if I'd lose readers who didn't know a twist was coming. "Oh, no. This is just another version of three little pigs." So, then I went through the "Telegraph" beginning attempt, the flashback beginning, and just about every other beginning known to man to tame this monster. I even considered the dreadful, "I should just pay someone else to write my book, and put my name on it!" -What evil things go through a person's mind when they are desperate!

But for all of you- most of your comments are right on target. You'll have fifty on-lookers saying, "Yeah, that's me...exactly!" And trust me, that will encourage them.

[NeuroFizz]

I agree with Maryn. Advances at first were huge. Now, I'm realizing that it's an asymtotic curve (it will approach but never reach that level line, except maybe at infinity . . . maybe), and that's the way it should be. In reality, though, the small gains near the top of the curve are huge in terms of impact. Some would say that these small steps are what separate the publishable from the not-quite publishable.

Recent realization--pull up every place where special punctuation is used (like exclamation points, which I never used much anyway), and select new phrasing and individual words or phrases that make the punctuation unnecessary.

Recent realization number two--I re-read Ann Hood's Creating Character Emotions to stay fresh in that area.

Continuing to work on--increasing the subtlety of misdirection and red herrings. Also, bringing in circularity with respect to events or minor characters.

Where do I need work? I will always need work in all areas of writing. I'll bet we all fall off the show deck and into the tell pit every once in a while, even though this is one of the most basic rules of the game. And active voice . . .

Sometimes I think I'm ready to experiment, but the success rate is fairly low--most "experiments" end up you-know-where in favor of solid, traditional technique.

Mechanics are fine for the most part, spelling in particular (please, please, please, no typos in this note) thanks to a high school teacher who told me, "If you don't know the diffrence between a burro and a burrow, you don't know the difference between an ass and a hole in the ground."

[E.G. Gammon]

I'd love to find out what 'Uncle Jim' thinks his weaknesses are... He's so full of wisdom that sometimes it's intimidating. It would be nice to know that even the greatest has weaknesses...

Any my strengths and weaknesses...

Strengths - Plot. I really think that plot is my greatest strength. I can develop a plot until it's as complex as life itself. With plot, I think I'm better at the beginning hook than the ending. I have a lot of works in progress with great beginnings, but some have a weak ending. (My novel series in progress has a strong ending - my favorite ending of all my works). I also create complex characters. My novel series has atleast 80 characters, and for most of them I have atleast 3 pages of description about each one. I also write dialogue that I am really proud of. My novel series began as a network soap opera with scripts. I have some really great dialogue written, to incorporate into my novel series. (But to make sure it sounds right, I say it outloud as I write it, which has gotten me into a couple embarassing situations).

Weaknesses - I think that "being my own worst critic" is one of my problems. It takes me a long time to write because I am always on a quest for perfection. I just CAN'T write something and set it aside until I finish everything else, without editing it. I am one of those edit-as-you-go-along people... I can't help it. I'm also weak in spelling. I have a dictionary right there with me the whole time. I'm also working on building my vocabulary. I have one of those unabridged Random House dictionaries, and every day I pick 3 words I didn't know before, and I use them sometime throughout the day, or if I can, in my writing. And I think my biggest problem is procrastination... I've been developing the story behind my novel series for over seven years. I am getting close to finalizing the story and in some weird way, it scares me. I guess it's just because I've spent so long on this, and finalizing the very complex story is so - well, FINAL. I don't know if you understand that, but it's how I feel.

Improving? - I'm working on it.

[stormie]

I think my greatest strength is finishing things. (Second greatest is starting them.)

Greatest weakness... probably spending too much time on Internet message boards.

My strength and weakness is similar. Except: I find that being on these message boards helps me to avoid writer's block. I get ideas which helps me to finish whatever I'm working on. So, my weakness actually becomes my strong point.

Go figure.:Shrug:

[triceretops]

Well, Nate, it looks like you started a real doozy here. I can see this thread running into the gold stars.

Strengths--humor and irony. I've been told I have a uniqueness not unlike Roald Dahl. I also strived to be a great stylist, and opinion from peers has verified that.

Weaknesses--Having had some wonderful publishing success 15 years ago, when I started back up six months ago, I realized that I don't know crap and must start all over again, as though I've never seen ink. Very humbling. I just can't nail 25 pages a day like I did in the past for 24/7. I'm lucky if I knock out nine, but it's more like five a day.

Tri

[azbikergirl]

Here's the problems you'll face writing an Epic Fantasy. "How can you grab them in the first pages without giving away the story?" In the first stage, the novel could have begun, "Once upon a time...in a far far away land..."

I feel your pain. My novel is epic-like because it is based on something momentus that happened 200+ years earlier, but I'm not telling that story. I'm telling the what-happens-later story. How to start, hook a reader AND explain the backstory without Telling, doing inappropriate flashback, or giving away the story's Big Secret is certainly a challenge. At times, I wonder if maybe I should work on simpler stories and come back to this one when I'm a better writer. Maybe by trying to write this one now, I'm doing it an injustice.
:Shrug:

[sunandshadow]

Recent realization--pull up every place where special punctuation is used (like exclamation points, which I never used much anyway), and select new phrasing and individual words or phrases that make the punctuation unnecessary.


Why the heck would you want to do that? That makes your writing have less personality.

[wurdwise]

Tell that to an editor.

[sunandshadow]

The next Big Thing I hope to learn is how to inject emotion into my writing. I'm not talking about melodrama, but honest strike-a-chord-with-the-reader emotion. Defining that is step #1. :D

This is one of my strengths, so I'll offer a bit of advice if you're interested. :) Don't think of it as 'injecting emotion' because that will result in an uneven story which is only emotional wherever you remembered to make an injection. Instead, since you presumably already have some conflict going on in your story, just focus on how each little advance or setback or revalation affects the emotions of the characters as they experience it.

Think about the little spikes of emotion you feel every day - annoyance, excitement, boredom, sadness, smugness, worry - and the seemingly insignificant little events that cause them. A good exercise is - write a scene with two characters (different personalities) arguing about something stupid. See how many different emotions you can hit between the two of them, and focus on making it seem completely natural that they are feeling these emotions as a result of what they are saying, what they are thinking, and the disparity between the two.

Hope that was helpful! :)

[cwgranny]

I like this thread...hmmmm...

Strengths...dialogue, characterization, voice and humor. That and I get really really nice rejection letters. Honestly, I bet I have the most complimentary rejection letters on the planet. I swear I just got one on the day before I left on my trip where the editor said she was "flattered that I would submit something to her magazine" -- not that she bought it, you understand.

Weakness...novel length plotting. I've been writing magazine stories for so long that I am having a heck of a time creating a novel length plot that isn't seriously ho-hum. Y'all should see my "I admire you so much and I really, really wanted to work with you and you write so wonderfully but your plot sucks" rejection I got recently on my mid grade novel. Just for the record, the "plot sucks" part of the rejection doesn't hurt a lot less when they say lots of nice stuff too.

Alas...I keep reading kid lit novels, maybe I'll learn by osmosis. Hope springs eternal.

gran

[reph]

Now, I'm realizing that it's an asymtotic curve...

Mechanics are fine for the most part, spelling in particular (please, please, please, no typos in this note)...
Asymptotic.

Sorry.

[Nateskate]

I'd love to find out what 'Uncle Jim' thinks his weaknesses are... He's so full of wisdom that sometimes it's intimidating. It would be nice to know that even the greatest has weaknesses...


I once thought of asking a similar question, but not of Jim alone. However, I realize he is busy, and wouldn't want to impose on his time.

My question was actually to what I'll call "The board Elders" in the sense of those who have taking a mentoring role, which includes Jenna, and Victoria, and about fifteen others who come here regularly.

It was, "What was your journey like? What self-doubts did you have on the way? Did you hit road blocks/walls- to the point where you questioned your ability?"

My guess is that Jim had what I'd call a "Stubborn belief in himself" meaning, he'd never doubted. He just seems like the kind of person who sets his course and goes for it. But then again, he might surprise me.

[E.G. Gammon]

I once thought of asking a similar question, but not of Jim alone. However, I realize he is busy, and wouldn't want to impose on his time.

My question was actually to what I'll call "The board Elders" in the sense of those who have taking a mentoring role, which includes Jenna, and Victoria, and about fifteen others who come here regularly.

It was, "What was your journey like? What self-doubts did you have on the way? Did you hit road blocks/walls- to the point where you questioned your ability?"

My guess is that Jim had what I'd call a "Stubborn belief in himself" meaning, he'd never doubted. He just seems like the kind of person who sets his course and goes for it. But then again, he might surprise me.
I'd LOVE a topic like that... It would be a great read for us soon-to-be-published writers.

[Nateskate]

I feel your pain. My novel is epic-like because it is based on something momentus that happened 200+ years earlier, but I'm not telling that story. I'm telling the what-happens-later story. How to start, hook a reader AND explain the backstory without Telling, doing inappropriate flashback, or giving away the story's Big Secret is certainly a challenge. At times, I wonder if maybe I should work on simpler stories and come back to this one when I'm a better writer. Maybe by trying to write this one now, I'm doing it an injustice.
:Shrug:

Some might think what I've done will sound pathetic. But I got so frustrated, I gave in and began in the beginning. I wrote an unintended book, which is now complete, and will be book one.

Here's the dilema I faced. The story revolves around a threatened race in the Universe. There are two species, or races living in two parts of the Universe. They learn of each other and learn of a bridge between the two realms.

To avoid giving away more than necessary, I will call the stronger race, having mythical god-like powers, the Strongers. And I'll call the second race "The Weakers"

The Strongers and Weakers learn of a bridge between their realms and pass through, befriending each other. The Strongers use their supernatural powers to build them fantastical cities. But a war breaks out amongst the Strongers, that divides them. Let's call the evil faction "Bastrongers", and the virtuous, "Gostrongers"

The Gostrongers overcome the Bastrongers, who become utterly vile, to the point where their natures have no good in it. They are malevolent 24/7. Unfortunately the war spills into the Weakers world.

The Bastrongers want to take back their realm, but their powers are sapped by an invisible power in the Weakers world. They feel its power, but don't know what it is. In fact, even the Weakers are unaware of this invisible power. But the evil Bastrongers learn their strength is inversly proportionate to the virtue of the Weakers, and begin a campaign to corrupt them, in order to empower themselves. Since the virtuous Weakers can undo their plans, the only ultimate solution is the anhilation of the Weakers.

The premise of the story is that Gostrongers are fighting for the survival of the Weakers, but can't tell them. The Bastrongers are fightening for their anhilation, because their victory depends on it (rule of the Universe) And so they try to seduce the Weakers into trusting them.

How can the Gostrongers save the Weakers when they are seduced by the Bastrongers to believe the Gostrongers are their real enemies? In fact the Weakers keep empowering the the Bastrongers.

Dilema- I had to convey the gist of the story (rules of the Universe) before I could begin the thrill-ride to save the Universe.

Origionally, the story began with a fifteen year old who is late for his birthday party, who disobeys his mother, and takes a journey.

Now, people loved the story where it began, but in a "once upon a time" way. If there was no war over the fate of a world, it was a pretty fascinating story. However, you weren't really aware of the presence of evil beings on this world until chapter 3. It's more King Arthurish in nature at that point, with much less magic.

So, I gave up trying to foretell, "Look out, it's coming!" And instead, I wrote a creation-type story, explaining the beginning of the two races, and the foretelling of things to come. That is now book one. The first-book one, is now book two.

[Nateskate]

Well, Nate, it looks like you started a real doozy here. I can see this thread running into the gold stars.

Strengths--humor and irony. I've been told I have a uniqueness not unlike Roald Dahl. I also strived to be a great stylist, and opinion from peers has verified that.

Weaknesses--Having had some wonderful publishing success 15 years ago, when I started back up six months ago, I realized that I don't know crap and must start all over again, as though I've never seen ink. Very humbling. I just can't nail 25 pages a day like I did in the past for 24/7. I'm lucky if I knock out nine, but it's more like five a day.

Tri

Your stength should make for an interesting thrill-ride

[Note On]

I find that being on these message boards helps me to avoid writer's block. I get ideas which helps me to finish whatever I'm working on. So, my weakness actually becomes my strong point.

Nope, not me. I'd make more progress if I went offline permanently. But for now, I'm happy just being able to write at all. My twins are finally sleeping from 8 PM until midnight, so as of last week, that's my writing time.

Thank god. I was about two inches from the edge there.

[NeuroFizz]

Why the heck would you want to do that? That makes your writing have less personality.

Sorry, but you missed the point. If you choose the right combination of words, dialog and actions, the exclamation points aren't necessary. I've been told when you can write without them, you've made a leap as a writer. I don't mean to offend anyone, and these are not my words, but I've been taught that exclamation points are a form a lazy writing. It's probably an overstatement--a tool this person was using to get me to improve my writing. I recommend it as an exercise, if nothing else. Anyone else have similar feelings/experiences?

As for the less personality thing, I think it's just the opposite. If you can convey the spirit of an exclamation point without using one, your writing has much more personality. And richness.

[NeuroFizz]

Asymptotic.

Sorry.

Hi Reph. Sorry back. I guess it's the scientist in me. But it describes a learning curve perfectly, and that's what we're talking about here. It's initially steep, then levels off, but never reaches a perfect horizontal. If it's the spelling you are worried about, I think it's correct.

[Anaparenna]

Why the heck would you want to do that? That makes your writing have less personality.

An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke. -F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The ! should be in the delivery of the dialogue on the page. Punctuation is just a wheel that makes the car turn. :D

[sunandshadow]

"Do you feel like you are stagnant?"

As a novelist...YES. In the course of the past two years I have started no fewer than 3 novels. I have finished one...but not to the point where it is ready to send out. I just start really fast out of the gate and then lose the passion for the thing I am writing. So, in that regard, I feel like I am stagnating.


This is a problem I used to have and learned to work around, who knows, maybe the same techniques will work for you? :)

1) Make a list of things you absolutely love to read about: tropes, character archetypes, situations, relationships, anything. These must be things that you are eager to read about again even though you've seen them 50 times already. Or anything you've already written but would enjoy writing again. What is your favorite fairy tale? Your favorite cartoon? What elements of these please you every time you hear or see them?

2) If you are a genre writer, think of some worldbuilding ideas that can be played with a hundred different ways, especially if you combine them in unexpected ways.

3) Design a world and a few characters around the contents of these two lists - don't fill in all the blanks, just decide on a few core ideas, leave fuzzy areas for you to amuse yourself with later.

4) Do NOT do a detailed plot outline, and only do a vague one if you really think you must.

The overall ideas here are 'know thyself' - there are ideas out there that you will not be tired of even after writing hundreds of pages about them - and 'save some of the fun stuff for later'. This may not result in a technically excellent novel, but you should enjoy writing it and be able to finish it, and you can always tighten up the technical stuff in revision if you want.

[Note On]

If you choose the right combination of words, dialog and actions, the exclamation points aren't necessary

None of what we do is really necessary, but some of it is enjoyable. Exclamation points are just another bit of business, to be used well or poorly.

I think it's easy to get caught up in theory and abstraction. If a exclamation point works at a certain moment, it works. There's nothing wrong with it unless it simply doesn't work.

[Liam Jackson]

Greatest weaknesses-
1. Lack of brevity. Whenever I think I'm not getting my point across, I wax long.

2. Time management

3. Using extended dialouge as a crutch in certain scenes. (see #1)

Greatest strengths-
1. The willingness and patience to listen to the Voices of Experience, extract what is useful and lose the rest.

2. Tenacity

3. A hellaciously thick skin

I don't know that I'm a better storyteller than I was two years ago, however, I'm a much improved writer.

[zizban]

I credit Uncle Jim with improving my writing, and my writing style, immeasurably.

[Samuel Dark]

I have grown as a writer. And I think I am the best! LOL, Just jokin'. But really, there's this guy, his name is Mike, and he has been reading my work for a long time. Probably longer then anyone else. And he has told me that my newest stuff is my best I have written, and it's only the first draft. That made me feel good (and sicne this guy never give's out compliments...). But my good points as a writer are my plots. Although I can't describe them, I always (by the time I am finished, at least) have a plot that will grip you. I am also good with discription. I should post somethign that really shows what I can do. But, I can (when I try) descirbie something very good.

My weakness is grammar. Switching tense. Sounds like its not much, but trust me, it is. lol. But I am getting better with that. :)

[stace001]

Absolutely! I've been writing for about 5 years now, and I am considerably better at it now than when I started. This message board has helped me more than I could ever say. These people honestly care about writing and the people who are passionate about it. To all of you, thank you.

My strengths: humor, writing with emotion, and good beginnings and endings.

My weakness: getting sidetracked, message boards like these, reading other people's work, not doing my housework, spending too much time in front of the computer, punctuation, and a heck of a lot of chocolate.

[reph]

If it's the spelling you are worried about, I think it's correct.
Yep, it was the spelling. I wouldn't have mentioned it except that your post expressed a wish for no typos.

Noun: asymptote. Adjective: asymptotic.

[tjwriter]

Strengths: Ideas for just about any topic, given enough time. I am not sure about what else, as I have never been one to feel comfortable doing this.

Weaknesses: I know I need to write a lot and continue learning. Practice in all areas would be good. There is always room for improvement, always.

I believe I am improving. I feel like I have learned a lot in joining this forum. There are so many helpful people here. Not just people who talk about doing somehting, but people who actually do it. That is tremendous encouragement to me.

[firehorse]

This is an aside with reference to tjwriter's sig, but in the vein of constant learning. I've learned so much about writing imperfect heroes by watching the medical series House. At first, I thought, "How can the writers ever get the audience on this guy's side?" He's thoughtless, mean, sexist, narcissistic... Then I realized you can make a character as ugly as you want, as long as he has more of a heart than the villain (in this case, Vogler). The writers show just enough of House's heart to keep the audience on his side. Not sure how that's panning out in the ratings, but it's fascinating to watch.

As a TOTAL aside, House (the series) is set at the hospital where I was born and had my basic childhood operations. All the establishing shots are of the medical center at/in Princeton. Makes me nostalgic. Funny how so few of the patients seem to be typical Princetonians.

(okay Sarah, time to zip it :Ssh: and go to bed.)

[NeuroFizz]

Yep, it was the spelling. I wouldn't have mentioned it except that your post expressed a wish for no typos.

Noun: asymptote. Adjective: asymptotic.

Hopefully I've given everyone a good laugh. I even popped out of this to WORD and typed it in to be sure of the spelling. I've used the word many times in my other life, so naturally when I say something about spelling I leave out a letter and do the usual spastic proof read. I'd blush, but that response is so overused in my case, I have to leave my zipper down or do something on that order to get a red face. I'm not exactly a moving target these days.

[stormie]

...and a heck of a lot of chocolate.

Oh, I don't call that a weakness! :D

[mistri]

I've learned so much about writing imperfect heroes by watching the medical series House. At first, I thought, "How can the writers ever get the audience on this guy's side?" He's thoughtless, mean, sexist, narcissistic... Then I realized you can make a character as ugly as you want, as long as he has more of a heart than the villain (in this case, Vogler). The writers show just enough of House's heart to keep the audience on his side. Not sure how that's panning out in the ratings, but it's fascinating to watch.


House had the same effect on me. I don't think that Vogler was the greatest villain (a bit too ott), but House is a fantastic wounded, horrible, nasty hero who still manages to evoke sympathy and respect. A lot of TV is rubbish, but the best TV can teach quite a lot about character (I love the father/son relationship between the Luthors in Smallville, for example).

Back on topic. I have *so* much to learn about my writing, and yet I've already learned an incredible amount just in the last couple of years. I feel my prose is still a little weak (it's competent - but I focus more on getting the story across than the words), and I'm a bit of a lazy worldbuilder. I don't know what my strengths are. Hmmm. Nope. Will have to think a bit on that. Persistance, maybe.

All I know is that I'm getting better every day. If my current WIP doesn't sell - no worries, I'll just write a better one (and so on, and so on).

[cwfgal]

My greatest strength is my love of writing fiction...my unwavering need to do it whether I'm good at it or not. I love weaving tales, crafting sentences, and searching for the perfect word. I delight in creating characters and environments and situations. It's my therapy to get lost inside whatever world I'm currently creating and explore the many possible routes and alleyways and avenues. It's fascinating. I enjoy the mechanics of it, the craft of it, the way it stimulates my mind and colors my perceptions of the world and the people around me.

M greatest weakness is hard to pinpoint. I have many. As long as they don't overwhelm my strength I'll be okay.

Beth

[BlueTexas]

I think my strength is mostly my tenacity. I think I'm pretty good at dealing with emotion.

My obstacles are most certainly dialogue and plot.

[tjwriter]

Yep, House is awesome. One of the few shows I really, really want to watch these days. Sarcastic, smart-a** who does do the right thing. Not the most polite guy, but a good man. Thanks for bringing it up.

:Sun:

[Lenora Rose]

I can't pinpoint my strengths. I thought character, but I'm no longer convinced my characters are much more than archetypes. Plot? I plot like I put my hair into a bun - no matter how well I get the main bundle into a knot, there are always loose strands. Worldbuilding? Well, the ideas are good, but my research is sporadic and my application of it eclectic.

Oddly enough, the one thing I think I've done well a few times lately is structure, including the insertion of backstory. Partly because the backstories to some current works, including Illusion of Steel, *are* stories I wrote cruddy rough drafts of in my teens. The stories were badly-written crud, but the basic events and personalities make a great base for growing a new story. (Rather the way Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy makes a superb backstory for the Tawny Man. In spite of enjoying the other Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb books greatly, I'm not sure I want to bother reading the Farseer trilogy -- it works so well as an example of how a supremely elaborate backstory need not overwhelm the current tale.)

But while structure is useful for holding up the ragged-edged plots I make up, it won't sell a story.

I know my biggest fault is still wordiness combined with making dialogue phrasings too formal, although the inner editor is catching up. I also still sometimes have the urge to hide the ball from readers.

And in non-fiction but not in fiction, I always have to go back and delete tangents in brackets. (See Robin Hobb above).

I've found that in whatever I do, I tend to improve not in a smooth asymptotic curve, but in a rather jagged line. The general trend is a curve upwards, with the improvements getting smaller, but there are all kinds of plateaus and backslides.

I feel as if I'm on a backslide now. This rewrite is such a complete rewrite from scratch that I'm convinced it's worse on a prose level than the last draft, even if the story should be more sound. The last draft felt a short way from publishable, prose-wise - this feels like it's further back. I should try a new mantra: I have permission to write garbage. I have permission to write garbage....

The truth might well be different. But unlike activities where the results are immediately clear ("my top and average scores in Archery are both a significant chunk o' points lower lately; I'm doing something wrong"), I won't *know* if I was really on a backslide until I'm done the draft, which won't be for a few months I think, and have put it away for a month or two after that.

[Jamesaritchie]

I'll get on board with "House." Love the show. Which probably means it will be cancelled before long.

[Nateskate]

My greatest strength is my love of writing fiction...my unwavering need to do it whether I'm good at it or not. I love weaving tales, crafting sentences, and searching for the perfect word. I delight in creating characters and environments and situations. It's my therapy to get lost inside whatever world I'm currently creating and explore the many possible routes and alleyways and avenues. It's fascinating. I enjoy the mechanics of it, the craft of it, the way it stimulates my mind and colors my perceptions of the world and the people around me.

M greatest weakness is hard to pinpoint. I have many. As long as they don't overwhelm my strength I'll be okay.

Beth

I feel much the same, in that I love the process. However, with a long project, if I don't get feedback, I wind up getting discouraged. So, I'll sometimes write out a rough draft for an audience, then I'll take it in private and work it.

I'm not much with journals either. Somehow, I think I write with an audience in mind, and I'm not sure if that's a weakness, in that it has control over how much I enjoy the process. I'm like a fish swimming upstream until it's read.

[Nateskate]

(I love the father/son relationship between the Luthors in Smallville, for example).

All I know is that I'm getting better every day. If my current WIP doesn't sell - no worries, I'll just write a better one (and so on, and so on).

Luthers in Smallville- yeah, I think they nailed that one in the castings.

About writing a better one, and on and on- I wish I had that positive tenacity. If my WIP tanks, I think I'm one and done. I've invested so much into it, and perhaps its age too, in that I feel I've only got so much time on this earth, I'm pretty certain I'll move on to something else.

[maestrowork]

With my second book, I find myself writing more complex characters and situations/relationships. More complex plot as well. In comparison, my first book's like child's play.

[sunandshadow]

About writing a better one, and on and on- I wish I had that positive tenacity. If my WIP tanks, I think I'm one and done. I've invested so much into it, and perhaps its age too, in that I feel I've only got so much time on this earth, I'm pretty certain I'll move on to something else.

Yeah, that's sort of how I feel - that if I can invest this much time and work and heart and soul into something, if it doesn't work I'll be too hurt to try again. :(

[Nateskate]

Yeah, that's sort of how I feel - that if I can invest this much time and work and heart and soul into something, if it doesn't work I'll be too hurt to try again. :(

I'd encourage you to find some way to express your gift. Even if I give up on novels, I'll still write in other formats. Sure, it might sting a little if I invest so much into something like this and end up with nothing to show.

However, the reason I'll stop isn't the sting. It's that novel writing requires a great deal of time sacrifice. If I'm chasing my tail, I simply have other important things to do with my life.

[Kida Adelyne]

What a wonderful Idea!


Do you feel like you are stagnant?

Gosh, I hope not. I'm just starting! But even If I had been writing for let's say, 30 years, I would still strive to improve. I came across somthing similar in my cello playing- a pianist who was suppost to play with me during a recital said she couldn't do it. She wasn't aware I had changed the piece, even though I was certain I had imformed my teacher. She wouldn't do it, so I had to find my own pianist. She was not prepared to step outside her comfort zone, even though I'm sure the pianist I did get wasn't any more able to play it properly than she was. I then vowed I would always try to challenge myself with my music, and everything else.

Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?

Definatly not. Again, I'm just starting.:tongue

Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much?

I have improved so much since I decided to start my first novel, it's hard to believe I once thought it was good. I changed from one characters POV to the other, my grammer was horrible, I used cliche's to no end. My grammer is still horrible, but I'm working on it, and I've learned a whole lot about the mistakes I made.

What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?

I'm good at idea's, I have a million and one idea's at any given time. It was the whole reason I decided to write in the first place. and I'm good at humour, as long as I don't think to hard about it.

Weaknesses? Grammer, spelling, punctuation. These I hope will work out in time, and practice. I also have a weakness for not writing enough to fill a book length. I don't know why this is but I know I tend not to add description to it's fullest extent, and I write from one action to the next, never taking time to add in breathers. I need to work on writing scenes that are more than just actions leading up to the plot, but also show characterization and scenery.

[sunandshadow]

I'd encourage you to find some way to express your gift. Even if I give up on novels, I'll still write in other formats. Sure, it might sting a little if I invest so much into something like this and end up with nothing to show.

However, the reason I'll stop isn't the sting. It's that novel writing requires a great deal of time sacrifice. If I'm chasing my tail, I simply have other important things to do with my life.

Oh, I wouldn't give up creating entirely. I'm a designer by temperament as well as by profession. The day I'm not scribbling or sketching something will be the day they can schedule my funeral, lol. I just meant I'd give up on writing a novel and focus on computer game design, my other hobby.

[Nateskate]

Oh, I wouldn't give up creating entirely. I'm a designer by temperament as well as by profession. The day I'm not scribbling or sketching something will be the day they can schedule my funeral, lol. I just meant I'd give up on writing a novel and focus on computer game design, my other hobby.

It's nice to have other things to fall back on. I'm not sure how I see this whole venture into novel writing. But one thing I didn't anticipate, was investing so much time. I grossly underestimate how long it would take to finish and correct my novel. For what it's worth, I think I'll be happy when the entire project is done, published or not.

[Nateskate]

Since so many of you have the grammar down, but are low on ideas, and so many are great on idea, but rough at grammar and prose, aren't some of you tempted to buddy up with others here.

Some times, two are better than one. And if that's what it takes for a career, why not?

[sunandshadow]

I've tried to find a writing partner before, but really it's next to impossible to find someone who wants to write the same kind of thing in the same way that you do. Sure there are probably lots of good plotters here, but are they good at designing a plot for a science fiction/fantasy romance which has a non-heroic main character, has no villain to defeat, and is not any version of a heroic monomyth?

If I did have the good fortune to meet someone who could design a plot for me which I loved and wanted to write to, I would be happy to help them with whatever their problem area was - but again, would my idea of 'help' work for them?

"Some kinds of help are the kind of help that helpings all about... but some kinds of help are the kind of help we all can do without."

[Kate Nepveu]

I don't mean to offend anyone, and these are not my words, but I've been taught that exclamation points are a form a lazy writing. [...] If you can convey the spirit of an exclamation point without using one, your writing has much more personality. And richness.As a reader, I do get distracted when exclamation points are frequently used--particularly in narration. It does seem wise to think hard about whether one is necessary in any given situation.

(I admit my primary association with "exclamation mark" is the sentiment that appears in several Terry Pratchett novels, that multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign of a diseased mind. My secondary association is OMG FANGIRL!!! -- which is not exactly mutually exclusive.)

[stace001]

Oh, I don't call that a weakness! :D
My ass might call it a weakness. No, you're right. its a necessity. There was a reason God didn't give women 360 degree vision.....because NO-ONE needs to know what they look like from behind. Bring on the chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!:Clap:

[reph]

Since so many of you have the grammar down, but are low on ideas, and so many are great on idea, but rough at grammar and prose, aren't some of you tempted to buddy up with others here.
Pair an idea person with a grammar person? Then you'd have a writer-and-editor team, or, if the grammar person did the writing, it'd be an author-and-ghostwriter team. Either way, what came out would be the idea person's project. As the grammar person in this hypothetical partnership, I don't think I'd find it satisfying.

[aadams73]

My ass might call it a weakness. No, you're right. its a necessity. There was a reason God didn't give women 360 degree vision.....because NO-ONE needs to know what they look like from behind. Bring on the chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!:Clap:

LOL! I hear you. Thankfully I have a wonderful mother in Aus. who sends regular parcels of TimTams, red frogs and Darrell Lea chocolate or I'd go stir crazy.

My strengths are dialogue and grammar while my weaknesses tend to be silly things like checking word count every three minutes and spending too much time reading message boards.

[Nateskate]

Pair an idea person with a grammar person? Then you'd have a writer-and-editor team, or, if the grammar person did the writing, it'd be an author-and-ghostwriter team. Either way, what came out would be the idea person's project. As the grammar person in this hypothetical partnership, I don't think I'd find it satisfying.

I think it could work if you had a really great concept. Here's why. Some people have creativity, but they simply aren't the spark. They need someone to excite their creative juices. Once they have the spark-initial ideas, they have much to contribute in a give and take way.

If you look at songwriters, some who were great collaborators were terrible on their own. There was just a chemistry.

Even with good songwriters, working together made some better. John Lennon,and Paul McCartney, they didn't contribute equally. They said they stuck their fingers in the other's pies, meaning one would write the core song, and the other would offer small changes. In some songs, like "A Day in the Life", they're contributions just mixed well.

Could I do it? I'm sure. And I could take both tacts. I could contribute ideas to an already sketched story, or I could accept ideas to one of my own stories. I just can't offer any grammatical suggestions. I stink at grammar.

[Nateskate]

Okay, we ALL have difficulty pulling away from threads. That seems to be a common weakness. Is it really that terrible?

But some times you just gotta blow off steam. Writing for ten hours straight may seem like a wonderful discipline, but I suppose ideas could get stale.

[sunandshadow]

My ass might call it a weakness. No, you're right. its a necessity. There was a reason God didn't give women 360 degree vision.....because NO-ONE needs to know what they look like from behind. Bring on the chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!:Clap:

You might be surprised - I have a male cousin who is only interested in women if their asses are more than 2 feet wide. :D It's like that Sir-Mix-A-Lot song "I like big butts" lol. Makes a fun character trait to write about too. ;)

[karlitea]

Do you feel like you are stagnant?

No, I'm just starting! I'm only about 10k into my first novel, but I am optimistic. And like others here, I'm learning new tips and techniques every day.

Do you feel like you are on top of your game; you've peaked, and can't get any better, or at least not substantially so?

Man, to be at your 'peek', I would think writers at their peek would be those who are just starting to sell really well. I'm a long way from that, and happy about it actually. I've got time to get there.

Or do you feel like you keep improving. If so, how much?

Every single day, after every single critque, and every single article I read.

What are you good at? Where do you feel you need improvement?

I've got a firm grasp of the English language and don't have many problems with grammar, spelling or puncuation (typos not included ;) ). Also, it seems I have already found my 'voice' and it lends itself to YA fantasy/romance. My voice is simple but not in a bad way. I am also adept at adding emotion to my stories.

What I lack is description, not in feelings, but in setting. The minor details elude me. I think I am a little afraid of it actually. I don't notice all the minor details in life, mostly I am good at picking up on emotions and drama. So, I fear that I may get the description wrong and those readers who nitpick will be all over me. So I end of avoiding it altogether which is something I definitely need to work on.

I also have a tendency to be redundant. I'm a storyteller and occasionally I'll put extra emphasis on certain aspects to get my point across. I need to remember that my readers are smart, they don't need to be badgered, they'll figure it out on their own.

[alaskamatt17]

I'm definitely improving. Looking back at my first attempt at a novel (I finished it, but I'll still call it an "attempt"), I can see I had a major problem with dialogue--it was never convincing. I don't know how a person could live their whole life speaking the English language and be as bad at dialogue as I was.

Strangely, dialogue is now one of my greatest strengths. Humor is a definite weakness now, and it wasn't back then. I don't know why that area has become more difficult for me. Another problem I have these days is with pacing. I'm always rushing. My English professor read the first few chapters of my novel and told me it felt like a drive-by shooting.

Despite this, my writing has improved. Just on the basis of grammatical correctness it's better than it was before. I also use literary devices like symbolism and allusion more effectively now.

[reph]

I think it could work if you had a really great concept....Some people have creativity, but they simply aren't the spark....If you look at songwriters, some who were great collaborators were terrible on their own. There was just a chemistry.
Well, yes. A team of two persons who have complementary skills and can inspire each other would be ideal. I was thinking more like, what if I join up with somebody who writes books full of thews and swordfights, which I really don't care about, not to mention ichor, and my job is to make sure each sentence has a verb? Not very appealing. Copy editors usually get paid for doing that.

We've been talking as if a writer needed only two things, ideas and grammar. That isn't so. A writer also needs to attend to pacing, for instance, and creating interesting characters. So you add a pacing consultant and a suspense consultant and a plot-arc consultant. Pretty soon the two-person team is a committee.

[maestrowork]

A killer pairing for me would be someone who is talented in creating living, breathing characters, and someone who is so darn good at creating nail-biting plots and suspense. That would be ideal for me. Everything else (grammar, pacing, sentence structures, etc.) could be fixed.

[Nateskate]

A killer pairing for me would be someone who is talented in creating living, breathing characters, and someone who is so darn good at creating nail-biting plots and suspense. That would be ideal for me. Everything else (grammar, pacing, sentence structures, etc.) could be fixed.

Ah, we'd make a great team!

I'm like "Ideas'R'Us". That's the most natural of my gifts. The second strength is portraying characters with realness, to the point where someone once said, when they looked at my story, it was like looking at real people.

Your strengths are pretty much my weaknesses. I've had to work on pacing and prose quite a bit. I'm ten times better than I was, but that is only because I was so bad at it.

I guess I have to clarify one part. "Nail-biting plots and suspense," I'd say my conceptualizing is stronger than my fleshing it out. I can do it, but it's not straight from brain to pen. I write it out, look- Ah, too clunky- rewrite- better, but still needs to be better- rewrite. This is why Nate isn't published yet, though I'm hoping to change that soon.

[LightShadow]

Improvement as a writer runs hand in hand with growth and maturity as an individual. My growth as a person has made me a better writer, and the crushing blows of rejections have made me a better person. I learn most, though, about my craft when someone reads my stuff and says, "damn, you can do better than that crap."

[Nateskate]

Erm. Stagnant, stagnant?...*runs to online dictionary*....ah, STAGNANT! :ROFL: No, not at all. In fact, I've gone forward. My style has developed much, mostly in the "less blabbering, tighter structure" -department.



No, it'd be foolish to think so. I can always get better. Okay, that didn't quite sound as I intended it to...hmph.



Improving, yes. Dialogue is my strong point, but transitions my weakest. Plus I've got "Emily's problem" ("...of New Moon")...too many cursives!:whip:

Interesting picture.

[Nateskate]

Improvement as a writer runs hand in hand with growth and maturity as an individual. My growth as a person has made me a better writer, and the crushing blows of rejections have made me a better person. I learn most, though, about my craft when someone reads my stuff and says, "damn, you can do better than that crap."

I'm not sure how I'll handle peddling my books yet? Perhaps I'll be philosophical if I have to bang on doors, get my story ripped apart, and face countless rejections. Or I may just move on to something else. I my go cry in the woods for hours, days, months. I'm praying for a miracle (who isn't) that I won't have to deal with that.

But I have resloved in my mind, this is it, as far as trying to write fiction, if this Epic Fantasy doesn't get published. I appreciate people who say, "Don't give up. Just write a better novel." Well, I won't throw it away. I'll find some way to display it, because I felt all along it was important to write. I wrote this story to be read, and my goal is that it be widely read, even if I have to create a "Read Nate's Story" page, and send you all a link.

I think people would understand if I explained why, but I've sacrificed so many important opportunities to do this, worthwhile things. Nah, I wouldn't spend the rest of my time in the closet moping about. I'd be, "This was a dead end, time to do the next thing."