Writing.

[valis2]

So I'm working on the dark!Snupin challenge, and I'm dissatisfied, of course, as I always am to some degree. I had hoped to write something in the style of A Free Man/A Line in the Dirt, something lyrical and rich, but instead I find myself falling back on the the Last Sanguimagus style instead, which is much more to-the-point.

What I don't like about this is that the enjoyment rests squarely on the plot, instead of the actual writing. In tLS there really isn't any special wording or fantastic imagery; it's all character-driven, plot-driven, get-to-the-plot-point-next-scene-etc. stuff. It's bare bones, in a way. I don't have any pretensions about the writing in tLS; it isn't lovely, by any means. But it isn't how I normally write, either. I was trying to emulate JKR's writing style, in a way.

So I thought this dark!Snupin challenge would be a great way to work in the more poetic/lyrical style that I adore and that is closer to my own style. I wanted it to be enjoyable in terms of plot AND words both. But I seem to have failed so far. 1500 words into it, and it really is bare bones, and every attempt to dress it up seems to fall flat on its face with a reread. My friend, who reads nearly everything I write, simply says, "This is on course."

I want him to say, "Wow!"

But this apparently isn't going to be one of those Wow stories. I've tweaked the plot more into Wow because of this, but still, I'm mourning the story that could have been.

Comments

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, no matter how much we try, our Muse refuses to find those extra little touches that elevate a story from good to brilliant. It's one of the realities of being a writer. Even the best writers don't produce masterpieces every time they sit at the keyboard.

Don't beat yourself up over that fact.

...I don't have any pretensions about the writing; it isn't lovely, by any means. But it isn't how I normally write...

Maybe part of your problem is that you're trying to ignore your normal style? A writing style is akin to speaking with an accent. Some of us are able to slip into new accents easily - for others of us, we could be speaking fluent French and it would still be said with a southern drawl. Maybe your Muse would have an easier time at finding the 'wow' if she wasn't putting so much energy into trying to mimic an unfamiliar accent?

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Maybe part of your problem is that you're trying to ignore your normal style?

I was a little confusing in the entry, I think. While writing tLS I am definitely not writing in my normal style.

While writing this, I'm trying to write in my normal style, and it just isn't working...I keep sliding back to the bare-bones style, which seems boring to me in terms of richness of language. That's why I'm frustrated, because I'm actually trying to write in my own words, and somehow I keep slipping into He did this and then he did that and it's driving me crazy. ;)

I'm going to re-read Line in the Dirt/Free Man and then reread the new fic and see if it jumpstarts anything. I don't know what else to do. If it keeps going this way then I'll just finish it and resign it to Failed Experiments. heh.

Sometimes, no matter how much we try, our Muse refuses to find those extra little touches that elevate a story from good to brilliant. It's one of the realities of being a writer. Even the best writers don't produce masterpieces every time they sit at the keyboard.

*hugs* You are completely right. Those extra little touches are escaping me right now. Perhaps if I get the whole story out I'll be able to figure out how to add a few.

[cafemercury.livejournal.com]

*adjusts editorial hand-holding hat--that's better*

If I can dovetail on this comment, I think sylvadin *waves* makes several valid points.

Stories (and characters) have ways of telling us how they want to be written. Often, they inform us of their intentions when what comes out on the paper/screen turns out to be totally different from what we had in our heads. The story refuses to capitulate, and we reluctantly submit. The readers get hold of it and, much to our amazement, say "wow!" I've heard scores of writers on LJ talk about stories they weren't terribly fond of being better-received than their "pet projects."

I, like sylvadin, think that if you relax a little, the "wow" will flow. Your style is great. You've nothing to worry about.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

This is the most stubborn story ever. No matter how flowery I try to get, it refuses to listen, and instead keeps blindly flowing forward in this he eats biscuits and then he reads the newspaper kind of stream, and it's making me mental.

I had such high goals for this story, and it seems to not want to respond to them, and it's just making me crazy.

Thank you so much for the comment! It does make me feel lots better.

[nehalenia.livejournal.com]

I totally sympathize with you. I just had to ditch a fic due to writer's block, characters on strike and "this will never be what I want it to be". "Stubborn" is the perfect word. Like riding a horse that doesn't want to be ridden and balks and shies and puts up a fuss every step of the way...yeah. Good word.

That said, I think the previous poster might have a point about not ignoring your natural style. And I *like* your style of writing. Maybe if the fic wants to go a certain way, you should just let it?

Besides, it's not like this is the last thing you'll write. (It's not, is it? It better not be....) There will be other opportunities for rich and lyrical.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I've just spoken with my awesome beta, who insists that it's not boring, which is what I was most worried about. So I'll finish it in this style, and hope for the best.

I am very much hoping that people give it a chance, honestly. *crosses fingers*

Aw, I'm glad you like the writing, too. That's so sweet!!

[rinsbane.livejournal.com]

ugh. I hate those fics. And inevitably they end up being my most popular fics, which makes me dislike them even more, not because I don't want my fic to be well read, but because it means the truly good ones suffer by comparison. I try not to write them, but sometimes you have a fic that just insists, and it's ugly. I don't mean in result, necessarily - I know your product will be wonderful - but that's not why I write. I write in chase of a feeling, not a product, and therein lies the disappointment. But I firmly believe in letting a fic do what it wants, and for me at least, the only thing to do with such a fic is to write it and move past it. I'm not saying you'll end up doing that with yours, of course, as in the process of writing, you might find that wow after all. It always comes, when it's ready.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm now finished with the bare bones, and I'm still kind of not feeling the wow. The friend is very low key about it, and I'm...still worried about it. I don't want to do a major rewrite, really; I think I'm just going to do a thorough look at it tomorrow, when I'm really awake, and hope that it looks better.

Sometimes when you're in bed with a story too long, you start to really notice the cracker crumbs, you know? Tomorrow I will probably feel better.

I seem to have three modes of writing: zooming, meandering, and aching. This is heading into aching mode, after meandering all day.

Your words are really helpful. Thank you so much for your confidence!