During the next week or so, I will be making posts on my first blog series, "Why Good Writing Matters." Each blog will address one aspect of writing and why it is important for making a book a fine piece of literature. What sparked the idea for this series? After skimming down the pages of various websites, I noticed that there was some controversy by posters as to whether or not so-called "good writing" was essential for a story to be deemed enjoyable. I then scanned some writing websites, seeing if the controversy carried over to a more specific audience. My findings confirmed the theory that there are several people who believe such skills aren't that big of a deal and have little influence on whether a book was good or not. This got me thinking. Why do some readers and authors care very little about the mechanics of the writing, so long as the story (plot) is good?
After some quick conversations with a few of my non-grammar-loving friends who enjoy reading, I discovered that this was actually a rather in depth issue. It seemed that the degree of interest the individual had for the level of writing skill was dependent on several factors. It mattered how much the individual read on a regular basis, what types of books and genres they enjoyed, their familiarity with a wide range of literature, and how much they cared about the English language (grammar and the like) in general. The differences from one individual to another were astonishing. Two people that seemed to like the same genre could actually have a very different viewpoint when it came to a specific work of fiction based on their experience and interests in other areas.
My conclusion? I'm not sure there is a definitive answer as to why some people care more about the mechanics of writing than others, or even if there is a right or wrong answer as to whether it's totally necessary. For me personally, I'd be hopping on the train for those who believe good writing absolutely matters, but I do still respect those who have a difference of opinion and are solely reading for enjoyment, having no interest in discussing the details of the writing craft itself. However, for the sake of this blog (and my editing career), I'm going to take a stance on this one and make a case for the side that proclaims not only does it matter, but that good writing is what makes a good book, a good book!
A New Approach to Writing Young Adult Fiction
One of the most read and written types of fiction today is young adult fiction. Many of its authors find themselves at the top of the best-seller list and gain an ever-growing fandom. But many readers and new authors of young adult fiction find themselves shying away from it more and more. Perhaps it's because of all the best-selling "love" stories creeping out of the woodwork. Or maybe it's because the subject of vampires, zombies, and the like have been beaten to death recently (no pun intended). Whichever the case, I'm going to step out and be bold for a minute and proclaim that this genre should NOT be thrown out the window. Not only do I think it should be written more often, I think it should be celebrated and admired by new authors. No, I haven't gone bonkers. I think what is required to transform this niche is simply a new approach. If any type of fiction needs a new makeover, this one is certainly it. So how does one go about writing a YA fiction that is both unique and well-liked? Don't make it a love story. Love stories often are cliché, and they tend to lack a worthwhile plot. That's not to say that you can't include any romance in your story. Romance and love are very natural parts of human nature (and other creatures as well), so it's unlikely that it can be avoided altogether. In fact, it probably wouldn't be realistic if the subject didn't come up at all. However, there are ways of incorporating love connections in stories without writing them as though they were shoved in there "just because."
Develop a story arc that isn't a love triangle. Figure out what you want out of the story you're writing, the points you're trying to make (if any), and what the reason is for telling the story. Then let things play out how they will in the romance department; let your characters guide you. If you get to know them well enough, you will see that they can sometimes act unexpectedly and will respond differently to one another (and others) depending on the situation. For example, an otherwise argumentative, yet passionate, pair who normally dislike one another and don't typically see eye to eye may suddenly find themselves bonding (sexually or otherwise) when faced with certain doom. In just the same way, new lovers who are completely attached to one another may end up realizing that their differences are far more reaching when they are placed under extreme conditions in close proximity to one another. This can either strengthen their relationship in the long run, or it can break it. In real life, love can be unpredictable. If written correctly, romantic scenes and connections can portray this authenticity well.
Don't avoid topics just because they're supposedly overdone. I know that the mere mention of vampires, werewolves, or zombies can lead to automated eye rolls and groans. But the truth is, if an author makes a story with these subjects unique but authentic, readers will enjoy and appreciate the story anyway. The trick is research and a vivid imagination. One certainly shouldn't write a fantasy story full of supernatural creatures just because they're selling well right now. But with the same token, don't avoid the genre just because so many have been written recently. If you truly make it your own and create a story and worthwhile plot that captivates readers and keeps them yearning for more, the subject matter will matter very little. Keep in mind that there will always be those who like a certain niche more than others regardless, so you can't expect to please everyone. Write what you intend to write, and write it well. This is how you will reap your rewards as an author.
Make your characters well-rounded. Nobody likes someone who is perfect. Why? Nobody is perfect. Everyone of us has flaws, no matter how minor or major. So don't make your characters this way if you want them to be taken seriously. If you want to write a character that is muscular, handsome, and attractive, give him some flaws---and not just personality ones. Make one ear higher than the other. Make him so vain that he's addicted to plastic surgery. Make him a terrible kisser. Give the reader something unexpected. This will make your character truly unique and will likely make them more real and relatable to the reader. Complete stereotypes are also just as annoying as flawless characters. If you're going to make a story revolve around a quiet, smart girl that's a loner, don't make her a Plain Jane. Make her attractive. Make her have self-confidence, even to a fault! That will keep every guy from wanting her. After all, not everyone will fall for a cocky b****, no matter how pretty she is!
I hope that after reading this, a few of you authors out there will take a new approach when it comes to both writing and reading YA fiction. Maybe you've even developed a new liking for it and would like to take a stab at it yourself if you haven't already. The key is to keep a positive attitude about it and an open mind. It truly can be one of the most rewarding types of fiction; after all, in what other time of life does one change, learn, and grow so much?
Take a Chance: Write What You Don't Know
One common piece of writing advice I often see is to write what you know. In fact, just a few days ago, I found a fellow blogger that had asked others about the best piece of writing advice they had ever received, and one person immediately responded with, "Write what you know!" I held my tongue, but my fists involuntarily clenched, and my lips formed a tight, white line. So after having some time to cool off about it, I've given it some thought and would like to approach this idea with a few (hopefully insightful) thoughts of my own.
There is actually some merit to the idea of starting out by writing things you know. All writers start out with topics, styles, and characters that they are familiar with. There's nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, it makes for a great foundation to your writing skills. But once you've learned the basics and how to express yourself in a way that is directly relatable to your own experiences, it's time to stick a toe into the icy waters of the unknown. Now, that's not to say that you can't fall back on the stuff that you're most comfortable with from time to time. Any writing is still practice, and there is always room for improvement, even with the stuff you're good at. But if you don't take that plunge and venture into the unknown, attempting to write something that you're unfamiliar with, you'll never learn or grow as a writer.
When the time has come for you to start that new adventure, there are a few things you should keep in mind so that you don't drown in your attempt. First, be observant and ask yourself questions about the character/situation you hope to portray in your writing. Watch others around you, and perhaps even interview those with the experiences. If it's something you can't learn first-hand, hearing someone else's account of it is often the next best thing. For some helpful tips about interviewing someone for a book or other piece of writing, check out this blog: http://fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment.tumblr.com/post/40749514427/how-to-interview-people.
Second thing to keep in mind: do your homework. Research. No, it's not always exciting, but it's necessary for making your writing the best it can be. If you're unfamiliar with a subject matter, what better way to get acquainted with it than to read about it? When you really know what you're talking about in your writing, it shows. Your piece will become not only more believable, but more enjoyable to read as well. Make sure you conduct your research thoroughly enough that you can approach a topic from multiple angles too. That will buy you even more credibility and respect from your readers.
Lastly, stick with reliable sources. The Internet is a bountiful source of information, but being such (and particularly being a place where anyone can publish anything), it's best to check credibility of your sources before actually using them. Stick with sites you know are legit, or sites that at least use citations, particularly with medical conditions. Check more than one site too. If you come up with two completely different sets of "facts" about something, you know something isn't right. And of course, the library is always a fantastic place to find information. It's a bit old school, but you can be sure that the information reliable. Just make sure it's up-to-date; that holds true no matter where the source.
Once you have all the information you need (and citations if necessary), put it to good use. Practice writing the scene, essay, paragraph, or what have you with your new-found knowledge, then take a step back and proof read your work. Do the words reflect your intended thoughts? Do they match up with your research? Don't worry if this isn't the case or if something about it isn't quite right yet. That's what practice is for. Take a break from it and try again later, or keep at it for as long as you like. Whichever method works best for you.
In the end, you'll be rewarded for your perseverance in tackling a new subject matter. Your writing will likely improve (as well as your knowledge and/or experience with the subject). Remember, one of the most important things to keep in mind as a writer is to try and try again. If there is no movement, no growth, in your journey of being a writer, your writing itself will grow stale and uninteresting, ultimately leading to failure. This is one of the biggest reasons why I disagree with the advice to solely stick with what you know. Being bold and taking chances can be very beneficial to a writer; you just have to go about it in the smartest way possible.
"Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student." - George Iles
Using the Five Senses in Writing
One of the most well-known pieces of writing advice that you may have heard is to show events rather than telling them. While I do like this piece of advice and find it useful to a point, I think there is a better approach. The whole reason to avoid flat out stating everything that happens in a story is to give the reader sensory details that make them feel like they're really there. So why not just make sure you focus on using those sensory details, and let them do all the "showing" work for you?
Let's start by taking a look at each of the main five senses and discussing what using each of them can add to your story.
1. Sight.Describing how things look in the story is simple, straight forward, and can add a significant layer of depth to any scene that will instantly give your readers a front row seat to what's happening. It's also probably the easiest to accomplish and one that is remembered more than others. The only thing you should be careful to avoid doing when using this type of sensory detail is to refrain from using common colors in your description, such as "blood red" or "fire engine red" and "midnight black" or "dark as night." While readers will immediately know the color you are referring to, it becomes boring and rather cliché to hear them in every piece of literature.
2. Hearing.When's the last time you remember seeing a scary movie without a bunch of creepy music playing in the background? The truth is, you probably haven't, and for good reason. What you hear has a direct effect on what you perceive the environment to be in a story. If a horror movie had happy music playing in the background, you might expect a different outcome than one that was playing ominous, you're-about-to-get-your-head-cut-off music. The same is true when writing. Just like good movie scripts do, well-written books suck their audience into the current scene by taking advantage of this sense. It doesn't matter what the scene is, there will always be some type of noise that the characters encounter, whether it's just the hum of the refrigerator, someone coughing, or an enormous crash of thunder as a streak of lightning touches down close by. No, not every line needs to have auditory details in it; that would just be overwhelming and silly. But don't forget about this useful sense either. Especially paired with one of the other main senses, it provides a pretty powerful environment.
3. Taste. Out of all the five main senses, this one is probably the most forgotten of all of them when it comes to writing, without surprise. It's hard to find a good place to include details about taste, other than with food. It adds a lot to meals of course, but apart from that, it can be used to describe things in the environment that give off an aroma that you can "taste" to describing blood in someone's mouth without directly stating that they're bleeding.
4. Smell. Another one of the seldom used senses in writing, smell proves to be useful tool. It's particularly good for building suspense if a character is in a dark environment and is trying to figure out where they are. It's a prime way to triggering memories for characters within a story.
5. Touch. What better way to establish urgency than to have a character groping their way around in the dark? What better way to establish a sexy, romantic scene than to describe the soft, caressing touch of a lover's body? What better way to make a reader want to pet that soft, fluffy kitten? What better way to pull your reader into the slimy, sticky muck? You get the point. There are so many different textures to explore in this awesome world we live in. My toddler knows that perhaps better than anyone. And there is no better way to explore those textures than by sense of touch. Using this detail in your story will give your writing texture as well and make the situation much more realistic to the reader.
Using the main five senses clearly has the potential to give depth to your story and make the environment a vivid one. It will even help take care of that pesky "show, don't tell" rule that editors often try to hammer home. But remember: Don't just describe what you see and hear; feel, smell, and taste your way through your writing too. Even better, don't just limit yourself (or your audience) to the main senses. Pain and temperature are two additional sensory details that really make your writing pop; they're easy to relate to, and they heighten the environment quite well. They can even help develop the mood for a particular scene.
With just a little bit of work, sensory details can transform a great piece of writing into an extraordinary one.