After Marilyn Monroe was dressed for going out and finished with her makeup, she'd study herself in a full length mirror, then turn her back and glance back at herself. Whatever element of her makeup jumped out at her, she'd make less noticeable. She'd do this until she had a complete look.
I've always thought this story is an excellent metaphor for writing genre fiction. Anything like overwriting, fancy words, and moments of being too clever need to be toned down.
That doesn't mean that a viewpoint character can't be clever or use an occasional big word if it fits his personality, but it should be the viewpoint character, not the author.
During the rewriting process, be sure to look for things that stand out too much and remove them so the story is what is important, not your writing.
SCHEDULE NOTICE: Thanks to everyone who has sent notes and prayers. Right now, my ruptured disc is doing much better, and I’m on the way to recovery if I don’t do something stupid and delay my progress.
This week, my blog will return to its Monday writing article and Wednesday links blog schedule, and I hope to continue that schedule.
WORKSHOPS:
I'm teaching two writing workshops in July.
“Keeping the Reader Reading the First Chapter”
Drawing a reader into the first chapter of your novel is more than an exciting beginning, more than a “cute meet,” more than a sexy hero and a feisty heroine. Step by step, I'll show you the craft needed to draw the reader into your novel and make her eager to keep reading.
To learn more and register, go here:
http://www.writersonlineclasses.com/classes.html
“Magic, Monsters and Amour: Creating a Believable Paranormal World”
Are vampires, fairies, and space aliens real? If you create the right background for your novel, they will be to your reader.
Marilynn Byerly, lauded by reviewers for "building a world that combines both integrity and depth in an entertaining way," shows you how to develop a fantasy, science fiction, or paranormal world from scratch...how to invent creatures to populate it...and how to make your novel utterly believable. She'll teach you the ins and outs of research, fresh ways to use creatures like vampires, and the means to avoid various traps many authors have fallen into.
To learn more and register, go here:
http://www.writeruniv.com/Registration.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment