Hey all,
I have a question about your reading experiences, as I'm tackling the question for my own story and I need hive mind help. I apologise if I'm a bit over the shop, my thoughts on this idea haven't coalesced yet.
For nearly a decade, this piece of writing advice has been what I aim for:
Where do scripts go wrong, language-wise, beyond the points already covered? Here I have no comprehensive answers, let alone data that can be classed as definitive. But awkwardness does develop in certain special areas often enough to be worth mentioning. Thus,
a. Sentence structure grows monotonous.
b. Subject and verb are separated.
c. Adverbs are placed improperly.
d. Words and phrases are repeated inadvertently.
e. Correct grammar becomes a fetish.
f. Meaning isn’t made clear instantly.
There are more, of course; too many more. But these will do for a start.
Swain, Dwight V.. Techniques of the Selling Writer (p. 32). University of Oklahoma Press. Kindle Edition.
My questions revolves around "f." As a reader:
1. Another fab piece of writing advice I've come across is "give the reader 2 + 2," don't give them the answer, "the audience wants to work for their meal." So how would you recommend giving 2 +2 without confusing the reader?
2. When Dwight says, 'meaning isn't made clear instantly' do you think that includes motivations? What level of motivation? must it be on some level in the scene (i.e they want a glass of water and then throw it over their wife. Is it enough to know they want the water? can you wait to see why they threw it over their wife or do you need that motivation be instant too?) or can you wait to see why characters are doing what they're doing? how long until not knowing frustrates you?
3. As a writer, how do you balance instant meaning versus foreshadowing?
No wrong or right answers here. Your reading experience is personal and, hence, a valid perspective. I'm not after answers to everything, just react to what you connect with because I still don't know if I'm making sense. I just know instant meaning versus motivation/foreshadowing is a blind spot for me.
Cheers
Rachel
I have a question about your reading experiences, as I'm tackling the question for my own story and I need hive mind help. I apologise if I'm a bit over the shop, my thoughts on this idea haven't coalesced yet.
For nearly a decade, this piece of writing advice has been what I aim for:
Where do scripts go wrong, language-wise, beyond the points already covered? Here I have no comprehensive answers, let alone data that can be classed as definitive. But awkwardness does develop in certain special areas often enough to be worth mentioning. Thus,
a. Sentence structure grows monotonous.
b. Subject and verb are separated.
c. Adverbs are placed improperly.
d. Words and phrases are repeated inadvertently.
e. Correct grammar becomes a fetish.
f. Meaning isn’t made clear instantly.
There are more, of course; too many more. But these will do for a start.
Swain, Dwight V.. Techniques of the Selling Writer (p. 32). University of Oklahoma Press. Kindle Edition.
My questions revolves around "f." As a reader:
1. Another fab piece of writing advice I've come across is "give the reader 2 + 2," don't give them the answer, "the audience wants to work for their meal." So how would you recommend giving 2 +2 without confusing the reader?
2. When Dwight says, 'meaning isn't made clear instantly' do you think that includes motivations? What level of motivation? must it be on some level in the scene (i.e they want a glass of water and then throw it over their wife. Is it enough to know they want the water? can you wait to see why they threw it over their wife or do you need that motivation be instant too?) or can you wait to see why characters are doing what they're doing? how long until not knowing frustrates you?
3. As a writer, how do you balance instant meaning versus foreshadowing?
No wrong or right answers here. Your reading experience is personal and, hence, a valid perspective. I'm not after answers to everything, just react to what you connect with because I still don't know if I'm making sense. I just know instant meaning versus motivation/foreshadowing is a blind spot for me.
Cheers
Rachel
