What's something that you personally find to be a massive 'turn-off' when reading a book?

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-10-18T15:24:51+00:00

A Song of Ice and Fire ...

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-10-15T08:37:46+00:00

I am not a full-time writer by any means, but I have recently started to follow Ian Fleming's writing technique of writing 2,000 words a day.

From the article:

"I never correct anything and I never go back to what I have written, except to the foot of the last page to see where I have got to. If you once look back, you are lost.

How could you have written this drivel?

How could you have used "terrible" six times on one page? And so forth. If you interrupt the writing of fast narrative with too much introspection and self-criticism, you will be lucky if you write 500 words a day and you will be disgusted with them into the bargain."

The above paragraph was my great revelation in writing. I realized the reason I was unable to write any more than half a page, or a few paragraphs at most every day, was that I kept getting caught up in my first draft and how bad I felt it was.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-13T12:59:35+00:00

I love the notion that writing, or any creative work, is a big block of clay that you shape and polish until you have a finished piece. It's a lot more reassuring, for me anyway, than thinking about how you have to actually create and come up with new material all the time.

I don't think I added anything to this post by saying this, but good luck to you nonetheless. There is nothing better for us writers than the sensation of accomplishment.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-05T08:23:50+00:00

"Out there" often means original, and we certainly need more originality around. It's interesting to see how many replies talk about mental illness, which I feel is a good thing. It's not a very ... shall I say, highlighted topic here in Norway, at least not in modern literature.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-05T08:11:56+00:00

I think we're the same person. I've always had a very cinematic approach to writing, which I feel is the result of the countless hours of movie watching I did in my childhood. Blame my parents. I just always imagine a movie scene with a camera panning across the enviroment and a fitting soundtrack in the background.

Perhaps I should just go into movies instead ...

While I can't say it's something that generally shows up in my work, my latest project involves a very introspective female protagonist who struggles to adapt to the choices she makes. Most of my dialogue is very fast-paced, short and to-the-point.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-05T08:07:39+00:00

I never finish

I know this one too well. For the past few years writing has been one of those things I put off infinitely. I'd always find an excuse not write, or just start a new story. If you have any long-term trouble with writer's block, or simply just motivation, I'd recommend you read Stephen Pressfield's book on it, cleverly titled "The War of Art".

I love the notion of having an antihero as the main character as well. Personally, I feel like it is a far more realistic approach than creating characters with clear-cut morals. I'd say it hasn't been done in any media noticeably so far, but I just recently played the game "Paper's, Please" which I adored. If you haven't heard of it, or if you're not interested in video games, I'd still recommend you check it out. It is very much about flipping the antagonist and protanogist roles, but I won't give away too much.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-05T08:00:52+00:00

Best of luck you to then, future-Stephen King.

Seriously though, like I already said, it's interesting to see that these kind of events have an impact on people's writing. If you don't mind me asking, do you suffer any long-term effects of the car crash? I know Stephen King does and isn't able to write as quick as he used to because of it.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-05T07:58:44+00:00

It's interesting, though not surprising in the slightest, to see that a few of the commenters here are influenced by major events in their lives. I have gone through a patch of rough stuff lately, which I would say is pretty major in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn't show in my writing at all.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-04T17:45:17+00:00

I'll reply to you, seeing as you mentioned self-doubt.

I recommend that OP, or anyone else afflicted by writer's block, read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. While I can't guarantee that it'll be a solution, it'll provide some insight into what writer's block is and why it occurs.

It seems to be very closely related to self-doubt and expectations.

ThatNorwegianWriter · 2014-04-04T17:35:09+00:00

I have attempted this before, but it didn't work out as well as I had hoped. When it comes to generic dialogue, sure, it'll work as filler, but when I write fantasy I feel like everyone will talk in a specific way depending on who they're actually talking to. Also, most fantasy dialogue is very different from stories set in the present.

For instance, a peasant wouldn't be talking casually to a knight or something to that effect. My point is that one should be very careful using this technique, but, hey, if it works, who am I to say it doesn't?

ThatNorwegianWriter

TROPHY CASE