Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Okay. So in relation to writing, I'm tired of learning. I know. I know. Some of your jaws just dropped. And some of you smirk thinking, "Well no wonder she doesn't sell many books." Hey, it's true. But after a point and seven plus novels which aren't in and of themselves good reasons to abandon "learning" about how to write good fiction, I'm tired of the same instructions said in different ways, the rules and their adaptations depending on who's giving them, and the overall "keys" to making a story pop.

While learning the basics is valuable and necessary, again, after a point, it becomes tedious and routine to hear "nothing new under the sun". In the end, although some would vehemently disagree, it's all subjective, a matter of opinion. Sometimes success is marketing induced. Sometimes it results from superb writing – which is also subjective. And sometimes it's because a story takes off because it's unique. For all the successful publishers, there are many folding their tents and moving on. For all the massive amounts of novels produced, according to statistics, many more are deemed unsuccessful than successful.

Call me stubborn – it's a fact – but I'm tired of listening to the clichéd instructions and, in some cases, demands of professionals and those that rather self-righteously proclaim how to write a good story. After awhile, all you're learning is how to separate opinions.

 

Father, you're the One from whom I need to learn. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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4 responses to “Tired of it . . .”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I can understand that feeling.Though I spend little time on writing thanks to the employer from hell, what little I do is not spent fretting over the teachings. Even though expense was also a large factor in my decision, when I went to the last conference I attended in 2008, I decided there would be no more and that I would concentrate on brainstorming my own books–and that there would again come a time to fold in the folklore and teaching about writing.
    This past Saturday I attended a 1 day Don Maass Breakout Novel workshop b/c it was local & at a price I couldn’t turn down. For him I’ll make an exception. I like how he approaches things because it doesn’t feel like rules so much as giving you insights on questions to ask of and about your characters. And while there is a lot of good teaching out there on writing, Maass separates himself from the crowd because for me, he pushes you not to write good, but great stories. Whether we accomplish that or not is up to each individual.
    I guess you could say Maass’ approach is to get at what’s stirring inside you organically as a writer. That makes all the difference in the world.

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  2. Nicole Petrino-Salter Avatar

    You make a good point – actually points. I might make an exception for Donald Maass myself. Just to hear him speak and evaluate his message. The story is it, and I like the idea of posing questions to your characters. What I’ve found what I primarily don’t like is the emphasis on conflict. That’s a must for thrillers and high energy novels. But for love stories and some romances, some conflicts are continually added just to have them there. They don’t necessarily represent a real life focus but rather a concentrated “what if” scenario. I find some of the conflicts excessive in certain genres and wearying. JMO of course.

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  3. Debra Avatar
    Debra

    Nicole, I’m of the same opinion about conflicts in romance novels. A romance story doesn’t have to have “high drama”, it just needs to be well told.

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  4. Nicole Petrino-Salter Avatar

    Thank you, Deb. You and I are probably the only ones who think so, but I so agree.

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