[Docter]

I have begun writing a lengthy novel that I've been mulling over for awhile to realize that I really have no concrete idea as how to write one.

I'm wondering if any of you guys are writers yourselves and have some resources you could share on how to write better.

I'm not dead in the sand with my writing but I like knowing the "rules" so I can break em.

The book "Techniques of the Selling Author" seems good. Anyone read it?

The novel I'm working on is a fantasy novel by the way.

[Ellroy]

(07-03-2011 09:05 AM)Docter Wrote:  

I'm wondering if any of you guys are writers yourselves and have some resources you could share on how to write better.

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fiction-Notes-...679734031/

Is among the best books on how to write. It's been a while since I've even owned a copy but I think I remember it well enough to summarize a little bit for you...

The essential advice is "don't interrupt the dream." Everything in your story should go toward casting the spell, creating a directed daydream for your reader. Nothing in your story should break that spell, or remind the reader that they are reading.

[CJ]

Oh, workin' on your novel again, Brian? Try this link out:

http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-pub...-1093.html

That's gonna be more down the road, but definitely worth considering before you even get going.

When you say "writing better", do you mean writing more creatively or with more structure?

[Caligula]

Here's a great piece on clarity in writing by Orwell: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm

Not as applicable to fiction as nonfiction but there are some good lessons in there.

[Baldwin81]

Ironic, but pick up "On Writing" by Stephen King.

I just finished a rough draft of a novel and this book was very helpful.

The first half of the book is King's autobiography. The second half of the book offers some no-nonsense shit about the craft. This book is dope even if you don't read Stephen King novels.

Also, I'd suggest reading Hemingway. I'm not sure if you're American, but our schools turn prospective readers off to Hemingway by making everyone read "The Old Man and the Sea" at 14 or 15 years old. Hemingway's writing is simple but not at all simplistic.

[thegmanifesto]

"but our schools turn prospective readers off to Hemingway by making everyone read "The Old Man and the Sea" at 14 or 15 years old."

Why does it turn people off?

I dug that book.

[Baldwin81]

(07-05-2011 12:19 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

"but our schools turn prospective readers off to Hemingway by making everyone read "The Old Man and the Sea" at 14 or 15 years old."

Why does it turn people off?

I dug that book.

Sometimes "Who's your favorite author?" will come up in conversation.

I'll cite Hemingway as one of my favorites. In response, I've heard enough people say they don't like Hemingway too much because they read Old Man and the Sea in high school and "Didn't get it," or "Thought it was boring."

I felt the same way in high school. I read it again on my own time and found a whole new appreciation for Hemingway's style.

Keep in mind, these people are usually girls who front like they read more than they do or men who don't read that often. Consider the sources and realize that people being "turned off" by Hemingway might be nothing more than collateral damage from our decaying society.

[Nonpareil]

Develop your characters first and foremost.

[Gmac]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...lance.html

Looks like he was right all along by the way.

[thegmanifesto]

(07-05-2011 02:16 PM)Baldwin81 Wrote:  

(07-05-2011 12:19 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

"but our schools turn prospective readers off to Hemingway by making everyone read "The Old Man and the Sea" at 14 or 15 years old."

Why does it turn people off?

I dug that book.

Sometimes "Who's your favorite author?" will come up in conversation.

I'll cite Hemingway as one of my favorites. In response, I've heard enough people say they don't like Hemingway too much because they read Old Man and the Sea in high school and "Didn't get it," or "Thought it was boring."

I felt the same way in high school. I read it again on my own time and found a whole new appreciation for Hemingway's style.

Keep in mind, these people are usually girls who front like they read more than they do or men who don't read that often. Consider the sources and realize that people being "turned off" by Hemingway might be nothing more than collateral damage from our decaying society.

I got where you are coming from.

I think I read that book on my own when I was 18 or 19.

The more I think about it, it is probably one of my favorite books.

If someone said "Didn't get it," or "Thought it was boring." , it would probably be a good thing because you would know straight away that they are an idiot.

[Docter]

I am American but I don't remember reading The old man and the sea. I'll check it out though as G's appreciation for the book intrigues me. And baldwin, I'll be sure to check out On Writing, if not only for the biography (because King is cool).

@CJ

Upon some personal research, I have come to the conclusion that asking people how to "write better" is pretty stupid. It's like, "how can I think better?" But what I meant was, "what are some specific things a writer can do to improve a piece of his/her work."

The most important thing I've come across is the "show, don't tell" idea.

"Bob was sad." <--telling
"Bob frowned and swiftly placed his face in his hands. A tear strolled down his face." <---showing

Another thing is to not be redundant. "He calmly relaxed" is retarded because relaxing is calm. I didn't need to tell you that. ect.

Beyond those two things and improving my diction, I see that practice is the strongest tool for improvement.

And with that, I write.

@Caligula:

Just finished that article by Orwell -- fucking brilliant. Anyone looking to write must read that.

[germanico]

Write everyday. It doesnt matter how or what you write. Do it daily, religiously. Make it part of you.