code:The horizontal axis represents a narrative's development over time, draft through revision time. The vertical axis represents the effort expended for the sake of timely understanding. The plus signs represent reader effort progression over time, revision; the equals signs represent writer effort progression over time, revision.^| + = Writer
|| + =
E| + =
f| + =
f| + =
o| = +
r| = +
t| = +
|| = +
|| = + Reader
|O_____________________
--- Time, Revision --->
quote:Very few; actually, if the intangible implications are overwrought, they are too overt, and will dominate a narrative's expression to the exclusion of broad appeal. They become philosophical expressions instead that preach a moral law assertion and ring false for being forced into a mold -- huge turnoff being told how to act, believe, think, feel.
Originally posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury:
I wonder how many authors really have such knowledge about the implications of their work when they set out to write it.
quote:The single most crucial aspect for such things is that they afford the opportunity for stronger and clearer overall and part, piece, parcel, and whole unity. Secondmost is that they lend the ever so crucial freshness of expression about yet again another same moral human condition so often recounted over time's span time.
Originally posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury:
I suspect that having such things pointed out to them in the critique process can either open them up to greater possibilities which they will incorporate into rewrites . . .
quote:To each as each may, so far and no farther. For me, the effort has been worth the midnight candle burnt. Unfortunately, still, what any given narrative I compose really is about is a stifling process; plus, exactly enough and no more covert signals that suit the target audience of one reader remains a stumbling obstacle.
Originally posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury:
OR it can paralyze them (or at least trigger aspects of the Dread Writers Block) as they contemplate those greater possibilities and then struggle with the question of whether or not to tackle them in rewrites.
quote:Just wanting to tell a story asks about the same strength, clarity, and unity as added depth from intangibles and covert expression contribute, as far as prose's social functions go.
Originally posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury:
I also suspect that some writers may simply shrug and say something along the lines of "I just want to tell a story here," and not do much at all in the rewrites.
quote:I worked nights at a hotel for about five months. It damn near drove me into a depression. I understand how rough it can be. The human body just isn't made for night jobs.
Originally posted by Robert Nowall:
My day job is a night job; I don't get enough sleep and I'm always tired. Perhaps that's why my production of late has been, well, less than good, in two senses.
quote:Why?
I do want to go pro one day. . .
quote:I'd honestly like to make a living from writing. I've felt that drive since I was young. I love stories and storytelling. (That's why I enjoy tabletop roleplaying so much. You have a small audience and you weave the story right in front of them.) It's not that I think it would be easy work, it's more that it's a job that would actually let me be myself.
Originally posted by Grumpy old guy:
Originally posted by Disgruntled Peony:
quote:Why?
I do want to go pro one day. . .
This is a serious question: Why do you want to be a professional writer, and why don't you expect it to happen soon?
Phil.
quote:This is both a bummer that every long and many short fiction writer encounters and an insightful process. Great that up-front plan effort realizes a fiction project doesn't have the legs on it to go the distance in both cases. On the other hand, and this is a profound truth easily overlooked, any narrative concept has potential for greatness, if what's missing could be realized. Often, as well, a misapprehended approach is the shortfall. Perhaps a story is really best, strongest, clearest about a villain, not a hero, for example, or at least a tragic hero. The matter of substance therein is truth, a narrative that is true-to-life, true to itself.
Originally posted by Disgruntled Peony:
The big reason I don't think I'll get to where I want to be any time soon is because I want to write novels but I'm still having focus problems on any longer-term stories. I think the outlining process gives me too much time to think things over and decide the story is crap.