Writing

[Phoenyx]

There has been a lot of discussion about writing here, of late.  So, I would like to offer my take on the subject.

Creative writing, first and foremost, is a dominant act---especially in the case of fiction.  You are doing "a scene".  You are taking control of the readers thoughts and feelings, and guiding them to the places that you wish to go.  Moreover, you are in there, with the reader, sharing the experience.  This empathy allows your work to flow from one event, image, or vision, to the next.

Which brings me to the point of this post---proof reading.  Folks new to writing, just like folks new to The Scene, tend to *** their own dominant side.  This is natural.  A little voice inside keeps screaming, "That's not me!"  They try to suffocate their dominant traits with shame, or sarcasm, or denial, or some other coping mechanism.  Truth is, if you have put word to page, than that is you.  You need to accept that fact, and move on to the next step.

That next step is proof reading.  You have just played the role of The Master.  Now, go back, and read what you wrote.  Allow yourself to be dominated by your words.  Do they take you to the places that you intended?  Are you feeling the emotions that you wished to convey?  If not, don't be afraid to make changes.  Craft the words until your intended thoughts become reality.  This is called "polish".  All of the great writers do it.  It is a good habit to acquire, whether writing a novel, or just a post to this forum.

Ernest Hemingway even once bragged, that he would polish a novel over 400 times.  A bit of an exaggeration.  Of course, you don't want to risk over-polishing.  Too much polish could buff away the juicy details that give your work spice.  Ultimately, it is up to you, when your work is ready.  But, you will never know, if you don't read it first.

Anyway, I hope that this was of some help.

[Deleted Member]

Or you could just document a stream of consciousness without thought of the reader together with uncorrected typos. That would be art. It's selfish but has integrity and is authentic. It's urgent, ***istic and expresses emotion. It doesn't care who reads it or why. Like passionate sex sometimes you just have to rip your clothes off and get rough. There's a time fold your trousers and put your socks in your shoes neatly . The heat of the moment ain't it.

[Deleted Member]

Panther, you’ve got a great point there. I wrote a piece in that style recently: “Needing”. It was raw and from my deepest soul. It wasn’t contrived or manufactured, it just flowed naturally and I wrote the words down as they came from my inner being. It was utterly truthful and unpolished. 
However, and here’s the caveat: I did proof read it. In this day of the much loved and equally loathed AutoCarrot, er, AutoCorrect function that many mobile devices and laptops have, sometimes an error can slip through the net that destroys entirely the flow and rhythm, let alone the meaning, of the words on the page. There have been other posts recently about how inflection, tone, facial expression and timing are all social cues that give our face-to-face conversations so much richness of expression, something that only the very best writers can convey well on the written page. And therein lies the skill of being a great writer: to be able to hold the attention of your reader without the benefit of having all of those aforementioned social cues to assist, to add the hues, colours and shades of the intended meaning of the passage. I’ll give an example in a moment, but this is in my opinion why proof reading what you’ve just written is so important. A small mistake can make a huge difference to the outcome. I have personally kicked myself on a number of occasions when a small typo or auto correction has slipped through and it really detracts enormously from the finished piece. And we’ve all seen the text speak that is used on the chat rooms, which is really quite difficult to read and, I find, enormously irritating.

Those of us who speak a second or third language will appreciate this next point even more: Sometimes the English language is infuriating. There isn’t actually a word to describe what we really mean. So we have to use a compromise. Take the word “love” for example. Depending upon the context, we can use this word in so many ways. It can be used as a verb, as a noun, or as an adjective, amongst others. it’s just four letters, making up one simple little single-syllable word.

The Greeks had at least six words for love, enabling a much wider range of meanings to be conveyed, according to the context and situation.

Agape was a principled love, such as mankind’s love for a true God or vice versa.

Eros was the word used to describe erotic or sexual love between partners.

Philia was a word that was used principally to describe brotherly love, or a principled love for fellow man.

Storge was the word used to describe familial love, primarily between parents and their ***.

Philautia was used to describe loving yourself, or probably more “being happy with the skin you are in.”

Xenia was the word that was used to describe the love that you show for a short time to a guest; friendship or hospitality extended to others.

I’m not a Greek scholar, but this example shows how the richness of meaning sometimes cannot be conveyed in a single sentence or word. Therefore, in the written word, sometimes we need to expand sufficiently to ensure that the true meaning is conveyed, in a way that in a face-to-face conversation with all of the social cues previously discussed, we would not find so necessary.

So I do consider that Phoenix is absolutely right here: properly proof read what you write. We all make mistakes and I’ve let a few things slip through in the past that has really irritated me afterwards. And punctuate properly! We all know about the Panda that eats shoots and leaves. A totally different meaning is conveyed by missing out the appropriate punctuation. The effect of that on the reader is comparable with the difference between being given a nice big bright fully inflated shiny balloon and being given one that is a week old, crinkled and dull on the surface, wrinkly around the bottom and really not very enticing! It is a lot easier to take somebody’s comments or writings seriously when what they have written is well constructed, correctly spelled, grammatically correct and properly punctuated. It garners respect for the writer from their readers and subconsciously at least, elevates the writer to a position loftier than the reader. I’m afraid that I tend to give up reading pieces that are not well written or that have an excess of spelling mistakes or punctuation errors (especially misused or misplaced apostrophes!), although I do make great allowance for typos and incorrect automatic corrections.

This is, of course, a site dedicated to BDSM and fetish, not creative writing, but given that there is an element of creative writing within this broad family of interest and that there are clearly quite a few talented members in this field, with many more members that appreciate their contributions, I think that these discussions about how to improve one’s appeal in their writing are well justified.

Finally, I have proof read this comment several times before I hit the Submit Reply button! That having been said, I can’t guarantee that there are no mistakes in here. Your feedback is appreciated. For some reason, in the latest update to iOS, Apple, in all of their wisdom, have modified the algorithm that changes the first letter of a word on a new sentence after a full stop to a capital. Consequently, quite a few sentences that should start with a capital letter, unfortunately, don’t. Even with the most sophisticated spelling check software, words will slip through that have a similar sound or similar spelling, but have a different meaning. It’s really annoying, of course, but this highlights the importance of proof reading.

 

[Carnelian2]

2 hours ago, Fredddy said:

This is, of course, a site dedicated to BDSM and fetish, not creative writing, but given that there is an element of creative writing within this broad family of interest and that there are clearly quite a few talented members in this field, with many more members that appreciate their contributions, I think that these discussions about how to improve one’s appeal in their writing are well justified.

I liked everything you have written, but due to the length, I am not quoting all of it. I like when someone expresses themselves accurately and with care as it shows attention to detail. As others, I have also had issues with Autocorrect, particularly since I am multi-lingual and do not always select the right keyboard and thus dictionary for the auto-correct. The best example was a message sent to a colleague on a project, who knew I did not particularly think his performance was up to par. His name was Anil - now your imaginations go racing. The auto-correct changed it to Able - which was exactly what I thought he was not. Needless to say, it did not go down well and I had to apologise.

As much as we can make allowances for spell-checking and autocorrect, it is also important to express oneself succinctly and accurately :-)

For myself, I wish I was more of a story writer and admire those that have this ability to express themselves in writing.

[Wo****]

I write but i don't consider myself a writer, maybe because most of my scribblings are just my thoughts about something. I love debate and learning. I have written (and posted) a few poems and a couple of stories that were well received but i find it really hard to come up with them. Most of the stuff i write is pretty much just me typing my thoughts. That's kinda what I'm good at, i think.

I can't explain it, writing isn't something i do, it's who i am.  It's how i think, it's a cathartic thing for me. I write about everything from how i feel to what my dreams are.

I love words, they reach deep into my soul, i understand them. 

 

Autocorrect can be hilarious, i've spent a few evenings giggling ***ly as a friend and i have an "autocorrect convo", grammar and spelling don't bother me too much. Puncuation is pretty important but i confess my pet ***ve is text speak or things like "luv." 

 

[Phoenyx]

There is no doubt, that technical perfection makes the difference between readable, and not.  But, my point was about so much more than just mistake correction.  A story can be technically perfect, and still read like an appliance manual.

Really, my point was more about tapping into that place deep within, to give your work the passion and richness that it deserves.  It's about making the reader your slave.  It's about making them laugh, or cry, or cringe in ***, at your command.  Is the reader unable to put your work aside?  Do they feel a great emotional crash, upon reaching the end of the last page?  Are they now willing, if not eager, to crawl on their hands and knees, through three feet of snow, while shackled to a great weight, just to read that next chapter, that next sequel?

As you proof-read your work, do you feel the power of your words?  If you don't feel it, no one else will.  Don't worry if you can't do this at first.  Like everything else, it takes practice.  If you tap into your inner strength, and keep the mindset that I just described, each new work will come that much closer to your goal.  Who knows---maybe, someday, you too will reach the ranks of the unapproachables, like Ernest Hemingway or Stephen King.

As a tip, I have found thesaurus-dot-com to be an invaluable tool.  It's free, though you may be harassed with ads.

[Vandalslut]

So many good things from everyone! I'm a sub - mind, body and spirit - but a mental Domme when it comes to writing.  I've done plenty. And I am fighting to get my first book out there.  What a flaming battle it is, too. To continue...

On 11/23/2019 at 8:36 AM, phoenyx said:

Too much polish could buff away the juicy details that give your work spice. 

I've had the great misfortune to have begun to read books like this - and it comes over as literally constipated, as if the writer was only concerned with sentence construction, grammar, syntax and using an inhuman, torturous quantity of adjectives and adverbs.  Even the characters' dialogue was constipated.  Read aloud, it sounded like a couple of robots having a chat while washing the dishes. It certainly wasn't emotional, volatile, wonderful humans.  Title of book and name of author completely unmemorable...but I did wonder how the hell it ever got published.

21 hours ago, purrfectpanther said:

Or you could just document a stream of consciousness without thought of the reader together with uncorrected typos. That would be art. It's selfish but has integrity and is authentic. It's urgent, ***istic and expresses emotion.

Not selfish! Definitely art. Ideal method for writing a character's stream of thought or inner monologue when in an emotional uproar - because when in an emotional uproar, no-one thinks grammatically, no-one constructs sentences - they just are - they're just there - in the moment.  That's real.

19 hours ago, Fredddy said:

It is a lot easier to take somebody’s comments or writings seriously when what they have written is well constructed, correctly spelled, grammatically correct and properly punctuated.

My word, Fredddy. A local spiritual guidance/life counsellor - a very experienced and a wonderful conversationalist who lives in the next village - insists on churning out desktop publishing works which probably have a great deal of valuable wisdom in them - if only you can get past the hectic, nay, hysterical, quantity of exclamation marks!! There's far too many!! And it's ***y distracting!! One finds oneself looking for the next little gang of exclamation marks!!  And not reading the text!!  And no, I'm not messing about, I counted 36 of the little buggers on one page of 1.5 spaced text, font size 14. And yes, the rambling, inappropriate, possessive apostrophe drives me batshit.  I saw a tradie-van last week, ***ted with this customer-enticing advert: Blind's. Window's. Shutter's....  The blind's what?  What does the shutter OWN?  The only rambling apostrophe allowed is Frank Zappa's album of the same name.

17 hours ago, Carnelian2 said:

As much as we can make allowances for spell-checking and autocorrect, it is also important to express oneself succinctly and accurately :-)

I believe Auto-correct has been invented as a vast, world-wide social experiment to see if we're paying attention.  Succinct? Oh, yeah! My favourite descriptive piece is by Stephen King and is from Apt Pupil. King describes a minor character, a hobo, in three unforgettable sentences. You can literally see this sad wreck of a man with mind-buggering clarity, you wonder how he got this sad state, you can hear the tipsy, slightly offended dignity in his dialogue.  King has seen this man, if not actually met him.  And he makes us see this man. Three. Little. Sentences.

17 hours ago, Carnelian2 said:

For myself, I wish I was more of a story writer and admire those that have this ability to express themselves in writing.

If you'd like to write fiction, start with that glimpse into the uncensored soul as mentioned by purrfectpanther.  Followed by:  "What if THIS type of man met THAT type of woman at XYZ event/concert/restaurant..."   What If...What a way to fly!

16 hours ago, LazyPiratesBounty said:

I can't explain it, writing isn't something i do, it's who i am.  It's how i think, it's a cathartic thing for me. I write about everything from how i feel to what my dreams are. I love words, they reach deep into my soul, i understand them. 

You're a writer.  Go for it.

 

14 hours ago, phoenyx said:

It's about making the reader your slave.

Are you related to Stephen King????

Now can anyone please tell me why Danielle Steel's book SELL????  As far as my mum and I are concerned, it's one of the great mysteries of the world!

[Wo****]

Danielle Steele? At least she's slightly better than Barbara Carrtand. That woman is just so pink. That said, she has an impressive track record being named in the Guinness Book of Records as the top selling author in the world and in 1976 she wrote 23 novels.

Interesting fact, she took an interest in the early gliding movement. In 1931 she did a 200 mile tow in a two seater glider. The idea led to troop carrying gliders. She was awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her contribution.

Stephen King is one of my favourite authors. Green Mile was brilliant! I read that years ago, when it came out in six books. Ohhhh, the wait for the next book.... it definitely added to the tension.

@Vandalslut thank you 😊

 

 

[Vandalslut]

2 hours ago, LazyPiratesBounty said:

Barbara Carrtand. That woman is just so pink.

Oh, blimey, I didn't think of Barbara Cartland. Great description - so pink!  Oh yes, she and Danielle sell - I just can't figure out why, esp. with Steele being 1. Search and replace; and 2. plots have to be propped up with an actual historical event which vanishes 20 pages in. Mum's a retired nurse and back in the day she noticed a lot of older women, when in hospital, read Mills and Boon or the 64 page Womens'  Weekly magazinelets - she believed it was because what plot there was could only be described as search and replace, so...easy to read and easy to pick up and carry on if one fell asleep while reading.

Green Mile was totally brilliant - I didn't get it till it came out in one volume.  Apparently King decided to do the six-parter in honour of Dickens' 1843 release of 'A Christmas Carol' in five parts over five days.

Keep on loving words - and that was interesting about Cartland's role in the development of troop-carrying gliders, thanks for that!

[Deleted Member]

Ladies, You are providing an education that goes way beyond the remit of this site! An education far better and more interesting than anything I ever learned in history at school, that’s for sure. Thank you Vandalslut and Bounty.

[Vandalslut]

Cheers, Fredddy.  Education, like love, is where you find it.