From time to time I search the internet for stories (erotica), attempting to obtain a grasp of what interests readers, the various genres and themes, etc.
Well, it's amazing to learn how much time and effort aspiring writers put into stuff that wouldn't pass a freshman (high school) English course.
This quote is at the beginning of a story, developing a character...
Allthough only twenty three she was more inteligent, sufisticated and just plane togther than anyone he had ever met before.
Wow, Mrs. Malaprop could not have expressed this any better. In one
sentence 4 spelling errors, misuse of the word 'plane', questionable
syntax, and ending the sentence with a preposition (no longer considered
a literary sin, but still could be more smoothly phrased).
And the goal of the writer is to arouse, sexually stimulate?
For me it just gives rise to irritation. Couldn't get past the first paragraph.
So, some guidelines with which I aspire to comply...
- proof read, proof read, proof read, eliminate misspellings
- whenever possible, write in present tense
- try to nail down and smooth out the grammar. It's admittedly an old school notion, but awkward stuff distracts
- in sensual scenes remember the five senses... i.e. what does the character see, hear, smell, taste, feel
- take the time to build character, forgo 'she was five foot six, 120 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes, large breasts'. You're not describing a perpetrator to an investigating detective, you're trying to build an image not only physically but emotionally. The reader needs to empathize with the protagonists, develop disdain for the antagonists, not only 'see' the character (five foot six, 120 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes large breasts) but feel what she is feeling, have an inkling for what she is hearing, smelling and tasting (in certain scenes) and most importantly understand what she is thinking.
So my advice is, if you're going to take the time to tell a story, try your best to interest the reader and entertain... not annoy.
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2 comments:
The comment about writing in present tense .i didn't think you explain why, but have notice the vast majority of your published and self-published take that style. More immediacy perhaps that is the reason, less a step away to make the reader closer to the events?
I think too your more elegant style/formal approach renders the stories a piquancy that lingers long after you've realized exactly what you have exactly read.
I enjoy such thoughts from the artist (and craftsman!) There's another i was reading from your archives about the female guard in Broward County Jail, and how it fomented the idea for a story. A good one as I recall.
DD
DD,
I believe that in writing in present tense the reader is more immersed in the action of the story... feeling that he or she is engaged... seeing and hearing what the characters are seeing and hearing.
I should have noted in my post that I suggest authors avoid vulgarity whenever possible, leaving such words to the characters in narrative. Whenever I read some of the stories on the internet I note that whenever the author uses terms such as 'fuck' he or she has usurped an opportunity to be more sensual or conversely more graphic (depending on the scene).
Thank you for commenting,
Regards,
CB
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