Over the years I've read quite a few tips from writers. Advice like, avoid adverbs (it means you have chosen the wrong verb, says Stephen King), be careful using metaphor and similes, report dialogue with the word 'said', rather than anything more descriptive (eg, complained, whined, exclaimed, blurted). The Guardian has published quite a list of tips from writers of fiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
Their advice seems to be in direct contrast to what children are taught at school. Be descriptive. Never use 'got' or 'said'. Use metaphor and simile. Use adverbs.
I must say I see the consequences of how writing is taught in school, mostly in children's books, and find it jarring, and frankly, try hard. Poor writing.
It seems that to write well as an adult we need to unlearn all we learnt at school, and say what we mean as simply and accurately as possible.
A favourite classics teacher I had a university said good writing requires brevity, a voice, and something else I can't remember.
What do you think are the rules for good writing? Should these rules be taught at school? Or do we need to know the terms, then learn to use them sparingly?
I'll have a think and reply to my own questions.
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Interesting point about kids learning it wrong. Perhaps they need to be pushed to use words they wouldn't ordinarily, and then, when they reach adulthood, throw it out the window and write as simply as possible. And some of those 'creative' words will have stuck rather than going unused.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, I think it's about being natural. Like in improvisational theater. You play the truth of the scene. You don't go for funny or dramatic or interesting. You can't create 'interesting.' But you can be interested in what you are saying.
It is absolutely appalling how schools teach children all these "devices" and "decorations" and then accuse them of having trouble expressing themselves! No wonder it takes so much to get rid of all that and find your voice when you're older...
ReplyDeleteI agree, there would be a lot more creativity/storytelling going on if people hadn't spent so long in school learing about adverbs. That is, yes, we do need to know the terms, but structual grammar and writing stories are two entirely separate things...
Love your blog, by the way!
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