So I was at my job, Thinking. (yes with a capital) I realize why I do better with characters than with setting. It's because I'm in theater. When I do a play, I deal almost exclusively with characters and plot, and almost never with setting. The stage crew takes care of that, while I take what a character does and says and create a past that makes her personality. I've noticed my characters are distinct, while I barely mention the setting. I just assume you can see it like I can. Stupid me. I thought it was interesting though. I suppose and artist would have a better time with setting.
I've also been thinking about style. This is my opinion and tell me if you agree. I think that in order to develop a really solid style, you have to study different types of writing and copy them in your own way. I think you need to write in all genres: fantasy, mystery, romance, comedy, drama, horror, and suspense for a few suggestions, before a style really comes together. I know you have to do it in music and theater too. I suppose dance, but all the arts really. I once read a short story by Roald Dahl about a wife killing her husband that was fantastic, but nothing at all like what he normally writes. He's now immortal! I figure he must have done a lot of different writing. What do you think? I know I do a lot of different types of writing (except romance, I know I will never master that) but I think it's essential to becoming a good writer.
2 comments:
I had the same problem as you when I first started writing in that I would never mention the setting. Now I remember the setting, but forget to tell you how the character is feeling. Sigh. Someday, maybe, I'll get it right! Maybe I'll just have to try more genres.
I absolutely agree that it is important to write lots of different kinds of things. That's probably the only way to find out what you are best at.
It always irritated me, though, those stories about writers who would write romance or adventure or fantasy novels with no success, but then one day they sit down and write some dreary memoir and it gets on the bestsellers list. Snarg.
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