4 ms·

What is interesting about such lists of N writing tips is the total lack of theory of fiction or narration. It like explaining people how to write software by l

by xtho 17y ago

What is interesting about such lists of N writing tips is the total lack of theory of fiction or narration. It like explaining people how to write software by listing formatting rules/code conventions.

arethuza 17y ago
Careful, that will start a claim that engineers are better at writing fiction than anyone else ;-)
- stcredzero 17y ago
  Undoubtedly, there exists some engineer who believes that they are as good or better writer than anyone. I was just viewing at Max Raabe's take on "Oops, I did it again" on YouTube and realized that the song follows to T all of these writer's advice to, "Keep it short and to the point." In just a few repeated sentences, she manages to dramatize a relatable scene of romantic misunderstanding, while characterizing both a femme fatale and earnest friend-turned lover. It's really minimal. (Richard Thompson's "2000 years of popular music" spiel includes his awesome cover of the same song.)
runevault 17y ago
Very few places seem to contain structure and similar writing advice, the vast majority (at least targeting novel/short story/other forms of prose writing) all seem to target all the stuff like dialogue and ignore 3 act structure and similar forms. Most of the best info on those parts of writing seem to be found looking at screenwriting resources...
torial 17y ago
These rules are largely the low hanging fruit for aspiring writers. If an expert in a craft is asked to give advice to an audience of beginners, I'm guessing they'll pick the problems they see the most common, plus perhaps a few salient lessons they've learned recently and make a list. Also, regarding theory of fiction / narration -- that is a mixed blessing. You see writing software like Dramatica push a particular theory (based on the hero's journey) -- and only if you find the high level of that theory compelling will you find the software to be maximally useful. Also, I bet the authors managed to avoid a lot of low-tech author / writing community flame wars by avoiding fiction and narration theory ;-)
gnosis 17y ago
I wonder if the number of great writers who wrote according to a "theory of fiction or narration" is greater than zero. What percentage of writers in general write according to some such theory? And would their writing improve if they did?

by xtho 17y ago

arethuza 17y ago

Careful, that will start a claim that engineers are better at writing fiction than anyone else ;-)

stcredzero 17y ago
Undoubtedly, there exists some engineer who believes that they are as good or better writer than anyone. I was just viewing at Max Raabe's take on "Oops, I did it again" on YouTube and realized that the song follows to T all of these writer's advice to, "Keep it short and to the point." In just a few repeated sentences, she manages to dramatize a relatable scene of romantic misunderstanding, while characterizing both a femme fatale and earnest friend-turned lover. It's really minimal. (Richard Thompson's "2000 years of popular music" spiel includes his awesome cover of the same song.)

runevault 17y ago

Very few places seem to contain structure and similar writing advice, the vast majority (at least targeting novel/short story/other forms of prose writing) all seem to target all the stuff like dialogue and ignore 3 act structure and similar forms. Most of the best info on those parts of writing seem to be found looking at screenwriting resources...

torial 17y ago

These rules are largely the low hanging fruit for aspiring writers. If an expert in a craft is asked to give advice to an audience of beginners, I'm guessing they'll pick the problems they see the most common, plus perhaps a few salient lessons they've learned recently and make a list. Also, regarding theory of fiction / narration -- that is a mixed blessing. You see writing software like Dramatica push a particular theory (based on the hero's journey) -- and only if you find the high level of that theory compelling will you find the software to be maximally useful. Also, I bet the authors managed to avoid a lot of low-tech author / writing community flame wars by avoiding fiction and narration theory ;-)

gnosis 17y ago

I wonder if the number of great writers who wrote according to a "theory of fiction or narration" is greater than zero. What percentage of writers in general write according to some such theory? And would their writing improve if they did?