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Yay!

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The Purpose of The Writing Freak

There are no hard-and-fast rules on writing fiction, except, maybe be true to yourself. But even that is difficult to nail down.

The purpose of The Writing Freak is to offer suggestions that will improve your writing in ways you may not have thought of, and lift your abilities above the typical, paint-by-numbers stuff crowding your local bookstore shelves.

It could be something as "simple" as how to paint a scene or improve your dialog. How to bring depth to a one-dimensional character. How to plant clues in a murder mystery. What creates suspense. What you need to do to choreograph an action scene. What to do with flashbacks and backstory. And so much more.

So, we have a lot to talk about.

Got a question for The Writing Freak?
Email it to [email protected].

The Perspective Perspective

I received a novel recently that was pretty much written, except I was hired to "fix it up." I enjoy this kind of work because it's like redecorating a house -- I've got the basic foundation and architecture, and get to move the furniture around. Or better yet, buy new furniture.

In this case, the basic text was . . . um . . . rudimentary. One of the many problems I encountered was a fluctuating change of perspective. For example, in one paragraph, Meredith would think "Maybe Sam is stealing from me." And in the next paragraph, Sam would consider having dinner at IHOP.

There is no way to fix this except to excise the extra bit of inner thought.

Whose story is it, anyway?

I understand why some writers make this mistake -- they believe omniscient means they can flutter from one character's brain to the next because, like God, they can. They fail to consider that it A) confuses the reader, B) doesn't make for an interesting story, and C) is just plain bad writing.

I just want to calmly set this writer down and say "Would you write something like 'I walked into the kitchen and my husband thought "I've got to buy some powder for my jock itch."'?"

"Of course not. How would the wife know what the husband is thinking?"

"Then why did you do that in this passage between Meredith and Sam?"

"Um, well, it's third person."

"Um, so? The same rule applies."

"Really?" this other author says, and then gives me a 25% bonus for my insightful insight.

On the other hand, if I teach them how to avoid these mistakes, I'll eventually not be needed to help them out anymore.

Silence = career security?

Got a question for The Writing Freak? Email it to [email protected].

Okay, So You're Not A Good Writer

I feel very sorry for people who believe that, despite what they've said and done in their life, they still think they're a good person. "Inside, I'm a good person. I have a good heart. Why do people judge me for what I say and how I look? Why can't they love the good person inside?"

Um, well, because honey, that's all we have to go on: What you say, what you do, and how you look. If even one of those are less than good, then you're kinda fucked. You've been pigeonholed, and good luck getting out of that.

You're wondering, no doubt, what this has to do with writing. Or being a writing freak.

Stick with me a sec.

You can have a terrific, class-A plot, and if your writing sucks . . . well, you're not a good writer.

You can be a terrific wordsmith, piecing together that special mix of poetry and imagery that can transport people into another world . . . but if your plot is BLAH, well, you're not a good writer.

Maybe you believe your plots are exciting and your writing is top-notch, and your characters shine and your dialog sparkles. But guess what? If someone thinks you're less than good at ANY ONE of those, you've harpooned yourself.

Don't worry. It's only a flesh wound. I can help you heal.

I am The Writing Freak.

Stick around.

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