Friday, May 29, 2009

What's Your Writing Strength?

Do you know what your writing strengths are? Have you had feedback from other writers? Do they consistently praise one aspect of your writing? Or if they concentrate on the areas that need to be fixed, are there areas they usually don't comment on? No news can be good news.



I've had the pleasure, and honor, to read several of my friends' writing. Pat writes the most amazing descriptions. She chooses every word with care. Jennifer writes unexpected twists--I never see them coming! Jan writes everything so well, I beg her to write a novel. Jan? Are you reading this? Write a novel.

I'm good at dialogue. I'm not so great at creative action tags. (My first drafts have lots of smiling, shrugging, and clenching of fists.) I'm good at characterization. I used to reek at conflict, but I've made massive improvement in that area. My first chapters used to be my worst chapters. They still aren't my best, but again, I'm improving. Logic and plot? There might be a few holes now and there, but nothing my critique gurus won't point out. Fixable.

What area of writing do you excel at? What area does NOT come naturally? What have you done to improve it?

Guess what? Next week is June! Summer!

Enjoy your weekend!

22 comments:

  1. Genesis feedback said I had a distinctive "voice" and that was a very good thing. That it kept the story moving and unique from other writing. I had never considered voice being a factor ... kind of made me smile :)

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  2. Good Morning!

    Jaime: Voice is a big deal! What wonderful feedback. Aren't you glad you entered the Genesis?

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I was just working on my action tags yesterday when I caught myself writing "she smiled" for the umpteenth time.
    I pulled out other books to study how they use action tags.

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  4. I've been told I usually do dialogue well. I'm really working on getting a good balance on introspection. It's so important in Romances, yet I fail far more than I succeed in tapping into that correctly.

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  5. Jill, I'm at a point today when I think I stink at just about everything in writing. Of course I'm in the middle of editing, so I can't stand myself or my book! But hopefully I can drag it out of the dumps and make it shine. I'll have to answer your question on a different day when I have a better perspective!

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  6. What I like about my writing depends on what time of the day you ask me. LOL!

    I can tell you what I need to work on, though: taking the time to describe the setting or characters more. I like to just fast forward thru that and jump into the action and dialogue. :)

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  7. Head up, Jody...(if you come back to read this. You snagged an agent = you don't stink).

    Jill,
    I am so into characters and have been told I nail characterization. I hate commas. My struggle sometimes is moving fluidly through the book...time change, etc.

    ~ Wendy

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  8. I've heard that I do dialogue well. I personally feel like I need a more unique voice and more unique description and imagery. I hate being cliche.

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  9. I'm pretty good at description. I have a friend who is so fearless when it comes to making her characters miserable. I'd LOVE to be that fearless.

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  10. Believe me, Jill, if I ever do write a novel, it'll be dedicated to you. I love this blog, and it's wonderful that you've attracted so many other intelligent and serious writers.

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  11. I suck rocks when it comes to plotting and issues regarding the antagonist. For some reason, I always want everyone to be NICE and GET ALONG. That doesn't work in the world of novels :D

    I'm pretty good at creating an atmosphere and feeling of really being somewhere - at least I think I am. And, I'm getting better at the antagonist thing.

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  12. I'm pretty good at dialogue (I wonder if it helps that I talk a LOT, I mean TONS of talking here). That's something I kind of knew about myself. What really encouraged me was the feedback from two recent contests. I didnt' do well, but I entered two mss two times and all of the judges said I am a natural story teller...I just need to hone the craft :)

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  13. People say I have strong visual descriptions. I take that as a compliment, but it's interesting to me because I feel like I don't have that many descriptions in the first place. I was just thinking about my weaknesses about two nights ago, actually! I've been told that my writing has a breathless quality, like I don't slow down long enough to let readers catch their breath. I'm trying to work on that. Story beginnings are also endlessly challenging for me.

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  14. I am stronger with dialogue, but tags can be a problem. What I have had to work on the most is using all of my senses and not just what can be seen.

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  15. Wow! I needed to hear all this today. It's so encouraging to hear other writer's strengths and struggles.

    MeganRebekah: Hallelujah for writing craft books!! You know I love your dog picture, right? So cute!

    Eileen: Introspection can be tough. It can slow a scene down, but it needs to be there. A great book about this is Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham. It finally made sense after I read his book.

    Jody: I can't stand my work when I'm revising. It jumbles together and drives me crazy. Just keep going. You'll finish and read it and it will be terrific!

    Jennifer: I tend to layer in setting details during revision. I'm not great about adding them in the first draft.

    Wendy: Yay! Characters! And, I agree, it is hard to show time changes in books!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  16. Cindy: My goal for the last few months was to rework cliches. They are so easy to fall back on.

    Erica: Yes! Make the characters suffer! I'm kind of mean, but I always cry with them. It's for their own good!

    Jan: Write a novel! (Heh, heh!) It would be incredible. I know it.

    Tess: Wouldn't it be nice if they all got along? Unfortunately, that's not how fiction goes...

    Karin: How terrific to hear such encouraging words. And I'm right there with you. I'm working on my craft--not quite there yet--but I just keep at it.

    Davin: Sounds like you'd be a good suspense writer! Fast-paced.

    Amy: My tags stink. P.U. I'm working on it. It helps when I study how other authors do it well, but it doesn't come naturally to me.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  17. I've been told I'm good at writing emotion and dialogue.

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  18. Great post! :) I've been told I have a strong voice and that I'm a metaphor queen. I have also been praised for my purple prose. >.<

    The biggest thing I need to work on is making sure I'm taking the reader with me as the story goes on. The best way to improve is to practice consciously. :D

    Happy summer to you!

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  19. Katie: Dialogue is so important--how fantastic to know you're good at it!

    Danyelle: Ahh, the elusive strong voice. What a gift!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. I think my descriptions are really improving as is my dialogue--not so sure about some other parts. Guess you will see soon and can let me know:)

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  21. Terri: Can't wait!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. Great post Jill. I always check bloggers who are frequent and easy to read and thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoy reading other people's journey in the writing world, especially when they are willing to admit their weaknesses and their strengths, their trials and their triumphs. It's fantastic! you do a great job as well as other's on your blog...I might be a self proclaimed blog stalker :)

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