Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "reading-helping-writing"
Giving Up on a Story?
With my writing hat on, I must admit I’ve only ever abandoned two stories in my time and for the same reason.
I managed to box myself in a corner and that was because I didn’t know my characters well enough. I avoid that mistake now by using a simple template that ensures I do know my creations well enough to write their stories up.
Have I given up on books by others though?
Occasionally yes but I am glad to say it is a rare event.
And it is for the same reason - their characters have not gripped me enough to make me want to continue to read their stories. There has been a lack of the “got to find out what happens here” in the novel or short story collection.
Now this is useful. It tells me what to avoid!
You improve your writing skills by reading well. You learn from what others do. You look over well loved books and tales to figure out what it was about them that worked for you and then try to replicate that with your own creations.
But it can work the other way round. You can learn what not to do!
But I am glad I only rarely give up on a book.
Life is too short to waste time on a book that doesn’t grip you. I always think it a shame when you come across a book like that.
I managed to box myself in a corner and that was because I didn’t know my characters well enough. I avoid that mistake now by using a simple template that ensures I do know my creations well enough to write their stories up.
Have I given up on books by others though?
Occasionally yes but I am glad to say it is a rare event.
And it is for the same reason - their characters have not gripped me enough to make me want to continue to read their stories. There has been a lack of the “got to find out what happens here” in the novel or short story collection.
Now this is useful. It tells me what to avoid!
You improve your writing skills by reading well. You learn from what others do. You look over well loved books and tales to figure out what it was about them that worked for you and then try to replicate that with your own creations.
But it can work the other way round. You can learn what not to do!
But I am glad I only rarely give up on a book.
Life is too short to waste time on a book that doesn’t grip you. I always think it a shame when you come across a book like that.
