“Huh......my four-year old could’ve written that!” - Writers Forum

The Backward OX · 08-19-2007, 11:01 PM

Those who think they can’t write, take heart.

As I have browsed these various fora, I have come across comments that led me to believe the posters were experienced and skilled fiction writers. Not examples of their writing per se, just comments about what one should or shouldn’t do when writing fiction. I said to myself, “They seem to know so much, they must be superb writers.” It was all somewhat disheartening. “I will never be able to write”, I concluded.

Then I stumbled upon some words one of those same, apparently expert, craftspersons had actually written as fiction. My god, it was an eye-opener. I can’t go into any detail for fear of identifying the author. Suffice to say anyone could have written it. And it gave me new resolve.

And it also reminds me of the old saw about “Those who can, etc”.

So if you think you can't write, advice isn't always a solution.

SFeigley · 08-19-2007, 11:03 PM

More importantly then anything else, I think this is good reminder that you should never let anything or anyone disuade you from pursuing your dream.

Thanks!!

Hobbes · 08-19-2007, 11:42 PM

He he. And let the guessing game begin!

Seriously though, SFeigley's got it. Do what you want, and don't mind the rest. The ones who mind won't matter, and the ones who matter won't mind, to paraphrase Dr. Seuss.

Lost in Some Story · 08-20-2007, 12:40 AM

It's me. I already know it's me.

CaptainFreedom · 08-20-2007, 01:28 AM

How about giving us the first letter of their name?

hee hee

CF

bob rulz · 08-20-2007, 07:11 AM

Just because they dish out good advice doesn't mean they can pull if off themselves!

However, keep in mind that it still may be good advice.

The Backward OX · 08-20-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainFreedom

How about giving us the first letter of their name?

hee hee

CF

ΠΣ

Charlie_Eleanor · 08-20-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost in Some Story

It's me. I already know it's me.

Don't be an ass.

lin · 08-20-2007, 01:41 PM

Well, a four year old might be able to do a painting, but you don't see them writing much.

Hard to tell how much of this is for real, but a really good writer makes it look easy. Same with musicians. Sure, anybody can play that solo just like on the record...but they didn't, did they?

On the other hand, one thing to realize about "rules" and advice from writers.

The best writers, like the best musicians and athletes, often have little to say on "how to do it". They have always just done what they do well.

It's the lesser writers (and total losers) who are desperately seeking some formula to help them be good who read all those books and search all the blogs for the secret.

That's something to keep in mind, too.

enron1982 · 08-20-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Well, a four year old might be able to do a painting, but you don't see them writing much.

Hard to tell how much of this is for real, but a really good writer makes it look easy. Same with musicians. Sure, anybody can play that solo just like on the record...but they didn't, did they?

On the other hand, one thing to realize about "rules" and advice from writers.

The best writers, like the best musicians and athletes, often have little to say on "how to do it". They have always just done what they do well.

It's the lesser writers (and total losers) who are desperately seeking some formula to help them be good who read all those books and search all the blogs for the secret.

That's something to keep in mind, too.

That's so true. About a year ago, i started reading all these How to books on writing. There's these two series', one is How to Write Great Fiction and the other is Elements of Fiction Writing, and i started reading them and highlighting and this and that. At a certain point, i thought i'd sucked up all the great knowledge that the introductions of each book promised to me about how to write this extraordinary novel. When i finally sat down to write said novel, i didn't even know where to begin. It takes any and all creativity out of the process and tries to tell you of this "wonder formula" that is going to make your writing 100 times better. What it actually does, is turns something that is supposed to be all creative, into something thats completely scientific. In school, i failed miserably in sciences, so no thanks. I'll stick with what i know, the creative side of it. It comes out much easier and better that way, and yes, it's actually fun.

enron1982 · 08-20-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Well, a four year old might be able to do a painting, but you don't see them writing much.

Hard to tell how much of this is for real, but a really good writer makes it look easy. Same with musicians. Sure, anybody can play that solo just like on the record...but they didn't, did they?

On the other hand, one thing to realize about "rules" and advice from writers.

The best writers, like the best musicians and athletes, often have little to say on "how to do it". They have always just done what they do well.

It's the lesser writers (and total losers) who are desperately seeking some formula to help them be good who read all those books and search all the blogs for the secret.

That's something to keep in mind, too.

That's so true. If you need some special formula to make you write competently, you are probably not chosing the right career, and you're probably wasting your time even doing it in the first place. About a year ago, i started reading all these How to books on writing. There's these two series', one is How to Write Great Fiction and the other is Elements of Fiction Writing, and i started reading them and highlighting and this and that. At a certain point, i thought i'd sucked up all the great knowledge that the introductions of each book promised to me about how to write this extraordinary novel. When i finally sat down to write said novel, i didn't even know where to begin. It takes any and all creativity out of the process and tries to tell you of this "wonder formula" that is going to make your writing 100 times better. What it actually does, is turns something that is supposed to be all creative, into something thats completely scientific. In school, i failed miserably in sciences, so no thanks. I'll stick with what i know, the creative side of it. It comes out much easier and better that way, and yes, it's actually fun.

CaptainFreedom · 08-20-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

ΠΣ

I like it!

It's like Indiana Jones or that Tom Hanks Indiana Jones movie with the grail. (which stunk by the way - totaly predictable - "you might want to sit down, because YOU are the grail" - stupid.)

Let's see if we can figure it out. It's a Greek P and S. In the profile page there's a psycho6058 with a lot of posts, but mostly in the poetry section. (where I dare not venture, lest I succome to the the KY fumes) He can't be the one.

Initals of their real name maybe? Peter Samsonite?

Anybody have any other ideas how we can find this loser?

CF

Lost in Some Story · 08-20-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Eleanor

Don't be an ass.

Not only am I an ass. I'm a self loathing ass, the worst kind.

Ilasir Maroa · 08-20-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Well, a four year old might be able to do a painting, but you don't see them writing much.

Hard to tell how much of this is for real, but a really good writer makes it look easy. Same with musicians. Sure, anybody can play that solo just like on the record...but they didn't, did they?

On the other hand, one thing to realize about "rules" and advice from writers.

The best writers, like the best musicians and athletes, often have little to say on "how to do it". They have always just done what they do well.

It's the lesser writers (and total losers) who are desperately seeking some formula to help them be good who read all those books and search all the blogs for the secret.

That's something to keep in mind, too.

Another thing to keep in mind is that all those tips and tricks can help to improve your writing, but they are not a secret to awesome writing. They are methods and ideas that you can incorporate into your own innate style and repetoire(sp) and can be used along side your talent and creativity. They aren't useless, but you have to have something more that comes from you, a personal touch.

Shawn · 08-20-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

The best writers, like the best musicians and athletes, often have little to say on "how to do it". They have always just done what they do well.

Yes, exactly. It does get annoying when some people put things on paper without learning what they're doing, however. For instance, in my English AP class, there's a lot of pompous people in there who think they write superb poetry; however, upon further investigation, I found that they don't know what consonance or assonance is. That's when the practical advice comes into play.

I'm in favor of not giving people guns unless they know how to fire them.