Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Where the writing's good...

Over the past couple of days, I have been directed to some new and wonderful blogs. Thanks to Shane, I've been introduced to some of the best writing I've come across in a long while. As I wrote to him in his comments, if I could write anything that came remotely close to being half as good as some of the stuff I've read recently, I'll be very happy indeed.

However, I think I have a long way to go before I enter the vicinity of those guys! I know what I want to say in my head, but then when it comes to putting it down on paper (or screen in this case!) it just sounds terrible. Is that something that comes with practice? Or are some people just born with a natural talent to be able to grab people and suck them into a different world for a while?

I love escapism. I think that's why I'm such a movie fan. I love to be able to disappear, even for just a few minutes everyday, into someone else's life, be they real or fictional. When I read a book, or a blog in many cases, I am right there in the action, not just reading words off a page. I can visualize every fine detail of the scene, whether its been outlined in the narrative or not. I often think, when I'm hooked by a book, how I would turn it into a film. I can see the characters so clearly that if I ever was to make a film of a book, I'm not sure I could ever find the right actors for the job. It's hard to describe what happens to me when I read, but I am most definitely 'transported' into their world. I leave the mundane-ness (is that even a word?) of my world, and enter into a completely different one. They can be exciting, sad, dark, all kinds of different colours, depending on the subject matter. At the minute I'm reading The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, which is just amazing. His narrative is so clear that the room I'm in becomes Mid-World, or End-World for a length of time that is totally lost on me. Maybe one day, I'll be able to write like that...

I would love it if anyone has any advice on how to become a better writer, even if it's just to tell me that it comes with practice. There are so many people out there who I admire so much for what they do, and it can sometimes dishearten me, because I know that I'll never be as good as they are. But then I suppose that's what life is about!

Anyway, thanks Shane for directing me to those wonderful blogs.

6 comments:

Smithee said...

Hi Rach. You followed a link to my page from Geek Blog, and I found your page through that. I know exactly what you mean about writing. Through WWdN, I found Shane's blog, which led me to countless other sites with engaging, inviting writing. They make me so jealous! I wish I could have just an ounce of the talent they have. I don't have any advice for you, because I'm looking for some myself. (Although, from what I've read, I don't think you're doing too shabbily yourself.) But I am participating in a writing project this summer that promises to make me a better writer and a better teacher of writing. I'll let you know what I learn. :)

PS - thanks for your response to my post, and I LOVE Top Gun! A friend and I used to go home during lunch in high school just to watch our favorite scenes - esp. the volleyball scene!:)

Rach said...

Thanks guys...i'll bear your advice in mind!

That volleyball scene is wonderful!! I used to live not far from where most of the movie was filmed, so i've been to many places...that volleyball pitch being one of them! i was so excited to think that my idol had been there too!!!

thanks for visiting...hope too see you again!

Lorianne said...

Batonga already summed up what would be my advice. Read good stuff & write everyday. Repeat ad infinitum. :-)

I'd also recommend keeping a journal: a great way to write everyday! Some folks use their blogs as a public/electronic journal, but I still swear by writing at least *something* by hand (and seen by only me) every day...or at least *most* days. :-) The "goal" is to gain fluency through practice, like learning a foreign language: you want to learn how to *think* with your writing hand.

Most of the stuff I scribble in my notebook is utter crap...but occasionally something surprising pops up. And writing lots of utter crap makes it easier to share stuff you've written. After a while you realize that writing crap (and getting feedback) is part of the process, so there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Rach said...

Thank you! i do keep a journal, but i'm not very good at actually writing in it! I will occasionally, but not often enough, except when I'm travelling, when I write it in every day. Maybe I should just see my everyday life as one long travel, and do it that way!

Nailed It said...

I'd also add...

Take chances. Be risky. Do things you've never done with your writing and don't worry if it sucks. The nice thing about a blog is that every day is a new entry. Not all of them can be gold.

Rach said...

Thanks to everyone who has left advice! I feel totally honoured to have people I consider to be AMAZING writers leaving their advice here! I'll take it all on board, and hopefully you may see an improvement here!

Thanks again everyone!