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Faerdin -> RE: (DF) The Tales of Faerdin Eilrua Discussion Thread (10/28/2015 1:31:53)
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Hey there, dragon! Though it's been some time since I was last able to commit to any significant length of writing -- and indeed feel that I am much improved since my more recent works -- it really makes me happy to know there's still someone enjoying my stories. Things have been a bit hectic on my end as of late, but I'm hoping to have more for you very soon. I'm getting more excited by the day to continue Faerdin's story. :)
As for your question... Well, there is no one answer, and the ones you find may not always be easy. My advice would be to make note of the little things you can overlook, like the spacing, differentiation in dialogue, word variation, etc. and practice. Practice, practice, practice whenever you have the chance. All the great writers out there -- Steinbeck, Asimov, Tolkien, to name a few -- did not develop overnight. A Midsummer Night's Dream was not written in a single evening. Look ceaselessly for ways to improve and try to define your own style of writing.
If you want some more specific advice on what is troubling you, I will offer this:
1) You can use new paragraphs (Or paragraph breaks, as it may alternatively be known) not only to format your writing or differentiate dialogue between characters, but also to shift your writing to a new topic -- or even emphasize certain ideas, or affect the pace of the story. There is a lot you can do with spacing. Here is an example with no spacing:
Little Timmy fell to the concrete and clutched his knee with a wail. When he pulled his hand away, it was covered in blood.
With spacing:
Little Timmy fell to the concrete and clutched his knee with a wail.
When he pulled his hand away, it was covered in blood.
Separating the idea almost adds a layer of drama to Timmy's unfortunate collision with the asphalt. In these ways, writing can be affected by delivery and pacing in the same way that acting performances are -- albeit to a lesser extent. Spacing is a good way to start with that.
2) If you feel that your writing lacks a certain variation in the words that you use, your first instinct may be to look at a thesaurus -- and it is a fine solution at that. I can attest to the usefulness of thesauruses myself. But I have learned from personal experience -- and you may find this yourself in my older works -- that it can be quite a slippery slope. You might find an excellent, powerful word to use and incorporate into your vocabulary, but you can just as easily find yourself trying to cram archaic, overly complex, or downright inappropriate words for the context of your story.
Which flows better? What sounds most natural to you? Would you or your characters realistically use these words? These are questions you have to answer yourself when broadening your vocabulary. To bring up Little Timmy's scenario once again for an example (Sorry Timmy):
Good:
When he pulled his hand away, it was covered in blood.
Bad:
When he pulled his hand away, it was coated in his humors.
"STOP TRYING TO MAKE HUMORS HAPPEN. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN."
Anywho, that is all I have to say. If you have any other questions, you are always welcome to my thoughts on the topic. Just don't forget that -- at the end of the day -- the best person to help your writing is you!
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