TECH: Escaping the Formula Trap (moldy oldie!)​

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2021/3/5

Writer's Digest, April 1991, p. 40-42, had an article by Richard Hunt talking about how to avoid formula writing. This is where the twists are ones you've seen before, or maybe you're writing just like somebody else. Overuse, imitation, it just doesn't make the readers keep reading.

The basic strategy – don't take the easy way out. Avoid easy endings, well-worn phrases, and other trite repetitions. Now, how does formula writing sneak up on you? Well, Richard Hunt suggests three ways that it often weakens manuscripts. Imitating the style of an established writer, too many descriptive passages, and those stock scenes that we've seen so many times before.

Now, a good way for beginning writers to understand pacing, plotting, and other techniques is to mimic a famous author. But, you need to find your own voice, your own rhythm, your own style.

Now, descriptions sometimes choke out the other parts of the story. Kind of like kudzu! Pick your details, and clear out the kudzu in revision. By the way, be careful of adjectives.

Finally, make sure every scene has a purpose. Avoid stock scenes. Make sure each scene is interesting, and gives the readers some new territory to cover.

So, you can change the threat of formulas into original work. Twist the ending, mix in odd pieces, borrow from other genres, boost that ordinary uninspired story into the stratosphere.

Go ahead! Take something you've written, or are writing, and see if formula writing has crept into your work. Then try Richard's ideas. Work on your style, clear out the extra descriptions, and make sure that your scenes are all working for you!

TECH: Voila Style! (moldy oldie)

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2021/3/12

Writer's Digest, December 1991, pages 30-33, had an article by David L. Carroll talking about style. He starts off by suggesting that of course, any professional's lifelong aim is to learn to write as well as you possibly can. At the same time, there are some shortcuts and tricks of the trade that can be useful. Then he provides descriptions of 14 of these "tricks." Here they are!

1. After making a strategic or dramatic point, move away from your subject for a moment, then return with sudden force. In other words, introduce the topic, then relax a moment with some other idea, and then come back to the original subject in a way that ties the two together.

2. Three ways to keep your reader emotionally involved: 1. Present a mystery, then unravel it in stages. 2. Create a situation of jeopardy than resolve it. 3. Identify a problem that readers are personally experiencing, then help them overcome it.

3. Use action to make a significant point. Show, don't tell. Dynamic imagery and motion!

4. Use a series of short sentences to build tension. Usually at a moment of tense action, short sentences with strong verbs adds intensity and builds drama.

5. Be careful using the dash. It's powerful, but don't overdo it.

6. Vary the lengths of your sentences and paragraphs. Mix it up.

7. When you're stuck for the right way to say it, try… Sometimes you need to use a grammatical device such as asking a question, giving a command, a quotation, a different subject, different punctuation, a joke, get personal with the reader, examples, emotions, an anecdote, a list, facts,…

8. Shift emotional directions in the middle of a sentence. "Sudden emotional changes can be stimulating to readers if done properly."

9. Introduce a string of short, descriptive words and phrases to make an emphatic point. Short sentences with strong adjectives and images might do the trick.

10. Avoid unnecessary connectives. Watch out for those transition words.

11. Don't weaken your prose with too many unnecessary adverbial qualifiers.

12. Use intentional redundancy on occasion. Sometimes, repeat yourself.

13. Make your sentences rise to a climax; let them reveal their most significant information at the end.

14. Use grace notes. Little asides and action that add humor or emotional color can make your story better.

There you go. Some little tricks you might consider while writing, or while revising.