Hi everyone, Meliora here I'm relatively new to creative writing, so I don't have a storied history of being a writer or have any literary accomplishments, although I can brag that I had an English professor in my freshman year of college who encouraged me to consider a career in creative writing, lol. Anyway, I'm currently working on a fantasy novel in the vein of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, although I'm still in the outlining stage (alas, I'm a strict plotter), but I hope to finish the outline before the year ends. While I do work a day job and I'm studying to be an editor, I still try to find the time for my writing. It ain't easy, tho. With that said, despite my lack of experience in creative writing, I still hope to help my fellow writers with their projects. I very much look forward to meeting you all!
Well, you seem to write quite well, from the above sample. Your grammar and syntax seem solid, though it's admittedly a small chunk of writing. But you seem to know what you're doing in those departments, and that's a good start. It also seems you've done some reading and understand the importance of taking notes on how pro authors do things, and try to follow in their footsteps. All excellent practices. Welcome to our humble abode. I hope you enjoy it here.
Hi Xoic! Thanks for the warm welcome I think I write fairly well---at least, one can understand what I'm saying, lol. If my writing sounds at all stiff, it's because I'm more accustomed to writing essays and reports. I've yet to develop my author's voice, let alone the voices of my characters, but I'm definitely learning! I'm also definitely taking notes on how pro authors do their craft
I'm not saying this is the only way (because it isn't), but I usually write in the same kind of dialect/manner I speak in, very informally. But then generally my stories are in 1st person, and it's as if someone is actually telling it to you, or maybe wrote it down, but in their speaking dialect. In fact I'm using the device for my latest story that the narrator is speaking into his cell phone and dictating his memories to be written at a later date, so that gives a perfect reason excuse for it to be like that.
This is a great piece of advice! I tried writing 1st person, but I find it very difficult as I tend to mix my voice with the voice of my narrator/character. It definitely takes a lot of skill to write 1st person, so kudos for writing in that perspective! I'm more comfortable with writing in 3rd person, but your advice is easily applied to how my characters would talk, so I'll definitely keep it in mind!
I have some problems with it, in fact I'm considering shifting to third because I seem to have trouble characterizing my protagonists in first. If I can't solve that problem, then I switch. In my case, my character is essentially me, so the voice is my own.
