Martine, just an excellent piece here. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Years ago, one of the best writers I've ever known gave me a simple, yet so valuable piece of advice that I've never forgotten. He said to 'always trust the reader' because I had a tendency to over explain and over describe in my writing. I think for a writer it's a natural tendency and well-meaning, but the reader knows and just as importantly, will fill in what he or she doesn't know with what they see in their mind. I still struggle with it at times, but his advice was pure gold. Thanks again for sharing this post.
Great discussion, Martine - I often think that the story I write is very different than the story a reader reads. I've also heard it said - not sure how true, but I like to hold it in suspension like Schrodinger's cat - that everything you write for a story remains, even if you cut it out later.
I agree as a reader having to fill in some things keeps the story alive long after I've finished reading it. Too much info can bog it down and I start skimning. Great insight, thank you
The art of understatement is too often obliterated by too much story which leaves the reader out of the equation. Respect the reader, give them a taste and let them imagine the banquet. It's why I enjoy your shorts! Nice piece, Martine!
Glad to see this. I like to leave readers guessing a bit. At least a couple of the stories in my upcoming book of SF stories will be like that. As for lit fict being plotless, maybe my Freelan series isn't lit fict. Lots of plot along with loads of ideas. Hmmm...
Martine, just an excellent piece here. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Years ago, one of the best writers I've ever known gave me a simple, yet so valuable piece of advice that I've never forgotten. He said to 'always trust the reader' because I had a tendency to over explain and over describe in my writing. I think for a writer it's a natural tendency and well-meaning, but the reader knows and just as importantly, will fill in what he or she doesn't know with what they see in their mind. I still struggle with it at times, but his advice was pure gold. Thanks again for sharing this post.
One of these days, I'm going to leave that gun unfired, and then write an epilogue where it rusts away, forgotten.
Great discussion, Martine - I often think that the story I write is very different than the story a reader reads. I've also heard it said - not sure how true, but I like to hold it in suspension like Schrodinger's cat - that everything you write for a story remains, even if you cut it out later.
I agree as a reader having to fill in some things keeps the story alive long after I've finished reading it. Too much info can bog it down and I start skimning. Great insight, thank you
The art of understatement is too often obliterated by too much story which leaves the reader out of the equation. Respect the reader, give them a taste and let them imagine the banquet. It's why I enjoy your shorts! Nice piece, Martine!
Glad to see this. I like to leave readers guessing a bit. At least a couple of the stories in my upcoming book of SF stories will be like that. As for lit fict being plotless, maybe my Freelan series isn't lit fict. Lots of plot along with loads of ideas. Hmmm...
Perhaps the best stories don’t do that. Danny was watching ‘The Sixth Sense’ last night. Not a tidy story.