Very stimulating post, Alison. It makes me think of lots of things. Repetition is good, yes. Let writers write their own way, yes (Laura Ingalls Wilder). I remember the editor working on my novel, Remember, Remember, saying, "You use the phrase 'a bit' many times." I think he may have even counted the number of times. That's interesting, I said. It's a sign of my style. But he wanted me to rewrite to remove some of them. I refused. It's my style, I said. He gave in (that was good; sometimes I gave in, but that was never good).
Once upon a time I had a stepdaughter aged about 7 who was writing a story that began: "In the castle there was a princess in the castle." I said, You probably don't need to say "in the castle" twice. She looked at me, looked at what she'd written, looked at me again and said, "I like it the way it is." I thought later, How could that be rewritten to preserve the rhythm she had created? Removing either one of the "in the castles" would dramatically change the rhythm. I suppose it could have started "Once upon a time." I have just thought of that now, and does it work? But then you have to change "the castle" to "a castle." Maybe my stepdaughter's line should have been left intact - as I think it was. I didn't make her change it. I can't remember now if it was a school assignment or what happened to it - but it stays in my head 15 years later, so something about it is either memorable or perhaps unresolved. Perhaps it is just a story I will keep repeating.
'Hurrah!' for your 7 year old step-daughter! Spunk! She knew what she knew.
There are such moments that stay with us, yes, and need to be heeded. Even if you decide to change, there has to be the pause, the reflection, the DECISION about why we do what we do.
I have certain writing tics that I have either become aware of or been made aware of, and I may go through a ms. looking for them--but that is ultimately my choice. The piece of thinking through the "why" has to be there, for me.
A part of Nordstrom's genius--her own genius!--is that she understood when and what to ask for, and when to leave alone. As you read through her letters, there's an awareness of this process. It builds so much respect for the work of solid and thought-filled editing.
Great advice, Alison. The 'rising spiral' image really works for me. It's exactly what I aspire to in much of my writing.
Rhythm is very important in prose. I mean not just the sound of prose when read aloud, subvocalised or just in one's 'inner voice' – but variations in salience, pace, tension, exposition vs action, thematic elements, leitmotifs etc, etc. Rhythm is pattern with the 4th dimension of time added, and like pattern, needs repetition.
I read a lot of prose on platforms such as Medium which is overwrought. It is too concerned for every noun, adjective, verb, image to be original and impactful. It is too self-conscious and strives too hard for originality, the mot juste. A few paragraphs of it might be beautiful, enlightening, awe-inspiring. Cumulatively, it is frequently unreadable. It has no concept of salience – that there need to be valleys and plains between the peaks.
Often, good ol' plain prose is what's needed to get the job done, and if it's snow, call it snow.
I'm no more immune to this than the next writer. I do find, though, that having several things 'on the go' lessens the temptation to fiddle endlessly with one WIP.
Wisdom, and just what I needed to hear. Thank You most especially, for sending me back to Laura, to realize just how perfect her style is. I am lost in ‘The Long Winter’ at present, and savouring every word!
thank you for this! i have had editors break out the red pen on some of my writing for this reason, often to tell me it's 'too wordy' and that i should cut repetitions for conciseness. fair enough. but often when reading aloud, i prefer the way the assonance or consonance pull the sentence or passage together, or the rhythm enhances the sentiment being expressed. there is an element of poetry to it and, for me, writing by feel (or ear) takes priority over 'the rules.'
Good to know the rules, the principles--and then set aside and get to work. Fiction/prose is closer to poetry than to business-related work that requires concision.
Very stimulating post, Alison. It makes me think of lots of things. Repetition is good, yes. Let writers write their own way, yes (Laura Ingalls Wilder). I remember the editor working on my novel, Remember, Remember, saying, "You use the phrase 'a bit' many times." I think he may have even counted the number of times. That's interesting, I said. It's a sign of my style. But he wanted me to rewrite to remove some of them. I refused. It's my style, I said. He gave in (that was good; sometimes I gave in, but that was never good).
Once upon a time I had a stepdaughter aged about 7 who was writing a story that began: "In the castle there was a princess in the castle." I said, You probably don't need to say "in the castle" twice. She looked at me, looked at what she'd written, looked at me again and said, "I like it the way it is." I thought later, How could that be rewritten to preserve the rhythm she had created? Removing either one of the "in the castles" would dramatically change the rhythm. I suppose it could have started "Once upon a time." I have just thought of that now, and does it work? But then you have to change "the castle" to "a castle." Maybe my stepdaughter's line should have been left intact - as I think it was. I didn't make her change it. I can't remember now if it was a school assignment or what happened to it - but it stays in my head 15 years later, so something about it is either memorable or perhaps unresolved. Perhaps it is just a story I will keep repeating.
'Hurrah!' for your 7 year old step-daughter! Spunk! She knew what she knew.
There are such moments that stay with us, yes, and need to be heeded. Even if you decide to change, there has to be the pause, the reflection, the DECISION about why we do what we do.
I have certain writing tics that I have either become aware of or been made aware of, and I may go through a ms. looking for them--but that is ultimately my choice. The piece of thinking through the "why" has to be there, for me.
A part of Nordstrom's genius--her own genius!--is that she understood when and what to ask for, and when to leave alone. As you read through her letters, there's an awareness of this process. It builds so much respect for the work of solid and thought-filled editing.
I like that you had the confidence to stick with your style. There are so many ways to tell a story.
Ooooooh! I am going to look for Dear Genius right now! Thanks for an inspiring and energizing post so early on a Saturday morning, Alison.
Something about waking up early, hearing rain fall, and mulling over a half-written piece with the necessary thermos o' coffee...
It is SUCH a great book, Maureen! Enjoy!
It's a little difficult to find I had a reasonable price but I think I can get one from Abebooks as soon as I track down my password.
It's out of print now? Abebooks is good. Check ebay, too.
Great advice, Alison. The 'rising spiral' image really works for me. It's exactly what I aspire to in much of my writing.
Rhythm is very important in prose. I mean not just the sound of prose when read aloud, subvocalised or just in one's 'inner voice' – but variations in salience, pace, tension, exposition vs action, thematic elements, leitmotifs etc, etc. Rhythm is pattern with the 4th dimension of time added, and like pattern, needs repetition.
I read a lot of prose on platforms such as Medium which is overwrought. It is too concerned for every noun, adjective, verb, image to be original and impactful. It is too self-conscious and strives too hard for originality, the mot juste. A few paragraphs of it might be beautiful, enlightening, awe-inspiring. Cumulatively, it is frequently unreadable. It has no concept of salience – that there need to be valleys and plains between the peaks.
Often, good ol' plain prose is what's needed to get the job done, and if it's snow, call it snow.
I'm no more immune to this than the next writer. I do find, though, that having several things 'on the go' lessens the temptation to fiddle endlessly with one WIP.
Oh, GOOD point about several pieces on the go--I haven't articulated it like that (I just tend to do it!) But a sound observation. Thank you.
Even life, as it feels to spin off in too many directions, has a rhythm.
Calling it snow!
Wisdom, and just what I needed to hear. Thank You most especially, for sending me back to Laura, to realize just how perfect her style is. I am lost in ‘The Long Winter’ at present, and savouring every word!
Elizabeth! This is so good to hear. Thank you for taking the time to share!
thank you for this! i have had editors break out the red pen on some of my writing for this reason, often to tell me it's 'too wordy' and that i should cut repetitions for conciseness. fair enough. but often when reading aloud, i prefer the way the assonance or consonance pull the sentence or passage together, or the rhythm enhances the sentiment being expressed. there is an element of poetry to it and, for me, writing by feel (or ear) takes priority over 'the rules.'
Assonance and consonance--our friends!
Good to know the rules, the principles--and then set aside and get to work. Fiction/prose is closer to poetry than to business-related work that requires concision.