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Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Substance Before Style - IWSG August 2020



It's IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. To find links to other IWSG contributors, click here. A big thank you to August co-hosts: Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey.

August question - Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be." Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?


Once, in my writing infancy, I won a monthly contest in Writer’s Digest by entering a “recipe” for my future success in writing.  (“Stir together…multiple courses in journalism and editorial writing…whip into a froth with… flashing cursers, missed typo’s, overflowing wastebaskets…bake until published”). I wasn’t planning the form, but I like to cook and somehow the words made their way into my brain. I wrote the piece in under an hour, sent it and had almost forgotten about it when a phone call came announcing the $500 prize. 

In that case, the form found me.

But, as I ponder this question, I wonder whether the unidentified author of this quote is talking less about form and more about creativity. One of the best pieces of writing advice I ever received was early in my business career. I was attempting to write a memo and the VP of HR said to me, “Just get the words down. You can edit later.” Ever since, no matter what I'm writing, I try to do that. Case in point, that recipe above. That day, I simply sat down and bashed out what was in my head. Even now that little success is a reminder to me not to clog things up by considering style, marketability, or genre until after I get the words onto the page. Of course, good writing is good writing but it’s the story that sells first, right? 

What is the most creative piece, short story, novel, poem or what have you have ever written, or read?

14 comments:

Nick Wilford said...

Great point. I think if you end up in a genre you hadn't expected, it's a result of being experimental and creative, following the story. "Get the words down" indeed!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yes, good tip. Just get it down first. Think later.

Joanne said...

you nailed writing in this post. Let if flow, then throw in some stops, merges, and even some re-routes on the road to success.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lisa - well done ... you were on the right line in the first place - it's good to have people to mentor, when it's needed. Take care and enjoy the writing in all its genres ... Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

So cool about the Writer's Digest contest. I struggle to get my first draft down, and have been telling myself the same thing as you. If I can just get some words down, I can go back and revise it. It works!

Nicki Elson said...

Yeah, I think you're absolutely right. Consideration of everything related to writing that isn't the actual writing is a brain clog, and I find the idea of writing for the market to be stifling.

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on that WD win!

For me, getting the words down is the most important thing, too. I'm in the mystery genre someplace, but each story is different and has its own tiny slot there. I don't know what it is until it's done.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

My best stories are ones I write quickly without worrying about editing until that first draft is done. They are the most creative.

Susan B.Rouchard said...

Thanks Liza for the tips. I agree with you. Write freely, edit afterwards. Morning writing, as soon as I wake up and diary writing work best for me to ‘unload’ the mind of anything that might hinder my creativity. That said, morning writing often produces some surprising gems .
Wishing you a Happy IWSG blog hop.

mshatch said...

I almost had my first chapter published in WD...
As for the most creative piece...I'd be hard pressed to choose, but I do love my recently completed Arcane Mystery, even after reading it however many times I have.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

That's great. Quite a win for something you wrote off the top of your head. It took me a while to not try to make it perfect in the first try.

R's Rue said...

I need to get the words out. Beautiful thoughts.

Empty Nest Insider said...

What a clever analogy for the Writer’s Digest contest! No wonder you won 1st Place. Thanks for the fabulous advice, as I tend to waste a lot of time contemplating the little things, instead of focusing on the big picture. You constantly amaze me, Liza!

Julie

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Very cool on you winning that WD contest! I know you're right about getting the words down on the paper first and worrying about the editing later, but I can rarely pull it off. The few times I've written like that, the results were good, but my inner editor is a real pain in the patootie. If I ever get back to writing again, I'll have to try really hard to just keep writing and ignore her nagging.

Take care, Liza. One step, one day at a time. I'm praying for you, too.