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. Thanks to our awesome co-hosts for the April posting of the IWSG: PK Hrezo, Pat Garcia, SE White, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton
April’s optional question: Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically differing in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?
I’m about the least controversial person you know, so eliminate the last clause right off. As for trying a radically different style, lately, I find myself more likely to do that when writing a poem, rather than fiction. You can always play games with poems, spacing, tone, voice, wording rhythm. I cut and paste, delete and repeat all over the place until finally, whatever the form, I get what's in my heart onto the page.
Perhaps I need to transfer some of that creativity to my other writing. With my recent novels, I’ve written in third-person POV, but dangling out there in a risky-for-me kind of dream, are two projects I began in first-person. One is a draft novel I wrote a several years ago I ponder giving a total overhaul. The other is the first twenty-pages of a maybe-novel for which I have yet to grasp the story.
Neither is what you’d call radically different, but in both cases, when I go back and read those samples of first person POV, I experience a “Wow, I wrote that?” kind of revelation. My challenge will be to sustain that voice. I’m a little worried I can’t, but I’m happy for this IWSG question, because it’s reminded me to go back sometime and give it a try.
What’s the most radically different style or controversial topic tried with your writing?
19 comments:
I think writing in first person makes a person have to look deep into him/herself and that is always more scary. Are you putting yourself down on the paper, are those thoughts really mine? Yikes!
If first person fits and you can do it, then pursue those. I'll admit, I'm not a first person writer. Just not comfortable for me.
Some of the classic poets for kids are the best at being risk takers!
I recently tried my hand at horror poetry, and it was a lot of fun playing with the language, the spacing, etc. It felt like I had more wiggle room to leave things open-ended, like I didn't have to explain everything, if that makes sense. :)
I haven't even been a risk taker in trying to write in a different POV. As I get older and have gone through so many life changes, I'm more open to trying new things though, so may change things up in my writing.
I've dabbled in first person lately. I always thought it was too limiting, but it forces you to get right to the heart of that character, which is good in terms of making them convincing.
I have an idea for a future project which would be 3rd person but the thought of that freaks me out because I'm so used to 1st person. So if I do ever write it, that would feel quite risky to me.
Good question to make one think. Like you, I'm more likely to experiment with poetry but even that does not go crazy. I think it's fun for you to re-open the can of worms of older stuff and explore. You've kept evolving. You never know. No matter what - happy spring. Hope things are warming up and you can get out a bit again. (if not writing...love those photos)
First person, when done well, is awesome. I can only do short spurts of it. It's REALLY HARD for me, yet some make it look so easy. I continue to see close third in my future. Sigh.
I'm comfortable with first and third person POV, depending on the project. Few writers can pull off the weirdness William Faulkner managed in his books.
Like you, I find it easier to try out risky narration or controversial issues in poetry, because I never intend for any of it to see the light of day. Sort of a journaling exercise, I suppose. But it works for me.
It's great to have those wow revelations when we go back and read our older stuff :)
I think I'd like to try first person. Started one like that, then after about ten pages switched to third at a teacher's recommendation. POVs are tricky.
Hi Liza - I love the sound of your poem ideas ... I'd really need to see it done and then I'd probably be able to visualise it more easily. Only blogging makes me lazy in my writing ... but I have no aspirations or inspiration to do more! Good luck is all I can - sounds like those novels need another look at - all the best - Hilary
When you find that you have lost your way, that there is no way out for you, know that your strength must be in the Lord. He will sustain you, He will lead you to green pastures 💖
I've always been fearful of writing first person though I've read some wonderful books where the writing does it so well. But like you say, poetry is a chance to dare.
I think when we try something new to us, we are taking a risk. If that's writing first POV, then I get that risk. I struggle to write 1st POV, but I have a project I'm tinkering with that's in that viewpoint.
Happy Writing in April!
I admire anyone who writes poetry. Never been my thing. It's fascinating how you find you can take risks there. Have fun!
Getting what's in your heart onto the page is what writing is all about, Liza. Bravo to you. Keep at it. All best to you, my dear!
"sustaining the voice" That's something I have trouble with sometimes.
I jump around between genres and pov now, but I used to always write third person past tense.
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