Writing Improvement Thread

Unofficial is better I think. Just because there was a time in the past when such things were official, and while well intentioned, it lead to an elite standard that wasn't good for encouraging new players, which is the opposite of what the goal is here.

This thread would be more than enough. Possibly be stickies to the top of the list so easily accessible to those looking for it.

But that is one thing to point out more than anything, this isn’t about perfect writing or conforming to a writing style for the boards. This is only meant to help those who want to improve their writing and have others read their work and see what they think. Many times, one feeling their writing is lacking is only because they wrote it when, in fact, it’s just as good as everyone elses. I thought they way at one point, and though I looked to doing a few things different, it was more of needing time to like what I had.

Short or long, direct and simple or complex, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about finding a style and flow that fits with you and that people can understand. If people can read the advice here and creating a style of writing that makes them happy, mission accomplished. If a style you are trying doesn’t work or seems stressful, try and different approach. There is no one way to write.

In fact, I’d almost think creating a new thread with that disclaimer in bold to start might be a better option to try and convey that this isn’t about perfection or conformity

Throughout my many years of writing here, as my style constantly shifted and developed, an idea I absorbed both from discussions and reading others' posts is "less is more." Hell, it's not an idea unique to JvS either, but I feel it's important. Details... some of us got so caught up in them, myself included. Used to see these other writers posting these large chunks of text and feeling inadequate, so I started to add more to my writing to "keep up."

I hate those posts now. They're full of what I call "fluff." Meant to look nice and little else.

Detail-laden posts have their place, especially when setting scenery, analytical moments, or when the history of an object or character is relevant. Insight is important, but it doesn't need to be omnipresent. You want things to flow as best as they can. Keeps the RP moving, makes for an easier read overall, helps a lot with investment. It's incredibly easy to lose people in the nittygritty. "Show, don't tell" is key. Readers love to pick up on implications and wonder what they mean. If you're wondering how that works in writing as opposed to visual media, it's telling a story through character actions and dialogue rather than expository narrative. Again, narrative is fine, even necessary at points, but it can disrupt the flow easily, and flow is key.

In short, details have their place, but generally less is more. Show, don't tell; flow is key.

While I do respect both Stevan and Aer's response, this isn't what this thread is meant to be about. While I know that you both are stating your feelings on how you wished to write, and of course, that advice is valuable to those who wish to follow that, the way you both are approaching this makes it seem that posts need to be written that way for the sake of everyone, even if it means a writer having to sacrifice their own approach.

I'm merely pointing out the way it seems to read, not in attempt to be rude or say you're wrong. But if someone is looking to write here and develop a style for themselves, they should be free to explore that and find something that makes them happy to write. To me, while structure, detail and word play is important in writing, enjoyment and satisfaction in what you write is even more important. As you said Stevan, trying to write perfect and follow perfectionism burnt you out. As such, if you feel that way, change the way you want to write. And if that does mean longer posts that have more "fluff" as you guys call it, then they should be free to do so.

I don't think what you want to read should ever be put into this as it starts developing a mindset in others. If people like the way you write and you tell them what you like and don't like reading in other people's posts, they may feel pressured to write that way though they don't like just to so you'll read and like theirs. I don't want anyone trying to follow my approach to writing just because they find out what I like. It takes from their creativity.

You guys have some good advice for an approach to writing, but the wording makes it feel like making a thread for those who seek improvement on their writing is not needed, that it'll make people seek perfection and hurt people's writing so we should just look into writing like this as it makes everyone happy and keeps things moving. Like I said, I don't believe that to be your intention but merely in the wording, which I know is something that happens. Sounds good in our head, sounds right when written out, but is seen differently by others.