The main fiction shelf in my house.
Reading as a Writer
Reading
helps us take in writing lessons on an unconscious level. When we read books in
our genre (or even outside of it), we take in plot arcs, pacing, character
development, purposeful dialogue, luscious descriptions, imagery, and metaphors.
And, we take it all in without even thinking about it. It’s part of the DNA of
the stories and books we read.
Let’s Not Forget Storytelling in All Forms
There
are many ways to gain an unconscious knowledge of storytelling, to experience
the DNA of stories. Storytelling can come in many, many forms. We have books, movies,
short stories, poetry, T.V. or streaming show series, music, dance, art, and
oral storytelling. We even have casual story-sharing moments – “Did you hear
how I drove my parents to the grocery store and out for coffee in ten inches of
snow last week?” (Yes, I really did that.)
How Do We Know a Story is Good
The
DNA of story is wound in us and through us, individually and multi-culturally.
Everyone loves a good story. And, what makes a story “good?” We know what makes
it good intrinsically because we’ve read, viewed, listened, seen, and heard good
stories, and sometimes great stories. We’ve also read, viewed, listened, seen,
and heard terribly told stories, so we know what those are, too.
Studying the Craft Still Has a Purpose
We
still need to study the writing craft or study our storytelling guides with a
magnifying lens from time to time. It can truly help to slow down and take a
long look at how each component of storytelling works within a story we love.
Last
year, I spent several months reviewing every single superhero movies I had seen,
but instead of just sitting back and watching them with family (okay, I did
that, too), I watched most of them with a notebook and pen in hand and I took
notes about scene changes, character development, dialogue, scene settings,
mood, imagery, and metaphors.
I’ve
been working on a superhero novel for a few years now and I “knew” something
was wrong with my novel, but I couldn’t seem to pinpoint it until I watched all
those movies, took all those notes, re-read a few dozen superhero novels and comics,
read a few craft books, and asked myself questions while reading over my draft(s).
I also took a course on Superheroes from edX which helped me understand the
genre from a historical, pop culture perspective.
Just a few of the titles. I had to use the library for many of them.
I
had the DNA-intrinsic knowledge of storytelling and the superhero genre to
guide me, but I needed to study the intricate details of the genre and the
craft of writing to see exactly what I was missing.
Tweet-able Take-Aways
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/02/studying-stories-as-writer.html
We need to read, view, see, hear, and experience stories to truly understand the DNA of story. #amwriting @TheIWSG
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/02/studying-stories-as-writer.html
We need to study stories to discover the detailed nuances of our craft.
We need to read, view, see, hear, and experience stories to truly understand the DNA of story. #amwriting @TheIWSG
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/02/studying-stories-as-writer.html
We need to study stories to discover the detailed nuances of our craft.
#amwriting @TheIWSG http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/02/studying-stories-as-writer.html
If you are stuck in a story rut, take a moment to enjoy
storytelling from the other side. Be an audience. Read. Watch. Listen. Learn.
And, Enjoy!
How have you found stories (in all forms) to be inspirational and helpful to your writing?
