It was the writing. Or more specifically, the writing style - and that smarts! That’s like hitting a wall because your style is personal. It’s the bit of you that goes into the story and of all the things to take feedback on that’s what’s going to throw you onto the defensive.
“I wrote it like that on purpose because….” Was my instinctive response and I went very quiet whilst the matter was being “discussed”. As any writer would I think (unless very experienced or exceptionally dispassionate). Too wordy, overly contrived, unnecessarily complicated… My writing isn’t any of those things is it?
I’m not about to dumb down. I’d rather a freak accident wiped the lot from hard drive and backup then publish a “Janet and John” level text.
Of course, the feedback is, emotion aside, completely valid. I’m trying to paint a picture not inside my head but inside someone else’s head. Their attention and their time is valuable so it’s not to be squandered in order that I can demonstrate the successful use of a sub-clause. The crafting of a final draft is about painting a picture efficiently as well as vividly. It’s about pace as well as impact. Long sentences are fine and have their place but flow is just as important.
When I read my own work, or even write it, I do so with my own narrative voice. I hear the flow, the emphasis and the pauses as I wish. I am unable to step aside from that and read it with someone else’s “voice”. That is why I asked for feedback in the first place.
So I'm back on page one again. I’ll refine and ease back on the longer sentences. I’ll make the telling of the story more efficient whilst trying not to water down the picture I’m painting or the atmosphere I’m trying to create.
Then I’ll hand it back and say “How is it now?” It’s not personal when someone criticises your style. It’s helpful.
Greetings old friend, I have finally found a moment to venture into this journey with you and look forward to once again experiencing the skill of your imagination.
ReplyDeleteTeresa aka Bakara