an interesting homework

in the writers' group i attend we had a fun homework.

we were given a list of seven, really serious writing mistakes.

we had to write a short story (more of a flash fiction) and we had to commit all the seven mistakes at least once.

as soon as i found out the plot i began writing and began seeing the characters behaviour and interaction.

it was a shorty short piece and i kept it under 250 words.

at first i wrote the 'good version' and then the 'bad'.

:)

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limiting word count is an extremely useful tool. it shaves off all the unnecessary words and the useless ones, too.

i can't thank Jason enough for introducing me to this technique.

i use it even when i write articles for the agricultural monthly paper.

:)

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and Vesper, this little exercise was uplifting. i liked writing it, liked the polishing and kind of like a naughty child, liked committing the mistakes. hee :)

fearing the influence?

a friend of mine is the middle of writing her first novel  - i didn't know about that and offered her the first anthology our writers' group had published two years ago.

since this friend of mine has just joined our group i wanted to give her some perspective about it.

i think it was a neat idea, hm?

she politely refused, saying that she was writing at the moment and didn't want any influence on her style.

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she may be right - even if the writer has his/her own strong way of writing, there is still an unwanted influence.

when i was writing Copper Moon, i read nothing.

right now i don't particularly write anything, so i read a lot. books, all style, articles, scientific or everyday.

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how about you?

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is 'not reading' while being heavily engaged in writing is the sign of uncertainty? a sign of weakness? or is it just the lack of time?

can a certain reading have a positive influence on your writing?

say one of your characters is a vain young lady and you read something about the hype around the opening of a new shopping center. this might just be the necessary bit of information to make your young lady more alive. hm?

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what are your experiences?

snowflakes in the spring

does any of you have experience with the snowflake method (speaking of writing)?

right now, just right now, i am not writing anything fiction, but i have an idea (or three) in my head.

since i consider myself a plotter (as opposed to a pantser) i have a serious intention to give the snowflake method a go.

any personal experience, good or bad is welcomed.