Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact, highly desirable for newspapers. The average reading level of newspaper readers is the sixth grade. Over the years it became imperative that newspaper writing be simple, consistent, and use basic punctuation, even when that violated some elementary rules. The end result has been that borderline idiots may now understand today's papers.
I feel that these manuals should not be taken as carved in stone for fiction writers. Imagine, if you will, someone dictating to Picasso, Dali, or the French impressionists which colors of paint they may use, which strokes, which perspective, etc. Unthinkable, yet there are many people who insist that fiction writers must abide by the (sometimes) arbitrary grammar and style rules in the popular style manuals.
There are certain rudimentary dictates we must all follow, otherwise our writing would be chaotic. However, fiction writers should, more than any other writers, be allowed enough freedom of expression to create a style that is special to them. In other words, a style that is peculiar (in the correct meaning of that word.) In the editing process of my book, TALES FROM THE WRECKTORY, I had an incident with the editor (He won, I lost.) over the use of the word, "tenebraephobic." (Tenebrae is the service used during Christian Holy Week, and the Latin word, "tenebrae" means shadows, hence darkness.) I wanted to use it to convey a particular kind of fear of the dark. Now, there is more than one word for this condition: nyctophobia and lygophobia, to name two. The individual I was writing about was afraid to be alone in an old, multistory, rambling house in the dead of night. I ask you, which word conveys the impression I wanted to create: one of the two clinical names I mention, or the one which speaks of fear of shadows?
The editor objected to my "tenebraephobic" because he said there was no such word, that I had made it up, and, of course, he was right. There wasn't and I had. Damn it all, if a fiction writer is not allowed to coin a word, who is? Political speech writers? Computer nerds? Or, as we see happen every day, the intelligentsia who, through ignorance or sloppiness, take a perfectly good word or phrase, misuse it, and give it a whole new meaning. Others follow the bad example and it suddenly jumps up the ranks in today's parlance. "Impact" is a perfect example of that.
The same editor then pointed out that most people would not know the meaning of the word, "tenebrae." My answer to that was: "Then, let them look it up. If they want simple words that won't strain their poor brains, they should stick to newspapers (or television) for their entertainment. Fiction should do more than entertain; it should also broaden the mind."
Another editor (I quickly changed this one) tried to correct my grammar and spelling in dialogues. Now, to me, dialogue is sacrosanct. Apart from obvious typos, no one fools around with it. Words in dialogue are, after all, not my words, not the editor's words. They belong to the character speaking. You wouldn't say, "Just between you and I" but one of your characters certainly would. You'd die rather than say, "Me and my friend did..." Would one of your characters? You betcha.
Years ago, I was responsible for training several would-be writers for an international corporation. It was hoped that what they wrote would convince those who read it to buy our products and services. These young writers soon became sick of hearing me say, "We don't write the way we speak, any more than we speak the way we write. Writing is a visual medium; speaking is an audible medium." I convinced them (I think) to throw away the style manuals (or at least leave them on the shelf most of the time), and concentrate on what was important: getting a message across, a message that was brief, succinct, and easy to read.
When it comes to the final showdown, who wins, editors or you, the writer? That's an easy one. Editors. Certainly you have the right to take your work elsewhere. My rule on this is quite simple. If I have any doubt whatsoever of the suitability of what I wrote, I don't mind giving in, especially to an editor who is usually cooperative. Such an editor deserves my cooperation. On the other hand, if I believe I could not go on living with myself by abandoning my precious words, I'll insist it stay as written and accept the consequences. Quod scripsi, scripsi.
The test of fiction writing is not whether it conforms to any style manual, but whether or not it works for you, the writer. Unless your words move you to laugh or cry (preferably both), it isn't likely to affect anyone else. How do you make your words work? The formula is simple, although not easy. You must make your words flow as though they were about to run off the page. The nonfiction writer must be careful that all facts are correct, make sure the writing conforms to the publication for which it is written, and for the intended audience. You, as a fiction writer must do the very same, but only as a starting point. You must go on become a poet, a word-painter, a strummer on people's emotions. The person who originally said one picture is worth a thousand words had it all backwards. A thousand words can conjure up as many pictures, as many emotions as there are people who read them.
As a writer of fiction, you need only keep one eye on your style, and only an occasional eye on the rules set down, but you must at all times keep both eyes wide open and directed towards that which you hope to pursue, and by that I mean pursue that noblest of trades: the writer who leads others to far-off lands in this world and in other worlds; the trade of Dickens or Tolstoy; of Bradbury or Poe, of Cartland or Hemingway; and above all, the trade of ________(please insert your name here.)
copyright 2003 Joseph E. Wright
Conditions of use: Editor: The following article is offered for free use in your ezine, print publication, or on your web site, as long as the content is not altered, and the copyright and author credit box at the end are also included. Notification of use would be appreciated.
Joseph E. Wright is the author of Tales from the Wrecktory (http://www.metropolisink.com}, The Bodies Out Back and The Remigrants (both published by http://www.metropolisink.com). His writing has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
About The Author
Joseph E. Wright was born and wemt to school in New England and later moved to Philadelphia. He considers Philly his home town. Joe grew up addicted to the British cozies of Christie and Sayres and the American counterparts of Queen and Stout. He was a fan of the film noir of Hammett and Chandler.
His first published novel, Memorandum of a Murder (Manor Books) confirmed his determination to become a writer. A short story of his appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
While writing, Joe had to make a living, which he did in many ways. One period of his life, he lived in a dark, rambling, nineteenth century rectory in downtown Philadelphia. It inspired his Tales from the Wrecktory (MetropolisInk) which appeared last year.
Somewhat different from the whodunit style of novel, Joe's The Remigrants, the story of those who return from the dead, is currently in the editorial stage. The Bodies Out Back is the first in a completed trilogy starring Pat Montgomary and Phillis Toner. The next two, The Maris Cove Murders and Aisle of the Dead should be published this coming year.
Joe and his life partner spend most of the year in sunny Florida.
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..1. Use Logic: Check for External PressuresAre you under physical... Read More
If your articles aren't getting published very often, or you... Read More
What a wonderful resource the Internet is!Students find information to... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
People can't believe I did it, but I did. I... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
Simply put, it is the art of writing scripts for... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More
Making Money from Freelance WritingIt's the question that every aspiring... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
What is Sense of Place? It's the image of a... Read More
Every writer knows that the urge to write is not... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
As one of those fabulous Baby Boomers, you now own... Read More
One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is... Read More
Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More
Persisting With Bulldog Determination [Book excerpt from Successercising} by Rick... Read More
I asked several writers how long it took them to... Read More
A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
Have you given up on getting your book out of... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Many of us have always wanted to write. We have... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
One of the best ways to blow someone's winning streak... Read More
The short-short story has been likened by some as being... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used... Read More
Before you even begin writing your novel, you need to... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
Before I became a teacher, I was a sports writer.... Read More
Whether you are working for a small business, large corporation,... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
Maybe you should write a book! This is not as... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More
Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More
The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demand publishing... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
Chaos and confusion come when established rules and procedures are... Read More
Writing |