I appreciate this comment Marple because I mostly write creative narrative that falls in the self-help category. This essay, and your comment, urge me to think deeper about what has already been on my mind a lot - how can I encourage my readers to turn inward without telling them what to do, or how to feel, about that inner landscape. It’s paramount for me to hold this front of mind as I write.
Thanks, Linda. I've been trying to write memoir for ten years, and I knew something was missing. I will go back over those manuscripts and put in more description and less emotion.
In a sense, writing is a lot like acting. Noob actors think that if they stand onstage and FEEL all the feels, really demonstrate to the audience the depth of their emotions, then they're really hitting pay dirt. Skilled actors know that it's not about how what they're doing makes them feel -- but how it makes the audience feel. If the actor is busy chewing the scenery there's little opportunity for the audience to put themselves in that characters (currently deranged) shoes.
Yes, this is a fine line, like balancing on a trapeze. I write fiction and poetry more than memoir, but my poetry is often a vehicle for writing about aspects of my life, past, present and musing on the future. It’s not always easy to hit that sweet spot, but well worth the work.
You and Roman are among my favorite writers EVER. What I have learned from you two in several months has led to such a breakthrough for me. I’m a technical writer by trade and took a minute to come out of connecting the dots in an explicit way, but I finally fell into some kind of trusting rhythm this week. What you are doing is incredibly important, Linda. I appreciate you both so much!!
Thanks for clarifying that distinction between feeling emotions and spilling them all over the page. Leave room for the reader to feel their own emotions...I really didn't get that before. Thank you Linda, as always.
Very informative
I just fundamentally dislike anything that supposes it is some guide to my inner life.
I appreciate this comment Marple because I mostly write creative narrative that falls in the self-help category. This essay, and your comment, urge me to think deeper about what has already been on my mind a lot - how can I encourage my readers to turn inward without telling them what to do, or how to feel, about that inner landscape. It’s paramount for me to hold this front of mind as I write.
Thanks, Linda. I've been trying to write memoir for ten years, and I knew something was missing. I will go back over those manuscripts and put in more description and less emotion.
In a sense, writing is a lot like acting. Noob actors think that if they stand onstage and FEEL all the feels, really demonstrate to the audience the depth of their emotions, then they're really hitting pay dirt. Skilled actors know that it's not about how what they're doing makes them feel -- but how it makes the audience feel. If the actor is busy chewing the scenery there's little opportunity for the audience to put themselves in that characters (currently deranged) shoes.
That's why the I love the "Show, don't tell" approach to writing. You can never go wrong with vivid descriptions.
Thank you for this thoughtful guidance.
Yes, this is a fine line, like balancing on a trapeze. I write fiction and poetry more than memoir, but my poetry is often a vehicle for writing about aspects of my life, past, present and musing on the future. It’s not always easy to hit that sweet spot, but well worth the work.
How right you are…
I will be mulling this for quite a while - and rereading. Fascinating, thank you
Hi Linda!
Every piece of your work / article always expands my mind! Speaks volume of your talents and person. Thank you so much.
This is such a good note — Include emotions but give all details, leave no stone unturned, to give space for the reader to feel!
This , funnily, is also the art of building connections, human-to-human.
xo
You and Roman are among my favorite writers EVER. What I have learned from you two in several months has led to such a breakthrough for me. I’m a technical writer by trade and took a minute to come out of connecting the dots in an explicit way, but I finally fell into some kind of trusting rhythm this week. What you are doing is incredibly important, Linda. I appreciate you both so much!!
This is so useful. Thank you
Great article and great guidance. Thank you!
Thanks for clarifying that distinction between feeling emotions and spilling them all over the page. Leave room for the reader to feel their own emotions...I really didn't get that before. Thank you Linda, as always.
Linda, thank you for this valuable insight.