Fic Talk > General Discussion

Keep it simple, stupid

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RokofAges75:

--- Quote from: mare on July 31, 2009, 05:49:58 PM ---I guess my only tip would be to step outside of your box and look at it from another person's point of view. Would you want to read everything you wrote? Can you remember all of your characters and who they are and why they are? (If you find yourself constantly having to go back and refresh your memory on certain events or characters, then maybe they aren't worth adding in) Abd most importantly, is it confusing? If you have so many notes and outlines you are having a hard time keeping track, maybe it would be time to rework things.

--- End quote ---

That makes sense, but at the same time, I think it's easier said than done.  When you're inside the story, when it's your idea and you're the one who's been planning it all out, it's a lot harder to step outside it and try to look at it objectively.  Of course YOU like your characters and your ideas and think they're interesting, or you wouldn't want to write them.  Of course you're going to be able to keep track of your characters, because you created them and made up their back stories.  You may think your ideas are crystal clear because they're YOUR ideas, but that doesn't mean they won't be confusing to a reader.  I think it's just hard to tell when you're so immersed in it.

On the other hand, if you do find yourself getting confused by stuff in your own story... I guess that's an obvious sign that you've got too much going on and your readers are probably going to be confused too LOL.

I guess that's where a beta reader comes in handy... someone who's outside the story, but isn't afraid to tell you when it's confusing LOL.

mare:
Yes, I think it's important to have someone else read your stuff. I know for me I never remember my characters lol but that's me. Even if the story isn't complex I have a hard time remembering names of people etc... I'm very 'special' that way.

Carter-Orange:
None of my stories are very complex because I'm just not that good a writer!

As for what I like to read.  It depends on my mood really.  Sometimes I like a simple, easy read, where I don't have to think too hard.  Then other times, I love to read something I can really get into, which totally absorbs my every thought.  Not sure whether I'm making sense, but I know what I mean  :D

RokofAges75:
I don't think it takes a good writer to write a complex story...  Maybe it takes a good writer to actually pull it off and make it worth reading, but anyone can come up with a complex idea.  At the same time, if you stick with simpler storylines, it doesn't mean you're any less talented a writer.  Like I said at the beginning of this thread, I WISH I could be that kind of a writer, who can find an interesting story even in the mundane, simple things in life.

And I know what you mean about your reading preferences. :)

A-RokzStalker:
I never thought about this. My ideas are either complex, or I have no actually plot in mind at all (just scenes that I think would be good in a story).

The most simple story plot I have isn't even one I came up with. It's based on something that happened in my life.

I have to agree. It's difficult for me to write a simple story. Mine usually have some weird component that makes the situation difficult or makes the readers think a lot.

I don't really tend to read either one in particular. If it's well written and interesting (simple can be interesting as well), then I can read it. Sometimes it depends on my mood, but it mostly doesn't matter much.

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