Melissa Barker-Simpson

Challenge

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mbarkersimpson

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I’m the type of person who enjoys trying new things even if I fall back on the familiar nine times out of ten.

I decided to try a new technique for my writing, or rather my approach to writing.

I think we all evolve. In recent years my characters have had a stronger ‘voice’ but I still rely quite heavily on a story coming together naturally. I don’t plan, as I’ve said before, so it’s just a matter of placing my pen on the page.

I know some writers who have an extensive picture in their head of the character they will bring to life. Before they even put pen to paper they have a good idea of the journey this character will travel.

I decided to try this approach. It was only a short story but the end result was pretty weak. I think that is mainly because it felt forced – less natural. I like the story to unfold as I write. It makes for a few pleasant surprises!

What’s your process? Is there a system you think I should try to improve my skills?

Finally because I enjoy writing exercises, especially working with a sentence to start the story – here’s a little challenge for anyone who wants to take up the gauntlet.

Write a story beginning with the sentence:-

The sound of breaking glass reverberated around the room.

I’ll try it too.

Thanks for reading

Until next time
Mel

4 responses to “Challenge”

  1. Pizza Cottontail Avatar
    Pizza Cottontail

    When I had a writing style, I would have agreed with you: have a defined character in your head and let them tell the story: I don’t mind a little authorial presence, but too much of an author’s personality can turn a story into allegory or melodrama (where the protagonist speaks for the author; antagonist for the boy/girlfriend who jilted the author in high school, etc.) But now that I have writer’s block, I don’t have a style, per se, unless you count blogging as a “writing style.”

    By the way, I stumbled across your blog somewhere, maybe the Blog Buddy comments or somewhere else, I forget, and I’m a fan. Good stuff. I like writing and the writing process. Seal of approval!

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Hi. Thanks for the comment. The seal of approval from a fellow writer is high praise indeed. As for blogging, I’d say how you approach the posts you write has a certain style. They’ll have your own personal stamp. Do you have an idea of what you want to say; just go with the flow as soon as your fingers hit the keypad; tear your hair out trying to get that line just right; edit the post to death, or maybe a combination of them all 🙂 Once a writer, always a writer, with your own unique style – no matter what you’re writing.

      Reply
  2. Laura F Avatar
    Laura F

    You know, I tried the whole thing of writing out an extensive background for my characters this past NaNo. And other than getting into how a sibling rivalry developed and affected each sister, I don’t really think it helped me that much.

    I just like being surprised by my characters as I write. I figure I’ll get a better and more organized idea of what I’m doing in drafts 2 though fifty-thousand.

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      That’s more or less what happens to me too. The bones are usually there, but the real meat comes together when I go through it – again, and again, and again…

      Reply

I’d love to hear from you.

Hello,

I’m Melissa

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