tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post4525910739265767033..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Can You Define Good Writing?Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-17830084294156168702009-10-27T03:17:29.753-06:002009-10-27T03:17:29.753-06:00I like that description. Whether you write for an ...I like that description. Whether you write for an audience of one, or excite millions, your writing will be judged. If writing can seduce you into feeling any emotion I think it was good.Simon Hayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384384882217609761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-67185650715897622902009-10-26T12:37:55.881-06:002009-10-26T12:37:55.881-06:00I like your definition.I like your definition.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90950318622631224142009-10-26T12:00:56.142-06:002009-10-26T12:00:56.142-06:00I'm with you, LJ. Good writing is writing you ...I'm with you, LJ. Good writing is writing you don't notice until you get to the end of the book, put it down and go "Wow."JD Rhoadeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123361739160525998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45754208095958198972009-10-26T10:42:33.184-06:002009-10-26T10:42:33.184-06:00My simple answer was: Good writing is writing tha...My simple answer was: Good writing is writing that doesn't bore me.<br /><br />Since I started trying to write fiction, I'd say: Good writing is writing that doesn't turn on the editor in my head.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14115085533635353291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-8837996973521419952009-10-26T10:20:02.903-06:002009-10-26T10:20:02.903-06:00I think there is a difference between good writing...I think there is a difference between good writing and good story telling. I have had the pleasure of working with two creative people who came up with wonderful stories, but couldn't get them on paper in a way to make the "craft of writing" disappear so the reader was engrossed in the story. I think Dan Brown is a better story teller than writer.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-74706674186518329072009-10-26T09:45:38.538-06:002009-10-26T09:45:38.538-06:00Good writing can be as simple as not getting in th...Good writing <b>can</b> be as simple as not getting in the way or drawing attention to itself but just taking you into the story, but that's not the only way you can be a good writer. There are different components to what is a good writing, and all of them also involve intention. What does the writer wish to achieve? And how effectively does he/she achieve those goals. The goal of the artist/writer could be to create language so beautiful it soars on wings in air so thin it makes takes your breath away. If effective story telling is the goal than whatever writing style chosen it should serve the story.<br /><br />Dan Brown is criticized for his writing because it is often pedestrian - serviceable but not inspired. Obviously he's a good story teller or people wouldn't be so excited to read his work.<br /><br />It's not an achievement to be sneezed at, but it doesn't make him a great writer. Shakespeare is a great writer: language so beautiful that it startles, enlightens, draws out laughter or tears, and all in the service of a great rollocking story.Pan Historiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784598437235690294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-16917430769592287572009-10-26T09:29:23.944-06:002009-10-26T09:29:23.944-06:00Oh, and I would add a point that I always tried to...Oh, and I would add a point that I always tried to instill in my art students: you don't have to like a piece to appreciate its merits. Art can be incredibly excellent and be ugly and reviled. I also agree with that Supreme Court justice because I feel much the same way - I can tell the difference between erotica and pornography, but it's damned tough to explain to someone without an arts foundation, which is the myriad of tools and rules and experience underlying a judgment. Part of the difference in that scenario is the intent of the artist, and that argument really opens up a can of worms. "Who says you must have good intent to create a good piece of art?" It's a valid question in our how-low-can-you-go society, since art is partly a reflection of that society.<br /><br />I blather on... ;)<br /><br />DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-87781984715821792562009-10-26T09:23:34.737-06:002009-10-26T09:23:34.737-06:00Well, all writing should be edited to be really go...Well, all writing should be edited to be really good ;)... and I just corrected the question. (blush) <br /><br />I'd also argue the point a bit, because I've read some classics that were powerful writing and definitely didn't pull me into the story. I had to push myself every step of the way, and then was glad I did for the thought-provoking insights. Surely others have had that experience, in college if nowhere else.<br /><br />DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-29391538361819133232009-10-26T05:23:18.202-06:002009-10-26T05:23:18.202-06:00Plenty of people love Dan Brown's writing. Som...Plenty of people love Dan Brown's writing. Some for his phrasing of words, some for the puzzle he lays out and walks them through. If there was a formula for "good" writing, then we'd only need one writer. So many writers; so little time to read them all. <br /><br />Helen<br /><a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Straight From Hel</a>Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-14218383121166558632009-10-26T05:20:56.417-06:002009-10-26T05:20:56.417-06:00Great description. Good writing draws you into the...Great description. Good writing draws you into the story unobtrusively, and leaves a lasting effect on the reader. <br /><br />How come I see so little fiction that actually does that?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15028427139661264718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-64990023000107333972009-10-26T04:39:14.866-06:002009-10-26T04:39:14.866-06:00That's probably as good a description as any!That's probably as good a description as any!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.com