Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Keep it simple, Gene Simmons
We all know the KISS acronym: Keep it Simple, Stupid. I had a "well, duh" moment with this while writing recently.
I mean, really, it's not a difficult concept. As implied by its title, even the stupidest person should be able to grasp it. But somehow, it often slips my mind. And this is never so obvious to me as when I'm fighting with a piece of description.
When I'm trying to describe something, I have a tendency to pile up my descriptors. And the more I struggle with it, the more I add to it, just to make sure the reader understands *precisely* what I mean.
But often, adding more description doesn't necessarily give the reader a clearer image. Sometimes it only muddies up the water.
Sometimes what's necessary is to strip it down, pull away all the excess, and leave only that one, telling detail. The simple detail.
I was working on an antagonistic exchange between my heroine and an important secondary female character recently. I wanted to make sure the reader understood that even though the dialog wasn't overtly rude, Noami (heroine) had very deliberately (if subtlety) insulted Josephine, and Jo knew it. I started going into detail after detail, describing first the tone of Naomi's voice, then the tightening of Josephine's eyes, then the way she paused before replying.
............................................
And the more detail I added, the more the subtly and tone of the original insult got lost. The interaction was muddled, and the more detail I added, the worse it got.
And I thought, aha! Delete!! Apparently, adding on more and more is just my way of coping when I don't know how to fix a scene. Deleting a few sentences here and there, pulling out the fluff to let the true tone and subtly come through -- that can be much more effective.
So what about you? When you get stuck, what do you automatically do? Pile on more, or start deleting? Does it work for you, or just make the problem worse? Ever had one of those moments where you said, Oh, duh! And did the opposite?
I mean, really, it's not a difficult concept. As implied by its title, even the stupidest person should be able to grasp it. But somehow, it often slips my mind. And this is never so obvious to me as when I'm fighting with a piece of description.
When I'm trying to describe something, I have a tendency to pile up my descriptors. And the more I struggle with it, the more I add to it, just to make sure the reader understands *precisely* what I mean.
But often, adding more description doesn't necessarily give the reader a clearer image. Sometimes it only muddies up the water.
Sometimes what's necessary is to strip it down, pull away all the excess, and leave only that one, telling detail. The simple detail.
I was working on an antagonistic exchange between my heroine and an important secondary female character recently. I wanted to make sure the reader understood that even though the dialog wasn't overtly rude, Noami (heroine) had very deliberately (if subtlety) insulted Josephine, and Jo knew it. I started going into detail after detail, describing first the tone of Naomi's voice, then the tightening of Josephine's eyes, then the way she paused before replying.
............................................
And the more detail I added, the more the subtly and tone of the original insult got lost. The interaction was muddled, and the more detail I added, the worse it got.
And I thought, aha! Delete!! Apparently, adding on more and more is just my way of coping when I don't know how to fix a scene. Deleting a few sentences here and there, pulling out the fluff to let the true tone and subtly come through -- that can be much more effective.
So what about you? When you get stuck, what do you automatically do? Pile on more, or start deleting? Does it work for you, or just make the problem worse? Ever had one of those moments where you said, Oh, duh! And did the opposite?
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65 comments:
Honestly, when stuck I tend to freeze...and do nothing. Or just move on and figure I'll tend to it when I revise.
I'm a real coward that way. If I do tackle it all at once I'm more likely to back up and go a different route altogether.
Distance generally makes it easier to see this stuff.
It depends. If it's a scene, usually I go over it and over it and make it worse, doing what you say. Adding description, rereading, etc.
But when something isn't working with the plot/character motivation, I freeze up, like Chance. Which explains why I've stopped completely on my current MS and started ripping it apart.
I think in general keeping things direct makes the most sense.
Hal, you're right -- I want to make sure everybody "gets" those important parts, so the temptation is to keep describing it. LOL
Sometimes I have to step away for a bit and let my brain figure out a new solution. Unfortunately, sometimes "a bit" ends up a little longer than I'd like, which makes me nervous. LOL I just have to have faith that my brain can--and wants to--come up with a solution.
Chance -- ahh yes, I forgot the third option. Skipping it entirely. I don't think this is cowardly at all. In fact, I was talking about this to my thesis adviser last time I was at school, and he said one thing he'd noticed was that if he was struggling with a scene or part of a scene, he'd skip it and move on. Often, when he came back, the particular piece he had been struggling with turned out to be unnecessary, and could simply be removed. That's *why* he was struggling, because his subconscious knew it wasn't important and to just move on.
So not cowardly at all - - just giving your subconscious time to catch up *g*
Marn -- that's me too. I keep going over and it and over it and over it...usually making it worse in the long run. LOL!
Character motivation...ugh! I hate that kind of stuck because you can't just move past it and go on. It affects everything. At least if it's just a small scene or moment, you can skip it and keep moving with the important stuff!
Sorry this post is so abstract -- I kept trying to put in an example from my revisions, but they all sounded stupid. (or at least, they did to me).
Donna - yes! Those things that you want to make sure the reader "gets" exactly what you meant. I want them to hear it the way I hear it, and to make sure that happens, I just keep going. Ugh :)
I think you're totally right about trust. Our subconscious can do some really amazing things, but that's an awful lot of control we're handing over to an entirely intangible entity. Trusting the reader to "get it" is hard too, but I find it easier to trust them than it is to trust my own brain. LOL! No idea what that says about me!
Ha - I'm a skipper too. I just make things worse when I keep adding to them. I did find that sometimes what I need to add isn't descriptive of the "thing" but of a paragraph before or after that describes the surroundings or the chaos (or peace) going on around the "thing".
So, if my couple are fighting instead of adding more and more dialogue I take a step back and look at the paragraphs leading to the fight and after the fight to see if I can beef that up any.
Scapegoat -- excellent advice! I don't think to look at the before or after, but you're absolutely right. Those before and after paragraphs are the scaffolding, what props up whatever the characters are doing or saying. Adjusting those paragraphs may be more effective at conveying what you want to convey with the scene than adding more and more to the scene itself.
Awesome idea!
Excellent blog (and I adore the title! *LOL*)
Since I have the bad habit of "editing" as I go, I tend to pile on description, dialogue, et al, to "help" the scene and then eventually I've played with it so much it loses its freshness and I end up deleting the whole chapter or abandoning the project altogether. I really need to find some middle ground.
But you're right: more doesn't always mean better.
eventually I’ve played with it so much it loses its freshness and I end up deleting the whole chapter or abandoning the project altogether.
Yikes! LOL. There's always that temptation as well, once you start deleting, to just keep going. I'm too anal to delete much. I figure if I put it down on paper, it should stay there. Not really a good plan....but hey!
But I definitely agree that once you've fiddled with something for so long, all that freshness is lost, and I think that's where our voice comes through the most. Paring it back down to what you started with (without scraping the whole thing) is a very fine line.
Sorry this post is so abstract — I kept trying to put in an example from my revisions, but they all sounded stupid. (or at least, they did to me).
There is nothing wrong with your post, Hal. Its not stupid. It is thought provoking. Which is why I am quiet.
I’m busy listening to what you said. And more important … I‘m busy thinking about it.
Hence my silence.
This is a great blog. When I first started revising a short I wrote a couple years ago, the only thing I'd ever had reason to revise at that point, I found all I did was make it worse. Which scared the living daylights out of me.
It's rough not to trust yourself not to screw something up. But I'm getting better. Since I write sparse, I worry that I'm not giving the reader enough. Then I read Jenny Crusie and realized she gives very little description compared to most authors. And yet, her books leap off the page.
That's when I figured out a whole lot of action can happen on a couch and the reader doesn't have to be told what color or style the couch is. Everyone can picture a couch, so let the reader picture her own or the dream one she saw at Ethan Allen. When I figured that out, it was the most re-assuring revelation yet.
We all know I automatically go for the delete key. And when I can't hit the delete key, I refer back to writing in a paper notebook.
Have to agree with Jules here, Hal. There is nothing wrong with this post and there is nothing stupid about anything you've written. Revisions, to the person DOING the revisions, all sound stupid. I think everything I write is stupid. If you can't get thoughts out into the mass blog public for airing and discussion then how else will the rest of us slackers learn who haven't gotten to revisions yet?
I think revisions, by their nature, make a story sound weird. You're looking at it in such detail that all of a sudden you're thinking, "Is this the correct spelling for 'the'?" It distorts things by looking at it so upclose.
You’re looking at it in such detail that all of a sudden you’re thinking, “Is this the correct spelling for ‘the’?”
Truer words have never been spoken. *LOL*
You’re looking at it in such detail that all of a sudden you’re thinking, “Is this the correct spelling for ‘the’?”
Amen! you're absolutely right that there's a major distortion going on when you look too closely, and if you keep that perspective for too long, it can really mess up the whole.
Julie - here's the thinking!
And thank you -- I think my hesitation is always that if I add an example to show what I mean, the reaction will be "that's a terrible example!" LOL. So I'm very happy this can be thought provoking, without me actually having to post some of my revisions for examples :)
Ter -- I think revising a full novel might be easier than a short, because you know you have so much more to do, it's harder to get bogged down in the teeny-tiny details.
Well, maybe. At least for me, knowing I have another 80,000 words to revise is so daunting in and of itself that it makes me want to hurry. Which is probably good for not revising something to death.
I think figuring out what to describe and what to leave the reader's imagination to fill in is one of those things we ALL struggle with, at least at the beginning. Especially for a sparse writer thought -- which details are important enough to include? Because if you're writing sparse, the details you include have to pack a punch. You don't have room for lazy or pointless description (not that you should add it in to any type of writing -- just that a more florid prose style would be able to hide it better).
Jenny Crusie, to me, has mastered that line of including only those important, telling (and yet simple!) details. I'd bet if you look close, the detail she does provide is doing double or triple duty.
Revisions, to the person DOING the revisions, all sound stupid.
Excellent point, Sin! They do all sound stupid, don't they? :) It feel much easier, on a public blog, to talk about writing than to post actual snippits. But you're right -- this is how we learn!
It’s rough not to trust yourself not to screw something up. But I’m getting better.
This is why I have forty-eleven versions of my manuscript. LOL I want to make sure if I do go too far with the revisions (i.e., I only have chapter headings left), I can still resurrect the story I started with. LOL
Donna - I learned that the hard way. I now have master files and revision files. Since I've yet to finish revising anything, I'm not sure what I'll do when I get to that point. My guess is my revision file will become the master and the rough will go into archives.
But my MSs are one long file, which I know makes Hellie crazy. :)
I honestly think my biggest falling is in trusting the reader to see and hear what I see and hear. Even read what I don't write. A comment I keep getting back on submissions has made me consider this seriously.
I know and intuitively understand the motivations of why my heroine does or doesn't react to something, but I'm getting comments that 'this doesn't seem real' and it's hard to communicate all the reasons it's very real...without a lecture or an info load of background.
It's going to be tricky, but I'm putting my mind to it today. How to add enough around action to justify a reaction...
I hesitate to say never, but I don't remember adding details at the revision stage, regardless of the kind of writing. My revision process in the early stages generally consists of pruning details that I probably needed to write but my readers would find distracting to read. I hate to think my prose is "florid" because I do struggle to eliminate the flowery language, but I know that even my final draft is not exactly lean prose.
I think all writers get stuck. I certainly do. If I'm on the first draft, I just move to another scene. Since I write non-linearly, that's easy to do. But sometimes the problems with a particular scene won't let me move on. If that's the case, I have to get away from the writing. I listen to music, I read, I drive--and let the subconscious deal with the problem. When that fails, I tear my hair and scream out my admittedly limited supply of expletives.
Janga - I have that same experience. There are times the scene isn't working, but I can move on and fix it later. Then there are those scenes that must be fixed before I can move on. I can't explain how I know the difference, but I know it when it happens.
Where as you must cut, I must add. Eventually we'll meet each other in the middle. LOL!
Chance - When I started my first WIP, I realized about 120 pages in that the first 80 pages had to go. The hardest thing to do was to forget those pages existed. In my brain, I knew all the info so the reader would know it. You'd think with my faulty brain forgetting wouldn't be a problem, but it was.
But my MSs are one long file, which I know makes Hellie crazy
Hellie and me both! I know this works for a lot of people, but I feel like I would just be scrolling and scrolling, looking for things and unable to find them! But I also make extensive notes on each scene (what I was trying to do, what needs revised, hints or clues that were revealed, etc), so that would totally clutter up a poor Word document!
Nope, no notes or comments in the MS for me. When I first started I did the different files for each chapter and it made me nuts. LOL! I love how we all have different approaches and yet, they work for us!
Ah, Janga, we do the exact opposite! I wasn't trying to use "florid" in a negative way, only that description is approached differently by writers who's style allows for more use of language and metaphor and description.
I too struggle with those scenes that simply won't let me move past them. Usually in my case, it's because my character motivation is off, but that may be unique to this particular project.
When I first started I did the different files for each chapter and it made me nuts. LOL! I love how we all have different approaches and yet, they work for us!
I tried that too, and it was a huge wreck *g*. I have to use the special software that lets me write each scene independently, and still click back to any scene I want at any time, all in the same file. For me it works perfectly, but I know a lot of writers who do better with one linear story straight down a Word doc. And really, we all have to turn in one Word doc when it's said and done, so we're all going the same place. Just different ways to get there *g*
It’s going to be tricky, but I’m putting my mind to it today. How to add enough around action to justify a reaction…
Chance, I've found that for me, this is one of the hardest things to do. I'm jealous of authors who write series with the same protagonist -- it has to get easier with each book, right?
But showing just enough motivation for the reader to understand, without dumping every piece of info you have on the character is one of those nuanced things I think all writers struggle with. (or at least, I know a lot of us on here do!)
But my MSs are one long file, which I know makes Hellie crazy.
I always have my MS in one file. It would make me crazy if I didn't. LOL
I want to make sure if I do go too far with the revisions (i.e., I only have chapter headings left), I can still resurrect the story I started with.
LOL! Only chapter headings left? That's so funny and scary at the same time. The scary part is I can imagine it happening. When the word count goes down instead of up I imagine all I'll have left is a eulogy in place of my messy story. "Here Lies a Very Promising Story Cut Down to Nothing in Revision."
Never delete! Save it for...dare I say it...a resurrection at some point. I agree that time, and a new life through a different perspective might make a big difference.
*high 5's Donna*
Melissa - I don't cut as much as I used to, but when I do, it bums me out for at least 24 hrs. And I'm not good about putting them in "resurrection at a later date" files anymore. I used to do that, and all my deleted stuff is now trapped in my old laptop. So it didn't do me any good anyway. LOL!
all I’ll have left is a eulogy in place of my messy story. “Here Lies a Very Promising Story Cut Down to Nothing in Revision.”
Hilarious, Melissa! I keep deletions in a scrap pile, in case I need them, but they rarely make a new appearance. Usually there was a reason they needed to be deleted, as much as it sucks.
On the one file vs, multiple files:
I do both. I have a file for each chapter, but, as I think I've finshed the first draft of a chapter, I also copy and paste it into a single document. When I'm revising, I toggle back and forth between the two.
I think each writer's process must be unique. However similar we may be in some ways, we each have our idiosyncracies.
LOL, Melissa -- I'm a recovering packrat, so I save everything in files I mark as "Leftovers" with the date -- not that I ever go back to look in them, but it soothes me knowing it's there!
When I'm revising, I cut cut cut, and somehow, magically, my word count goes UP. I'm contrary. I know it. I just don't know to fix that about myself. LOL
I have to use the special software that lets me write each scene independently
What software? I'm always tempted to try out a software, just to see if I'd like it better. Do you like it? (You should BLOG about it sometime. *LOL*) Seriously...I keep playing with Dramatica and stuff, but I can't quite justify buying it. (Then again, my laptop can barely run the Microsoft Antivirus without shutting down, I'm frightened to add another function...)
I love KISS! Family Jewels is one of my favorite shows. You can learn a lot from Gene, he's a genius:)
I tend to read things aloud when I'm stuck. If it sounds like the characters are having a bipolar moment, then it probably should be simplified. I'm a true believer in less is more.
Great blog!
Lisa, I'm trying to learn to read things aloud -- I've heard it suggested before, but maybe I need someone ELSE to read it for me. LOL
Hellie, I see different writing software programs and I get tempted -- they all seem so detailed and complicated, like I wouldn't have time to WRITE if I fill out all the data they ask for!
Okay, I'm actually working on my WIP today, so I'm gonna get back to it. :)
If it sounds like the characters are having a bipolar moment, then it probably should be simplified
Excellent advice, Lisa! I'd never thought of it like a bi-polar moment. Love it :)
Hellie, I use Write Way (www.writewaypro.com)
What I love is that the center Composition screen looks and works just like Word, but on the left side, you have an outline of your entire book, scene by scene. Across the bottom, you can make notes about that scene, and then view those notes laid out like a storyboard.
It satisfies my need to be compulsively organized :)
I was afraid you were going to say that. I bought Write Way about three years ago and never used it. I never felt I had the time to figure it out. Again, it's that "I need to see someone work it!" thing that is how I learn. Now it's held captive in my old laptop, along with a million other things.
Sigh.
You know, I only bought it because you said you had it, and when I looked it up, I fell in love. lol.
I should do a video tutorial thing on what you can do with it. That'd be a good way to kill some time at work....lol.
wouldn’t have time to WRITE if I fill out all the data they ask for!
Yeah, that's a valid worry. It's a very easy way to procrastinate, but still let you feel like you're "working" (but of course, is not getting words on a page)
You're welcome, Hal:) I have bipolar tendencies myself, so I can relate!
Donna,
I guess it seems silly to read aloud, but when I come to an astounding passage in whatever book I'm reading, I have to read it aloud. Hence, the need to read aloud when I'm writing. Not that anything I've written is astounding, but sometimes words are so important they deserve to be spoken, instead of whispered in your mind:)
I have bipolar tendencies myself, so I can relate!
LOL! The first thing I thought when I saw your post was, "Well, those should be familiar and easy to recognize" lol
That cracks me up, Ter, that you have it and never use it. *LOL* *SNORTS*
Hal, does it simplify synopsis writing at all? (Lie if you need to.)
Oh, good question, Hellie.
We all know I advocate reading aloud. *glares in Donna's direction*
Oh, if you would "show" me how to use it, then I might get it. Though I'll have to break down and take that computer to get it fixed. The problem is the on button no longer works. So the thing is fine and everything is just trapped. Dang it.
In my defense, I bought that program when I had no idea what I was doing, hadn't realized I was a plotter, and was crazy busy with school and work and kiddo and trying to write. It was a spontaneous purchase!
In theory, if you had good notes on each scene, it could probably help you lay out a synopsis....
But my struggle is always *how* to say things clearly and concisely, not so much remembering what happens, so no, it doesn't really help on that front.
*glares back at Terri, just because it's fun to do*
LOL -- can you take the hard drive out of that old laptop? The laptop before this one had a similar problem, but the hard drive was fine, so I bought this "sleeve" thing for it that cost about $30, and you plug it in there, and then use the USB to plug it into your new computer. It turns it into an external hard drive, so you have access to everything on it.
You know, I work for an IT company. Surely someone around here could help me do that. LOL! I'm going to ask!
*returns cheeky glare*
It's the eyebrow. ;)
Terri, your glare sounds naughtier than mine. LOL
I find writing programs incredibly intimidating. And I know too many people who found it a real terror to export it to word...and I write linnear anyway!
Hal - Yeah, it's hard to figure out the 'just enough to justify and explain' but still leave some mystery! Especially when my characters tend to be live and let live and go with the flow sorts of people... They don't really react, they just slip in...
I will figure this out! Took a nice drive and did some deep thinking of how to drop enough in to make it work...
And Hel - I find with a character that is ongoing, they grow more and more complicated. But one thing that is fascinating...really deep trauma and baggage keeps cropping up. It's like things never really are dealt with forever, just for the present case. Like real life! We don't leave our past behind, it continues to influence everything, just in a different fashion. Good and bad!
We don’t leave our past behind, it continues to influence everything, just in a different fashion.
Yeah, don't I know that. *LOL*
We all know I advocate reading aloud.
We all know I advocate reading aloud too. It is a great test to see if your words flow smoothly. Of course I advocate writing out loud also … which explains the headset & my attachment to the little attachment thingie-deebob-button things attached to so many of my emails.
We don’t leave our past behind, it continues to influence everything, just in a different fashion. Good and bad!
Well put, Chance.
I was just “talking” to someone about this very thing earlier today.
I said (via email)
Such is life. You take the good with the bad. And if you're lucky? You end up with a realllly good story to tell!
Julie, I find that the bad stuff is sneaky. You deal with it and a weight is lifted and you move on with life. And a few months/years/decades later suddenly you're face to face with that same boogie man, just wearing a different mask. If you're lucky, you aren't back at the very beginning, but are a few steps ahead of things. So, you deal again, and then...
Until you've finally left it almost nothing to wear. And when it's naked, it's so blooming easy to see you are able to dismiss it with nearly total ease.
You notice I don't say total ease. I don't think anything ever really goes totally away.
Again, good and bad! So, it's not so depressing.
Chance you don't ever really get over it.
You just learn to get on with it (life).
Very concise and true!
I was concise?
Is that like being focused?
Do I get a gold starrrrrr!
*splash*
Tossed Over board again!?
Sigh.
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