Recently, in search of pieces which are eligible for publication, I have been editing some stories I wrote over a year ago. I have reviewed my techniques, looked at my characters from new angles, and I have looked at my screen both in awe and in confusion. As writers, we learn, adapt, change. What I write now is different to the first pieces I wrote in so many ways. And today, my goal is to embrace those differences in order to improve. In hopes that my notes can also help other writers, this is a compilation of the strengths and weaknesses of a past writer who was eager to try whatever she could, however she could. Note: A similar article has already been published in JUVEN! I’d like to credit the amazing Jaidah-Leigh Wyatt and her article Looking back at Old Writing, which inspired not only this article but appreciation towards older pieces. Evolving Style I began by mirroring styles of writers I knew. I would read Aura by Carlos Fuentes and suddenly my descriptions were charged with suspense. I once read the Odyssey and my phrases were old-fashioned and detached from my characters. I do not believe every writer needs to have a distinct, completely unique style. After all, similarities between stories is what makes them belong to a genre. Throughout my writing process, I have taken elements from what I read so I could find my preferences. I had (and still have to) experiment to become aware of the structure and word choice I like, and how this might change depending on the genre of my WIP. This is how I found out that one of my skills is to turn experiences, people, or events into stories. Basing elements of my stories from reality makes them rich and multi-dimensional. Coherence and Experimenting I must admit that experimenting has not always had a wonderful result. For example, as I tested the waters with horror and suspense, I was so focused on creating the right atmosphere that I made the plotline inconsistent. The end result was a story which seemed blurry and messy. The worst part is that I had a hard time acknowledging that myself. It was only when I presented a story to an outsider that he explained to me why my story was difficult to understand. I now believe my stories (both in the horror genre and in general) have improved in coherence. This also made me more comfortable receiving constructive criticism. My Nemesis: Voice When comparing different short stories, especially the ones from my retelling collection, I found out that the voice I use for the narrators is a little too similar. It is generic and offers no base to develop throughout the plot. I realised I was afraid of giving something extra to character voices. I was so concerned with narrators being “likeable” that I would not make them sarcastic or outspoken. I want to investigate and take courses on character voices so I can add new, distinctive elements to each narrator from now on. Quality Over Quantity I wrote and edited the last short story of my collection in two days. I got a rush of inspiration, and did not let it simmer at all. The result was a peculiar concoction I did not like entirely, but I told myself that “it works” and forgot about it. A few days ago, I deleted it. I found it brisk (no wonder), slightly boring, and it did not fit the mood of the collection as a whole. In hindsight, I had just added it to have more pages. However, I did find some interesting features, like the presentation of the magic system, which I liked and am eager to include in a new story. The Bottom Line Failing can be useful. Improving takes patience and resilience. Every rejected story, every peer review and every critique has made me a better writer. And I am genuinely curious about what I will think about my current work in progress in a year or two. Paula Argudois an Ecuadorian writer who weaves culture and magic into her stories. Her work has been featured in literary magazines such as SeaGlass Literary and Ice Lolly Review, and she was an international finalist in the Metamorphosis contest. When not writing, you can find her dancing, baking, or daydreaming.
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