If the story does not move forward, there is no story…

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This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss an article written by Amy Klein…..

I’m not a big supporter of most writing groups. In brief, I think they expose writers to the danger of too much criticism from people who are ill-equipped (they’re writers, not editors!) to offer it. That said, I know some people are lucky enough to find really good writers’ groups and if you fall into that small camp, good for you!

Whether or not you belong to such a group, I think you might be interested in a glossary of terms for writers. Written by journalist Amy Klein and published in the New York Times Opinionator column, the piece helpfully defines such terms as:

  • finding your own voice
  • making your characters more sympathetic
  • figuring out what your characters want
  • telling what the story is really about
  • showing rather than telling, and
  • killing your darlings.

I like the way Klein provides an easy-to-understand and readable summary of each point. For example, here she is on figuring out what your characters want:

If the story does not move forward, there is no story. Holden Caulfield wants out of the mental hospital. Captain Ahab wants to spot Moby-Dick. Bella wants to become a vampire and exchange smoldering looks with Edward forever and ever. So when you are asked, “What does the character want?” what your workshop means is, “Your story is boring.”

Still, when she writes: When you hear “Kill Your Darlings,” you will be tempted to literally kill everyone in the room. Resist the temptation! I think she gives away what she really thinks of writers’ groups:

They’re little factories of discouragement and you’re better off avoiding them.

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