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I signed up for NaNoWriMo without any real plans to complete, but just to see how far I got.
I think it's already been worthwhile, because on the walk down the hill tonight, I started thinking about all the books I love, and what connects them. Well-written children's books, translated Japanese books, and Arthur C Clarke's better novels; they all have a certain style in common. They write simply, using a few choice words and phrases to paint a complete picture.
Many books use deluges of description like a downpour of rain, to get the point across. The books I love to read feel more like noticing the rain by seeing concentric ripples spreading across the still surface of a pond.
The second, less good, revelation is that I'm firmly in the descriptive diarrhoea catagory. Hopefully the realisation is a good first step to improving my style.
I think it's already been worthwhile, because on the walk down the hill tonight, I started thinking about all the books I love, and what connects them. Well-written children's books, translated Japanese books, and Arthur C Clarke's better novels; they all have a certain style in common. They write simply, using a few choice words and phrases to paint a complete picture.
Many books use deluges of description like a downpour of rain, to get the point across. The books I love to read feel more like noticing the rain by seeing concentric ripples spreading across the still surface of a pond.
The second, less good, revelation is that I'm firmly in the descriptive diarrhoea catagory. Hopefully the realisation is a good first step to improving my style.
