Question: Opinions :)!?
Okay, so I'm writing a novel and I was just hoping to get a few opinions on some quesitons I have!.
1!. There's basically only one chapter of the book that contains conversation, and when I tell this to people their general reaction is "ew, that soudns boring", but it's written in 1st person so it's still kind of like talking!? I was wondering if that's okay, or if that even sounds appealing at all!?
2!. In your opinion should a book stay in one tense!? Like only in present or only in past!? Because in my novel it changes a couple times and I was wondering if that would be distracting or if it's okay!?
3!. I'm better at writing nonfiction/RTL kind of stuff than just freestyle writing because I can use higher vocabulary, but in my novel I don't want to use higher level words because I don't think it sounds right, but now I feel I may have dumbed it down too much!. So I was wondering what would be a good balance!?
Any opinions would be appreciated :)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
1) Replace 'Ew' with 'Original' 'Exciting!' 'Creative' and 'Brilliant!'
2) You're my virtual tour guide, take me everywhere you went when you were learning your story!.
3) If you discovered the author of the book you were reading dumbed it down, how would you feel!?
I wish I knew how to find some of the work you've written!Www@QuestionHome@Com
1!. There should be conversation in every chapter!. Don't limit dialogue to one chapter, otherwise the book would be dull and tedious!. Just because it's written in first person, doesn't mean it's like talking!.
2!. A book should only be in one tense!. Your narrator is one person speaking at one time!.
3!. It depends on who you're writing the book for!. If it's for an older audience, then you might want to include a higher vocabulary!. But if it's for a younger audience, you don't need to sound like a college professor!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
1!. That style sounds interesting and I have read a book like that and it was pretty good!.
2!. I think that if you keep it in one tense it would be kind of boring especially with the style suggested in the first question!. Changing it a couple of time sounds good!.
3!. I think that the readers of this book might be able to understand the vocabulary if they understand the the book's format!. But if you are really concerned I suggest you writing it in common every day vocabulary, but make it sound intelligent by throwing in some "fancy" vocabulary!.
Hope I helped!Www@QuestionHome@Com
1!. This sounds just fine to me! There's a great Russian novel by Vladimir Sokorin called 'The Queue' which is all dialogue!. In fact, there's not even any indication of who is talking (it's just obvious from the voice and the dialogue)!. It's set in a queue in Soviet times to buy special goods!.!.!. Anyway!. This sounds fine to me!.
2!. Maybe best to stay in one tense!. If you do change tense then make sure you have a good reason for doing so!. If you have a good reason and it achieves a purpose then I don't think that it would be distracting!.
3!. Good idea, just use vocabulary that comes naturally!. You'll be in good company because that's what Hemingway did!. Straightforward sentences and short words!
Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com
The last book I read that was about four long chapters, basically, was Love in the Time of Cholera!. What an irritating book that was!. You kept having to go back and reread the pages you left off at, as there weren't any natural breaks for ages!. I don't like this format very much at all!. Changing tenses, and sticking to all one chapter is going to be very confusing!. As for vocabulary, you should write according to the characters!. Their dialogue, thoughts and actions have to suit them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Authors are artist
some will appreciate the work, some wont
No way any of us could tell you without reading it!.
create a draft and let a few people read it, see what they think!.
just a couple of chapters would be enough for someone to get the idea and offer suggestions!.
Dont over analyze, just go with it!. See what happens!.
It is the job of the editor and publisher to fine tune & make the piece marketable!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
You won't really get your style and confidence for a few more years!. Don't throw away any of your "old" writing; in case you become famous someday!. RIght now i want you to get something published!. Call the local paper and ask if you can write a column about any subject!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Hmmm !.!.!.!.!. 1 seems fine to me!. And I'm not sure how to answer 3!. And, as for 2, I really don't like it when books jump tenses!. Unless the first half is past and the second half is present!. Anything else annoys me!. I have a really hard time avoiding that in my writing, though!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
This sounds like a differnt type of book!. Personally the fact that only one chapter has conversation shouldnt be bad depending on how well you have written the other chapters!. I would say go for the jumpng tenses, plenty of books do, just make sure that it makes sense!. The dumbing the words down, now this depends upon who your audience is but since you are writng a book which I think is more descriptive then anything I would be carful of your writnig becoming mundane from overusing the same words!. My thoughts are use the english language to its full extent, it can be a wonderful language when used correctly!.Www@QuestionHome@Com