Tuesday, September 24, 2013

For The Writers: How Deep Are You?

The other day a coworker said to me, "You know, you don't talk much, but what you do say is profound and really means a lot to people."

I was absolutely shocked that anyone would think I'm profound. Or that I don't talk much, actually.

It would be wonderful if I felt profound. I wouldn't have trouble coming up with blog posts, because I'd just take it for granted what I had to say would be interesting and worthy of someone's time. When I sat down to write a scene or a chapter I wouldn't worry that what I was writing was too shallow or stupid. I'd automatically know that it had the depths of knowledge and experience and would impact readers with its mighty theme.

Isn't that what we want as writers? 
To impact our readers? To tell a story that has meaning? 

There seems to be a perception that genre fiction is not "thinking" fiction - literary fiction is where the thinkers go. But I don't think only literary fiction writers want to be profound. Don't we all want to share a bit of our understanding of the world with others, and hopefully make a connection with them or help them see the world in a slightly (or maybe not so slightly) different way?

Personally, I don't think there has to be an either/or in genre fiction. We can write meaningful (profound, even) stories wrapped up in suspense, fantasy or science fiction. After all, some of the most profound short stories on the human condition I've read have come from science fiction writers. It's this belief that causes me to stop and pause and rethink every plot point and turn of phrase.

I've been enjoying Art Holcomb's Rule Book and Improving Your Fiction guest posts over at Storyfix. He explains how by deepening the character arcs of our characters, we deepen the meaning of the story. He has some very usable writing tools to help writers bring their stories to a deeper level.

I haven't been able to really utilize the charts and questions he poses. Hopefully, after completing the homework that goes along with the posts, I'll feel profound enough to quit second-guessing every thing I type and feel confident to just tell the story.

How do you deepen your stories? Do you have a favorite resource/book that explains how to create a profound story?


24 comments:

  1. Being called a thinker is both a blessing and a curse, because some people will love you for it, and some will hate you. Depending on how popular you are, the balance can shift either way.

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    1. Popularity is such a fickle creature. Maybe the key is to find the people who are more thoughtful and then hang out with them. That way we can have some insulation against those who are haters on the thinkers of the world.

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  2. I agree with Tony. Some people will consider you a blessing. There have been a few people who have insulted me with things like, "You're thinking about this too much" or "You're putting too much into this for your own good."

    I want to say, "I'll be the judge of how much effort I put into this thing you're asking of me, okay?"

    When it comes to writing fiction, I like to write from my thinky thoughts. If I can imagine a resolution, I can sell it. If some people don't get it, they just don't get it. lol

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    1. Lol! Maybe they aren't very thinky, and so don't understand your ability to go deeper into a situation or story. I have found your writing quite profound, so I say to keep up the good work!

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  3. I would like my writing to reflect my thoughts and my heart. For me, profundity has its roots in both. I find getting the intellectual aspect penned far easier than my heart-thoughts. They always leave me feeling a bit naked.

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    1. I've noticed it's much easy to put down the "head" stuff on paper, but much harder to get the heart stuff out there, too. It does take work, and some vulnerability, to get the heart stuff out. But it does seem like the heart stuff is where we relate. :)

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  4. I need to check out those links. I listen when you talk!

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  5. I must read a good science fiction book one day. Do you have a suggestion?

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    1. I've read a lot of science fiction short stories. I just went to the library to the science fiction/fantasy section and found a short story anthology. I don't remember the name of any of them, though. I also loved Ringworld by Larry Niven. His world-building is amazing, the plotting fabulous and the story was very interesting.

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  6. Lovely post as usual, my friend--and you've definitely got the heart + logic package that churns out profound thoughts. I've read some of the Holcomb series too and agree that the deeper characters provide a rich experience, connecting us to the stories and hidden message in a very real way.

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    1. Thank you, Denise! I've really enjoyed all his guest posts. I find screenwriters have some good tips in general for expanding fiction to make a more engaging experience.

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  7. Ha! I think if a coworker commented about me it would be to say that I talked too much and like to be silly. I might be profound, but I'm profoundly good at hiding it!

    I think every book has a theme or a message. It naturally carries the world view and opinions of the author. I just think literary authors like to flaunt it (and their "mastery" of the language) in readers' faces. Genre authors realize a great story will stay with a reader first and foremost, and the message should subtly work in the background. I love SF for just the reason you mentioned. Some really fantastic authors have been SF writers.

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    1. I don't think I explore profundity much at work, so I was as shocked as you would have been. :)

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  8. Right now, I'm writing paranormal novels that on the surface don't seem all that deep, just weird. But where I like to go deep are within the characters, their motivations and their backgrounds. Hidden within that some readers might find a nugget of wisdom about what makes certain "tick," why some people choose to do bad things and others good.

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    1. People are so complicated and so it only makes sense that it's within our characters that we can deepen the themes of a story. I'm always trying to understand humans and their choices and haven't figured it out yet.

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  9. I write genre fiction, but I think the depth comes in writing yourself and your experiences into the story. I mean, if you've felt a loss, that's something everyone can relate to as part of the human condition. Taking us through the experience of healing is as important with a vampire involved, as with a car accident.

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    1. Hi, Crystal! I totally agree. What grips us about a story is the ability to relate to the character - no matter what (who?) that character is. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting!

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  10. You definitely show depth when you make your editorial comments on my work, and I appreciate it. As for me, I think I'll claim deepness as a reason for why I'm so slow.

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  11. I don't get the commercial fiction thing can't be profound either. It just depends on your story.

    I gotta go check out the Storyfix site. I've gotten several good websites from you over the years where I can get good information on writing. (So thank you for that! :)

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    1. I've gotten lots of good writing advice from Storyfix. Art Holcomb is apparently working on a how-to book, and I know I'll be buying it once it's out!

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  12. I am totally with you. I've read plenty of commercial fiction that has made me think . . . and plenty of literary fiction that has lacked enough plot and story to get to finish it. So . . .

    Also-- love the new look of the landing page for your site!

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    1. Thank you , Nina! It's nice to see you! I can't really make it through literary fiction. I want to, badly, but I just don't seem to have the attention span to really enjoy it. Yet another reason I haven't ever considered myself "profound." :)

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