Writing Hint #6 Sentences
2 Comments »31st August, 2006; Category: Writing Hints
In a literary magazine I recently read the following writing hint:
One-word sentences?
Eliminate.
Rubbish!
I disagree.
Strongly.
Short sentences can be very effective. In fact, a variety of sentence lengths can be an indicator of very effective and interesting writing. It can be overdone, of course.
I would rather read short, precise and concise sentences than run-on sentences that never get to the point and meander all over the place, introducing new material that has nothing to do with the original intent of the writer showing that the author is not fully in command of this exacting craft called writing, although some would indeed call it an art, not a craft at all but that is the subject of a post I intend including on this writing blog very soon, when I get the time, of course, with so many projects under way it is a difficult juggling act.
Related articles:
- Writing hints archive – a list of writing hints.
Why do you write?
I recently came across this great quote:
“I write for the same reason I breathe –
because if I didn’t, I would die.”~ Isaac Asimov
Why do I write?
- I am a communicator. After 35 years of teaching young children I am convinced that this is the real me.
- I am a storyteller. I love relating stories – usually jokes – to others.
- I am a creative person. I love the process of taking a scene, a character or an idea and running with it to see what happens. My characters sometimes hijack my stories and the ending even surprises me!
- I am an escapist. I prefer to live in a fantasy world. Reality is too harsh, too disappointing, too REAL. In the words of Ashleigh Brilliant: “I have abandoned my search for the truth and am now looking for a good fantasy.”
- I am a visionary. I dream dreams. I can see the big picture. And sometimes these dreams and visions seep out of my being on to the page and I just have to share them with others. If the others think I’m a little unhinged, a little strange, a little whacky with a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock, so be it. I cling to the words of King Solomon who said: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
- The Writer’s Life archive of articles on this blog.
Why do you write?
Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Related articles:
Getting return visitors to your blog
Rick on his blog Shards of Consciousness has a post called “Three ways to get me back to your blog” where he highlights the importance of style of your blog. He says that light text on a dark background is a real put off for him. The text has to be very easy to read.
I agree.
If a blog or website has small white text on a black background I only stay a few seconds. If I don’t move on quickly, my eyes start to hurt badly. They’ve lost my attention.
Quite a discussion is happening on this topic on Rick’s site. Visit it here. (Sorry – the link no longer works.)
Updated November 2013.
Short Fiction #10 Sacrifice
2 Comments »27th August, 2006; Category: Short Fiction
Sacrifice
Susan stared at the wall.
“That’s it,†she whispered. “I’ve had enough.â€
She knew that she was finished.
It was no use continuing.
“Enough is enough.â€
She sat there for ages, almost like a stone.
Finally, she struggled to rise.
“That’s it,†she repeated. “The rest of that chocolate cake will have to wait until later.â€
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel
Read more of my short fiction here.
Haiku #14 Seagulls
No Comments »26th August, 2006; Category: Haiku
Raucous screeching gulls
Fight over scraps thrown by
Indulgent people.
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel.
Silver Gull