An Essay about Writing

Introduction

Recently I have realized that I have a ton of ideas for essays bubbling to the surface in my head as I attempt to reconcile myself with the fact I will be returning to school soon. One such idea (you may find unsuprising) is to write an essay about - you guessed it - writing. 

I've often thought about what the formula for good writing might be. I realized that this so-called "formula" is so varied and subjective, it's almost impossible to pin it down to specific crucial points. If I think about it logically, obviously grammar comes into play. But grammar is just as varied as whatever the forumula for writing may be. It's subjective, and it can get in the way of good ideas for novels. So, in this essay, I will attempt to pin down what I think is crucial to good writing.

This isn't so much as an essay as it is a step-by-step "tutorial". But for lack of a better category, an essay it shall be. You don't have to agree with me (and honestly, I think from what I've already written you can see I will anticipate people who don't agree with me). If you don't, I'm always open to hearing other ideas. I'm also not saying my writing is without faults, or that I know everything there is to know about writing. Not even close. This is simply ideas and concepts that have constantly helped with writing novels.

Write an unorganized outline

One thing I've often thought about is what an outline should look like. Should it be a "write it down, make it happen" sort of deal where everything I want to include in the story is written down beforehand so that I have it all prepared to write into my story. Or should it be very ordered, and only focus on crucial aspects of the story - instead of writing various ideas, should I write certain character traits or components of the plot I feel are important?

What I've realized is, a good novel can sometimes come down to a good plot. And a plot, although eventually ordered by the time you have  edited, doesn't need to start as a consise, ordered idea. A plot should be varied.

Instead of writing ordered plot sequences, write it down in random order. It's not even necessary to start with character names or traits. Write down what you want to happen in your plot. 

An example:

-Protagonist develops attraction to other character

-Protagonist is betrayed by other character

-Protagonist meets a wise elder

It doesn't have to be in order, and it doesn't have to make sense. As this is an outline, it only has to serve as a basic for later complex development of your story. It can be basic, too. It's okay to develop a complex story from a rather simple idea. You could start with "three dogs in space" and end up with an allegory about the varied complexities of modern politics.

Grammar is important, but it's good to start somewhere

Although it's important to maintain a level of grammar in your final draft, your earlier drafts might as well be slightly jumbled. Sometimes it's easy to obstruct the flow of free thought by confining yourselves to grammatically correct sentences. Although most grammar nazis will likely disagree, grammar is not a key component to a novel's development. Yes, it's nice to see a novel with excellent grammar, but the initial ideas can be as scrambled as you want. It's what you see out of those ideas that's matter.

When I write a rough draft, I hardly bother with grammar. I focus on what I want to achieve. I focus on what I want the reader to think. If I want to cause suspense, I will write the plot accordingly. If it looks bad, or there's a few commas out of place, it's okay, because I know I'll go back and look it over, and I'll correct those mistakes.

A blackhole! (no, a plothole)

As most critics (and people who think they are critics) have shown us, plotholes are commonplace in movies and novels alike. They crop up constantly - some significant, some not so much. Unfortunately, they're mostly unavoidable (even with organization).

But, there is a way to avoid some of them (including some of the more dreadful ones). Often times I find plotholes occur when two or even three plot threads collide. The more plot threads (first, secondary, etc.), the larger change of a plothole. Maintaining consistency between a complex plot is very difficult, particularly when it involves more advance environments and characters.

A good way, however, to see to it that most plotholes are averted is to keep a journal even while you write, up until the very end. Write minor and major plot developments, character developments, and other tidbits to avoid the dreaded plothole. Think about how you explain critical developments of your novel. If a character disappears, and suddenly reappears for no reason, it's a good idea to provide some explanation. They shouldn't be left with questions like: how did he survive that, he should've been blown to pieces? Readers like explanations (though they don't have to be complicated). Which brings me to my next point.

Explanations

Why did John suddenly develop the ability to fly? Yesterday he was just a normal guy. 

Two things, I feel, are important to note about explanations. 1.) They don't need to be delivered all in one place, and 2.) they can be simple. One common thing that occurs when writing a novel is providing too much information in one place. You want to let your readers know what's happening, and why, but it doesn't need to be delivered instantly. 

One way I've found to deliver explanation, but not all at once, is through dialogue. Let your characters give the explanations. I find it's also easier to format your explanations in a simple, yet comprehensive way when using characters to give it. In a way, it allows you to deliver the explanation in a way that doesn't conform explicitly to your writing style, and can actually be written the way the character would say it. 

It can be simple, however, it shouldn't be so simple it's considered a plothole or simply silly. For instance:

The reason John could crush things with ease is because he was fed a lot of carrots when he was younger, and carrots are orange so they sometimes cause that.

Not only is that bogus, it's also common knowledge that carrots don't do that. At least provide some vaguely scientificly accurate background knowledge to back it up. When I'm writing a novel, I like to provide viable explanations. It's also a good way to reel users in. Immersion is crucial to enjoying a novel.

Purple prose

It's sometimes easy to forsake a novel by using too much purple prose. Purple prose is when you use complex descriptions to describe a common thing. Such as a chair. 

The simple, unordinary wooden chair blinded those who sat in it with its beauty. It was magnificant, royal, and simply remarkable. Its wood shone with the skin of a thousand gods.

Sometimes when it comes to good old descriptions, it's best to keep it simple. Although sometimes beautiful imagery in novels can take your breath way, you should do it rarely. 

Sometimes, the trees swayed in the wind is better than saying the magnicent and beautiful trees swayed, amazing those who saw it. 

Conclusion

Listed above are some things I believe can assist highly in improving the quality of writing. Of course, as aforementioned, writing styles vary and the general formula for writing is subjective. My final piece of advice is to write constantly, and never stop writing. Everyone can improve. I improve everytime I write a novel. Everytime I write a letter, or essay, or anything. Also, follow your heart when writing. Write down a good idea when it comes into your head, even if it sounds a little strange. Sometimes the best ideas come from strange thoughts.

Thanks for reading.