I think that even in writing a little ambiguity or inaccuracy can save a lot of explaining later. All plotlines or descriptions don't need to be 100% refined. Somethings can be left a little ambiguous purposely to leave the reader wondering or to avoid having a 10,000-page book.
Gosh, you all made excellent points that I agree with.
Gina, it's so true what you said: "explaining alot of science in detail can take away from the story"
I also fully agree with everything you said, Patry, especially "Readers are very alert to errors."
redchurch, your two opposite examples are both valid:"In this case, I feel the plot could be explained a little more," BUt "I dislike over-explanation when it pertains to concepts or backstory though." Indeed, different situations call for different measures.
rdl, indeed, I too "believe in poetic license"
ObilonKenobi, exactly my thoughts "Somethings can be left a little ambiguous purposely to leave the reader wondering"
Seems this is issue is far from being black and white, which would make sense as few issues truly are.
Hi Melly, as usual I'm just here snuffling up pearls. As a reader (I'm far to junior to call myself a real writer) my favorite writers leave enough omissions to keep me guessing, but enough clues that I can either figure it out, or slap my head afterwards for NOT figuring it out.
Hi Her-oine and welcome to the blogsphere :) Sometimes it just is. Sometimes, instead of explaining exactly where you went, you can simply say you drove north of the city. It seems to satisfy most people and sure saves you a lot of explaining on where exactly... (Just a small example)
Terry, yes indeed, good writers seem to know the balance between what to tell and what to keep.
Lee, I remember your stance on the accuracy thing, so I can definitely understand where you're coming from. But surely you must admit that info dumps annoy you as much as they do others, don't they?
Carter, I totally agree, but let me just add that I think sometimes we confuse accuracy with consistency. That's probably more important, or one is just a manifestation of the other... I'm confusing myself
But surely you must admit that info dumps annoy you as much as they do others, don't they?
Absolutely. I wasn't talking about info dumps, but rather inaccuracies in the writing. I think a lot of info can be left out, but wouldn't call that an inaccuracy.
Lee, I with info-dumps I meant the explaining part, not the inaccuracy part. I guess I was talking about info dumps as explaining "accurately" while sometimes, a little 'wash' can be enough. It all depends on how it's all done I guess. As long as the reader doesn't feel the inaccuracy or the wash... But who am I kidding. readers are extremely perceptive.
Lis, yes ofcourse, and there's that aspect as well. Thanks for bringing it up.
LOL Mark. Indeed you're right. Luckily we're talking about little things like being inaccurate to your mother-in-law so that she would leave you alone. Not inaccurate in the amount of income declared... :)
In real life I equate it with telling a "white" lie (e.g the typical answer to "honey, does this dress make my...").
In writing I equate it either laziness or covert marketing. With fictional works, a little innacuracy at one point, can be transformed into a twist at another point, that then sparks rumours on internet messageboards, which then creates demand for an explanation, which naturally mandates a second book, which ultimately leads to a good wad of cash.
Oh I like that. I love fortune cookies. I had one last ngiht Dreams are extremely important. You can't do it unless you imagine it. I thought that was a great one. One of the betters I've read in a while.
Ahhh in writing we're allowed to explain till the cows come home :) So long as it remains interesting. Though I agree in writing 'inaccuracy' isn't neccessarily a good thing.
Explain? Who explains? Just write the story and let the reader fill in the gaps. But if "inaccuracy" is to do with facts, then I think we have to get them right. There's always some smart alec in the crowd who'll crow for ever afterwards otherwise...
Eric, as always, you're killing me :) Yes, it must be covert marketing, that's what it is. LMAO...
Jennifer, don't we all just know it only too good - "So long as it remains interesting" - finding that elusive delicate balance between information and interest...
Gone, I'm so glad we're in agreement here. Seems actually that everybody is more or less on the same page...
Pia, I'm glad I did too :) Yes, indeed, in poli writing one should be extra careful when presenting facts. It's one of the things "adversaries" love to pounce on.
I just came from Jennier's site and loved her little axiom on writing: show, don't tell. Maybe that's also saying, too much explanation will get in the way.
It certainly applies to real life. A little gem of unexpected wisdom.
I agree with what Melly said - writing does sometimes require a bit of mystery. Of course, it also depends on what kind of writing we're talking about...explaining and/or analyzing poetry too much often strips it of what makes it fascinating.
23 comments:
When you're inaccurate, I'm afraid you end up bogged down in explanations later. Readers are very alert to errors.
I think I like Redchurch's summation. Plus I believe in poetic license and whatever works.
I think that even in writing a little ambiguity or inaccuracy can save a lot of explaining later. All plotlines or descriptions don't need to be 100% refined. Somethings can be left a little ambiguous purposely to leave the reader wondering or to avoid having a 10,000-page book.
Gosh, you all made excellent points that I agree with.
Gina, it's so true what you said: "explaining alot of science in detail can take away from the story"
I also fully agree with everything you said, Patry, especially "Readers are very alert to errors."
redchurch, your two opposite examples are both valid:"In this case, I feel the plot could be explained a little more," BUt "I dislike over-explanation when it pertains to concepts or backstory though."
Indeed, different situations call for different measures.
rdl, indeed, I too "believe in poetic license"
ObilonKenobi, exactly my thoughts "Somethings can be left a little ambiguous purposely to leave the reader wondering"
Seems this is issue is far from being black and white, which would make sense as few issues truly are.
I don't even understand how it can be true to real life?
Hi, I have a new writing blog, it's great to find other writing blogs out there, too!
Hi Melly, as usual I'm just here snuffling up pearls. As a reader (I'm far to junior to call myself a real writer) my favorite writers leave enough omissions to keep me guessing, but enough clues that I can either figure it out, or slap my head afterwards for NOT figuring it out.
I think it's true, if I find inaccuracies in a book it tells me I don't have to bother reading the entire book.
Hi Her-oine and welcome to the blogsphere :)
Sometimes it just is. Sometimes, instead of explaining exactly where you went, you can simply say you drove north of the city. It seems to satisfy most people and sure saves you a lot of explaining on where exactly...
(Just a small example)
Terry, yes indeed, good writers seem to know the balance between what to tell and what to keep.
Lee, I remember your stance on the accuracy thing, so I can definitely understand where you're coming from. But surely you must admit that info dumps annoy you as much as they do others, don't they?
Carter, I totally agree, but let me just add that I think sometimes we confuse accuracy with consistency. That's probably more important, or one is just a manifestation of the other... I'm confusing myself
But surely you must admit that info dumps annoy you as much as they do others, don't they?
Absolutely. I wasn't talking about info dumps, but rather inaccuracies in the writing. I think a lot of info can be left out, but wouldn't call that an inaccuracy.
I take it to mean the same as
" . . . and the names were changed to protect the innocent." :)
I think that someone was just indicted in Washington, D.C., for taking that attitude.
Lee, I with info-dumps I meant the explaining part, not the inaccuracy part. I guess I was talking about info dumps as explaining "accurately" while sometimes, a little 'wash' can be enough.
It all depends on how it's all done I guess. As long as the reader doesn't feel the inaccuracy or the wash... But who am I kidding. readers are extremely perceptive.
Lis, yes ofcourse, and there's that aspect as well. Thanks for bringing it up.
LOL Mark. Indeed you're right.
Luckily we're talking about little things like being inaccurate to your mother-in-law so that she would leave you alone. Not inaccurate in the amount of income declared... :)
In real life I equate it with telling a "white" lie (e.g the typical answer to "honey, does this dress make my...").
In writing I equate it either laziness or covert marketing. With fictional works, a little innacuracy at one point, can be transformed into a twist at another point, that then sparks rumours on internet messageboards, which then creates demand for an explanation, which naturally mandates a second book, which ultimately leads to a good wad of cash.
Oh I like that. I love fortune cookies. I had one last ngiht Dreams are extremely important. You can't do it unless you imagine it. I thought that was a great one. One of the betters I've read in a while.
Ahhh in writing we're allowed to explain till the cows come home :) So long as it remains interesting. Though I agree in writing 'inaccuracy' isn't neccessarily a good thing.
Explain? Who explains? Just write the story and let the reader fill in the gaps. But if "inaccuracy" is to do with facts, then I think we have to get them right. There's always some smart alec in the crowd who'll crow for ever afterwards otherwise...
Think that there is a big difference between creative writing and every other kind.
I can have every fact linked, in political writing, but if I don't spell it out some troll will come after me.
As I consider myself to be a writer first and foremost I would love to give up political blogging, but it's too exciting right now
In my other writing I love to have multi layers, and different meanings in different sentences.
But on my blog some troll might come along and quiz me on my own writing to see if I knew what I was doing. Won't answer those comments anymore
Really glad that you commented on my blog!
Eric, as always, you're killing me :)
Yes, it must be covert marketing, that's what it is. LMAO...
Jennifer, don't we all just know it only too good - "So long as it remains interesting" - finding that elusive delicate balance between information and interest...
Gone, I'm so glad we're in agreement here. Seems actually that everybody is more or less on the same page...
Pia, I'm glad I did too :)
Yes, indeed, in poli writing one should be extra careful when presenting facts. It's one of the things "adversaries" love to pounce on.
I just came from Jennier's site and loved her little axiom on writing: show, don't tell. Maybe that's also saying, too much explanation will get in the way.
It certainly applies to real life. A little gem of unexpected wisdom.
Hi there Garnet.
Indeed, too much explanation can get in the way in both life and writing.
I love these little wisdom things too...
I agree with what Melly said - writing does sometimes require a bit of mystery. Of course, it also depends on what kind of writing we're talking about...explaining and/or analyzing poetry too much often strips it of what makes it fascinating.
Anna, I coudn't agree with you more!
Thanks :)
You're welcome :)
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