To write better

I’ve joined a new writing group! It’s a bunch of very talented writers and I feel a little in awe, and a little anxious because in the past I’ve found it relatively easy to write and share my stuff. Now the game has been upped, I have to take more care about how I write as well as what I write, without losing my own “voice”. I have set myself writing challenges in the past, I most recently had twenty random words to write to, and I have the very last one to complete, the word is “one” so that will indeed be a challenge! However, the challenge of the new group is more about writing in the best way I can, and not just narrate a series of events.

I’ve mentioned before that when I write, there is a vivid story playing in my head, like a film with unexpected characters, weird situations, unlikely friendships and alliances – and also secret enemies and rivals. I’ve also confessed that I feel one of my weaker skills as a writer is to give a sense of place – it’s all people and characters and their actions and reactions. I have tried to work on this, but I’m not sure how successfully – my stories are like plays with action and emotion, but the scenery is all a bit blurry.

Now, I’m not suggesting that I become more literary and high-flown, I’m not sure I could do that – or if I started whether I could maintain it. I have tried to write more elegantly, to adopt a different voice, to distance myself from the character and content. I have tried to work on my style and maybe my writing “voice”. I don’t want to write differently just for the sake of being different, but I want to improve, to write better not necessarily writing different! (Is that grammatically correct? I’m not sure it is!!! – would the new group approve?)

PS the new group are all friends of mine, so I’m sure the comments, suggestions and maybe criticisms will be kindly, but sincerely meant and undoubtedly very helpful.

PPS my featured image is of the much loved Mrs Pen, the pub dog at teh Dolphin for many years – not that she belonged there, she was just a very regular visitor!