Writer's Trademarks Meme

[jedibuttercup]

OK. So, I'm not-- unless, Heaven forfend, my Yuletide story decides to sprout like a crazy weed-- going to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. The most I've ever managed in one month before was in the 25,000 word range, which left me wiped out for weeks afterward and feeling hugely disappointed, so-- no.

I do, however, still have ficathons and promised stories stacked up to work on. And when I saw this meme go 'round, it got me thinking, too. I'm a fairly self-aware writer, but no one is perfectly so, and I'm always interested in improving.

Gacked from st_aurafina:

What would you say are the trademarks of my writing? What themes or quirks or turns of phrase have you noticed? What is it that makes a story by me -- well, a story by me?
~

Comments

Trademarks

[anabels.livejournal.com]

The big one to me is how through and rigorous you are with your research. You won't write until you have the background you need. Not in the sense of "nah nah I know all my canon" but there is never anything jarring or out of place and you have the small details as well as the big picture. I suspect this is even harder when you are working with other people's characters and settings than you own. Though I am (selfishly) looking forward to the day when you have the time and inclination to create a universe of your own.

Also how true you are to yourself as a writer. Your princlples and beliefs are always present, not in a way that is obtrusive just present and there. Your Yuletide story dilemma being just one example.

Re: Trademarks

[jedibuttercup]

I've seen too many stories that would otherwise have been awesome, hung up on one stupid little detail that would have taken five minutes of research to fix. Like a recent Stargate crossover I saw where someone was using a wormhole for two-way travel. *facepalm*

It just-- I write best when I am feeling secure in the characters and situation; when I can close my eyes and it practically writes itself. Like it could be just a half-step out from canon. If something trips me up, I have to stop and check, or it'll bug me forever.

> Though I am (selfishly) looking forward to the day when you have the time and inclination to create a universe of your own.

I do have ideas. And one universe in particular that's been sitting in half-written notebooks-and-maps form in a drawer since I was about 12. The problem is, updating it with a more adult eye so that it doesn't read like a collection of every fantasy epic cliche in the book. *grin*

> Also how true you are to yourself as a writer. Your principles and beliefs are always present, not in a way that is obtrusive just present and there.

Thank you. That's really good to hear.