How does my thinking play out in my everyday writing? Think about the balance within your writing. I talked about the golden ratio in terms of pacing a couple of years back and that may be of some interest to you. Now I will think of the golden in terms of philosophy. I've read if you enter the temple at Delphi, there are two sayings on the Doric columns: "Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess." Well, that is some fab writerly advice. Know what you are good at. Be aware of your weaknesses. With that knowledge in hand, now dip into Shakespeare: to thyself be true. Next, look for excesses in your writing and round the corners. Is you main charater too extreme of a character, have you gone crazy with too much description, do your actions scenes just go on and on? Cut every excess in your book. Don't forget to look at each word and ask yourself, does my story need this word?
Yes, I'm a fan of the ancient pathways. I hope you are too. Bring the old and the new to your writing this week. See you next week.
Today's doodle is "Green and pink."
In many things the middle have the best / Be mine a middle station. Phocylies
10 comments:
Those two nuggets of wisdom can be applied to almost everything in life. But you are right, as writers we can use them to improve our work and make it shine. Thanks for sharing, Molly & hope you get to feeling better. :)
Hi Candi, I'm on the mend. I like ideas that really can be applied to anything.
Thanks for the advice = always good, Molly. I hope you're feeling better soon.731~
I know a mind-sister when I find one. Love your posts.
The "golden Middle" is indeed a thoughtful consideration, landing somewhere in there, not a literal "middle."
Heal quickly, Molly! It's funny how often your musings hit upon exactly what I'm dealing with. Excesses. As a creative soul, I'm prone to big upswings and big downswings; I give in excess, I dream in excess, and when I can't meet my expectations, I get discouraged in excess. I love your encouragement to be steady, and trim what can be trimmed. Good words, as usual!
Hi Janet, I feel better every day. Glad I managed to say something useful.
There is an asymmetry in all things -- the golden middle, Mirka. I'm glad we are thinking along the same lines. :)
Hi Faith! I've got that same kind of creative soul. I find snipping the excesses really helps me keep swimming along.
This is completely advice I need today Molly. To be true to myself and yet try to clear excess is a tricky balance for someone who seems to fill their life too full all the time. Thanks MollY!
Hi Kjersten, you are so welcome. It was a pleasure to pass on some deep wisdom.
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