Writing is weird
I had a idea when I walked into my apartment after work today, and so I sat down quickly to write it out before it left my head. I got it down, but I struggled with a couple of bits and I couldn't figure out why: it sounded so great in my head, poetic and understated, but easy to follow. What makes the translation from my head to the page so hard sometimes?
That's a question any writer struggles with, but in this case, I realized just now what happened. This little scene in my head was "poetic" because it was in present tense. Past tense is a little harder - to me anyway - to make as lyrical. Or maybe it was just harder in this case because in my head it *was* present tense and I kept trying to force it into past tense.
I wonder what it is about present tense that gives it that unique feeling? Why can't I write a past tense story that feels just as poetic and lyrical? I mean, I'm sure I have somewhere in my mountains of drabbles... but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
I was trying to force this scene into third person, because then it would fit with the rest of the other two parts of the story... but maybe I need to stop forcing it and just write it in present tense and see what happens.
Very interesting. Makes me wish I was still in a writing class.
That's a question any writer struggles with, but in this case, I realized just now what happened. This little scene in my head was "poetic" because it was in present tense. Past tense is a little harder - to me anyway - to make as lyrical. Or maybe it was just harder in this case because in my head it *was* present tense and I kept trying to force it into past tense.
I wonder what it is about present tense that gives it that unique feeling? Why can't I write a past tense story that feels just as poetic and lyrical? I mean, I'm sure I have somewhere in my mountains of drabbles... but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
I was trying to force this scene into third person, because then it would fit with the rest of the other two parts of the story... but maybe I need to stop forcing it and just write it in present tense and see what happens.
Very interesting. Makes me wish I was still in a writing class.