Writing styles
As some of you might have known, I participated in a short-story writing competition organized by Jia Effendie, for she was to compile 12 short stories into a book which will be called "Singgah" (to stop by, to transit). As you can see from the title, the theme of the competition was to write a short story about stopping by. The setting must be in either of these places: bus station, train station, airport, or harbor/port.
My short story wasn't chosen :')
Well, since the start of the competition, I was already pessimistic, although I quite like the story I wrote. I also checked out the blogs of the winners, and my goodness they write beautifully!
And that kind of made me think of my writing style.
You see, most writers write in an exaggerated way to explain a certain place/character/situation/other things that need to be explained. Take, for example, "The night wind blew so soft as if it were caressing my skin, taking away my thoughts, my soul, and my memories" --> that is only to describe the night wind. Or, another example, "The piggy bank shone so bright under the rays of the sun, glistening as if diamonds were pasted onto it. It looked so beautiful, as if it was worth the treasure of [put a very famous pirate's name here], valuable and precious!" --> that is to describe a piggy bank.
Then again, those exaggerated ways of writing are beautiful, although it might be kind of stressing when put in battle or thrilling scenes. Professional/experienced writers write that way, in such language so beautiful that I..... am awed.
I write in a direct kind of way. When I exaggerate things, I can't do it to fill an A4 page. Which is why, when I write a chapter of my novel, it never exceeds 6 pages of A4 because I can't exaggerate my description both in Indonesian and in English. Some friends say that that is my style.
Well, I have to admit though that I speak neither excellent Indonesian nor excellent English, which becomes my weak point when writing. I write in Indonesian when I feel like it, but for the next chapter, I might write in English due to inspirational reasons or such
The point is that, I will keep on writing, as before! Effendie's competition opened my eyes to some of the best writers I've never known, so I might draw inspiration from those writers. As for changing my direct-style of writing, hmmm... I don't know, honestly. I am still incapable of it.
My short story wasn't chosen :')
Well, since the start of the competition, I was already pessimistic, although I quite like the story I wrote. I also checked out the blogs of the winners, and my goodness they write beautifully!
And that kind of made me think of my writing style.
You see, most writers write in an exaggerated way to explain a certain place/character/situation/other things that need to be explained. Take, for example, "The night wind blew so soft as if it were caressing my skin, taking away my thoughts, my soul, and my memories" --> that is only to describe the night wind. Or, another example, "The piggy bank shone so bright under the rays of the sun, glistening as if diamonds were pasted onto it. It looked so beautiful, as if it was worth the treasure of [put a very famous pirate's name here], valuable and precious!" --> that is to describe a piggy bank.
Then again, those exaggerated ways of writing are beautiful, although it might be kind of stressing when put in battle or thrilling scenes. Professional/experienced writers write that way, in such language so beautiful that I..... am awed.
I write in a direct kind of way. When I exaggerate things, I can't do it to fill an A4 page. Which is why, when I write a chapter of my novel, it never exceeds 6 pages of A4 because I can't exaggerate my description both in Indonesian and in English. Some friends say that that is my style.
Well, I have to admit though that I speak neither excellent Indonesian nor excellent English, which becomes my weak point when writing. I write in Indonesian when I feel like it, but for the next chapter, I might write in English due to inspirational reasons or such
The point is that, I will keep on writing, as before! Effendie's competition opened my eyes to some of the best writers I've never known, so I might draw inspiration from those writers. As for changing my direct-style of writing, hmmm... I don't know, honestly. I am still incapable of it.