A Writer On Writing: George Orwell

A Writer on Writing: George Orwell

George Orwell:

Probably it is better to put off using words as long as possible and get one’s meanings as clear as one can through pictures and sensations. Afterward one can choose – not simply accept – the phrases that will best cover the meaning, and then switch round and decide what impression one’s words are likely to make on another person. This last effort of the mind cuts out all stale or mixed images, all prefabricated phrases, needless repetitions, and humbug and vagueness generally. But one can often be in doubt about the effect of a word or a phrase, and one needs rules that one can rely on when instinct fails. I think the following rules will cover most cases:

Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

Never use a long word where a short one will do.

If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

Never use the passive where you can use the active.

Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

These rules sound elementary, and so they are, but they demand a deep change of attitude in anyone who has grown used to writing in the style now fashionable. One could keep all of them and still write bad English, but one could not write the kind of stuff that I quoted in those five specimens at the beginning of this article.

Source More: George Orwell

Phrase List: Emotions

https://unsplash.com/photos/girl-with-paint-of-body-JfolIjRnveY

phrases and idioms to try to include in your poem/story

A crying shame - a situation that makes one feel sad or disappointed

Afraid to say - used as a way of expressing one's disappointment, regret, or sorrow

Agonies of guilt/remorse/regret - feelings of guilt, remorse, or regret

(As) happy as a clam - very happy

Beneath contempt - completely bad or worthless—used to describe someone or something that is too bad to deserve any respect

Calm, cool, and collected - not upset; not very bothered by things

Catch (someone or something) by surprise - to happen to (someone or something) unexpectedly; to attack, capture, or approach (someone or something) without warning

Debt of gratitude - appreciation or thanks that someone should give another person

Figure of contempt - a person who is regarded with contempt

Guilt trip - an instance of feeling guilty; a feeling of guilt or blame caused especially by another person's comment or accusation

Held in contempt - considered by the court to have broken the law by disobeying or disrespecting the judge

Jump for joy - to jump up and down because one is very happy

(Many) happy returns - used for wishing someone a happy birthday and to express the hope that he or she will live to celebrate many more birthdays in the future

More in sorrow than in anger - because of sadness or disappointment rather than anger

Poor/sad/sorry excuse for - a poor example of

Pride and joy - someone or something that makes someone very proud and happy

Put on a happy face - to appear happy even when one is not

Sad sack - a blundering, inept person

Scared stiff - very afraid—often + of

Scared to death - very afraid—often + of

Strike fear into the hearts of - to cause (someone) to be very afraid; to frighten

The calm/lull before the storm - a period of quiet that comes before a time of activity, excitement, violence, etc.

Tingle with excitement - to be very excited

To one's amusement - in a way that is amusing to someone; pleasing to someone

To someone's disappointment - causing someone to feel sad, unhappy, or displeased because something was not as good as expected or because something hoped for or expected did not happen

Source ⚜ More: Phrases ⚜ Word Lists ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

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vantasariae

2 weeks ago

Hi!, ive encountered a problem i hope you would aid in? ive been trying to write this domestic breakfast scene where one character is still half-asleep trying to uphold a conversation but i can't. Its the "calm before the storm" kind of scene and i want to give my readers time to breathe and relate to the characters.

Writing Notes: Mundane Scenes

How Mundane Scenes can be Important (by editor Richelle Braswell):

Pacing: Mundane scenes can provide a breather from the action-packed scenes and add variation so that readers don’t get bored or worn down.

World-building: Mundane moments such as how characters get dressed in the morning or prepare their food can add realism and details to your world. It gives a sense of depth to characters lives and shows instead of tells how life operates.

Give weight to events: Mundane activities such as resting or tending to injuries can give weight to previous plot points such as a battle or reveal. We sit with the consequences, and thus the events feel like they have greater importance and space in the narrative.

Synthesize information: Characters can review things like whodunit clues or what they know so far over a meal or while traveling. Meanwhile, the reader can process events up until that point. These scenes are best used during the midpoint of a book or right before the climax.

Build tension: These much slower moments like chatting and weeding the garden can add tension to stories by sitting with the unknown. Readers will sense when things are too quiet and feel a building anticipation.

Develop character arcs: Slow moments such as shopping or washing-up can be important touchpoints to depict gradual character growth. If there is nonstop action, then there isn’t a chance for characters to stop and reflect and give the readers some insight into any changed thought processes and dilemmas.

Develop romance: Mundane moments are some of the best places to give characters space to make the bed together and fold laundry. Their romance and dynamic can be developed here but note that it is most effective when used sparingly and when the reader does not lose a sense of narrative drive.

Decisions as a challenge: Choices have gravity in a narrative when there is space for the main characters to struggle with doing the right thing. It can add further drama if they aren’t making tough decisions while dodging flying arrows or being chased, but while sweeping their floors or organizing their bookshelf. The reader experiences the weight of the choice since it can be carefully considered before it leads to a hero’s triumph or tragedy.

Whatever you do with a mundane scene, the idea to keep in mind is how it contributes to the whole.

some related literary tropes

"Slice of Life" Trope

Life, observed and examined.

A cast of characters go about their daily lives, making observations and being themselves.

There is an emphasis on the very moment, with the intent of focusing the audience on that moment rather than using that moment as part of a narrative.

"Calm before the Storm" Trope

Characterized by a sense of anticipation, perhaps tension, even dread of what is to come.

It allows the characters a moment of respite prior to everything going to hell.

Maybe they make final preparations.

Maybe they go bid farewell.

Maybe they go tie up loose ends or bury hatchets.

They might decide now's the time to finally spend the night with that special someone.

Or maybe they just meditate to still their minds and/or calm their nerves.

Or they may decide to throw a party while they still can.

This scene allows us a quiet moment to just be with the characters, especially if it winds up being the end of the line for some of them.

Great clouds lit from within by lightning gather on the horizon, an army can be seen assembling, or the Final Battle is just around the corner. Everyone knows it is inevitable.

Tomorrow the silence will be broken. Tomorrow there will be chaos. But for now, all is quiet.

"Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene" Trope

An action film trope that you can also incorporate in your writing.

In this kind of scene, there are no expensive visuals or frenetic action, just usually two characters talking about what they believe in, what they care about, their deepest pains, or anything that relates to the stakes of the situation.

This is not the same as the purely exposition scene in that there is something deeper displayed here.

In these scenes, you can understand the plot, grasp its theme, or develop a rapport with the characters to make the big scenes matter to your readers.

When it really works, it can make the action sequences all the more compelling, because the quiet scenes have allowed you to emotionally invest in the characters and care about their fate.

Examples

In The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, after a long time fleeing through the giant death trap of the Capitol and suffering several losses, Cressida leads the squad to a friend's house. Their time in the basement covers a lot of ground, from mourning their losses to Katniss' guilt to the Love Triangle.

Inception: In the climax, we finally see whether or not Fischer reconciles with the memory of his father.

The Lord of the Rings: The scene between Aragorn and Arwen on the bridge in The Fellowship of the Ring. It introduces depth to Aragorn's character and reveals his backstory; the scenes of the Shire at peace in The Fellowship of the Ring (especially in the Directors Cut), filled with laughter, friendship and happy children (what a warrior lays down his life to protect) is what makes us actually care whether or not Frodo and the Fellowship defeat Sauron or not.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

Here are some information and related tropes to keep in mind as you write your scene. Use the tropes as inspiration, and alter as needed/desired to better fit your story. Reading how other authors have done this as well, especially in your favourite stories, is one way to know how you would execute it in your own story. You can find more details and examples in the links above. Hope this helps with your writing!

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vantasariae

2 months ago

Body type and shape

Lean Having a slender and toned body with minimal body fat.

Muscular Having well-developed muscles and a defined physique.

Slender Having a thin and graceful body shape.

Curvy Having an hourglass figure with well-defined curves, particularly in the hips and bust.

Athletic Having a fit and muscular body, often associated with participation in sports or physical activities.

Petite Being small and slender in stature, usually referring to height and overall body size.

Voluptuous Having full and shapely curves, often emphasizing a larger bust, hips, and thighs.

Stocky Having a compact and solid build with a sturdy appearance.

Thin Having a slim and slender body shape with little body fat or muscle definition.

Well-proportioned Having balanced and harmonious body proportions, with each body part in good proportion to the whole.

Toned Having firm muscles and a defined physique resulting from regular exercise and strength training.

Chubby Having a plump or rounded body shape, often with excess body fat.

Pear-shaped Having a body shape where the hips and thighs are wider than the shoulders and bust.

Hourglass figure Having a curvy body shape characterized by a well-defined waist and proportionate bust and hips.

Apple-shaped Having a body shape where weight is primarily carried around the midsection, resulting in a broader waistline.

Broad-shouldered Having wide and well-developed shoulders in comparison to the rest of the body.

Long-limbed Having long and slender limbs in proportion to the body.

Stout Having a sturdy and robust build, often characterized by a solid and thick physique.

Plump Having a pleasantly full and rounded body shape, often indicating a higher percentage of body fat.

Tall and slender Being tall in height and having a slim and elongated body shape.

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vantasariae

1 month ago

⌕ naruto - kiba.

like or reblog if you save/use.

734 notes View Post

vantasariae

3 weeks ago

marketing promotion are literal hell, esp you're introvert. wdym i need to chat, call with everyone, and adapt to their interest. *sigh, get up, open sns and still done it*

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vantasariae

2 weeks ago

hello babes! i hope you're doing well.🖤 i don't know if you're taking divider requests (so if you're not please disregard this message), but i fell in love with the first divider on this set and was wondering if i could get it in a dark red? or just a gothic roses set? your choice.🖤🖤🖤

hello my lovely friend! I would love to make it in dark red for you! I picked a couple shades based on the different app modes (and included a few more styles as well!) (but if there’s a particular shade of red you like, I’d be happy to edit!) 💖 hope you’re having a great weekend!