Fictional Strengths and Weaknesses

Once again, the writerly and just plain cool Golfwidow gave me an idea. In a recent post (check it out here: http://www.golfwidow.net/archives/012105.html ) she un-meme’d a meme and listed her five greatest weaknesses and strengths as a writer.

I decided in my ever-present wisdom that this was an awesome idea and I should do the same. Seriously, I think getting this kind of stuff down in writing, talking about it, and keeping both how much you rock and where you could stand a few tweaks in your head only helps you as a writer.

I do all kinds of writing – bloggy crap, articles, work-related stuff. But because where I really want to go these days is into the realm of fiction, I’m keeping my lists focused on that.

My Weaknesses:
1. Sometimes I can’t shut up. I tend to over-explain, or go off the cliff in terms of describing the thoughts and feelings of characters. My fiction can sometimes sound more like a psychologist’s session notes.

2. On the flip side, I have more difficulty describing settings and scenes, and might tend to under-write those. I live in my own head. When I focus outward it tends to be more on other people and their emotions than on things. This shows in my writing.

3. I have a bi-polar writing personality. On the one hand, I have a fear of writing “trash.” I love to read a good steamy crime or chick lit novel, but the thought of having my name on one instead of on something “literary” gives me the heebie-jeebies. Yet I talk like your average Jane Redneck, and in all other aspects of my life run like a cockroach fleeing the person who just flicked on the kitchen light from all things uppity and pretentious.

4. While I try to be “literary,” my sophomoric sense of humor and vernacular way of speaking really get in the way. I’m hard-pressed to come up with characters and storylines that don’t delve into toilet humor or excessive use of the f-word at some point.

5. I cannot write unless I’m alone. I don’t do well with lots of commotion and activity going on around me while I work. Therefore, I don’t write nearly as much as I want.


My Strengths:
1. I have a vivid imagination. An overheard bit of a conversation, a scene at the bus stop, an encounter in the family bar, or the act of doing dishes after dinner are all equally likely to inspire a story in me.

2. I read like a mo’fo. Books, articles, blogs, you name it. I read every chance I get. If I have spare time and I’m not writing, getting it on with The Boyfriend or watching football, my nose is in a book. Other writers inspire both my ideas and my style.

3. I have empathy for almost every character I create, even the evil shitheads. This helps me make them well-rounded and gives my themes a shade of grey rather than a boring “good versus evil” kinda thing.

4. My sense of humor, which I tend to think is quite unique, comes out in my writing and adds a sometimes needed lightheartedness to touchy subjects.

5. Over time, I have FINALLY developed stick-to-it-iveness in my writing. Until recently, I had four or five unfinished stories or essays going at any one time, and usually lost interest in them long before they were close to finished. Now I tend to have one or two things going at once, and see them through to completion.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer? I’m not going to re-meme this post, but I would love to hear your thoughts if you care to share them!