Good writing allows the writer to be taken seriously, and being taken seriously is always important in communicating ideas. If a person’s writing is awkward and clumsy, readers get the mistaken notion the person is that way, too. (“Seriously” doesn’t have to mean “serious” though, so you shouldn’t feel compelled to make things sound “official” or stodgy.) Borrowed from Write Away - Learn how to become a better writer.
Some of the very best writing I have ever read is humorous, delivering the punch in such a way it leaves me thinking over the issues quite seriously. That would not be quite possible if the writing is riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes.
Admittedly, when writing on a deadline, it is quite easy to make repeated mistakes. Sometimes, even when you are taking your time to go over your work, you might not see a mistake until it has already been sent out to your editor.
My mentor has taught me a number of things over the last few years, from taking my work seriously to exploring subjects I normally would shy away from. But one thing he has taught me, by his own example, is that it is always a good idea to do the first, second and perhaps third draft, then leave your work to rest overnight.
In the light of a new day, without the fatigue of rewriting your work, it is much easier for you not only to see grammatical mistakes, but also to have a chance to review your writing.
Don’t get into the habit of allowing your writing to be ‘cleaned’ up by your editor. Editors are notorious for cutting up your script, changing words and so on to make your work fit into their specifications. You can minimise the loss of your voice by cleaning up your work yourself. As a matter of fact, this is one reason for last week’s note on ‘word count’.
I will mention my mentor once again. I have watched him agonise over word count so many times, even though he usually submits his work to reputable newspapers. If he goes over the word count, then he stands the chance that his work will end up looking like someone else’s work – the editor’s. The same thing goes for grammar and spelling.
Do you have anything that you know for sure will help other writers with regards to this? Please post in the comments section of this post the things that have helped you personally.
And with that, I usher you into this week’s readings.
Do you know what teenage boys and girls do during those all-night wakes at funerals? Linda Musita has taken us into a discovery of her own in Boneyard Attraction.
Here’s is a story about betrayal, child abuse, and forgiveness. Or is it? The Road Less Taken by Chrispus Kimaru
And what of the Slogan ‘Yes, we can!’ Enock Shirandula tells us of one person who truly believed it in You too Can Make it.
A child is born, and it might make it or not. But what can be more beautiful than the birth of a child? Impossibly Beautiful by Beatrice Wainaina.
That refugee in Kakuma Camp, what have they been through before they ever get there? Dear Mr. Death, Hurry Please by Julius Rutere.
And lastly, Boys will be boys. Of the lessons boys learn, here is The True Tattoo by Isaac Ndune Keah.
Continue sending your ideas about how to make your weekly reading more fun to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke. And remember, all stories published on the Storymoja Blog will be eligible for the Crown of Story of the Week. The stories are posted every Monday. Please critique and vote for the story you believe should wear the crown. At the end of the week, the votes will be tallied and the story with the most votes will posted on the Storymoja Website as the Story of the Week on the Friday of the same week. To have your story in this weekly process please send it to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke before Friday at 4pm.
I read a story that was filled with spelling and grammar mistakes, yet was so moving, interesting and powerful. So I think it kind of depends on the strength of the story. But good grammar and spelling is definitely required must for every writer…use an editor to be safe.
Posted by KenyaChristian | August 24, 2009, 12:09 pmA good story is, of course, a combination of a number of things:
(a) A credible story line;
(b) Well developed and tangible characters;
(c) A (seamless) flow of events;
(d) An author’s style.
When it comes to posting or sending your story to the editors, I think the rule should be:
(a) Self- edit at least thrice;
(b) Peer edit – at least to three colleagues who will critique your work;
(c) Self- edit the critiqued work;
(d) Post your story.
Sending your work without getting the honest opinion from a colleague is dangerous. When it comes to writing, impatience is an enemy.
Happy writing. And if you as a writer have no one to critique your work, please send it to me. I will do it free of charge.
olouchcliff@yahoo.co.uk
Posted by Clifford Oluoch | August 24, 2009, 4:05 pmsorry, the email is oluochcliff@yahoo.co.uk. Talk of mispelling your own name! Ai!
Posted by Clifford Oluoch | August 24, 2009, 4:06 pmOkay, you are stern, Cliff. Three peer edits are ideal (after all, two technical proof-readings by different eyes are considered mandatory in academia) though not always feasible. But an author should try – this will also boost her/his social contacts. There is no surer way to ingratiate people, than to make them help _you_. Think about it, it is true this way.
Posted by Alexander | August 24, 2009, 5:09 pmVery Serious. Thanks for asking. Nice post though. Good
Posted by chegepreneur | August 24, 2009, 9:02 pmAt Alexander, maybe I should have added that of the three, gender should be considered and so should age. Sometimes writing from a certain point of view (e.g. male) might miss out on the female’s side of the story, and writing like a young (or old) person, might ignore the feelings of another age bracket.
So, three is ideal but two is mandatory.
My beef is that all my peer editors are not from Kenya. My Kenyan pals just never return my stories. Pity.
Posted by Clifford Oluoch | August 25, 2009, 3:45 pm@Cliff: wee when have you asked and we refuse to read and comment? Wacha zako! To contribute my two cents to the topic, I will say that I agree with all that you have said, but an author should be careful never to silence the voice that told the story in the first place. From experience of having people proof read my work, I have made many changes that end up killing my point of view. Therefore, heed the advice of your peers but at the end of the day let your voice be loudest because therein lies the authenticity of your story.
Posted by Mercy Ojwang' | August 26, 2009, 7:02 amHow serious am I? Hmmm, good question. Serious is relative, isn’t it? I mean, there are people who think they can write and there are people who can write. Finding out which group one belongs to is key.
As a writer, do you have the dedication, the time and most importantly, the skill? Do you develop or do you still write the same way you did in primary school compositions? Do you read work by (good) established authors and get a few ideas here and there? And most importantly, what do you think of the last piece you wrote?
Cliff, I understand the whole review approach. But very writer needs to believe in their own work. Get reviews, by all means, but don’t use them as the ultimate measuring stick. Critics serve the same function in society as tampons, remember that.
Posted by Mwangi Ichung'wa | August 26, 2009, 10:39 amMercy and Mwangi, check closely to what I said: Peer Review, which means these are your buddies in the industry and they will treat you with kid gloves. Just look at TPF and all those wanabees who are convinced that they can sing. Some have it and the teachers know that the talent has to be nurtured. Others just dont have it and someone (thank God for judge Ian) has to tell them to go and croak elsewhere.
My point? Many writers get enveloped in ego inflating mechanisms thus thinking that their works are the very epitome of ingenuity. Get another point of view to have a look at the story. After all it is the reader who will be judging eventually.
Peer review is a must.
Posted by Clifford Oluoch | August 29, 2009, 9:48 amHere is a review that I gave a buddy of mine some time last year
“This is a great story. Very simple and direct. I love the emotions put in it (stories with babies are always emotional).
Just a query – especially for you as a woman – is it possible for your daughter to go through the 9 months of pregnancy without the mother noticing? Or did I miss something in the story? I think the mother’s silence in the story is a weak link which you need strengthen to convince the reader.”
Posted by Clifford Oluoch | August 29, 2009, 9:53 am“Many writers get enveloped in ego inflating mechanisms thus thinking that their works are the very epitome of ingenuity.”
Hm.
The so-called Kwani effect. Cliquishness coupled with a certain self-referentiality.
Osas
Posted by Osas | August 29, 2009, 1:54 pmHmm..I do find Kwani? a bit cliquish too, but they’re far from the only “culprits.” Interesting points guys
Posted by KenyaChristian | August 29, 2009, 3:50 pmLol @ OSAS: Your comment amused me.
@ Cliff: i totally agree with everything you said. I just wanted to illustrate that it can go overboard and we should be aware of that fact and be cautious.
Posted by Mercy Ojwang' | August 30, 2009, 6:59 amMwangi Ichung’wa said
“Critics serve the same function in society as tampons, remember that.”
Provocative maybe, but not yet convincing. Inhowfar do critics absorb blood passively, inhowfar do they minimize an author’s body odor, and inhowfar do they prevent that you spoil your new white trousers with a slowly seeping-through stain?
Posted by Osas | August 31, 2009, 2:46 am