Saturday, February 9, 2013

Ya’ Gotta Have STYLE!



 Now that I’ve finished writing The Bet, I’m taking some time to go back through it and actually read it – and edit it.  Since I started the thing, I’ve never given myself that bit of freedom to actually take the time to do that, so most of what I’m reading now is stuff that once I had finished writing it, I never looked at again. 

And one thing I noticed (and I’ve actually noticed many times before) about my writing, is my over-use of a literary device called an ellipsis. For those who don’t know… that’s those three little dots I use a lot… to signify way too many different things.

But now that I’ve got the time to look at things better, I’m noticing that little device more.  And I wondered… should I change my style to be more… mundane?

But then… wasn’t it Shakespeare who once said:

To ellipsis… or not to ellipsis:  That is the question.  Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous literary critics as they cry foul at my use of those three little dots…  or to bow to their demands and pay total homage to the proper use of the English language?  Or do I instead bear the whips and scorns of time and the oppressor’s cruel words and continue to defy them all and write as I want to write… forsaking all scholarly advice in favor of my own crude style… saying to them all… “To hell with you.  I like the way I’m doing it!”  But to die, to sleep; no more worrying about the heartache of what those critics may say.  To sleep:  perchance to dream of being the good little writer.  Ay, there’s the rub; for in that sleep what dreams may come of fame and acceptance… and… dare I dream it… greatness!  And thus the native hue of resolution is sickled o’er with the pale cast of decision…  With this regard, I choose to ellipsis… to stand in defiance of what is proper… to sing to the world as Frank Sinatra once sang:  “I did it my way!”

Yeah, I’m weird!

I know there’s been a few questions asked.  I’ll try to get to them in a few days.  In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask – anytime!

Have a great day…

2 comments:

Pretty Sissy Dani said...

I've been known to use the ellipsis myself...(see?) and I often go back to make sure I haven't overdone it. Most often, I discover I'm trying to avoid another piece of punctuation I may use too much, the dash.

MommysSlave said...

I don't think you're using the ellipsis too much. If you go through the later chapters, you actually don't use it very much. You're doing a great job, don't change a thing!