Writing Styles?

[ElectricBlue]

KittyOfSteele: I don't agree with this. Such were the case theatre wouldn't exist. As many stylistic choices, everything is reduced to the author's skill instead of the style itself.

That's my point - prose is not drama: one is a narrative, the other is a script.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

That's my point - prose is not drama: one is a narrative, the other is a script.

My bad then. I misunderstood. It sounded a lot like you were dismissing scriptwriting as a whole.

 

[ElectricBlue]

My bad then. I misunderstood. It sounded a lot like you were dismissing scriptwriting as a whole.

Not at all, just the difference between the art forms. All good .

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Y'all gonna fight or kiss?

 

[FromManyOne]

Y'all gonna fight or kiss?

Why limit them to just one?

 

[anthrodisiac]

I've written in style 2 format before, but I had a very specific reason for doing so, not just, "Oh, I don't have to worry about tags."

We had a discussion about dialogue, which included tags a few months ago: https://forum.literotica.com/threads/on-writing-dialogue.1654001/

Most speech tags aren't really even read by the reader. "Said" is mostly an invisible word, the reader only really tends to notice the tag consciously when you do something besides "said" or "asked."

I would also make sure to use proper punctuation. While it might be easier to write without question marks, it makes the reader work harder to parse what you're writing, and generally that's not something you want. It tends to be frustrating, and given the sheer volume of stories on this site, unless what you've written is damn compelling, someone is probably gonna bounce and find something that's easier to read instead. There's no cost to them to switch stories if it's not to their liking.

Now, I'll also say that I have zero qualms about someone writing non-standard. Conventions exist to help keep things standard, but they are by no means rules handed down from on high by the gods of language. If you want to experiment, experiment. You want to write it in play format, go for it. The important thing to note is that you do so with the understand of what effects that's going to have on your readers and how it impacts the way the story comes across. Whenever you break from standardization, consider the reasons for doing it. Does it help the story in some way? Does it fit well with the vibe you're going for? Will people be able to read and understand it easily? That last one is probably the most important. Unless you have a lot of good will and credibility, or the story is compelling as all get out, it's very difficult to get people to wade through challenging-to-read stories.

 

[Jada59]

I try to be correct for stories. But for casual stuff like Facebook, I might not. Such as…

She said she was getting the package. But I thought she said snackage. So I got a little excited.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Now, I'll also say that I have zero qualms about someone writing non-standard. Conventions exist to help keep things standard, but they are by no means rules handed down from on high by the gods of language.

Lit Rules govern things like dialog here, not Style books. Things like one line per statement, quotes outside punctuation marks, etc. Those things will get your submission sent back. Grammar to an extent, but only to make the story readable. Odd passages, slang, made up words, etc. probably won't.

Informal formality if you will.

 

[anthrodisiac]

Lit Rules govern things like dialog here, not Style books. Things like one line per statement, quotes outside punctuation marks, etc. Those things will get your submission sent back. Grammar to an extent, but only to make the story readable. Odd passages, slang, made up words, etc. probably won't.

Informal formality if you will.

I mean it more generally. Naturally, you gotta adhere to whatever guidelines are in place, given it's the site's choice to publish or not depending on if you meet readability criteria (which I'm okay with, they aren't onerous). But if you aren't writing for a site that has specific requirements, go nuts. But go nuts smartly.

 

[THBGato]

Kitty of Steel mentioned it briefly, but there is a category - Letters and Transcripts - if you do want to write in style 2. Lots of submissions there seem to take the form of scripts.

(Which means you perhaps run the risk of your story being recategorised and put there if you do use style 2.)

 

[Kat90xx]

I’m currently playing with a format style that’s inspired by Sally Rooney.

She looked up into his eyes.
Do you want me?
You know I adore you.
Tell me… Please.
Of course I do.
He sighed.
You know I do.
He took her hand, so small in his, and stroked her cracked knuckles.
And I know you do too.
She sipped from his tea, eying him over the rim.
That’s settled then.

I like the directness but room to be poetic, plus you can play around with ambiguity of who said or thought what.