As a teacher I often look at a student’s strengths and weaknesses in order to help them succeed. The other day someone on a loop I’m on asked about what was everyone’s strength and weakness in their writing. Right now I would say a weakness was wanting to play instead of writing. Instead of doing my blog, I should be working on my proposal. But do you see me doing that? NO! It’s spring and I’ve got a bad case of spring fever. Is there a doctor out there who can help me? How about a cure for spring fever? I think some researcher should apply for a government grant and work on that.
Seriously, my strengths in writing are plotting and brainstorming ideas. I’m just waiting for my strength to kick in with this new story. My weakness (notice only one because we are gonna ignore all the others) is description. I have to go back into a story and make myself add description. I’m working on this. I analyze how others do it and look at the use of certain words to impart what I want but keep it brief. There is a part of me that feels too much description will slow down the pacing. I like a fast read.
What are your strengths and weaknesses in writing? How do you work on improving your weaknesses? As a teacher I work with students to maximize their strengths and to work around their weaknesses. So as writing we need to do the same thing. Every writer has a weakness. Yes, she should continue to work on that weakness, but why not develop a story that showcases her strength.
When I first started writing fiction there was no description or setting in my book. I usually skip over that part when I read books. But once it was pointed out to me I began adding the five senses. Now some say that’s one of my strengths. Other weaknesses include grammar. Just this year I learned what a dangling modifier was! I still write them, but now when I edit sometimes they jump out at me.
I think I get mired down in directives. It’s almost like I’m putting in stage directions. That doesn’t read really well. But it blares at me, so I can fix it. That’s what matters… that it is fixable!
Gina, that’s great. If we know our weaknesses, we can work on them and sometimes they become a strength.
Margaret
Excellent blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m
totally overwhelmed .. Any tips? Thank you!