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Did anyone see that KP video on being a good reader to be a good writer? The point’s basically that reading helps build one’s skills.
I noticed she mentioned analyzing character arcs and plot outlines. So, what about description? Like if another writer writes “shelf of rock” would using that phrase in one’s own story be growing one’s skills, or plagerism?
@typewriter77 Well, are phrases like “she ran like the wind” or “the apple of one’s eye” or “it was a dark and stormy night” copyrighted? Often these things become clichés because they are so frequently used. I don’t believe that three words like so would be exactly plagiarism. However, if you were truly worried about that, I would study sentence structure of description instead. Like for example, Ray Bradbury has some phenomenal prose. I would try copying sentence structure, not describing the same thing. Though I would use this as an exercise, and not actually put it in my writing. By practicing, I can get this kind of thing in my muscle memory, and let it flow when I’m actually writing.
Hope this helps!
Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into daysOh yeah. I can do that. I have an analysis book going right now.
“…a bedraggled sharp-featured wayfarer approaches, his dirty face streaked with sweat” (Jerry Jenkins The Chosen: I Have Called You By Name, 266).
Formula used: “a” + [condition] + [facial feature] + [apparent occupation] + [action] + “,” + [pronoun] + [unusual physical feature]
And yes, hopefully three words aren’t exactly plagiarism.
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