Alternatives
When you write about happiness, don’t write of how the sun shone during your happily ever after. It’s always been like that. Instead, write of how the sidewalk in your driveway, slightly damp after the rain of two hours ago, felt against the scaly skin of your heels after the laborious work you told yourself you’d never finish for days now. That’s what it feels like.
When you write about sadness, don’t write of tears rolling down your cheeks. It’s too familiar of a description. Instead, write of the disgusting taste in your mouth, and how you regret eating that late dinner in that Mediterranean restaurant because all you want to do is cry cry cry while bundled up in Tuesday’s laundry. That’s what it feels like.
When you write about a successful love, don’t write of sparks flying. It’s a sentence we’ve all read before. Instead, write of the name, author, and cover image of the book you try to distract yourself with as you anticipate their arrival at your doorstep around 6PM, and how the corners of the pages slightly dent with the budding sweat on your fingers. That’s what it feels like.
When you write about an unsuccessful love, don’t write of trying to glue the pieces of your broken heart together. It’s a saying we’re all tired of coming across. Instead, write of the colour of the mold growing on your fruits because they left you and didn’t do the simple favor of morning groceries, and the little maps on the pillow next to you and how you could swear the same pattern was on their face while they slept. That’s what it feels like.
When you write about anything, everything, anyone, everyone, don’t write of what you’re familiar with. Don’t get too comfortable before you begin. Hear that song you listen to in hopes to scratch away from writer’s block? Don’t listen to it. Listen to a genre you’ve never even heard of. See that word you love so much? Don’t use it. Look up the word you despise most in a thesaurus and play with the language of synonyms and dislikes.
You know that thing that makes sense? You know that element you always notice?
Don’t.
It’s about the things that don’t make sense and the things that we don’t notice as we scuttle through life that haunt us after the last word is consumed by our brains.
And that, my dear stranger, is one aspiration you should keep in mind before that first sentence is written.
- Photo by Churl Han / Used with Permission
Applause.
This is a joy and a lesson wrapped up in one lovely package. I’ll definitely remember this next time I write anything.
Good job, informative and creative. Golf clap.
yep totally agree
I agree with everyone else. Never write of something that you’ve already heard a million times before in novels or movies. Reality never has the perfect ending, although we wish it was. Instead, write about how you feel or the descriptions of everything around you. For me, it makes it easier because I remember the setting and how I felt, rather than having to read a cheesy line where the two people find true love in each other. Thanks for reminding me. =)
Very true, regretfully thats how i usually write what is known to me and everyone else. I do this because i assume that what everyone wants to hear but not how i really feel, I try to move on from that but i’m not really sure how…
Now that I think of this, I agree completely. I know that whenever I have to write I always go with what I know because it’s easier for me. I don’t like to be stuck on a piece thinking about it all day, and how I will start it or develop it. I also agree because you should try to make your piece unique and surprising for the reader. It’s not always a happily ever after.
I agree with everything Roanne Quiozon is saying. I have read many books with the same lines in it about love and feeling and all the boring mushy stuff. I like how she talks about unsucessful love and compares it to moldy fruit. I can actually picture the fruit all gross and sad looking. Details always keep the reader wanting more. Once i saw details they made me laugh because I could relate to it. I know how someone could feel if they had that much detail in their papers or stories. Your piece of writing has to be yours. You have to make it yours by making it unique and put a little twist in it that will let readers know that only this person writes this certain way.
I like everything that was said in this piece. I agree with the overall message because I know I am guilty of writing the same things over and over. I liked how she said “cry cry cry.” Also how she put “Don’t” on it’s own line.
I really liked this piece. This is the perfect example of showing readers how you feel, rather than by telling them. I think I’m going to always remember this piece everything I go to write about something that needs a lot good, descriptive details.
I love this piece, firstly because i am a huge fan of thinking outside the box. This piece made me realize that when i write i don’t do that very much. This is a great piece.
u never tought of expressing my toughts like this, as a high school student i have been tought a certain path and i kept it that way, its impressing how this changed my whole mindset on my writting pieces.