A series of This or That writing-related questions
Q&A With Shay Each Sunday
This week I’m in for another “this or that” series, with the focus being all things writing. I’d love to know what some of your answers are too, so feel free to share!
Q: Fiction or Non-Fiction? (this was in my last “this or that” series, but the answer will always remain the same)
A: Fiction
Q: Poetry or Short Stories?
A: Really just depends on my mood and the amount of time I have, I guess—for writing or reading these. Poetry feels like direct, concise feelings with beautiful imagery both to write and to read, whereas short stories, although short, are still fully cultivated narratives (with characters) that, in my opinion, take more time to read and to write. Poetry still tells pretty full stories, but a lot of the details are up to the reader to fill in, which is one of the things that makes it so fun. The organization of multiple poems, for me, can take the same amount of time or longer than writing a story though. So, really, I don’t know. I like them both a lot and they’re so different from one another. Maybe I slightly prefer short stories though.
Q: Books or Movies? (this was also in my last “this or that” series and I stand by my answer)
A: Both? The book is obviously usually better when the movie is based on it, there is simply so much more detail that is able to be explored, but I love movies, too.
Q: Plot or Characters?
A: Ugh. It’s too hard to choose! I have a blog post coming about this soon. I have to say it depends on the story. For a more action type story I focus more on plot, but for a more internal development type, or romantic development, then definitely need the characters to be fully fleshed and interesting. Of course, they are both really important to any great story!
Q: Metaphor or Similie?
A: I feel like metaphors have the potential for nicer imagery or to be more complex in their description maybe, but I tend to find myself using similies more often in my own writing.
Q: First person or third person?
A: First person. I always write in first person now. I wrote a few stories, and even poems, in third person several years ago, but I’m not sure I’ll ever write a book in anything other than first person. I also typically enjoy reading a first person perspective a little more I think.
Q: Past tense or present tense?
A: Past tense. It feels much more natural to me to write in past, but I don’t mind either way when reading.
Q: Series or stand-alones?
A: Stand-alones. I don’t have plans to write any series currently, and I also prefer to read stand-alones. Though I love TV series!
Q: Couch or table/desk workspace?
A: Depends on what I feel like at that moment, I use both.
Q: Physical setting or time period setting?
A: Hmm, I must say I’m not a huge fan of stories set way back in history or far into the future. Even if it’s fantasy or sci-fi I like it to be not too distant of a future. So, I’d say I care more about that aspect than about the physical setting like what state the characters live in. I’m fine with reading stories that are set pretty much anywhere as long as the writing clearly grounds me there and allows me to picture it. This is just my personal taste though, obviously there a tons of amazing stories in all different time periods, and I think all setting is important to ground the reader in the story, even if it might not be essential to the overall storyline. We have to be able to immerse ourselves in the world regardless.
