Writers: is it true when you're writing something it's not good to "sweat over it", because then it will sound

Question

like it has been sweat over? What is this phenomenon called?

Ok, maybe this doesn't have to do with novel writing then, and just maybe poetry and song lyrics?

Answer 1

I have seven books published and you've stumped me. Sometimes you HAVE to sweat a scene and rework it and make it work. Occasionally you get a strike of genius in those same difficult scenes.

If you aren't willing to sweat over a difficult scene, it's unlikely you'll ever finish a novel.

Answer 2

I don't know the name of the phenomenon. I've never heard of it.

It occurs to me, though, that the reason "sweating over it" may be associated with less than dynamic work could be the possibility that the writer, him/herself, is not a natural writer (or at least is not comfortable with the topic); and if he/she is dealing with a topic that presents particular challenge it will be even more likely the work won't come out as exceptional.

I tend to think that it is the need to sweat in the first place that leads to less than great work.

Answer 3

I am not aware of a term but overworking it..there is a certain amount of fine tuning that has to take place in order to get a better product but as far as the creative end of it, you can fiddle with your words too much til you loose your particular point of view and voice. Sometimes if you do work it too much you may let yourself be influenced by other writers and their ideas too much...to a degree yes because I think we are all inspired by other writers works but not the extent that it overshadows what you have to say. Your ideas and words and what you bring to the table are of the uppermost importance no matter what.

Answer 4

Mark Twain liked to say (and I'm paraphrasing), that the trick to good writing is to revise it until it sounds like it just came out naturally.

So the truth is, you have to make artifice seem natural. That takes a lot of work and sweat.

Answer 5

Huh? As a writer with frequent writers block, I haven't a clue of this phenomenon you speak of!

Answer 6

It might be what my high school English teacher tried to explain to my class, "don't let the baby out with the bathwater." He wanted us to re-read our work for obvious spelling and punctuation errors, but not to re-work it so much that the point we were trying to make got lost, or the plot weakened.

Answer 7

Uhh, who cares? But thanks for the two points.