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One-sentence paragraphs - ARGH!!!
Wednesday, October 1st, 2003 08:47 pmCould somebody please tell me what is up with that? Why do so many writers not believe in paragraphing? I don't get this. I mean, I assume most people learn to write by reading. So how is it that this fundamental aspect of writing seems to zoom over some writers' heads?
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for people having their own style. The problem is, when a story consists completely of one-sentence paragraphs, it creates an unpleasant staccato rhythm that doesn't allow the reader to catch a breath, or settle into a train of thought. And it can also come off aggressive and confrontational, kinda like being told a story by someone who keeps poking you in the chest with her index finger.
Paragraphing exists in order to shape the flow of a writer's images and thoughts. Ideas and sets of actions are grouped together to explore the connections between them and the outcomes. The end of one paragraph signals the start of a new set of ideas. And within the paragraphs, the writer can shape and direct the images and words, creating currents, ripples, eddies of quiet water. She can raise her words along an upward path and then plummet downwards, set one sentence in counterpoint to the next, and wrap them up in a final observation before moving on to the next concept.
All this goes right out the window when there's no paragraphing. Each sentence exists on its own, and all those possible connections and insights disappear. When I read a fic that's formatted this way, I have to Concentrate Extra Hard to see the connections between ideas, and a lot of the interest and flow of a piece goes by the wayside. Several times I've actually copied a fic into Word and paragraphed it myself (because the fic seemed worthwhile, so I put in the time), and I've been amazed at how much is revealed when the story gets an actual format. And how much more restful it is for the eyes to read. It actually looks like a story rather than a laundry list.
So those of you who write this way, please consider learning how to paragraph your stories. Paragraphs don't exist to hogtie you, or squash your creativity, or impose arbitrary restrictions. They exist to free the meaning of your tale, by allowing you a way of creating and developing the underlying themes, and interactions between your characters. They're a good thing.
Really
OK, rant over. :)
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for people having their own style. The problem is, when a story consists completely of one-sentence paragraphs, it creates an unpleasant staccato rhythm that doesn't allow the reader to catch a breath, or settle into a train of thought. And it can also come off aggressive and confrontational, kinda like being told a story by someone who keeps poking you in the chest with her index finger.
Paragraphing exists in order to shape the flow of a writer's images and thoughts. Ideas and sets of actions are grouped together to explore the connections between them and the outcomes. The end of one paragraph signals the start of a new set of ideas. And within the paragraphs, the writer can shape and direct the images and words, creating currents, ripples, eddies of quiet water. She can raise her words along an upward path and then plummet downwards, set one sentence in counterpoint to the next, and wrap them up in a final observation before moving on to the next concept.
All this goes right out the window when there's no paragraphing. Each sentence exists on its own, and all those possible connections and insights disappear. When I read a fic that's formatted this way, I have to Concentrate Extra Hard to see the connections between ideas, and a lot of the interest and flow of a piece goes by the wayside. Several times I've actually copied a fic into Word and paragraphed it myself (because the fic seemed worthwhile, so I put in the time), and I've been amazed at how much is revealed when the story gets an actual format. And how much more restful it is for the eyes to read. It actually looks like a story rather than a laundry list.
So those of you who write this way, please consider learning how to paragraph your stories. Paragraphs don't exist to hogtie you, or squash your creativity, or impose arbitrary restrictions. They exist to free the meaning of your tale, by allowing you a way of creating and developing the underlying themes, and interactions between your characters. They're a good thing.
Really
OK, rant over. :)
