To me good writing is more than the content of the literature. The length does not matter what matters is, the energy, the visual that brings you to know each character, the feeling of bringing you to that particular time and place. Good writing lures you out of your life and into another. I feel writing is good when it speaks and feels as if the writing is talking to you, and almost nudging you onto to each page, chapter after chapter, the good writing will become almost an addiction. Whereas mediocre writing can become a chore, and you can find yourself easily distracted. You reread sentence after sentence and there is no life. A kind of going through the motions type reading. You know it's bad when you are into the first few chapters and the slow start is now becoming chore reading. Good writing will bring scenes popping into your mind and characters almost become friends or family or even visioning yourself as one of the characters, that's when you know you have been grabbed. You feel as if you and the author are "High Five-ing". I know I'm in a good book with good writing when I feel this heightened sense of intrigue and will strive to read until my eyes can no longer stay open.
The feeling of bitter sweet when you finish a book is priceless. The bitter is a feeling of disappointment perhaps even sadness that the end has come those long nights spent reading, the visual of each character journeys end. The sweet is the victory of accomplishing that good read, you have read every page, paragraph, line, word. That "awe" feeling just feels so fresh and rejuvenating, you want to share with everyone how excellent the book was and even find out more about the Author. Sometimes before picking up another book you feel like you just have to live with the story a bit before feeling ready to start another journey and relationship with yet another piece of literature. Good writing is an understatement. I want to read nothing but the best writing! Sure there are good books out but reading the best keeps you wanting more. I love the feeling of being engaged in a good book. I feel the reason for many young adults, not reading and loving it, is that they have not found what they love and most of the time at school we are forced to read "Good Books" that are more of a chore than an enjoyment or an excitement. On the schools behalf we have to understand as students that books are most likely chosen to appeal to a broad range of students or particular Authors. The schools is limited. That is why I try to find time to supplement my reading with books that I find "Good". The temptation for most kids is to read minimal as they have heavy academic school schedules. If they could just read even one good book, with great writing I think they could be hooked. They could use reading as an escape and really enjoy the journey of a well written book that truly captivates.
I chose to bring an exert from the book The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Why one might ask? I believe that this piece of literature is loaded with material that leaves you wanting more and more. For example, I chose to pick this as there are numerous complex sentences, imagery, great description, excitement, the feeling of emotional connection and being led on without control. This sentence stood out to me "And the moon rose higher, the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutton sailors' eye a fresh, green breast of the new world." To one that piece had some nice description and painted an image in ones head. The romantic in me loved also fell in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald written word as narrated "No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart." That was really the definition of Jay Gatsby the main character, to me. In his life and his love his dream for himself was as big and as grand as he could create. As many sentences are good the best really standout and make a difference to the reader.
Hi Madeleine, I agree with you completely. Good writing pulls you into the story. A good piece of writing brings the reader into the story and makes the reader feel like they are a character in the story. A good piece of writing makes you never want to put the book down. Very nicely done.(:
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