Are you more comfortable writing dialogue or narration?

[StillStunned]

Writing dialogue is WAY easier, especially considering the shallow expectations of this platform.

It allows for a free flow of thoughts, with little attention to syntax or word choice. Plain, everyday language---no need to bother with phrasing, pacing, formality, or vocabulary. Minimal imagery; tell, don’t show---the perfect approach for the incompetent or lazy.

But our readers are like toothless infants, needing everything pre-chewed and spoon-fed, so there’s no reason to overstress ourselves about it.

I don't think this is really fair on the readers. I think it would be more accurate to say that large numbers of writers want to flex their literary muscles, but large numbers of readers come to Lit just to read sex stories. If the expectations don't match, both sides will probably be disappointed. You can't blame the readers for wanting something that the writers aren't delivering.

 

[Plathfan]

I don't think this is really fair on the readers. I think it would be more accurate to say that large numbers of writers want to flex their literary muscles, but large numbers of readers come to Lit just to read sex stories. If the expectations don't match, both sides will probably be disappointed. You can't blame the readers for wanting something that the writers aren't delivering.

The truth is rarely fair. I’m not blaming anyone; I’m just stating the obvious (which seems to be my cross to bear). Reading this thread, one might get the false impression that dialogue-heavy stories require the same technical effort as other types of writing---they absolutely do not.