It seems as though a large amount of you on here are into reading so I would like to hear some of your opinions on this subject!

For the past few months now I've gained some inspiration to write a novel. To be honest, I don't really plan on sharing this novel with anyone because even though the characters and situations displayed in it are fictional, it still displays a lot of personal emotions and feelings of myself that I would rather not share with an audience.

Anyway, I was thinking today about the various kinds of books I have read and analyzed through the years and I began to recall a time when I was in high school when one of my English teachers once said "There is a difference between good writing and good story telling."

While that is obviously a given, it made me think about my personal writing style when it comes to stories (which are a huge rarity for me to write). I've always been told that my strongest point academically is writing (which has shown through in a large variety of standardized tests and through high school and college reading and writing courses). I came to the conclusion at some point that I'm a better writer than a story teller, but then I began to wonder what truly is the difference?

Is good writing and good story telling only a difference between how well a writer can describe things and "correctly" portray a writing using good mechanics such as grammar and wording compared to how well a story simply catches one's interests, or is there something more?

I'm really looking more for opinion based answers rather than technical because I'm wondering what those of you who read and write feel about good writing versus good story telling and which you prefer overall.



Personally, I think I prefer good story telling over good writing simply because I feel like a story doesn't have to be written "properly" in order for me to enjoy it. I just want to be able to relate to the characters in some way or quickly get drawn into the story line and build a fondness with the characters from there. Another important quality to me is to be able to pick up a book and quickly get into it rather than having to read a lot of boring detail or background information before things pick up.

However, I know there are a lot of different view points in what captures a reader's interest, so how do you feel about story telling and writing techniques and which kind of writing style to you like best?

Without giving a lot of information, I'll just say that books are part of my career and also a huge hobby (reading them, not writing them). That said, I agree that some books/authors are loved because of their great storytelling while others are geniuses technically and that is some people's cup of tea. By "technically" I not only mean skill in writing, describing, dialogue, etc. but also the structure of the piece, of the plot, and how information is revealed to the reader.
Some authors just have a wonderful imagination and a style to their writing that is, like you say, a great way to tell a story and is appealing and easy to read. Examples of this type of writing would be people like Stephanie Meyer and Steven King. Their writing is fairly straightforward and easy to read, but it is quite addicting and draws you in. This has a lot to do with their style and subject matter. People relate to the stories they tell and they present information in a way that is entertaining without really being challenging. Others are meticulous with their writing, looking for the perfect words and sentences. They often include double meanings, metaphors, and symbolism in their writings which requires a lot more work on the reader's part but can be much more thrilling intellectually. Examples of this style can be found in many of the so called "classics" but a specific modern example would be Don DeLillo.
Either way, you're going to find great works on both sides. I personally think that nobody but hardcore writing enthusiasts is going to want to read a story that is dull, regardless of how awesome their writing techniques and skills are. Am I right? You have to have something in the way of good storytelling in fiction or you're going nowhere, in my opinion. The best books probably combine both, but some of that is subjective.
Another thing to consider is the purpose of the piece. Are you writing because you have a fun and entertaining story to tell? Focus on storytelling then, I'd say. Or are you writing to get people to think about a social or political issue? You may be more influential or compelling if you are technically precise.
Sarah, I think if you have a great story in mind, my advice (as a reader and not a writer) would be to just start putting it down. Don't worry about if you're good enough -- you will no doubt be better than average. I know a writing teacher and she has always told me this is what to do first -- just get it out. You have a purpose for writing this and it will start to come out and show itself once you start getting it down on paper (or in your computer!) From there you can make it however you want it to be. You can tell your great story and leave it at that or you can work on polishing it or restructuring, etc. Go for it!!
Sorry for the length and I know I pretty much stated what you already said mostly but I just thought I would throw my opinion in on this one.. Good luck with your writing!!

I prefer a good story telling over good writing.

I'd say you can live with bad writing, and still enjoy the book if the story is good enough, but it is not an excuse for making bad writing.

It's like a good story can save bad writing, but good writing isn't going to help against a bad story.

I'm better at writing.
I can write about anything...
Though I love writing diaries/journals. I have loads! :D

i also love reading/writing, funny but i've been writing a novel as well since a few months ago xD

i think story telling and writing are closely related, goes hand by hand, i mean, you can have a very good story but if you don't have a nice writing, then you can't catch the reader's attention. Personally, i'm the type of person that can't read anything with bad gramma and contain to correct it, so it gets lots of my attention (i know my english gramma is not the best cause it's not my birth lenguage but i'm working over it, my spanish gramma is very good, i'm a writer, i'm working in a cyberzine of my school for my social service and they want me to stay after the social service time)

About style in writing... i think everyone have their own personal style and every story has it as well. As example, there are stories that you imagine telled in first person by the main character, are other that you imagine tellin it to an audience, the readers, a lover, a friend, or anywho you thought about. Same as lyrics for a song or a poem.

I think the "big secret" of writing is find a way to get the reader completely into the story, it doesn't really matter if the story is stupid, random, or if is a master piece; a good novel, a good book depends on the writing too much. That's the art of writing: create, give form to an art that touches "the other", in this case, the reader. Make him/her part of the story, move their feelings, affecting them.