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I think this is another case of editing via blog, and it’s unfortunate. It’s on a par with the writing advice word police, who tell us to remove “that” from a manuscript...except the Chicago Manual of Style (6-27) clearly tells us “that” is used for restrictive/essential phrases and “which” is used for nonrestrictive phrases, i.e., the sky filled with clouds that held the promise of a storm versus the sky which was blue. Look, anything used poorly is awful, I agree. But a blog or writing advice column is not the be-all and end-all for an author. The very best writing shows, not tells, and a good door slamming is a great show.

Okay, I need to talk about this because it made me angry. As things usually do when they start calling writers who do a certain thing ‘lazy’. http://inventingrealityeditingservice.typepad.com/inventing_reality_editing/2014/09/cut-plot-cliché-of-histrionic-exit.html I somewhat agree with avoiding cliche plot things, but the histrionics? We’re advising writers to cut bold actions now just because they’re dramatic? People do dramatic things. Some people slam doors when they’re angry. The little gestures like the balling of fists is good advice, but telling the writer not to have characters slam doors just seems totally counter intuitive to me. And Ending a scene on that note, when appropriate, and when it fits the characters and the circumstances, doesn’t seem lazy to me. Can I get an “Amen”? Or a “fuck you clovey”? No, really, someone tell me I’m not crazy, please. Edit: plus WTF? Since when are we telling writers to delete relevant physical actions? Edit 2: This kinda turned into a rant, but it’s meant to be a discussion lol. I’m stressed. Let me be pissy.

Well, I think the blog writer is not really writing for us as his audience. He’s writing for the really new people who don’t include much more to this than the drama queen door slam. We’re already adding emotional description and doorjam breaking. His essay is actually pretty short, and half is a shill for his service. The meat is almost in this one sentence: “This involves punctuating the end of a scene with a physical action aimed at evoking an emotional response in the reader.” Putting all the emphasis on the door slam, the gun shot, or the choking of the pregnant Senator instead of the rest of the fight. Focusing on the violence of the scene instead of the meaning. Describing and showing the rest is a lot harder than describing the slam. There’s nothing really wrong with the hint, but it’s a bit simplistic as written. Sort of like coming down hard on a drama queen slam, instead of explaining the whole problem in the scene. I think that makes it a funny slam, because he’s written the same thing he’s complaining about. And it doesn’t do that much to make his skills look good.

The power to vaporize idiots who take more than one parking place. Really. I’m generally pretty easygoing, but I absolutely explode when faced with that sort of self-important, self-indulgent, self-centered behavior. And after I vaporize their car, I’m going to disintegrate all their participation awards, from preschool right on up.

...and As usual, TCR is late for the party!... Everyone's gone... Damn it… From everything I've read, I'll probably end up repeating things here. But... Repeating is my middle name, so… Honestly, I feel this whole blog editing advice is bull for this. Ending it to make up for a lack of style? Huh, wonder if anyone told King or Crichton or any number of other major authors that used a slamming door or other (as much as it wasn't used in the post) over the top actions? If, and this has been pointed out, the character in question is naturally hot headed and prone to outburst, or even if they aren't but emotionally it has set them off in that way so it feels natural, then a slammed door is a good indication. This isn't lazy or a lack of style, this is making a human character be human. Humans are, mostly, emotional creatures, for better and worse, and, as such, react emotionally. If it's set up that A has pissed B off to the point B is fuming like an erupting volcano, then have B erupt. That said, in my questionable opinion, it has to be set up properly. Having an argument that reads like a pair of old grandmas having tea end with a door slam probably isn't the most likely… That said, I'll stop rambling now.

Well, shit... Here I thought there was a marriage proposal... Well... I'm disappointed. Back to bed for me… (close enough...) Damn, still here... Ummm... look at the pussy! Fine, I'll answer… To be honest, probably be able to get rid of the idiots in the world... Like (fwoosh)... Or maybe that's just work talking.... and this city... Hmm... Higher level intellect? I wouldn't mind having that... Intelligently rule the world ;).

I totally agree if slamming the door is not in the character's 'character' then it is bad. As is absolutely anything else they might do that isn't like them. Like balling their fists if they're super good at hiding emotions. Assuming we're talking about everything written well and in character, then I think that histrionic exit is a powerful tool and removing it for the sake of more stylistic shit would be a mistake. I agree with you Praeter too, to a point. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with cliches and there are times when they're absolutely the right thing to do, but in general I would suggest people avoid cliche plot twists/tools just because they are predictable and run the risk of boring the reader. Well maybe not avoid, but use sparingly.

I’d say just make sure it’s consistent with the character in question. Some people do physical damage when they get really angry, others will get even (ie, call out a hit), while others might just suck it up. Maybe this editor has just seen the door-slam as being overdone, but that’s also a pretty common thing in life. That said, slamming a door/phone is still among the least violent ways to show anger; which can otherwise be challenging depending on the POV. (In a first person, sure, you’ve got more options; or even more options if magic is involved...ie Harry Potter.) Still, if you’re trying to show anger, you have to slam the door on this blog

It’s poor form only if there isn’t a reason to be slamming doors. Teenagers do it all the time but I once saw a guy slam a door so hard it dented the frame and deafened the dude sitting just outside it. Cliches exist because they are common and are not intrinsically bad, in fact they can be very good if the writer uses them correctly or plays with them. In the above scenario, it was a very dramatic moment to all who witnessed it, but then it became funny when we found out the door got busted and a guy had ringing in his ear. TV tropes has things like playing it straight, exaggerated, zig zagged, parodied, deconstructed, reconstructed etc. How is balling fists less cliched than slamming doors anyways?

No, not ‘Will you marry me’. I’m talking about the REAL big question. You’re all fellow nerds and geeks, you should know this! If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I need to know. Because I thought of mine, and that made me wonder about yours. If I had a super evil super power, it would be the ability to control people’s words. Not their thoughts, their action, or their message. I pretty much just want to edit the way people talk. Especially the way they talk to me, because lack of tact and TMI moments in public really grate on my nerves lol. Okay, supervillains, talk to me! (I guess you heroes can talk too, but… you know, use your inside voice.)

Well, yes, because stealing my wallet is up close and personal, so I can smack you for that. But usually the parking offenses occur when I’m not looking, so it’s either I get to vaporize the car, or I channel 6 sumo wrestlers to pick it up, move it, and drop it into one space. And I do mean drop it.

I like how specific your power is going to be. Someone steals your wallet, you try to vaporize them and all you get is a little steam kuz they’re properly parked.

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I now follow the author dedicated to fighting her on Twitter, so I can follow the insanity without adding to her follower count. So I can be amused/baffled/angry daily.