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The gentleman who wrote that article made some pretty broad generalizations. I wouldn't draw the conclusion that a writer is lazy or simplistic just because they had an angry character slam a door or whatever, especially if the rest of the story itself is just fine. If I was reading a book where some characters were having a heated argument, then generally I would expect someone to have a physical display of anger of some sort (and sometimes you just don’t want to stick around after a fight). I actually don’t see anything wrong with cliches because you can always put your own twist on them.

Wow! Going to the link to see the entire blurb written, I would have to agree that this ‘advice’ does not apply ‘across the board’ and I don’t say that because I’ve used the ‘slamming door’ action to emphasize something a character just said. I've also used it when that same character was alone but was so completely frustrated or angry there was a need to expend energy. I have hot-headed characters as well as those who hide that aspect of themselves from others. Therefore, in private they react in what would be viewed as a violent manner to release some of the anger or even rage they feel inside. For example, I have this one character who is viewed by most of the other characters as 'meek and mild' yet she threw a book across the room because she was pissed off. I feel old cliche's do have a place in writings as long as they fit within the characters established personality and the setting they are used. Using them does not reflect poor or substandard writing skills, in my opinion.

Let me start by saying I am fairly decent in Elvish, have a working knowledge of draconic and Ilythiiri, and have a few phrases in Klingon under my belt, just to establish my seriously geeky credentials. I use endearments in other languages. I might throw in a sentence or two, if my character is in a situation where the person with them has no clue what they’re saying. In that case, I want the reader to be as confused as the listener. Currently, I’m abusing Welsh, because I can, but I’ve mangled Irish Gaelic for my own purposes, too. And in fandoms, I do use the conlangs from those fandoms, because I expect my readers to understand the words and phrases, too. I guess that puts me on the fence, so to speak. I do use other languages, I don’t always translate or include a glossary, but I don’t do entire paragraphs or even frequent full sentences in those languages.

Too me, as a reader, too much of another language can take me right out of a story. I don’t want to have to read dialogue in another language and then have the author translate in narration or have to keep referring to a glossary or authors note to try and decode it myself. It can easily come off as self-indulgent. I’m sure some writers do it well enough that they can get away with being indulgent. I mean, there are whole sects in geek culture who have learned Klingon (You can find courses to learn it!) and elvish. Some people like that kinda thing. Not me. But some people. For me, it has to fit organically. And to fit organically, as a writer, I’ve made rules for myself when I include other languages. If it’s in the perspective of someone who understands the language, then it will be written in English, in italics, with tags clearly stating they’re speaking in this other language. If the perspective is of someone who doesn’t understand the language, then only bits and pieces they’ll realistically pick up will be written out. If the speaker is speaking English, but throwing in slang words, such as ‘Ese’, ‘vato’, ‘gringo’, ‘Tabernacle’, etc, then the word is used with italics. And in this case, use them sparingly, unless its one word used frequently so the reader doesn’t constantly have to google or go back in the story to find the meaning. To me, full sentences would be a big no-no. I can’t think of a reason in which I can justify them. Much less full conversations.

The ability to enter fictional worlds and never return please

Based on my personality and plethora of anxieties... The ability to fade from attention. Like a stranger sees me and is all like "that creature looks totally approachable and not terrified of me at all so I'd better make it converse with me." Then i could just smile and nod and with my epic power i could make them lose interest and go away. I think I'd get that power because i already kinda do it with awkwardness. Edit: excuse the errors. Wrote this on my phone.

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend regarding the use of other languages within a written work (ostensibly written in English in this case, although it could be expanded to include English in any other language novels). In this case, I was discussing the entire language created by myself for Blood Prize (Straxian). The discussion turned to how much of a different language is too much. I have nigh an English-Straxi Dictionary going on in my files specifically for the use of this. Not to mention the creation of gender nominative words and sentence structures. (Does this make me insane? Probably...) To me, if the language is used correctly, it can add to a background and cultural aspect of a character and race. The use of a different language from English (in this case) allows me the immersion into said culture and the novel. Admittedly, I don’t want sixteen chapters of a language I don’t understand, but the occasional touch or even exchange in (and I’ll just use mine) Straxi is a reminder that this isn’t human and that the other people do have their own history. But… How much is too much for you? How far do you go in order to create a language for your tale? Have you or would you create one? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

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.

Using other languages in a story is a real iffy situation for the most part. I personally only use it in my Tolkien related fanfiction, even then it’s primarily limited to greetings, acknowledgments, or other short (2-3 word) phrases. But I do not use another language in any of my original works. I think a lot of that depends on the ‘audience’ as well, such as with the Star Trek fans, I had a few friends years ago who enjoyed bothering the crap out of everyone around them by talking to each other mostly in Klingon (shaking my head). Similarly, with Tolkien, there are a lot of people who take the courses to learn it and use it excessively. Which isn’t a problem as long as it’s not entire sentences or a full conversation. I have a large Sindarin vocabulary and understand what they are saying, with a few exceptions. Regardless, it’s a personal choice if the author wants to do that, but it’s something that can be viewed as a huge distraction to some readers.

The article itself was short, really short, because I kinda expected a longer explanation, like how it was indicative of bad style, etc, not just a barking-the-order type of thing.

Ohhh yes. I love endearments in other languages. Dragon Age Inquisition; what was it Iron Bull calls the MC? Kadan? I love that. If timed right, it can be sooo powerful. If timed wrong, it can be super cheesy lol.

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.

...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.

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

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.

There is a lot to work with in those appendices, Tolkien’s material had always felt deep whenever I read it.

I enjoy writing fanfics of the deep everyday world of Middle Earth usung the great historical summary Tolkien wrote in the Return of the King Appendices. Take the Fall of Arthedain for example, or the Kin Strife of Gondor… so much to work with!