What does over-written mean?

[carole gill]

I just read a review of a book--wherein this word, "over-written" is used to describe books that are seen in a negative light--bloated is another word that is mentioned. That I understand. I like lean plots myself--no padding or unnecessary and or irrelevant wordage--which can be rambling and distract from the core points of the story.
But as for something being over-written--can't say that I have heard the expression much--perhaps only once.
Does it mean too wordy, too descriptive--if it does, isn't that the same as bloated?
What does it mean to you guys?
And thanks!

[carole gill]

thanks John.
You're probably right. But sometimes I like wordiness--and sometimes I absolutely hate it!
I think if the prose are beautiful--or so interesting, then I quite like it.
Although for crime fiction--at least what I prefer reading and writing, I tend to like lean and mean.

[John McFetridge]

Well, there's plenty of wordy fiction out there for you!

For myself, I can't stand it. There's a great back and forth between Hemingway and Faulkner:

Faulkner: "Hemingway has never been known to use a word that might send the reader to the dictionary."

Hemingway: “Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I don't know the ten-dollar words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use.”

I also notice it with songwriters. Early Dylan, Springsteen and even David Bowie are full of words, but the more songs they write, the fewer words they use.

[carole gill]

John, you always have such interesting comments! Love the quotes from Hemingway and Faulkner. so good.
One thing I've noticed about Dean Koontz, a lot of his writing later on (thinking of Seize the Night) is too wordy for me. I mean I lost interest in what I know to be a good book because of the copious descriptons.
Interested also in what you said about Dylan and Co. they're words becoming fewer. I suppose that's the way to go really--
it's just as I find with Rendell, I find her descriptions and detailed characterizations irresistable, but that's me--and it really only applies to her, since normally I hate wordiness!

[J.D. Rhoades]

Love those quotes, John.

there's certainly an audience out there who wants to read a book and go "this guy really knows how to do neat things with words." Me, I want to read a book and go "this guy can really tell a story." That, I think, is the dividing line.

[Karen from AustCrime]

Yep - that about sums it up for me - I read a book a while ago where I swear one whole chapter was just sort of thrown in so that the author could roll out a joke that obviously was tickling them considerably. Funny joke - but absolutely nothing to do with the story itself though so it was really bloody annoying.

[carole gill]

You know, I think you SHOULD try writing! I mean that, Colman! Your posts are funny and pointed and extremely vivid--and not the quotes, I mean what you, yourself write!
try it!
I love your comment. but I have to be careful too, because I'm in a touchy situation now--rewriting a draft for my w.i.p.
but I swear! I will take on board your criticsm--because I think you made some great points.
I agree with the cookery thing--no need or place for that and in such detail. Although I do get a kick out of a cop or someone else eating a pastrami sandwich--but I don't need to know how to cook the damned thing! so I agree with that.
thanks and thanks for making me smile, too!

[carole gill]

thanks, and glad you said not really after offering apologies to everyone! You are one in a mil--they broke the proverbial mould! you slay me! really!

YES, TRY WRITING. RIGHT NOW! get off this site, open up a notebook--steal from one of your kids--and write a short story.
try different points of view--
how about writing a story about a reader who decides to get back at one or more authors that he feels have affected his life negatively?! AND IT'S NOT YOU! Make this guy a nut, like a stalker--someone who thinks he knows famous people--you know the kind! let your imagination (and you have a good one) run riot!
what do you say?! go for it, why the heck not?!

[I. J. Parker]

Funny! Isn't John Connolly the one that goes on and on about gross violence? And mind you, I don't object to violence per se, but when an author wallows, you've got to wonder about him.

[Lee Lofland]

Someone made the comment on Amazon that I'd overwritten the fictional parts in my book on police procedure. I found the reader's comment interesting since I didn't write anything fictional in the book.

[Yvonne Mason]

It just goes to show that people should probably not read or write about those things which they know nothing about.
Yvonne

[Lee Lofland]

Gee, Yvonne. I promise I really did a lot of research before I wrote that book. :)

[Yvonne Mason]

I know you did- I was talking about the person who made that statement about you over wrote the fictional part on police procedures. lol I wasn't throwing barbs at you my friend. Trust me- I know you did your homeowork.
Yvonne