Based on the comments Maria and Jessica made (so far) on my previous entry, I considered once again my writing strengths and weaknesses.

As far as the big stuff goes, dialogue is my definite strength. I could write it all day long. Often I have to remind myself to stop and add details. I’m not writing a script.

Hence my weakness: description. It’s a balance between adding too much and not enough, and I haven’t quite figured out that balance yet.

There’s also the audience to consider. In general, female readers appreciate the details, where as male writers prefer to focus on the action.

I wrote a story and posted it in my online portfolio. For a high-action scene I wrote a spate of short, snappy sentences.

One reviewer (male) loved it.

One reviewer (female) hated it.

I thought the stark difference between them both funny and intriguing. I understood then the sometimes polar difference of opinion with regard to readers.

For authors writing books both female and male readers will enjoy is tough indeed. The only way to discover if we succeed is by sales, or asking as many people of our target audience to read and critique our manuscripts.

Something I need to do.

What are your writing strengths and weaknesses?