Fellow Writers - Come Chat! - Page 2

June 15, 2008, 5:16 AM

Well, I'm writing a completely original story, a fantasy epic. The thing a lot of people overlook in their writing is that it takes time. Go slowly... the results are so much more satisifying.

And no, the story I refer to is NOT Blood of the Living, which as been seen on here before.

I am the first to freely admit that whole piece was utter shit. I've completely scrapped the whole thing: 200+ pages and all.

However, I've restarted it. Same characters. Somewhat same story. Completely different world and magic system. I'm planning on making a series, if not a trilogy.

Another 2 things key to being a writer:

1) You're not God's gift to the world: Get over it.
A lot of people think their writing is unmatched and can't take any critiques. I hate it when people just poor on how good my story was when it clearly wasn't. They're not giving me any useful info to improve my writing. Listen to the critiques, consider what they mean, then ACT upon them.

2) Write for yourself
I personally found it annoying when a writer didn't describe the colorful market place surrounding the chars. I wanted to see more of the peculiar things scattered on the tables. So, when I wrote a similar scene, I included a lot of such description. Everyone that's read it so far has loved it. You're not writing for a publishing company, a friend, or your mom. Write how you want to and don't let anyone smother your voice.

As for myself, my story is coming along nicely. The only problem is, no one can stay awake long enough to read my description of my complex and well-developed magic system.

I cry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusionist

I can't really call myself a writer since I haven't written anything at all yet >__<

I do have these ideas in my head, but I just have such a hard time writing/typing them out. Like, it sounds so good when I'm reciting it in my head, but somehow something totally sloppy comes out when I'm typing it out; it's very discouraging *sighs*

Have you considered getting some voice-recognition software? You know, where you speak into a mike and the words come out on the page? I know a lot of people have a hard time writing it out, that the words seem small and paltry on the page. If speaking is your medium, then go for it. Pursue your goal in any means necessary.

June 15, 2008, 5:34 AM

Well I don't really write stories as far as I think of a plot.

It like I got this plot then I think about it and I want to add characters and situations to flush out the character but that might cause some problems for the current plot and even is you do that you got write the story that will be understandable/enjoyable for your readers but you can't think to much of the readers when writing the story cause then that might make you change aspects of plot/character to benefit the readers and keep it enjoyable....

so basically what I'm trying to say is I have some stories I want to tell but not quite sure how to tell it....I probably think too much into it I don't know but might try and type something later

June 15, 2008, 5:47 AM

Like I said: Write for yourself.

Bugger the others and what they think. Get it down, then you can always go back and make corrections. It isn't doing any good moldering in your mind. Just write what sounds good to you. You'll be surprised by what comes out.

June 15, 2008, 5:57 AM

Yea thats true but the current concept I was pondering is complicated and I want to put the reader into the character the fun times the bad ones...but also I want them to question the character and think about what they would've done differently or if they would've done anything at all or if they should do it....

but that takes a lot of time to create and it would be a bother if they become confused by it...should become sort of like a philosophy if done right

not too perfect but not too bad...just something to think about

June 15, 2008, 6:03 AM

Ah. I know you're problem. I had the same kind of problem with my own main character.

Open a Word document (or whatever software of your choice). Name is "[name of char] Development"

Now, begin to describe your character.

Who are they? Did something happen in their past to get them here? Was it tragic or joyful? Are they rich or poor? What are their standards of conduct and honor? Are they as strict as a samurai, or are they a drunk street fighter?

If you want to make them complex, know this: A complex character does the opposite of what the reader wants them to, yet has a good reason to.

My main character, she's like a knight. She wants to protect people, and is always trying to do so. She has very little standing for herself. The only problem, everyone she's ever tried to save has died.

Focus on the character. Give them a favorite color, a childhood past, a family (if any), give them life.

Think about those specific things you want that character to meet in your story and alter their past/personality to fit your needs.

I found this helped immensely.

June 15, 2008, 6:29 AM

hmm...good point actually I had a start off on a character it's in a more real world setting that question morals...

Like say you have this criminal defense lawyer that more or less kills his clients by slacking in the case or by having a hand in the murder after the case cause he can't lose all of his cases but he don't just kill someone that he's defending he more or less tries to "interview" them to figure out their "character" but this is only by face value and by his own bias sometimes(might have do with past experiences) but he tries to figure out these clients but what if one day he meets a killer who got the same exact intentions as him...kill those that are guilty(this character could be the true main character in a sense) basically this killer couldn't be alone with all these killings of crime lords and all....

This where I stop cause it gets to complicated and I want to research laws in way to protect and endanger these characters and kind of build up to a revelation later on and also you need the other characters I hinted at or the "real" main character also and then I have to explain how the fake main character killed the criminals he defended....might just go a totally different route till I can do this

June 15, 2008, 6:38 AM

See that works too. Adapt to your ideas. If you want to go with the first idea, draw the lines, color them in, shade it, varnish it

THEN go and look up laws. See whats wrong. Change this bit here. Tweak that bit there.

You've got a good idea here, and I really like it. It has a lot of potential, and it'd be a shame to just never be heard.

I like it. Remember that plot is inert if it doesn't change. Is your lawyer going to have a change of heart? Will he put aside his scheming ways and try to help others honestly? It isn't actually very complicated. I understand it perfectly. This lawyer it going to change, in some way, as a direct result of this encounter. And your story is simply the documentation of that.

Otherwise, I'm very intrigued. Please start writing soon. Even if it's only a script!!!

June 15, 2008, 6:12 PM

Yes, I do believe that working on the story and characters helps add to an effective story. I always map our plans in my mind of what to do in a storyline and character involvement, etc.

June 15, 2008, 8:39 PM

Wow, this place sure got busy

Well currently i have one story, Darkness Of Destruction, which seems to be doing quite well.