#40199 - 02/13/09 06:58 AM
Re: Writing Resources and Editors
[Re: Hunterguy]
|
Sextified
enthusiast
Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 371
|
Huntergirl,
I'm still considered a newbie here, but I will chime in on this one.
What I have done may work for you. Go back to those few 'must read' books in your collection. Find those books and authors you have forgotten all about. Read them.
Now that you are writing again, read them with an observant eye. Don't criticize. Don't get out your red pen. Don't get out your notebook.
Just read and enjoy.
While you are doing that ask yourself several questions.
Why do I enjoy this book so much?
Is it the characters?
Is it the story?
Is it the dialogue?
Is how I personally relate to the whole book?
. . . to the Author?
. . . to one character?
. . . to their situation?
Can I see everything clearly in my mind?
Can I taste what's being tasted?
Feel what's being felt? etc.
Could I write this EXACT story . . . but do it my way?
Do that with all your favorites . . . just one more time.
Then as you write your next story . . . keep your mental answers close to you.
< < < < < > > > > >
I had/have a real problem with conversational dialogue.
I went back to my 'friends' and read how it was handled in those books. I also had/have a real problem with keeping my tense and point of view consistent.
The other thing that has helped immensely is this.
Develop your habits. Fine tune them. Write when you must, but think about your story all of the time. I obsess too much, which tires me on all levels, but that has really helped.
Thinking, usually while I am at work, and then writing later makes it so much faster.
I have stopped editing so much while new words are going on the page. That time is the most important. Don't complicate it. Don't shorten it.
I had a scene that TORTURED me for four days!
It was an important bridge scene. Either side was done. It HAD to match the too scenes up. Eventually I had to move on. I finished editing chapter 18. I wrote the middle of Chapter 20. I edited everything in Chapter 19 except the bridge.
After four days still no real luck. I'd managed all of four small sections of the bridge. But I got a lot done.
Finally, one day, I just did the final read thru on 18, edited my section of 20, and knocked of the troublesome bridge in 45 minutes.
I was having a good day.
That's what the section needed.
I have sooooo many ideas for stories. I think of them constantly. If they are truly good, I'm not going to forget them.
But I only write this one.
It keeps me focused.
If I cheat with a another story . . . my emotions get siphoned off.
If the ideas are good, and they probably are, work them into the story you ARE writing now.
If that's possible.
If not, sketch the idea, and the EMOTIONS you are feeling, down as briefly and succinctly as you can.
Sorry for too much info.
I just HATED both the lost feeling of not having the resources (my favorite authors) . . . and the helplessness of being stuck not writing at my best . . . at a critical spot.
Hope this helps.
Sextified.
PS. Most writers don't NEED an editor at this stage. They need someone to talk to much more. Work with a fellow writer and help each other. Your job as a writer is to always improve the mechanics as if you won't ever get one. When you finally do, they will appreciate your efforts all the more.
I read my stories over and over, until I am SICK of them! When I can't stand it any more . . . and I'm making more new mistakes in my editing than I am fixing . . . then I post it.
|
|
Top
|
 Reply
 Quote
 Quick Reply
 Quick Quote
|
|
|
|
#40509 - 03/05/09 11:50 AM
Re: Writing Resources and Editors
[Re: Sextified]
|
Jake
addict
Registered: 02/27/01
Posts: 593
Loc: Northeastern US
|
When I'm writing I try to just plow through and get the whole thing down. No editing while I am writing. If i get an idea for another story, which happens all the time, i usually just add it to my idea file to write later. Sometimes I will take a break and bang out something quick, but rarely. I also find effective self editing nearly impossible. Find yourself a good editor, there are plenty of volunteers out there, and have them go over your work.
POV is always tough, and especially for new writers. Conventional wisdom says that a short story is too short of a space to switch perspecitives. I do not necessarily agree, but you do need to know what you're doing. I wouldn't recommend it for a new writer. I think you need decide who's perspective you're going to see the story from before you start writing. It always bugs me when a story is written first person and then you're "seeing" what the other people are thinking or feeling. And writing 3rd person does not necessarily mean you're writing from the omnipotent POV. And even if you are writing from the omnipotent 3rd person POV, NEVER switch it in mid paragraph.
I disagree that your job as a writer is to always improve your mechanics, because I good editor can help with that. I think your job as a writer is to have something interesting to say, whether you're trying to get a message across or just trying to tell a good story. This is a quote from the great Raymond Chandler that I love:
"Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little away from his need or desire to write at all. In the end he knows all the tricks and has nothing to say."
_________________________
Website: Jake's Wonderland
Twitter: JakeMarlowWrtr
|
|
Top
|
Reply
Quote
Quick Reply
Quick Quote
|
|
|
|
#40815 - 03/26/09 01:11 PM
Re: Writing Resources and Editors
[Re: Hunterguy]
|
Hunterguy
member
Registered: 01/21/09
Posts: 176
|
Thankyou both Jake and Sextified,
I have read and re-read your responses several times. I have foudn a few web resources that have helped me with my erotic vocabulary and that is where I was looking to expand my craft.
I am with you both on write what you like, how you like, while you can, edit later.
Since I have been writing again the ideas keep coming, and while I was looking for a set of charachters to use for multiple stories and/or chapters it seems that the ideas that I have are too varied to settle for a single set of charachters. That said I have 2 or three stories that I left open ended so that I could develop the stories as ideas come to me. Maybe I will find a 20 chapter story that suits one of thise charachter sets, but that has never been my objective, at least not yet.
I know you have suggested to focus on one story at a time, but I find if I don't at least jot something down on ideas that pop into my head I may loose it. It might be several months before I can get back to it. Presently I have 7 stories posted, plus working on follow up chapters for three of them, plus I have 5 new story lines on the go. Two of those are near completion the other 3 include just a page or two of notes.
Perhaps my approach is too scattered. I do get stuck once in a while and when I do that's generally when I switch to a different story. Switching back and forth does slow me down so I will try to take your advice about following one through to the end.
I was thinking of the advice that Jake and Sextififed offered in a recent topic reagarding how a story can get away from you and go on and on. Sextified you suggested that you start with a sex scene where ever possible. Although I was sure, I went back to all of the stories that I have written (and am writing), none of them started with a sex scene, so I am willing to try that.
I have a story where there has not been any sex within the first 7,000 words. There has been some teasing, and dialogue about the main charachter's anatomy. There is to be more teasing before a sex scene develops, so I am thinking I might just add the sex scene at the beginning then use the rest of the story to explain how that sex scene came to be. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Huntergirl
|
|
Top
|
Reply
Quote
Quick Reply
Quick Quote
|
|
|
|
#40819 - 03/26/09 06:45 PM
Re: Writing Resources and Editors
[Re: Hunterguy]
|
Sextified
enthusiast
Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 371
|
Thankyou both Jake and Sextified,
I have a story where there has not been any sex within the first 7,000 words. There has been some teasing, and dialogue about the main charachter's anatomy. There is to be more teasing before a sex scene develops, so I am thinking I might just add the sex scene at the beginning then use the rest of the story to explain how that sex scene came to be. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Huntergirl
Hmmmm.
That's a tough one. I already modified my response in the other thread to reflect this. If they are 7,000 GOOD words, its not really a problem.
If they can manage to capture the readers interest, provide a sense of sexual tension and need, and offer a promise of eventual gratification it doesn't really matter.
I've seen to many stories lately that wander around for the first two-thirds or so . . . and then BAM . . . sex just explodes for no apparent reason.
It's like the author forgot to add the sex, suddenly realized that, and then just dumped it in without thinking.
If your building anticipation and have got the readers attention, go for it.
Some readers are looking for just stroke stories. Most of them on this site are looking for good stories, of whatever length.
Sextified
|
|
Top
|
Reply
Quote
Quick Reply
Quick Quote
|
|
|
Moderator: art
|
|
New Reply
