Writing Discussion II

[Conserative Morality]

I'm struggling with a work that I'm 100,000+ words and two years into that I have the overwhelming urge to scrap and start over, but I'm feeling the sunk cost fallacy hard.

[The first Galactic Republic]

I'm struggling with a work that I'm 100,000+ words and two years into that I have the overwhelming urge to scrap and start over, but I'm feeling the sunk cost fallacy hard.

Can't pretend to relate because I've never gotten that far, but I always thought I would write a novel by first writing the short story length first draft. I would then completely rewrite it. Then again. Then again. Eventually it would get longer and hopefully better.

[USS Monitor]

I'm struggling with a work that I'm 100,000+ words and two years into that I have the overwhelming urge to scrap and start over, but I'm feeling the sunk cost fallacy hard.

Can't pretend to relate because I've never gotten that far, but I always thought I would write a novel by first writing the short story length first draft. I would then completely rewrite it. Then again. Then again. Eventually it would get longer and hopefully better.

Kind of a weird way to do it, but if you think it will work for you, go ahead and try it.

[Asrathi]

I'm struggling with a work that I'm 100,000+ words and two years into that I have the overwhelming urge to scrap and start over, but I'm feeling the sunk cost fallacy hard.

That usually is a sign there is something you're missing from the piece. It might not be time to release it into the revision process.

You can always put it aside for a month and work on another project on your plate. Maybe some small fiction or another work. That can often open the door to what you might be missing.

[USS Monitor]

I'm struggling with a work that I'm 100,000+ words and two years into that I have the overwhelming urge to scrap and start over, but I'm feeling the sunk cost fallacy hard.

That usually is a sign there is something you're missing from the piece. It might not be time to release it into the revision process.

You can always put it aside for a month and work on another project on your plate. Maybe some small fiction or another work. That can often open the door to what you might be missing.

I think this is worth a try. Sometimes it is helpful to set a project aside for a while and come back to it later with fresh eyes. Doesn't even matter whether you write anything else in the meantime or just take a break from writing -- though if you want to write as a career it's probably a good idea to use the time to work on another project so you don't lose time.

[Tokuopolis]

Hello everyone!

I've been working on my Dojo Daikaiju comic idea. One of my characters, Sensei Omnui, is a mentor to the other characters. He was once a normal elderly man, albeit one that had mastered all known forms of martial arts, but was mutated by alien crystals into daikaiju form.

But what daikaiju form I am struggling to decide. I've thought about a plant-like daikaiju form, a dragonlike daikaiju form, or a blob monster daikaiju form. I have a fairly similar character to the dragon in the form of goi-judo (my godzilla clone), and a blob monster (sumo smog).

[The first Galactic Republic]

So I'm writing a story that I'm planning to split into two equally important connected parts. One set in the past from 1970-1973, the other more in the present only in 2015.

I really like this premise, in fact I'm worried about my own writing ability to pull it off well. Any tips for this kind of thing? I was planning on alternating chapters. One chapter in the past, another in the present.

Also I'm going to do the flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter that I mentioned earlier.

[USS Monitor]

So I'm writing a story that I'm planning to split into two equally important connected parts. One set in the past from 1970-1973, the other more in the present only in 2015.

I really like this premise, in fact I'm worried about my own writing ability to pull it off well. Any tips for this kind of thing? I was planning on alternating chapters. One chapter in the past, another in the present.

Also I'm going to do the flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter that I mentioned earlier.

Alternating chapters is fine. I don't have any other great advice. Just give it your best shot to do it justice, and if it isn't coming out as good as you hoped, just keep writing and fix it in the 2nd draft.

Hello everyone!

I've been working on my Dojo Daikaiju comic idea. One of my characters, Sensei Omnui, is a mentor to the other characters. He was once a normal elderly man, albeit one that had mastered all known forms of martial arts, but was mutated by alien crystals into daikaiju form.

But what daikaiju form I am struggling to decide. I've thought about a plant-like daikaiju form, a dragonlike daikaiju form, or a blob monster daikaiju form. I have a fairly similar character to the dragon in the form of goi-judo (my godzilla clone), and a blob monster (sumo smog).

I vote for the plant-like one, but feel free to ignore my opinion if you think about it some more and decide something else just fits better.

[USS Monitor]

Working on my political fantasy...

I know more or less where I want the story to go, and I think it's a good plot. I am currently introducing characters and doing set-up. I think they are decent characters, but it is still a little slow and awkward to get the plot moving.

EDIT: I might have a title, though: Like No One Is Watching. In the story, the protagonist's husband and the Libertarian Party both like to use the phrase "sing in a hundred tongues and dance like no one is watching." The protagonist is startled when she hears the Libertarians use it, and that's part of what gets her to start thinking of them as people instead of just enemies, since it reminds her of her husband.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Do you guys have any opinions of stories where characters pursue a love interest the whole story but it never works out? In fact it never even starts? They don't find anyone else by the way.

I'm not writing a love story this would mostly be a side character development thing, but the main character pursues a love interest that would probably work but the main obstacle is that the other character is already in a relationship with a character who never even appears in the book.

I like the idea because it's different from most other action stories where the protagonist flexes their plot armor and the girls come swooning, but I wondered if the idea isn't very good or was downright infuriating.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

Do you guys have any opinions of stories where characters pursue a love interest the whole story but it never works out? In fact it never even starts? They don't find anyone else by the way.

I'm not writing a love story this would mostly be a side character development thing, but the main character pursues a love interest that would probably work but the main obstacle is that the other character is already in a relationship with a character who never even appears in the book.

I like the idea because it's different from most other action stories where the protagonist flexes their plot armor and the girls come swooning, but I wondered if the idea isn't very good or was downright infuriating.

As an idea, it's too general to pass judgement on. Whether it adds to the story or not is entirely dependant on how you write it, and what the rest of the story is like.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Do you guys have any opinions of stories where characters pursue a love interest the whole story but it never works out? In fact it never even starts? They don't find anyone else by the way.

I'm not writing a love story this would mostly be a side character development thing, but the main character pursues a love interest that would probably work but the main obstacle is that the other character is already in a relationship with a character who never even appears in the book.

I like the idea because it's different from most other action stories where the protagonist flexes their plot armor and the girls come swooning, but I wondered if the idea isn't very good or was downright infuriating.

As an idea, it's too general to pass judgement on. Whether it adds to the story or not is entirely dependant on how you write it, and what the rest of the story is like.

Pretty vague.

Good to know the idea doesn't automatically piss you off though, since I've ran into people who would probably react that way.

[Conserative Morality]

Working on my political fantasy...

I know more or less where I want the story to go, and I think it's a good plot. I am currently introducing characters and doing set-up. I think they are decent characters, but it is still a little slow and awkward to get the plot moving.

EDIT: I might have a title, though: Like No One Is Watching. In the story, the protagonist's husband and the Libertarian Party both like to use the phrase "sing in a hundred tongues and dance like no one is watching." The protagonist is startled when she hears the Libertarians use it, and that's part of what gets her to start thinking of them as people instead of just enemies, since it reminds her of her husband.

That actually sounds like a really great title. I'd keep that if I were you.

[USS Monitor]

Working on my political fantasy...

I know more or less where I want the story to go, and I think it's a good plot. I am currently introducing characters and doing set-up. I think they are decent characters, but it is still a little slow and awkward to get the plot moving.

EDIT: I might have a title, though: Like No One Is Watching. In the story, the protagonist's husband and the Libertarian Party both like to use the phrase "sing in a hundred tongues and dance like no one is watching." The protagonist is startled when she hears the Libertarians use it, and that's part of what gets her to start thinking of them as people instead of just enemies, since it reminds her of her husband.

That actually sounds like a really great title. I'd keep that if I were you.

I probably will. I really don't have any other good ideas for a title, and I think it fits. The protagonist's character arc has a lot to do with learning to question social norms and not being held back by people's expectations, or by fear in general.

[Ebnious]

I'm trying to write a story, but I tend to rush things along in my story. Any pointers?

Also, is it alright if I do stuff like this: She reaches for the book, "-diologue-"

[Clement of Rome]

I'm trying to write a story, but I tend to rush things along in my story. Any pointers?

Also, is it alright if I do stuff like this: She reaches for the book, "-diologue-"

Yeah, I also tend to rush along. What I suggest is using longer words and being more descriptive. Personally, this gives me more time to think about the plot. I would also suggest using a lot of emotion to develop the plot.

For example

She looked down at the damaged book lying on the floor of the old and filthy library. Curiously, she reaches down to grab the book, she gives it a long, good state, -dialogue-

[The first Galactic Republic]

I'm trying to write a story, but I tend to rush things along in my story. Any pointers?

Also, is it alright if I do stuff like this: She reaches for the book, "-diologue-"

Yeah, I also tend to rush along. What I suggest is using longer words and being more descriptive. Personally, this gives me more time to think about the plot. I would also suggest using a lot of emotion to develop the plot.

For example

She looked down at the damaged book lying on the floor of the old and filthy library. Curiously, she reaches down to grab the book, she gives it a long, good state, -dialogue-

Over describing things is a problem, but other than that this works.

[Anywhere Else But Here]

I'm trying to write a story, but I tend to rush things along in my story. Any pointers?

Also, is it alright if I do stuff like this: She reaches for the book, "-diologue-"

Using an action in place of a dialogue tag is absolutely fine and a good way to avoid "talking heads". Though you would use a full stop where your example has a comma. Commas are only used with an actual "said" word: said, asked, whispered, ejaculated*, shouted etc

*This one is excellent and you should endeavour to use it on every other page.

[Clement of Rome]

Yeah, I also tend to rush along. What I suggest is using longer words and being more descriptive. Personally, this gives me more time to think about the plot. I would also suggest using a lot of emotion to develop the plot.

For example

Over describing things is a problem, but other than that this works.

Sure, you don't want to write a full page on how you pick up a book.

[Nordengrund]

I have an issue when it comes to writing fiction.

A common piece of advice I hear is you should write in the genre you read. Now what if you don't have a preference and have varied tastes?

For me, I don't think I have even read enough books in any genre to really know it that well. I like to read, but at the same time the book must be pretty darn good and captivating or else I will never finish it. I feel like most novels are too long for me to stick with, yet I find short stories to restricting for me to write.

I probably could do fantasy, but that is because of all the research in worldbuilding and cliches even though I have only read one traditional fantasy novel.

Maybe novels aren't my thing. Perhaps I should write plays or attempt a manga instead.

I do like mythology, but it is usually limited to the myths, legends, and epic poems. I read all of the Percy Jackson books in middle school. I would prefer to read Beowulf or the Epic of Gilgamesh over LOTR, but that is just me, I guess.

[Anywhere Else But Here]

I have an issue when it comes to writing fiction.

A common piece of advice I hear is you should write in the genre you read. Now what if you don't have a preference and read a little of every genre?

For me, I don't think I have even read enough books in any genre to really know it that well. I like to read, but at the same time the book must be pretty darn good and captivating or else I will never finish it.

I probably could do fantasy, but that is because of all the research in worldbuilding and cliches even though I have only read one traditional fantasy novel.

Maybe novels aren't my thing. Perhaps I should write plays or attempt a manga instead.

I do like mythology, but it is usually limited to the myths, legends, and epic poems. I read all of the Percy Jackson books in middle school.

Don't worry. You can just claim you're following this advice instead:

"If you are going to write, say, fantasy - stop reading fantasy. You've already read too much. Read other things; read westerns, read history, read anything that seems interesting, because if you only read fantasy and then you start to write fantasy, all you're going to do is recycle the same old stuff and move it around a bit. The next thing you know you've got a dark lord and there is no help for you."

-Terry Pratchett

I don't think he was necessarily right that you shouldn't read in your genre, but it's not like other things you read aren't transferable. Apart from obvious stuff like dialogue/description/pacing etc, reading romance will help you write a romance sub-plot in any other genre, reading history will help with world-building in sci-fi and fantasy, reading War and Peace will help you write battle scenes, stuff with dancing, and long rants about foreigners that you hate.

[USS Monitor]

Also, is it alright if I do stuff like this: She reaches for the book, "-diologue-"

It's ungrammatical.

Yeah, I also tend to rush along. What I suggest is using longer words and being more descriptive. Personally, this gives me more time to think about the plot. I would also suggest using a lot of emotion to develop the plot.

For example

She looked down at the damaged book lying on the floor of the old and filthy library. Curiously, she reaches down to grab the book, she gives it a long, good state, -dialogue-

Your version is ungrammatical and overwritten.

Using an action in place of a dialogue tag is absolutely fine and a good way to avoid "talking heads". Though you would use a full stop where your example has a comma. Commas are only used with an actual "said" word: said, asked, whispered, ejaculated*, shouted etc

*This one is excellent and you should endeavour to use it on every other page.

^This. It should be two sentences: She reaches for the book. "Dialog."

[USS Monitor]

I have an issue when it comes to writing fiction.

A common piece of advice I hear is you should write in the genre you read. Now what if you don't have a preference and have varied tastes?

For me, I don't think I have even read enough books in any genre to really know it that well. I like to read, but at the same time the book must be pretty darn good and captivating or else I will never finish it. I feel like most novels are too long for me to stick with, yet I find short stories to restricting for me to write.

I probably could do fantasy, but that is because of all the research in worldbuilding and cliches even though I have only read one traditional fantasy novel.

Maybe novels aren't my thing. Perhaps I should write plays or attempt a manga instead.

I do like mythology, but it is usually limited to the myths, legends, and epic poems. I read all of the Percy Jackson books in middle school. I would prefer to read Beowulf or the Epic of Gilgamesh over LOTR, but that is just me, I guess.

Advice is just that: advice. It's not a hard and fast rule that must be followed at all times no matter what. Write whatever genre you want to write.

[The Crestfallen]

I wrote a folk song about our society. What do you guys think?

The Storm It's a-Brewing

The sky has turned black,
And the rivers are burning.
The saints are in their graves,
And their bodies are turning.
Politicians shout corruption,
And their hearts are all frozen.
Their tongues are all twisted,
And their hands are all broken.

The churches are all empty
And burned to the ground.
The priests are all butchered
And sold by the pound.
The judges are wasted
And spending their time
Spending their money
And wasting our time.

The Sun is blotted out,
And the clouds begin to form.
The winds have all stopped,
And the birds sense the storm.
The forests are on fire,
And the oceans are stewing.
The waves, they are a-crashing,
And the storm, it's a-brewing.

The executioner washed his hands
Of a gentleman's blood.
A man called out for Jesus
When his soul was caked in mud.
His pockets were loaded,
And his clothes lined with gold,
But his coins, they all tarnished
After his spirit was sold.

The people are judging
And dividing themselves.
The thought of equality,
Just the dust on their shelves.
The Earth's started quaking,
And the rocks are pushed back.
The dead regain life,
And the Sun has gone black.

The Sun is blotted out,
And the clouds begin to form.
The winds have all stopped,
And the birds sense the storm.
The forests are on fire,
And the oceans are stewing.
The waves, they are a-crashing,
And the storm, it's a-brewing.

All the species are dying,
And all the policemen are shot.
Now our national flag
Is tied up in a knot.
The air is polluted,
And the ground is all hard.
All of our bodies
Are covered with lard.

All the children are dying,
And their mothers don't care.
A man and a woman
No longer make a pair.
We don't know our own genders.
We don't know our own names.
We don't know our religion.
We don't know from where we came.

The Sun is blotted out,
And the clouds begin to form.
The winds have all stopped,
And the birds sense the storm.
The forests are on fire,
And the oceans are stewing.
The waves, they are a-crashing,
And the storm, it's a-brewing.

God said to Noah
The storms wouldn't come again,
But even God never knew
The sinfulness of these men.
Sometimes I don't know
What this world is doing,
But the floods, they're a-coming,
And the storm, it's a-brewing.

It reminds me of a song sung by a group (like pirates) and beyond you can hear flutes, banjos, etc. Similar to a pagan festival where they sing but maybe if you record yourself singing it, we can all hear where you are trying to go with it because I may be hearing some other style of folk song than you are.

[Nordengrund]

I have an issue when it comes to writing fiction.

A common piece of advice I hear is you should write in the genre you read. Now what if you don't have a preference and read a little of every genre?

For me, I don't think I have even read enough books in any genre to really know it that well. I like to read, but at the same time the book must be pretty darn good and captivating or else I will never finish it.

I probably could do fantasy, but that is because of all the research in worldbuilding and cliches even though I have only read one traditional fantasy novel.

Maybe novels aren't my thing. Perhaps I should write plays or attempt a manga instead.

I do like mythology, but it is usually limited to the myths, legends, and epic poems. I read all of the Percy Jackson books in middle school.

Don't worry. You can just claim you're following this advice instead:

"If you are going to write, say, fantasy - stop reading fantasy. You've already read too much. Read other things; read westerns, read history, read anything that seems interesting, because if you only read fantasy and then you start to write fantasy, all you're going to do is recycle the same old stuff and move it around a bit. The next thing you know you've got a dark lord and there is no help for you."

-Terry Pratchett

I don't think he was necessarily right that you shouldn't read in your genre, but it's not like other things you read aren't transferable. Apart from obvious stuff like dialogue/description/pacing etc, reading romance will help you write a romance sub-plot in any other genre, reading history will help with world-building in sci-fi and fantasy, reading War and Peace will help you write battle scenes, stuff with dancing, and long rants about foreigners that you hate.

Thanks! I want to write Bangsian fantasy, though it probably wouldn't be truly Bangsian since I don't plan to have historical figures occur in my story.

I have considered reading romance novels to get a feel for how to write a romantic subplot, but I feel like there is a stigma attached to males who read romance novels. I've only read one as a class assignment. I did see the movies for Pride and Prejudice and Gone With the Wind, but movies aren't the same thing as books.