Writing Discussion II

[A Couple of People]

I have heard the expression "write what you know" many times, but as I was writing my most recent song (I am a musician as well as a writer), I tried writing about something I had never experienced. It yields surprising results.

[Juvencus]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

[The New World Oceania]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

Look into getting a copy of Novakovich's "Fiction Writer's Workshop."

Until then, here's a prompt I like: George's Perec wrote in one of his journals, "Idea for a horror story — a cure for cancer is found, but it requires human flesh."

[Skymoot]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

Look into getting a copy of Novakovich's "Fiction Writer's Workshop."

Until then, here's a prompt I like: George's Perec wrote in one of his journals, "Idea for a horror story — a cure for cancer is found, but it requires human flesh."

See that's a good story idea right there. Sounds more like a critique on human society and individual human nature more than a horror story, but that's still an awesome idea.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

Why not write a retelling of a favourite legend or folk tale? Throw in your own personal modifications wherever you feel like it, but don't feel a compulsion to make it "a brand new and unexpected take on a classic" or anything like that. Focus on the characterization, setting, and little details that you think best fit the story, but don't worry about being totally original.

Coming up with "ideas" is far from the most important part of writing, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Adytus]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

You could detail your nation! Here is an example

[Forsher]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

An idea I had.

Some of you may have heard of the Art Book... we have two copies of the same edition and as I was flicking through it one day I thought, "What if you tried to generate a story with each chapter inspired by an artwork from the book?" At this point, I seem to have something which would be workable from the first 50 pages. I have not finished the outline, however.

The problem with ideas like this is that I know that over-planning is a common trap.

[The New World Oceania]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

An idea I had.

Some of you may have heard of the Art Book... we have two copies of the same edition and as I was flicking through it one day I thought, "What if you tried to generate a story with each chapter inspired by an artwork from the book?" At this point, I seem to have something which would be workable from the first 50 pages. I have not finished the outline, however.

The problem with ideas like this is that I know that over-planning is a common trap.

Right, ekphrastic writing is always a good way to go.

[Ameriganastan]

Hey, I never noticed this place. I jot down the occasional fluffy girl-girl fic. Trying to branch into something of my own creation, but it's tricky.

[Nordengrund]

I haven't written anything for ages, but I think my next project will be an attempt at a tabletop RPG game book. The concept is based on a couple of anime I really like, and it's soft Sci-fi. There is futuristic technology, but it is more subtle and not actually the focus.

[Rhodevus]

I'm trying to write up an outline to my next story, but I am stuck on my act 3 for it... Everything else fit into place perfectly, but i can't figure out a good transition from act 2 to act 3.

[Tzarsgrad]

I was reading an article about writing meaningful twists at the ends of a story yesterday and I came across a comic that I found to be absolutely wonderful. If anyone of you can get your hands on the comic book Incredible Science Fiction #33, likely through digital means, I would highly recommend it. If you like sci-fi, I think that you would enjoy it immensely.

[Sunstruck]

here's a random tip
don't use the phrases "seemed to" and "began to" very often
characters began to fight, people seemed to be sleeping, cabinets appeared to be locked
sometimes people do that to make their writing look more sophisticated but it really would sound better like
characters fought, people slept, the cabinets were locked
because
they just are. those things are just happening, that's how it is. the extra words are unnecessary and clog up writing. they're filler words that make written works sound boring to read. and I've noticed those words being used in a lot of role-playing threads, many people use those words and it always snaps me out of my immersion

[Trotskylvania]

I wrote three thousands words last night in a fit of madness.

[Thanatttynia]

here's a random tip
don't use the phrases "seemed to" and "began to" very often
characters began to fight, people seemed to be sleeping, cabinets appeared to be locked
sometimes people do that to make their writing look more sophisticated but it really would sound better like
characters fought, people slept, the cabinets were locked
because
they just are. those things are just happening, that's how it is. the extra words are unnecessary and clog up writing. they're filler words that make written works sound boring to read. and I've noticed those words being used in a lot of role-playing threads, many people use those words and it always snaps me out of my immersion

I agree that people should probs use less of those particular phrases, but I don't think it's necessarily as cut and dry as that. To use your example, sometimes people can seem to be sleeping without actually sleeping - the author is probably trying to make a point about it not being certain that they are. There is a difference as well between a cabinet appearing to be locked and a cabinet actually being locked.
And when you get into the whole thing about words being unnecessary and clogging up writing it's hard to know where to stop; before you know it you've got little more than a glorified screenplay. That's fine for a screenplay but something like that leaves a lot to the imagination until it is physically acted out, and leaving lots to the imagination probably isn't what a writer is trying to do in something like a roleplay.

[USS Monitor]

here's a random tip
don't use the phrases "seemed to" and "began to" very often
characters began to fight, people seemed to be sleeping, cabinets appeared to be locked
sometimes people do that to make their writing look more sophisticated but it really would sound better like
characters fought, people slept, the cabinets were locked
because
they just are. those things are just happening, that's how it is. the extra words are unnecessary and clog up writing. they're filler words that make written works sound boring to read. and I've noticed those words being used in a lot of role-playing threads, many people use those words and it always snaps me out of my immersion

I agree that people should probs use less of those particular phrases, but I don't think it's necessarily as cut and dry as that. To use your example, sometimes people can seem to be sleeping without actually sleeping - the author is probably trying to make a point about it not being certain that they are. There is a difference as well between a cabinet appearing to be locked and a cabinet actually being locked.
And when you get into the whole thing about words being unnecessary and clogging up writing it's hard to know where to stop; before you know it you've got little more than a glorified screenplay. That's fine for a screenplay but something like that leaves a lot to the imagination until it is physically acted out, and leaving lots to the imagination probably isn't what a writer is trying to do in something like a roleplay.

Gotta agree. I am not a big fan of tips that say, "Try to avoid using this phrase," or, "Try to avoid using that word." If a word exists, there's probably a good reason for it, and there are places where it should be used. A lot of beginning writers write stuff that is really awkward because they are working too hard to avoid particular words or phrases that they've been told not to use.

If someone has a phrase that they use too often, you should point that out as personalized feedback.

I just don't think there are too many phrases that people should be advised to avoid as a general writing tip for everyone.

[The Federation of Kendor]

Ate any of you here currently writing a story?

[Forsher]

Ate any of you here currently writing a story?

In theory, always.

There was a bitter cut to the air. Sacha could feel it despite the climb. There, at the top of the cliff, chest heaving, cheeks flush and choked with dry, glue-like spit, he felt it. There, over-looking the wide expanse of geostrategic reasoning. There silhouetted against a raw, starless sky dominated by the enormous presence of a moon fully free of the oppressive shadow of the sun. There, at that moment, in that time -- Sacha felt it. There. Each intake of breath, each guld of that life-stuff, each desperate in-rush of oxygen -- all of them poisoned by this... sharpness. It was as if it were about to rain.

"So, do you they'll do it?"
"Do what?"
"Declare war."
"What? Them?
"Yeah."
The two smokers looked down, shrouded by beanies, scarves and the gross funk of their wretched habit. As swaddled vultures they focussed on the slow scurry of overcoats and puffed jackets. Every movement laboured with a subtle urgency, every step burdened by the ignorance of uncertainty, every soul dancing to the over-wrought tune of change -- but only if you knew them of old.

The vultures turned their heads, shifting the foul stink of an antique addiction as they did so -- it was almost artistic, an auteur's lazy reach for a means to frame the scene disguised in the self-evident genius of execution, but it was still smoke, still nothingness, empty and devoid. Yet, the vultures his keen minds deep beneath layers of defiance -- of facts, of limits, of excuses -- but should this surprise? There, wedged between cold, unromantic concrete and the rich gravitas of the old building, no-one else could have known, could have felt, their presence. Surely, of all vultures, in all possible worlds, these two were at least attuned to the natures of Man?

"Huh." The figure shrugged. Deep, chocolate-brown hair briefly fell from the once-snug, obscene red of a grandmother's beanie. "Maybe."

The non-committal eyes danced briefly, swivelling to meet an absent grey -- so pale it matched the weak grey-blue light of the still, frozen morning. "Typical."

See? I wrote that a few days ago... based on an idea that's been bouncing around in my head for ages. Not the first take either... I've put pen to paper on the "plot" before.

[Nordengrund]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

Why not write a retelling of a favourite legend or folk tale? Throw in your own personal modifications wherever you feel like it, but don't feel a compulsion to make it "a brand new and unexpected take on a classic" or anything like that. Focus on the characterization, setting, and little details that you think best fit the story, but don't worry about being totally original.

Coming up with "ideas" is far from the most important part of writing, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I actually worked on a reselling of the Tortoise and the Hair, except I focused on setting and characterization, trying to come up with personalities and daily lives of the characters.

[Osnil Returns]

Why not write a retelling of a favourite legend or folk tale? Throw in your own personal modifications wherever you feel like it, but don't feel a compulsion to make it "a brand new and unexpected take on a classic" or anything like that. Focus on the characterization, setting, and little details that you think best fit the story, but don't worry about being totally original.

Coming up with "ideas" is far from the most important part of writing, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I actually worked on a reselling of the Tortoise and the Hair, except I focused on setting and characterization, trying to come up with personalities and daily lives of the characters.

I want to write a retelling of that in the modern day. Where the Tortoise is disqualified because the Hare claimed that the tortoise was picking on a minority.

[Ameriganastan]

Ate any of you here currently writing a story?

Indeed I am. Still ironing out some kinks and whatnot before I submit it.

[Nordengrund]

What are some tips for worldbuilding. I don't want to be too focused on the setting that it gets in the way of actually writing the story, but I still think it is important, especially since my story is fantasy.

I have an idea for a character, and I think the story is going to be low fantasy and character-centric, where magic and the supernatural is absent or at least just subtle and not playing an important part of the story.

I don't want to resort to the default generic pseudo-medieval European land, but I also don't want to feel like I'm ripping off of IRL cultures, either. Most of the story will take place in a city.

[USS Monitor]

What are some tips for worldbuilding. I don't want to be too focused on the setting that it gets in the way of actually writing the story, but I still think it is important, especially since my story is fantasy.

I have an idea for a character, and I think the story is going to be low fantasy and character-centric, where magic and the supernatural is absent or at least just subtle and not playing an important part of the story.

I don't want to resort to the default generic pseudo-medieval European land, but I also don't want to feel like I'm ripping off of IRL cultures, either. Most of the story will take place in a city.

You could try doing a mix of elements from different cultures. Or you could take ideas from an existing culture, but change all the vocabulary. For example, you could have samurai and bushido and seppuku, but make up different words for them instead of borrowing the Japanese.

Or do something else if you decide you'd rather do something else. There aren't many rules when it comes to worldbuilding. Just try to keep your world consistent within itself. IOW, if magic works a certain way in chapter 1, it should work the same way in chapter 2, and every chapter after that.

[Altoa Land]

I want to write stuff, but I have no idea what. Could you please give me some ideas?

Erotic fiction is very popular, it might even be the most popluar fiction genre...

[Trotskylvania]

I can say from personal experience that writing erotic fiction is also the quickest way to get people to read what you write. Make of that what you will