Let's help each other write fiction

[Australian rePublic]

So I created this thread where we can give each other tips, help and research for writing fiction. For example, I live in suburban Sydney, so if you need anyone to help with research to help you write fiction with regards to suburban Sydney, post here, telegram me a link to your post and I'll happily oblige. Also, I am an Australian of Greek ansestry, so if you need research with that, post here, telegram me a link, and I'll be happy to oblige. Got it? good


Okay, so I created this thread because I am writing my own work of fiction and I need help. I know how it starts, I know how it ends, I know most of what happens in the middle, I just need help to get it flowing. Am I waffling on? Am I cutting it too short? Am I jumping between (for lack of a better words) scenes and settings too much. How do I make the story flow?

For reference, I have this issue with most of my works of fiction, but this one in particular is about a remote, fictional railway line being used to transport weapons to terrorists

[Ineva]

The best way to determine this is by reading it back to yourself. Simply read your work while lounging or in bed. Are your eyes skipping over portions of the text? It is probably, then, too lengthy, and you should work to make it more concise. Pause and let yourself think after reading a paragraph or two. Do you have any questions about consistency or features that continuously remain? Do you ever resolve these in your text? Are the questions itching at you until you do? Perhaps it is best to expand the paragraph(s) in question, then. If it does not destroy the plot, perhaps address those enquiries sooner.

[Australian rePublic]

The best way to determine this is by reading it back to yourself. Simply read your work while lounging or in bed. Are your eyes skipping over portions of the text? It is probably, then, too lengthy, and you should work to make it more concise. Pause and let yourself think after reading a paragraph or two. Do you have any questions about consistency or features that continuously remain? Do you ever resolve these in your text? Are the questions itching at you until you do? Perhaps it is best to expand the paragraph(s) in question, then. If it does not destroy the plot, perhaps address those enquiries sooner.

Thank You very much. Something I'll definitely look into! Next question- how do I write gas lighting?

[Ponchomagnifico]

Can you help me write a story for the leader of my country's kid?

[The Boggest Place on Earth]

Next question- how do I write gas lighting?

gonna be transparent, never heard of that in writing. you sure you didn't make that one up?

[Australian rePublic]

Can you help me write a story for the leader of my country's kid?

This is an OOC thread

Next question- how do I write gas lighting?

gonna be transparent, never heard of that in writing. you sure you didn't make that one up?

Why would gaslighting NOT be a thing in fiction? I mean, it's a form of abuse and the term "gaslighting" comes from fiction in the first place

[Isla Byron]

gonna be transparent, never heard of that in writing. you sure you didn't make that one up?

Why would gaslighting NOT be a thing in fiction? I mean, it's a form of abuse and the term "gaslighting" comes from fiction in the first place

yeah i've been writing for a while now, never heard of it. to be honest it doesn't even make sense. 'gas' and 'lighting?' what's that even supposed to mean?

[Australian rePublic]

Why would gaslighting NOT be a thing in fiction? I mean, it's a form of abuse and the term "gaslighting" comes from fiction in the first place

yeah i've been writing for a while now, never heard of it. to be honest it doesn't even make sense. 'gas' and 'lighting?' what's that even supposed to mean?

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

[The Boggest Place on Earth]

yeah i've been writing for a while now, never heard of it. to be honest it doesn't even make sense. 'gas' and 'lighting?' what's that even supposed to mean?

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

i'm sorry but you're just making stuff up now

[Cerespasia]

Well, I can probably help you out with making insignia and/or uniform designs + equipment choices for the factions in your story.

[The United Star-Systems]

yeah i've been writing for a while now, never heard of it. to be honest it doesn't even make sense. 'gas' and 'lighting?' what's that even supposed to mean?

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

I'm pretty sure Isla Byron is pretending the word doesn't exist to correspond with the internet joke revolving around the concept of gaslighting being "nonexistent".

[Australian rePublic]

Well, I can probably help you out with making insignia and/or uniform designs + equipment choices for the factions in your story.

Tempting. If I'm ever in a position to pay Royalities to an illustrator, I'll keep you in mind

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

I'm pretty sure Isla Byron is pretending the word doesn't exist to correspond with the internet joke revolving around the concept of gaslighting being "nonexistent".

Wow. Isla Byron has helped me in that regard more than anyone else could have

[Ineva]

Well, I can probably help you out with making insignia and/or uniform designs + equipment choices for the factions in your story.

Tempting. If I'm ever in a position to pay Royalities to an illustrator, I'll keep you in mind

I'm pretty sure Isla Byron is pretending the word doesn't exist to correspond with the internet joke revolving around the concept of gaslighting being "nonexistent".

Wow. Isla Byron has helped me in that regard more than anyone else could have

Boggest was also, I believe, providing an example.

[ClIcK eStS vImGaLeVyToPiA]

So I’ve finally started writing fiction. I’ve been wanting to write a full-length novel for years, however I think the size of my ideas intimidated me. But one day I just sat down and was like “Dude, what are you waiting for?! You don’t have to write good stuff, just pursue writing or else you’re gonna wake up one day when you’re sixty and still haven’t started writing!” And so I started writing. Currently doing my first story on an ex-soldier who struggles to reintegrate into society whilst having the assistance of a friend. Don’t really have any writing tips yet cuz I’m in the process of learning, but this thread lines up with what I’ve been pursuing the past few weeks.

[Australian rePublic]

So I’ve finally started writing fiction. I’ve been wanting to write a full-length novel for years, however I think the size of my ideas intimidated me. But one day I just sat down and was like “Dude, what are you waiting for?! You don’t have to write good stuff, just pursue writing or else you’re gonna wake up one day when you’re sixty and still haven’t started writing!” And so I started writing. Currently doing my first story on an ex-soldier who struggles to reintegrate into society whilst having the assistance of a friend. Don’t really have any writing tips yet cuz I’m in the process of learning, but this thread lines up with what I’ve been pursuing the past few weeks.

Seem interesting. I have a similar idea for a similar story. Try to add a bit of comic relief if you can, but obviously, keep it tasteful

[Gorbachev kissers]

yeah i've been writing for a while now, never heard of it. to be honest it doesn't even make sense. 'gas' and 'lighting?' what's that even supposed to mean?

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

It comes from the movie 'Gaslight'. An abusive husband was lying to his wife, causing her to doubt her reality. Before her husband came home, the gas lamps would flicker, turning on and off. Additionally, she was so mentally affected by his gaslighting that she thought she was hallucinating the gas lamps flickering - because the husband told her they weren't.
I recommend watching the movie! It is a definite classic. I've written 'gaslighting' in short stories before, I'd be happy to share them.

[Almighty Biden]

Gaslighting sorry, I didn't realise it was one word. Basically, it's a form of abuse where the abuser causes their victim to doubt their own perceptions of reality. It's often used by cult leaders

i'm sorry but you're just making stuff up now

You should say that gullible is written on the ceiling.

Anyways, a tip I learned in high school is that when you describe a character's physical appearance, focus solely on traits that reveal their personality and/or are relevant to the story. Don't go into every little nitty gritty detail about your character. For example:

The most noticeable thing about him was that he was short. But what he lacked in height he made up in egotism, for this little man once claimed that the throne of God was a dead end job. His bicorn hat placed sideways on his head jaunted to and fro as he placed back and forth, with its tricolor ribbon fluttering in the wind.
"Gentlemen," he finally said. "I believe I have made my decision. We are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar a lesson."

not:

He was noticeable short and the years had turned his once slender frame rather pudgy. His brown eyes gleamed in the morning sun as his brown hair rippled in the wind. His bicorn hat was perched on his head, a ribbon representing the French tricolor pinned to it. His once smooth face was beginning to show signs of aging, and he had the signs of three day stubble on his chin. His green overcoat was unbuttoned, revealing the sharply pressed white uniform, shiny brass buttons, countless medals, and golden epaulettes. His shoes were black, polished to perfection, so clean you could see your reflection in it. "Gentlemen," he clearly spoke in his soothing voice, "we are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar not to trade with Britain in spite of my embargo, thus completely subverting my European continental trade plan."

Details matter, but only the important ones.

[Australian rePublic]

i'm sorry but you're just making stuff up now

You should say that gullible is written on the ceiling.

Anyways, a tip I learned in high school is that when you describe a character's physical appearance, focus solely on traits that reveal their personality and/or are relevant to the story. Don't go into every little nitty gritty detail about your character. For example:

The most noticeable thing about him was that he was short. But what he lacked in height he made up in egotism, for this little man once claimed that the throne of God was a dead end job. His bicorn hat placed sideways on his head jaunted to and fro as he placed back and forth, with its tricolor ribbon fluttering in the wind.
"Gentlemen," he finally said. "I believe I have made my decision. We are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar a lesson."

not:

He was noticeable short and the years had turned his once slender frame rather pudgy. His brown eyes gleamed in the morning sun as his brown hair rippled in the wind. His bicorn hat was perched on his head, a ribbon representing the French tricolor pinned to it. His once smooth face was beginning to show signs of aging, and he had the signs of three day stubble on his chin. His green overcoat was unbuttoned, revealing the sharply pressed white uniform, shiny brass buttons, countless medals, and golden epaulettes. His shoes were black, polished to perfection, so clean you could see your reflection in it. "Gentlemen," he clearly spoke in his soothing voice, "we are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar not to trade with Britain in spite of my embargo, thus completely subverting my European continental trade plan."

Details matter, but only the important ones.

Thanks! That's very useful information

[Page]

i'm sorry but you're just making stuff up now

You should say that gullible is written on the ceiling.

Anyways, a tip I learned in high school is that when you describe a character's physical appearance, focus solely on traits that reveal their personality and/or are relevant to the story. Don't go into every little nitty gritty detail about your character. For example:

The most noticeable thing about him was that he was short. But what he lacked in height he made up in egotism, for this little man once claimed that the throne of God was a dead end job. His bicorn hat placed sideways on his head jaunted to and fro as he placed back and forth, with its tricolor ribbon fluttering in the wind.
"Gentlemen," he finally said. "I believe I have made my decision. We are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar a lesson."

not:

He was noticeable short and the years had turned his once slender frame rather pudgy. His brown eyes gleamed in the morning sun as his brown hair rippled in the wind. His bicorn hat was perched on his head, a ribbon representing the French tricolor pinned to it. His once smooth face was beginning to show signs of aging, and he had the signs of three day stubble on his chin. His green overcoat was unbuttoned, revealing the sharply pressed white uniform, shiny brass buttons, countless medals, and golden epaulettes. His shoes were black, polished to perfection, so clean you could see your reflection in it. "Gentlemen," he clearly spoke in his soothing voice, "we are going to invade Russia and teach that insolent Tsar not to trade with Britain in spite of my embargo, thus completely subverting my European continental trade plan."

Details matter, but only the important ones.

I'll "yes and" this by adding that the amount of description should be proportionate to the importance of the character. And in the case of your Napoleon example, if Napoleon is the protagonist, or if he is the figure the protagonist is orbiting, you can always add in details gradually over the course of the first couple of chapters. I could definitely take some of the excesses of your second paragraph and sprinkle them in every couple of pages. And another cool trick is describing characters in contradiction to their status quo, especially in relation to their current circumstances.

"The unrelenting rain had taken a toll on all of them, even the Emperor himself. He had always taken pride in his appearance, particularly in keeping his shoes glistening black and reflective as a mirror, but those shoes were caked in mud as of late, and the man hadn't so much as looked down in a week."

[Jabberwocky]

Advice from John Irving:
When in doubt, make something up.

[NorthernPesos]

Advice from John Irving:
When in doubt, make something up.

Yes.. that is rather brilliant advice...... and this discussion has off the scale potential.......

[Redinnia]

What about settling tropes for your story? It looks like kinda works for fan fictions better but I think it helps wrapping up story faster.

[NorthernPesos]

Advice from John Irving:
When in doubt, make something up.

What do you think of the idea of choosing A-list actors to play the role of the characters in your proposed book..........

and then armed with that image in your head... you could do your book as a script........ because a script could potentially pay some bills.......

[Jabberwocky]

Sure. Then when your project is picked up, hire yourself to write the screenplay. Don't forget to sign yourself up as producer too. Very lucrative.

[Isla Byron]

What do you think of the idea of choosing A-list actors to play the role of the characters in your proposed book..........

and then armed with that image in your head... you could do your book as a script........ because a script could potentially pay some bills.......

book writing and scriptwriting are completely different beasts. in books, you have access to all five senses, movies can only use two. in books, you have a lot of free will regarding how to mold every little detail into so many pages without having to worry about pacing in the same way a movie does. in a movie, you have 90-120 minutes to tell a story. in a book, as long as whatever you have is convincing and, you know, good, 300-500 pages of writing can go a long way.

in scriptwriting, you have to make very detailed instructions for blocking and cinematography, and otherwise make a bunch of other considerations for actors, sfx, etc. books are again different in this regard, you can just describe shit, etc. books can make good use of an internal monologue (at least most of the time) without sounding corny or stupid. movies are the opposite where they generally come off as terrible, corny, and especially stupid.

but the best difference, the most important one is that one has a larger barrier for entry than the other. books, or any writing really, can be published or written anywhere. want to upload fanfiction or literally anything ever? go to ao3. need to write something down? a pencil and a notebook. think someone is being stupid online? write something on a forum, publish a blog, open a google doc.

people have to go to school for scriptwriting if they even want a chance of being picked up by someone. for real writing, if you have a decent control of whatever language you speak and are maybe really lucky, you can get anywhere.