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Post by Lylyss on Jun 2, 2018 21:47:18 GMT
Good answers, you guys. xD By the way, I don't think I've introduced myself yet--I'm Lylyss, but you can call me Ly if you like. ;) It's good to see some new faces on the forum!
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Post by Lylyss on Jun 2, 2018 22:43:34 GMT
Answers to my own tag. ;)
1. What's the central conflict of your story? Understanding yourself in relation to other people. A lot of the problems in the story arise when people fail to understand each others' motivations--they're too caught up inside of their own personal struggles.
2. To what extent are the characters reflections of yourself? By and large, Kleio is me. Teenage me, anyway. :P I didn't mean for that to happen, but I guess my narcissistic tendencies were bound to come out somewhere. The other characters are based on observations and experiences with other people.
3. Describe your writing voice. How do you want your novel to sound? (e.g. old-fashioned, edgy, psychodelic.) I wish I could sound like Donna Tartt. xD Honestly, her writing is so lyrical and visceral and almost spiritual. I'd like to combine that with a more classical sensibility--Kleio's first-person narration is fairly whimsical at times.
4. Are there any parts of the story that you're uncomfortable or nervous about writing? Yeah. The antagonist might be a little too much for me to handle.
5. Who is your intended audience and how do you want them to feel when they close the book? My intended audience is probably emerging adults, so people aged 18-25. I think a mature high school student would probably enjoy it as well though. The story is kinda dark, but I want the reader to walk away feeling peaceful, as though they've looked in the mirror and confronted some hard truth.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Jun 4, 2018 11:03:56 GMT
Ooh, this looks cool. Going to do this when I have time.
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Post by TheLostLordofAllyra on Jun 4, 2018 16:54:07 GMT
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 4, 2018 19:47:17 GMT
1. What's the central conflict of your story?
Ivy, Aster, Poppy, and their sisters' desire to escape versus the tangled plans of the Unmen.
2. To what extent are the characters reflections of yourself?
It varies from character to character. I'd say they all have a little bit of me in them. But in general, I'd say that these characters are less like me than those in some other novels I've written.
3. Describe your writing voice. How do you want your novel to sound? (e.g. old-fashioned, edgy, psychodelic.)
Voice. Ugh. Um. Kind of modern, but not super modern. I'm bad at voice, honestly.
4. Are there any parts of the story that you're uncomfortable or nervous about writing?
I'm a little worried about the fact that several of my MCs are POCs and that part of the conflict hinges on other MCs not listening to them as much as they should. I don't want to accidentally offend people, but I also want to have a diverse novel with worldbuilding that makes sense.
5. Who is your intended audience and how do you want them to feel when they close the book? My intended audience is teens and young adults, especially Christians, and when they close the book, I want them to feel satisfied in a way that makes them flop back on whatever they're sitting on, hold the book to their chest, sigh happily . . . and then go check to see when the next book comes out because they've fallen in love with the characters, world, and plotlines.
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Post by jliessa44 on Jun 4, 2018 20:20:37 GMT
Ultimate Novel Writing Tag1. What's the central conflict of your story? 2. To what extent are the characters reflections of yourself? 3. Describe your writing voice. How do you want your novel to sound? (e.g. old-fashioned, edgy, psychodelic.) 4. Are there any parts of the story that you're uncomfortable or nervous about writing? 5. Who is your intended audience and how do you want them to feel when they close the book? I tag everyone who reads this and wishes to do it! 1. The main character gets blackmailed into stealing a baby who happens to be a prince and now he's stuck leading a revolt against the regent. Also, his cousin is insufferable. How the man managed to survive being murdered to end up a member of the King's Guard, he has no idea. 2. The main character is definitely me, but a guy. I'm not even gonna pretend otherwise. I mean, there are differences but he definitely shares my reasoning. The second main character is significantly different from me, but we share the same urge to protect our family. 3. Eh. Despite being medieval/Victorian esque fantasy, my writing tone is definitely pretty modern. The main character shares my sarcasm and he's rather cynical. Sarcastic and cynical, but highly amused would describe it rather well. 4. Yeah. The freaking plot. I hate plots. Why can't people just be interested in characters doing dumb things because drama? Why does there have to be a narrative? 5. Ummm. Probably late teens/early twenties. I'd rather like them to laugh. Maybe adore my main character.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 4, 2018 21:13:58 GMT
jliessa44: Ooooh, is this your Knight and Rogue-esque story? I remember hearing about this, and now I want to read it more than ever. Also, in response to "Why can't people just be interested in characters doing dumb things because drama?", for me, it's because characters doing dumb things for the sake of drama usually leads to extremely high secondhand embarrassment. Or excessive facepalming. One of those two.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Jun 5, 2018 11:06:39 GMT
All right, so since "when I have time" clearly means "11 at night"… 1. What's the central conflict of your story?Wilderness against civilisation, authenticity against repression, freedom against control. My main character Berusin, born unwillingly into the royal family, feels constrained by his father’s dream of breaking the advisory council’s control of the kingship. Throughout the story he wrestles with his dilemma of whether to hold fast to himself or to give up his freedom for his father’s dream. 2. To what extent are the characters reflections of yourself?Berusin has some strong similarities and some equally strong dissimilarities to me. We’re both instinctual people. We both go with our gut—not out of logic or emotion, but from what we somehow just know. At the same time, my natural inclination is to avoid—to settle the conflict around me for my own peace of mind. Berusin becomes moody without conflict to inflame. Each of the supporting characters carries something of me in them. Shuric: acceptance, resignation. Leorusi: idealism, and so on. 3. Describe your writing voice. How do you want your novel to sound?Crisp and clear like the cold morning mist. Like the shock of cold water on your face after a long hot day. Vivid and immediate. 4. Are there any parts of the story that you're uncomfortable or nervous about writing?Berusin does some pretty violent things that are difficult to justify. These are either significant turning points in his thematic journey or devices to show his often damaging method of getting results. I’m a bit uncomfortable with the idea of writing these scenes because I know what it’s like to be rudely shocked by the extent of violence in a story. But I’ve also read books where violence is very present but serves mainly to amplify the themes (e.g. Red Rising, Oathbringer). Also action scenes. I don’t know how to plan an action scene. They get as much space in the outline as my description of how a character feels at a particular moment. 5. Who is your intended audience and how do you want them to feel when they close the book?New adult (18–25). I’m still debating whether it’s for the Christian or the general market. When I know more of the details around the middle of the story, I’ll have a better idea of which group it suits more. I want my readers to live Berusin’s life. I want them to keep wrestling with the moral dilemmas he faced long after they close the book. I want them to have a feeling of completion (the book could structurally serve as a standalone) but also a desire to know how the story continues. It would be great if they go around with little holes in their heart afterwards.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 5, 2018 11:31:10 GMT
"When you have time" always means 11 at night. Unless you're like me and you don't function after 11. Also, I love how you describe your writing voice/sound. And yes, battle/action scenes are thoroughly annoying.
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Post by Warrior of Aror on Jun 5, 2018 13:04:32 GMT
It is fascinating to read all you guys' answers. Makes me want to read the stories.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Jun 5, 2018 23:25:14 GMT
Leilani Sunblade: Haha, yeah, I'm a night owl, but even I don't function well after 11. The 9–10 stretch is one of my most productive times of day, but then I start falling apart. The writing voice/sound I describe is the way I want it to go; I don't know if I'll pull it off yet. We'll see! Just as soon as this last assignment is done… Warrior of Aror: I agree!
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Post by jliessa44 on Jun 6, 2018 1:29:54 GMT
jliessa44: Ooooh, is this your Knight and Rogue-esque story? I remember hearing about this, and now I want to read it more than ever. Also, in response to "Why can't people just be interested in characters doing dumb things because drama?", for me, it's because characters doing dumb things for the sake of drama usually leads to extremely high secondhand embarrassment. Or excessive facepalming. One of those two. Yeah it is. ^.^ Nicodemus and Reuben are some of my favorite characters. Especially Niko. Idk when I'll be finished with it though.... hopefully someday. Heh. Yeah. Oh golly. I get secondhand embarrassment so bad I literally have to skip some episodes of TV shows/scenes in books bc they trigger my anxiety. Lol. So clearly there's a use for plot. I just wish it was easier...
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 6, 2018 11:53:35 GMT
jliessa44 : Ooooh, is this your Knight and Rogue-esque story? I remember hearing about this, and now I want to read it more than ever. Also, in response to "Why can't people just be interested in characters doing dumb things because drama?", for me, it's because characters doing dumb things for the sake of drama usually leads to extremely high secondhand embarrassment. Or excessive facepalming. One of those two. Yeah it is. ^.^ Nicodemus and Reuben are some of my favorite characters. Especially Niko. Idk when I'll be finished with it though.... hopefully someday. Heh. Yeah. Oh golly. I get secondhand embarrassment so bad I literally have to skip some episodes of TV shows/scenes in books bc they trigger my anxiety. Lol. So clearly there's a use for plot. I just wish it was easier... Very hopefully someday. *nods* It would be sad if the characters never got any resolution to their story, and if the rest of us never got to see it.
Oh storms. Mine is bad, but it's not that bad. As far as plot goes, I guess I've never really had that much trouble with it. I think the usual method is basically "Ok, what are the characters trying to do? Great. Now, let's think of everything that could possibly get in the way of trying to do that and throw those things at them." And then you smooth it out in edits.
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Post by Warrior of Aror on Jun 12, 2018 21:28:55 GMT
“‘Unexpected but positive discoveries come from narrowly avoiding a broken arm,’ as they say.”
Does this sentence look weird with "' at the beginning? Even if it is (perhaps) grammatically correct, does it look awkward on paper?
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 13, 2018 2:10:36 GMT
I think it looks fine. If you're concerned, you could change it to "As they say, 'Unexpected but positive discoveries . . .'".
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Jun 13, 2018 2:50:16 GMT
It's like parentheses. (Every time you put another introductory mark in, you have to make sure you close the parenthesis too. (This may mean you have more than one closing parenthesis together at the end. (Like this.)))
That said, you can certainly mix up the structure of your sentence to avoid raising the question, as Leilani points out.
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Post by jliessa44 on Jun 13, 2018 4:06:21 GMT
Leilani Sunblade Heh. It would be very sad. I absolutely love these boys and their world and even a little bit of their plot. I'm just so stuck on it. Heh. Yeah. 'S not quite normal, but 's me. I dunno why plotting's so hard for me. Because like in general I understand how it works, but then I can never make it work. I always struggle to grasp a solid what they're doing and why. And if idk what it is and why they're doing it idk what would make it difficult so then I'm stuck... Warrior of Aror Personally I do it all the time. I enjoy the look.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 13, 2018 12:37:31 GMT
jliessa44: If you want someone to help you plot/brainstorm/talk through the potential storyline, I'd be willing to assist. I don't know if that would help or not, but yeah. Could the issue be with your characters, then, if you're having trouble with the why? Just a thought.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Sept 18, 2020 12:04:36 GMT
Well. That was the weirdest and longest spam post I've ever seen. I am almost — almost tempted to leave it, or preserve it somehow. But, nay, spam breeds more spam, and spam we cannot have. Begone, astonishingly lengthy and effort-intensive spam!
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Post by Ellron Silvertree on Sept 19, 2020 21:14:12 GMT
Thank you, fearless leader.
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Post by Aviar Goldeneagle on Sept 26, 2020 23:44:27 GMT
Man people are still here! I just remembered about the Underground today and thought I'd check if it still existed. Crazy!
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Sept 27, 2020 12:25:24 GMT
Yep! We still wander back in every so often.
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Glade
Elf
Minstrel
Posts: 48
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Post by Glade on Sept 27, 2020 16:24:53 GMT
Wow! What are the odds that I did the same thing? Started feeling particularly Elfish today for some reason!! I miss you guys so much!!!!🤣
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Post by Starsinger on Sept 29, 2020 8:30:08 GMT
I still have it as a bookmark for old times' sake and haunt the halls every now and then.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Oct 1, 2020 1:15:59 GMT
Glade: I miss you too! I was actually thinking about you and your stories a few days ago. I pop in every few days to check for activity (and spammers), so I'm actually around somewhat regularly still.
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Glade
Elf
Minstrel
Posts: 48
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Post by Glade on Oct 1, 2020 5:48:29 GMT
Starsinger: Wow! Hi!! How are you doing? So good to see you!!
Leilani: I’m so glad to see you too!! Aww, really? Thank you! I actually have been thinking of rebooting the Amory series and was wondering if you would be interested in proofreading/idea generating!! How has your writing been? Benji the Brave is still one of my favorites!!
Also, sorry for dropping off the face of Allyra. I knew it had been a while, but it didn’t occur to me that so many years had passed. But I kept remembering lately how much I love the Underground and the elves in it and I had to jump back in!
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Glade
Elf
Minstrel
Posts: 48
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Post by Glade on Oct 1, 2020 5:49:08 GMT
Starsinger: Wow! Hi!! How are you doing? So good to see you!!
Leilani: I’m so glad to see you too!! Aww, really? Thank you! I actually have been thinking of rebooting the Amory series and was wondering if you would be interested in proofreading/idea generating!! How has your writing been? Benji the Brave is still one of my favorites!!
Also, sorry for dropping off the face of Allyra. I knew it had been a while, but it didn’t occur to me that so many years had passed. But I kept remembering lately how much I love the Underground and the elves in it and I had to jump back in!
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 1, 2020 8:54:32 GMT
Glade: Glade! Welcome back! How is your life at the moment? Like Leilani I was thinking about your stories in the past month or so—I would really really love to reread your Amory series at some point!
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Glade
Elf
Minstrel
Posts: 48
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Post by Glade on Oct 1, 2020 16:33:03 GMT
Dmitri: Hello, my friend!! So good to meet you again in this place! Things are going really well!! I have a busy job at a grocery/everything store and I enjoy it, have two sweet yet mischievous birds, found a great church, and I actually got married last year! In a couple weeks is our first anniversary!! Only thing is that I have found it harder to write for the last few years. Motivation had left me, but I think I’m rediscovering my love for writing again! That’s probably why I was once again drawn here! How are you doing? I hope you and your loved ones have been well!!
Aw, thank you!! Same here, I’ve missed everyone’s creative and passionate stories! I’ve written a prologue and first chapter for a slightly more “grown up” version of Chronicles of a Thief, but I haven’t gotten any farther aside from plot outlining. I need to sort of force myself to sit down and focus, I think. How about you? How has your writing been?
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Oct 1, 2020 21:56:11 GMT
Glade: If you revamp the Amory series, I will be ecstatic. Not even exaggerating. And yes, I would absolutely be down for proofreading, idea-generating, and what-have-you. Also, CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING MARRIED! That is so awesome and also so crazy to think about. My own writing is going well. I've actually published some books, all of them fairy tale retellings. And I just wrote the climax of a book I've been working on for two years, and it ended up even better than what I originally planned, so I'm happy about that.
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