|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 13, 2016 0:23:45 GMT
Yeah, it is fun. This is one of my first experiences with actual rewriting- usually I'm just editing- and I am definitely enjoying it. Though it's tough in some ways too, since I have to figure out how my changes will affect the rest of the plot and how much I'll be able to keep and how much I'll have to change as well.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Jun 13, 2016 1:33:59 GMT
Yeah. I find it's helpful to rewrite with focus on one thread of story at a time. Instead of rewriting scene by scene which I save for the final pass through.
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Jun 13, 2016 11:30:23 GMT
Mm, I'm not sure I could really do that in this case, though . . . the threads I'm rewriting are pretty closely intertwined. Also, I like being able to switch between threads when I get bored of working on one.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Jun 13, 2016 12:35:47 GMT
That makes sense.
|
|
|
Post by Elethia Arvell on Jun 13, 2016 13:43:54 GMT
That's what I like doing too. When I limit myself to just one thread of a story, it gets stale pretty quickly.
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Jul 13, 2016 2:11:05 GMT
To the few and the brave who might dare to read my ramblings, I present you my latest blog post (available at scrollsofvenarilnightblade.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/isolating-more-insidious-insipids/ ) which is geared specifically towards writing. Comments and arguments welcome! Those of you who have followed my bloggings have probably noted that I have a particular bone to pick with clichés. Banalities. Vapidities. There is a delightfully ample supply of very harsh sounding words to apply to the disgusting little things. Unfortunately, there is also a horridly ample supply of the beasties themselves-- everywhere. Movies, games, every crevice and armpit of popular culture...and writing. Perhaps worst of all, writing. Writing is a sacred art! One of the highest callings of creativity! The most glorious exemplifications of expression! I know most of you, my customary audience, to be writers yourselves. Surely you agree that to sully the practice with such abominably commonplace concepts is...well, abominable. Now, admittedly, there are some such things that really can't be fully dispensed of. Characters should still feel free to go on adventures. Heroes can still duel villains, and lost things must still be quested after. Sometimes, there can even still be love at first sight. But not always. That's on of the first clichés I'd like to challenge. Haven't you ever found it dreadfully predictable how the protagonist falls in love with one character or the other? And upon the occasion that there is more than one "viable" option, one of two options prevail...either a "surprise" is grossly telegraphed like a haymaker punch, or no resolution is reached at all! I trust we are all bitterly familiar with both outcomes. I also offer you this: the situation in which the hero is presented with a difficult choice. Perhaps, adding cliché to cliché, he must choose between the lives of his romance and some poor nameless innocents. There is nothing wrong with the dilemma itself, tired though it may be. But the problem lies in that the author never seems to possess the guts to resolve it! Instead, by the sheer strength of his godlike authorship, causes the hero to somehow save everyone, and effectively defeats the dilemma. Thus, a plot device with great potential immediately becomes an utterly pointless bluff of drama. This offers an easy transition into another stale conformity. Like a ruthless empire, immortal heroes rampage across the realm of fiction clad in their invincible Protagonist armor. It matters not if the antagonists have an army four hundred and eighty six million strong...there is scarcely one author in that number that has the gall to actually kill one of the main characters. After all, what are they supposed to be...human!? The list of Protagonist tropes rolls on like a disembodied hubcap rolls down the highway. Why must they always be so strong? So smart? Why do their plans seem to succeed so often, and why do people always rally to their noble cause? Why is it that their gut instinct is always so darned right? Could it be, dear reader, that in our efforts to make a heroic figure to strive for, we have removed any semblance of relatability to our own fallible selves? In conclusion, dear reader, I do not intend to rant on about every last cliché that has ever heckled my reading excursions. What I seek is to make you think about the temptingly trite plot devices and conventions that will undoubtedly come to mind many times in your own writing. Don't be content with names you found on a baby website. Don't be satisfied with despicable villains and disposable foes. Challenge yourself. Make a villain that truly breaks your heart with moral dilemma. Be willing to let go of one of your best characters instead of saving them with yet another deus ex machina. Dare I even ask of you...think twice before always making good overcome evil. Think good and hard...does your story even have an ultimate Good capable of overcoming the evil within every one of us?
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Jul 16, 2016 18:12:45 GMT
Would anyone like to do a writing prompt challenge with me? Short, long, medium, whatever. Just to get some excercise in
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Jul 26, 2016 13:09:03 GMT
So looking back on my writing from when I was like 16 and 17, I was a bit appalled by how angsty it was...like super depressing dystopian xP anyone else get me?
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Jul 26, 2016 13:45:08 GMT
Mine was like that at thirteen and fourteen.
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Jul 26, 2016 15:09:35 GMT
Dang haha. At that age I was writing stereotypical war stories and cheesy sci-fi x)
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Jul 26, 2016 19:05:05 GMT
My first story was about genetically engineered people who were used in law enforcement as throw away soldiers. My second was about Jaraid which is pretty messed up and depressing in so many ways, even after I've lightened it up. Lol.
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 2, 2016 23:34:16 GMT
That moment when you kill a character you never meant to . . .
|
|
|
Post by Lylyss on Aug 2, 2016 23:48:51 GMT
Lol. Did your pen just take control and stab him/her through the heart? :P
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 3, 2016 1:27:15 GMT
Basically ... only it wasn't a violent death. I don't even know why I did it, except that it felt sickly right ... Grr.
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 3, 2016 4:54:40 GMT
That dreaded gut feeling that I need to kill this character. *headdesk* I've felt it too.
|
|
|
Post by Lylyss on Aug 3, 2016 5:14:22 GMT
Warrior: Lol. It's like jazz. Murderous, literary jazz. ;) Seriously, though, if it felt right then you should definitely consider killing that guy.
Dmitri: :P Heheh. Yeah. Usually it's the mentor that needs to die.
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 3, 2016 13:55:53 GMT
Exactly. To what both of you said. But this character wasn't even the mentor. Why did he have to die? Whyyyyyy??? (Yes, I am grieving. )
|
|
|
Post by Lylyss on Aug 3, 2016 19:17:10 GMT
Lol. Next time we play Truth or Dare, I'm gonna make you write a eulogy for this guy. xD Was he a favorite character?
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 3, 2016 21:35:16 GMT
XD He was one of the main trio that is going on the journey. He was probably the most developed of them all, sad to say.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 4, 2016 14:16:41 GMT
I used to kill off characters a lot. But I don't really do so anymore. Idk why. But yeah, most of the time if a character is going to die they're already dead when I start the story.
So... Who's planning on entering the #WeWriteBooks competition on GoTeenWriters? I am, but I'm kind of in panic mode because once again I'm hitting the problem where 2/3 of what I've written has to be trashed and I'm back to trying to get to 10k. >.<
But I'm trying writing my synopsis as I finish writing the rest of my 10k and maybe that will help? Idk. I'm worried about that too. The one comfort I have is my first chapter finished and edited once. It still needs work of course, but I have 20 words wiggle room and most of my editing will be fine tuning and not major cuts, or so I'm praying...
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 6, 2016 17:17:53 GMT
Ooooookay.
Well, what do you guys think of building a platform? Yes/no? Some platforms better than others?
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 6, 2016 20:59:55 GMT
A lot of publishers only want to publish someone who already has an audience. For self-publishing it is a must. Beneficial in all ways, sometimes necessary.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 7, 2016 0:18:51 GMT
Well yeah. So what platforms do you think are best? I've got a large-ish number of followers on Pinterest, but there's very little interaction. It seems like a good first step, but now I'm wondering about a second step.
|
|
|
Post by Warrior of Aror on Aug 7, 2016 1:38:17 GMT
Email lists are the absolute best. It's generally a good idea to use social media platforms like Twitter, FaceBook, Pinterest, and YouTube, among others, for the sole purpose of getting people onto your email lists. Emails are so much more personal, your subscribers will be way more likely to actually see it, and there is a much higher click-through rate than on anything else.
Getting your base to interact with you more is going to be time intensive. But as much personal interaction as possible the better. Sending them a semi-personalized note thanking them for following you is a great way to do it. If someone sends you a message always reply back as soon as possible. If someone is liking your stuff, or heart-ing it (I guess that's what you do on Pinterest and Twitter?) then, so long as you can tell that they aren't just spammers and are actually interested in your stuff, then go to their profile and like some of their stuff too. As much as twenty seconds like that can make someone feel more invested in you as an author or illustrator or whatever.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 7, 2016 2:44:57 GMT
I'm not so into the idea of email lists at the moment... I'm honestly not sure about building a platform at all. I've never been interested in publishing until like a couple weeks ago and even now it's more of a thought than something I really want.
Dunno. The idea of writing or drawing being a career is really distasteful to me. Seems like it would take all the joy out of it. Plus, my writing/most of my art isn't really something I want people I know irl to find out about. And that's the biggest issue with building a platform would be making it personal without having people I know find out. :/
There are a couple who regularly pin my things, so maybe I'll try interacting with them.
|
|
|
Post by Starsinger on Aug 7, 2016 2:50:48 GMT
Eh, I don't like the idea of people I know reading my writing either... but they are the biggest and best platform to start out on. Fortunately I have plenty of time to work on anything like that considering I haven't got much at all written.
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 7, 2016 3:10:45 GMT
I know they won't approve. And I know I would be getting 'I'm disappointed in you' talks from both my friends and some of my family. So I just really don't want them to know, but I also don't want to not write so I've got a dilemma because writing it and letting it sit or deleting it seems like a waste of time.
Heh. I don't have much either yet, but this idea is feeling like the fabled "the one". Which is odd because usually by now I've fizzled out on an idea. But it's got me thinking that if I start on a platform now then I'll have one if I ever want to do anything. But if I get a platform and I never do anything I'll feel like a jerk and that I've wasted everyone's time.
|
|
|
Post by Starsinger on Aug 7, 2016 3:21:15 GMT
Mm, I'm a bit worried about mine... but my cousin got her pst her super strict family, so maybe I'll be able to also, one day I just can't be bothered with the effort of it quite yet, I'm pretty sure it'll be a good while before I publish anything.
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Aug 7, 2016 3:27:09 GMT
Why are you worried about people you know reading your stuff/art? Is the content bad, or are the people bad?
|
|
|
Post by jliessa44 on Aug 7, 2016 3:28:56 GMT
Heh. My family I might get it past, but my friends.... I already toe the line. If they found out I was writing books that aren't necessarily Christian, have couples, have kissing, and aren't really the ultra conservative Duggar kinda stuff and I have real bad guys who do horrible things and aren't stupid and completely evil or that the good guys are flawed in major ways that no good Christian would be flawed in I'm not sure I'd have friends. Especially if they learned I create my own religions for my books and don't necessarily set them up as pagan evil to be destroyed by a Christian religion stand in. And I have drinking and smoking and gangsters and con men and they're usually my main characters or things my mcs do.
I love my friends to pieces, and they're wonderful wonderful people. But they have strict parameters for what they're allowed to read.
|
|