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Creative writing

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Original poster

Please come and talk to me. Just for some general writing chat and support...

858 replies

BiglyBadgers · 30/12/2017 13:47

I am about a third of the way through editing my stupidly long book (this'll teach me for writing epic fantasy) and need some chat!

I really loved the chat and support on the nano thread, but now novel writing month is long gone and I am alone! There must be other people out there bumbling along needing a friend to chat to...surely....I can provide coffee, cake and excellent free WiFi Smile Brew Cake

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Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 17/05/2018 17:26

In fact in a lot of ways I think it's harder to work with more restrictions and deal with the high expectations of readers who are already invested in the characters and world.

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Honeybooboo123 · 18/05/2018 18:25

You have readers rating how well you write 'canon' so keeping it true to the universe. And how accurately you portray the characters. That makes it tricky, but a good challenge! Means research and lots of triple guessing about how people would respond in a romantic relationship, say, compared to just blowing stuff up. For example.

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 21/05/2018 21:43

How's everyone doing?

I've reached that stage about 25k words into my first draft where none of it makes sense, the sitting is abysmal and I have no idea how it is all going to tie together, but have got so far there is no stopping now. Confused

I've been listening to a lot of Terry Practchett audio books at the moment, which is filling my fantasy cravings while being different enough from what I am writing that it's not interfering too much. I'm enjoying realising how much he beaks all the rules everyone goes on about so much: he swaps pov around at the drop of a hat, info dumps like a dumper truck, goes off on wild tangents, and mixes up his references between worlds (so regularly refers to stuff they wouldn't exist on the disc). Most of this is stuff I got picked up for in scrib critiques or am always reading are terrible terrible offences to writing. Clearly I didn't manage to do it with his style and wit, but all the same, it's heartening to remember how much of the 'rules' are indeed more like guidelines. Grin

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Honeybooboo123 · 21/05/2018 22:49

Nice work!

I devoured On Writing over the weekend and have spent this evening deleting adverbs. Such fun!

Brilliant book. So so so brilliant. Also deleted my stories prologue.

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 22/05/2018 17:58

That's another rule I have realised a lot of my favourite writers either ignore or never got told. Practchett seems to love a good adverb. I try and be sparing with them, but since really looking at how the people I admire write, I don't worry about it as much as I was. But then, rather controversially perhaps, I don't really like Stephen King's writing, which just goes to show... something or other... probably about the subjective nature of definitions of what constitutes good writing.

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Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 24/05/2018 13:45

Has anyone else had that experience of finding yourself writing a completely unplanned plot twist and then just wandering around for the rest of the day muttering 'wow! I did not see that coming!'

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Honeybooboo123 · 24/05/2018 14:31

Plot? What is plot? I thought I had it down, I thought I knew what I was going to write for my big murder scenes AND I HAVE NOTHING.

I also decided to have one character trying to do over the one she was supposed to be supporting AND I HAVE NOTHING

Anyway, back to the adverbs, I think for me cutting them meant I had to think about actually writing what the character is doing rather than using an adverb to summarise. I also got rid of lots of shouted, and muttered, and whispered, and instead added in detail. Seems to have helped.

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 24/05/2018 18:20

Deep breaths and calm thoughts Honeyboo Grin

Oh yes, I also avoid the use of shouted, muttered, whispered, etc. I find them really distracting if used too much and also if you then do use them because it is really important to the plot for someone to shout or whisper it makes it much more powerful if you haven't used it loads before. At least, that's what I think.

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TippetyTapWriter · 24/05/2018 19:33

I don't mind adverbs so long as they're physically possible. E.g. not 'That's your opinion,' he winked or some other action that has nothing to do with the act of speaking. And so long as they're not too odd/distracting. I'd rather a suitable adverb than a strained paragraph trying to describe the exact tone of voice in which someone said something. I tend to avoid speech attributions though unless necessary. I'll use them at the start of a conversation, then possibly part way through (normally with an action beat to break up long dialogue and resituate the reader), or if there are more than 2 people talking and it's not immediately obvious from context who said what. Better to say 'she said' than confuse the reader. But I agree with bigly that it's subjective. I don't mind Hemingway etc but I don't want to write like that. There are so many beautiful words that it'd be a shame not to be able to use them. And certain genres lend themselves to being a bit more verbose and purple, especially fantasy and romance which are so visually and emotionally rich and where the reader can't always be expected to know what something looks or feels like from their own experience. The Stephen King book is good though. I try to remember 'words have weight' because I tend to say everything twice. Self-editing for fiction writers is also useful.

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 26/05/2018 08:52

One of the things I quite like about having probably far too many pov is that it allows me to write in slightly different styles for different voices. So I have a really stripped back style for a character that is a bit of a sparten type and then can be more extravagant for a character is who is a bit more showy and snarky. Keeps me from getting bored. Grin

I'm currently introducing an 8 year old girl of the precocious and somewhat magical sort (been reading dd the Tiffiny Aching books, which probably contributes to this character). Really enjoying writing a voice that wanders about a bit as kid's thoughts do. Though I am having issues with the actual plot. Written 1500 words of her first chapter and can see me chucking it all and starting again. Oh well.

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Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 29/05/2018 21:38

Well, I didn't end up chucking it and instead ended up with about 8k words that nicely start to set up a lovely huge battle scene for ending part 2 on. Finally I have something to aim for! Hurrah!

How are things going for everyone. Have you sorted your plot panic yet Honey?

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Honeybooboo123 · 30/05/2018 12:44

I'm avoiding it. Have written one chapter, almost finished next and what was going to be a small shopping trip is now a dramatic near rape, attack, murder and scary escape. Hurrah!

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 30/05/2018 17:48

Now that is exactly why I hate shopping so much. Wink

I think avoidance I often the best tactic. I figure it'll sort itself out sooner or later.

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cantwritetosavemylife · 30/05/2018 17:57

Can I join in?

Am writing a new book (children's book) and am just finding it so hard. All the self doubt!

Honeybooboo123 · 30/05/2018 18:32

Hello newbie! Welcome to the pit of self doubt and despair...but we soldier through ;)

I had a gun hanging on my mantle piece I'm using as a stalling technique but actually it's driving my sub plot through I realised

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 30/05/2018 18:56

Yay! New person. Do come in and join us. Grin

What age of children are you writing for?

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cantwritetosavemylife · 30/05/2018 20:59

Hi Honey and Bigly!

I write middle grade - 9-12 roughly.

Witchend · 30/05/2018 22:54

Hi Cantwrite. I write middle grade too. It's fin to write but I'm finding editing a huge strain!

cantwritetosavemylife · 31/05/2018 08:54

Witchend I love editing, it's getting the first draft down that I hate. Urgh!

caringiscreepy · 31/05/2018 10:15

Hey everyone, I'm new too.

I've "finished" a middle grade novel and am about to send to a freelance editor before I start submissions.

Yes to the self doubt. I swing between "this isn't bad" and " I want to watch it BURN" on a regular basis Grin

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 31/05/2018 10:17

Gosh, another new person. How exciting.

I don't know how you all write for these young folks. It seems such a balance between keeping it interesting yet age appropriate. Mine is definitely for adults.

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caringiscreepy · 31/05/2018 10:23

Ha! Well for me it was entirely unintentional. I thought I was going to write for adults but as it turns out, my voice is that of a twelve year old girl...

What genre do you write? I'll have to run through the thread and see what everyone's up to.

Honeybooboo123 · 31/05/2018 15:55

My current thing is definitely for adults too... And planning for next project to be adult as well but probably not as descriptive as current thing... I will stop talking now.

Original poster
BiglyBadgers · 31/05/2018 18:13

I am writing epic fantasy for adults. Not that it's at all explicit, but a large proportion of the characters are in their 30s or 40s, so not really aimed at YA audience. I have just added in an 8 yr old girl though which is pretty fun.

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IHateYourCarpet · 31/05/2018 20:08

Been lurking for ages, but I think I need to jump on!

I've written three novels since November Grin I was adamant I'd have a decent, edited version of at least one before I go back to work in September. Realised it's now June, and I've hit a bit of a dead end. Could really do with a kick up the backside.