|
|
Post by Xylona on Oct 7, 2005 22:08:22 GMT
So; I've decided to begin a novel-y thing.
I'm currently in the middle of writing a script which sorta isn't going anywhere at the moment, but that's cos I've ran out of ideas. This novel I'm starting is more than semi-autobiographical, so ideas won't really run dry (I hope)
Basically, I've always wanted to be a writer, English was always my best subject. I just wondered if anyone has any tips when writing that might come in useful. I apologise now if this post makes sod all sense, or is useless, I just wondered.
Yeah.
*crawls back to the hole she came from*
|
|
|
|
Post by inkling on Oct 7, 2005 23:38:11 GMT
ooo! I'm doing that too! Um, 'show don't tell' is always a good one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elf on Oct 10, 2005 16:50:08 GMT
Are you doing it as part of Nanowrimo, or just off your own bat?
I've done Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month, for those who don't know what the feck I'm on about) twice now...once with glorious success, the next time abysmal failure...
My dream is to be a published author...I'm a pretty long way off right now, but y'know, I'm not gonna be a blacksmith all my life - I need to find my fame and fortune somehow! And when there's a story inside you, and it just has to come out, there's no stopping it.
As for tips on writing...hmmm. My dad always told me 'one third action, one third dialogue, one third description'. I find that a very hard thing to stick to, but it does help to keep it in the back of my mind.
And the old 'write what you know'..bollocks, sez I. I tend to write about gay spacemen or crazy leisure centres...
Good luck
xxxx
|
|
|
|
Post by Xylona on Oct 10, 2005 20:12:59 GMT
Oh God I forgeot it's almost that time of year again! I tried Nanowrimo last year, but I totally failed.
This isn't for that this year, it's just something I feel ready to do at the moment.
|
|
astrokini
Colin
Oh, for a really world class psychiatrist.
Posts: 59
|
Post by astrokini on Oct 10, 2005 21:25:41 GMT
Ah, I wish I could give advice, considering I'm in the same situation meself! ;D I'm writing what I do know (to the point where one character currently lives in constant danger of becoming a Mary Sue) and what I haven't a clue about (cue lots of space and theology and big mutterings about everything). The only advice I can give, is that if you start having *lots* of ideas to the point where you end up splitting your original story, finish the first part before getting bogged down in the suddenly more interesting second part. At least, do that if you're as bad at finishing things like me  It's not about magicians, is it? There seems to be a lot of books in our house about magic all of sudden. You'd think someone had written a popular magical-based book or something |
|
|
|
Post by Xylona on Oct 10, 2005 22:04:04 GMT
LOL no, it's not about magicians, it's not a fantasy story at all, it's actually rather realistic. Thanks for the advice  |
|
|
|
Post by Elf on Oct 11, 2005 17:48:55 GMT
I think I might try Nano again. I'lll sign up anyhow. But it'll be longhand this year, as I'm away for most of November...no computer for 3 weeks as I catch a train across the whole of Canada >_> (yes, I know I should be focussed on how fab my hols will be, not how much I'll miss my internet!!)  I think research is really important with writing. I'm very bad at it, but I really notice when people get stuff wrong.  And good beta readers who'll give you truthful assesments are a godsend...cos I'm always sure I'm writing boring self-indulgent bollocks until someone else reads it and likes it. xx |
|
|
|
Post by inkling on Oct 12, 2005 2:33:46 GMT
I really hope I manage to finish a novel soon...
I'm doing Nanowrimo this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kanna on Oct 14, 2005 21:45:39 GMT
I'll probably attempt NaNoWriMo again this year, but I always start well and then fail horribly. Still, I really do want to complete a Golden Age sapphic boarding school story. Doesn't take much pushing... the last school story I read was about a girl who heard that another girl she liked thought she was plain and boring and dropped into despair, but came up with a fabulous costume for the school ball, all the other girls fought to dance with her and it ended with her holding hands in the dark with the girl who thought she was quite pretty and fascinating now...
|
|
|
|
Post by Elf on Oct 18, 2005 15:43:41 GMT
I'll be with you and fail horribly too. We can fail horribly together. In fact, if we plan to fail horribly, then in some ways, we shall succeed in doing what we planned to do... I could continue, but it would just get deeper into the Realms of Mr B trying to explain something.  Elf xx |
|
|
|
Post by inkling on Oct 18, 2005 22:12:39 GMT
well, i'm doing it, but last year i only got 3,000 words. lol. So, i have to improve this year, right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Elf on Oct 19, 2005 18:09:28 GMT
Last year my word count was so pitiful I erased it from my mind.
The time I did it I only went over the limit by 15 words, after having stayed up 72 hours straight to squeeze out the last 25,000 words. Luckily my boyfriend was on hand to keep my blood circulating and shove chocolate through my lips as I muttered insanely about plots and murders and stuff...
And so far this year I don't even have a plot. Ye gads.
xx
|
|
JediLeah
Customer
Wilko, Mr. Brittas!
Posts: 8
|
Post by JediLeah on Oct 29, 2005 16:27:51 GMT
I've decided to do this NaNoWriMo thing, too. ^_^ I've never done it before and I hardly have enough free time as it is so it ought to be interesting!!
|
|
|
|
Post by inkling on Oct 31, 2005 5:36:36 GMT
yay!  That's great! |
|
That's great!