Comments: 50
meanus [2019-10-16 00:03:48 +0000 UTC]
I have given up writing...it sux
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meanus In reply to KaizenKitty [2019-10-18 22:05:56 +0000 UTC]
i will be dead by then
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O-blue [2018-01-31 18:38:03 +0000 UTC]
Hi, I'm a writer/artist who stumbled upon your post, and I agree. Another thing that helps is language. A great, character-driven story can be written badly. It can take so many drafts to get it right. Whenever I feel exhausted, I just take a break and do other things unrelated to writing.
If you want a non-boring read, I have a couple of recommendations that I adored:
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg (romance/urban fantasy)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie (general fiction)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (romance/Christian)
Regards,
a stranger from the Internets
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Nocturnaliss [2018-01-29 12:59:36 +0000 UTC]
I write, generally, without an outline - meaning I let my characters roam free. Only my NaNoWriMo novel had an outline, and even then... The characters took different paths, changed my ideas, and I ended up traipsing along. The characters changed a whole lot from conception to actual story, and still changed more along the way. I think writers may sometimes get too focussed on telling the story as they intend(ed) it, forcing characters into following the plotline. But the story gets better when you digress. Chances are that, when your characters surprise you, they'll be surprising your readers too. I do notice that when I try and follow my plotline a bit too much, I start getting bored - and that ends once I take a step back again, and hand the reins back over to the characters.
We may be the gods of our own little worlds, but our creations do have free will as well. That's how they flourish and make our created worlds a whole lot more interesting. Wouldn't our world be boring if we all acted as we are supposed to?
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AnimaDynamicaCorp [2018-01-28 01:01:34 +0000 UTC]
Now this is reality, no kidding...
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Meterious [2018-01-22 15:20:56 +0000 UTC]
Perhaps take a break from the story, then come back to it with fresh eyes. I left my first novel alone for a whole year before I came back to it, and god damn did I find a ton of things that needed fixing.
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SunnyJohansen [2018-01-21 17:51:25 +0000 UTC]
Are you sure it's boring? Maybe it's just boring to YOU and wouldn't be boring to the reader?
I can see that happening the more times you read through it.
Thank-you for this post. It contained not only your concerns, but the many reasons for it, thereby educating us.
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GrimAlpaca [2018-01-21 01:19:16 +0000 UTC]
Why, a rant. Finally, you show what you truly think.
But, hey. Boring stories? People trained to hide their feelings lest being used by others? Puppet characters? The real question, here, is "why are authors unable to make their characters come alive?" As you may suspect, the two points are linked. How? Why? What to do? These questions are yours to answer.
Ciao!
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GrimAlpaca In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-21 16:29:28 +0000 UTC]
Can't say I disagree, no. The reasons you outlined are part of why I don't write anymore, and why I chose to be a critic instead.
However, I believe you should mention that, oftentimes, artists are the worst critics for their own works. Either one should gather beta readers, or they should allow some time to pass, before rereading their piece. It's impossible to be fair in judging your own work, if you finished writing it just yesterday.
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GrimAlpaca In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-21 20:18:47 +0000 UTC]
Overall, an interesting journal entry. See ya.
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LadySeshiiria [2018-01-20 00:55:22 +0000 UTC]
Damn I forgot one thing, I don't know that I want my ship to happen in story. The opposite of a HAE ending but I read online that it doesn't sell. That it pisses people off whats your thoughts on this? A cost so high, that it costs a relationship?
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LadySeshiiria In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-23 04:34:22 +0000 UTC]
I like your list and I heavily agree. I think part of my problem with having 7 different endings picked out and having a hard time deciding, is that is has something to do with me wanting the couple to end up together but deep down inside I want it to be realistic. So I have ending where the character ends up alone because of their job. Main ends up with main male (Her desired mate ultimate for her), main ends up with his twin her betrothal (Whom she settles for but also feels awkward around seeing him mostly as a brother.), Her master (Trainer and spiritual leader), Main character moves to another world and ends up with another man outside of the equation, harem ending (religious sect weirdness: remember the spiritual leader/trainer?) and finally a fractured persona united into one being so each of those males the three, not the off world one, reunite in one being since gods cursed him and then he redeemed himself. So what I would call the ultimate happy ending for him but not completely satisfying for her since she likes the one aspect more.
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LadySeshiiria [2018-01-20 00:53:18 +0000 UTC]
While I haven't hit this stage yet, I must make a suggestion and see if it will help. Have you thought to analyze those boring stories and point out exactly why they are boring/ don't work. You said the emotions of the characters going through stuff was robotic. Why was that? Did the author fail to use emotion in dialogue or narrative? What stuck out? I would look at it in a deeper way, and note it as what not to do. Maybe share it in a journal so it can be a reminder? Kind of like doing a review on someone else's writing. It helps me a lot to do this. I usually pick up on bad grammar and poorly written stuff and make a mental note of the quality that I don't want to mimic.
Another thing you could try is exploring outside your genre. I hated reading outside my genre and I finally broke out of it last year. Started reading non-fiction books, and other genre's besides fantasy. I think its helped me see other disciplines and how to use them in my genre. Like non-fictional writing, I can apply the grammar and concise context to help me work on not dragging out my scenes which can become boring. I've learned how to better explain things, essentially. Word choice and such. While a lot of people with say show not tell, many published authors still use telling every now and then when necessary. In fact some of the greats use a mixture of both from time to time. Another thing I've learned from reading outside of my genre was how to inject ideas and other non-genre tropes into my own. Like murder mystery's and who done it's into fantasy, while I know it has been done, it hasn't been done that often. Freshens things up a bit.
You mentioned the possibility of changing tastes. I used to read a lot of fantasy growing up, while its my primary goal to write in this genre since its my favorite for movies and video games and such. I find myself bored reading within the genre too. So I think this is why I started venturing outside my own genre, mostly with non-fiction. I've been opened up to learning new skills, and even personal stories which inspire creative thought outside of the normal tropes in my own. It would seem certain genre's can become formulaic after a while, so by reading autobiographies and biographies, I've had a fresh take on drama, turmoil, and potentially new ideas to inject into my writing. Its not a bad thing, it means your ready to expand and grow, and this is going to be an awesome opportunity for you and me! It will give you new/fresh ideas for your stories!
Agreed on the misplaced and overdone tropes and trite characters. I find myself wanting to follow the 80's fantasy D and D style fantasies. I love them, while they are formulaic and what not, I still think what goes out of style will eventually swing back into style at one point or another. I've seen Robert Jordan, and Piers Anthony repeatedly swing back into the IT books. So while some authors can be bad and sometimes hack-kneed from time to time I have noticed people sometimes come back to read them out of nostalgia. Sometimes to even poke fun at the plot, kind of like how my husband and I like to watch bad/terrible horror movies to laugh are asses off at the horrible special effects or dialogue and the campy one size fits all characters. XD So aside from this, yes, I think when people have been at it for a long time and have built a household name they tend to not try and become lazy. It doesn't help that people tend to overlook the trite and poorly executed. The can do no wrong mind-set. I'm afraid I'm going to write poorly myself. And do just what we all fear, writing junk... :/ I encourage you to keep trying though. I think its common for use to feel highs and lows in writing. If it doesn't feel right, it can always be improved, and outside perspective always help. If your having trouble on a piece shoot me a note kk. I will look at it with you, and having a fresh pair can be an amazing thing! I wish I had that more myself, but I'm trying to keep mine under wraps as much as possible so I can traditionally publish. Can be hard, only have a few people who look at my work, my husband is one. I love how he is honest and is willing to cut it apart and really roast me, having been a writer for a paper and site.
Quote:
"So is your story boring, specifically?
Well, look at your plot: does your character want something badly, bad enough they're willing to kill for it, to die for it? does getting what they want make your character feel like the happiest person alive? even if what they want is something minor like finding a parking spot?"
I agree with your sentiments on this. I think part of the fun in how long you can torture the character and especially the audience. I think if you can push the readers to get antsy or/and ship characters or pray for a pay off, keeping them guessing and stuff like that it helps. I think what I like the most in drama is not having my way immediately as a viewer. I don't like instant gratification, I don't want my sex scene right now: even if I want it. I want to be teased till I can't stand it anymore. XD I think this makes for good writing to if its handled properly.
Totally agree on researching characters as well, which you have brought up a lot. I recently read a persons blog on being a home-school child and how they are tired of the misconceptions in literature about home-schooling. The norm in literature being only less than 1% of actual people in that situation. I found it to be really insightful. I always think going to the source is a good idea! So kudos on your advice there.
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KaizenKitty In reply to LadySeshiiria [2018-01-20 15:09:14 +0000 UTC]
Yup -- the dreaded fear of writing craptastic shite keeps me editing for months on end. I thought i'd be done with chapter 6 by now but here we are. Thank you so much for offering to beta! Can I send you a note with the 11,000 'clean' words? [feel free to rip it apart or really say anything about it... if you have time of course ]
Yes ^_^ maybe one day i'll write an in depth analysis of those stories (that would take quite a while though -- maybe when im done writing my current stories been working on Bodach Killa since January 2015 and I've only finished 1/3 of it ...im such a slow writer T_T )
It's both narration and dialogue (and even the plot itself sometimes, and in case of visual media like film and TV shows sometimes it's the actor's body language that doesn't fit with what they're saying... this is not always the script writer's fault... but ) -- some stories just don't show a character's emotional journey as well as others do. I'm greatly impressed with how some writers can craft a deeply satisfying emotionally resonating scene, and then there are stories that don't do that for me -- stories that make me roll my eyes and wonder why I wasted time & money on this
True, it's good to read widely, outside of one's genre. Still I do prefer Romance -- even in Fantasy novels, I mostly read them for the romance subplot recently read a book called The Awakened Mage by Karen Miller, have you read it? It's pretty good (the story was fun however the writing style leaves quite a bit to be desired, ^^ and it's like a fairytale with how 'evil' the baddie is and the black & white morality, if you can overlook that you'll enjoy the book), the romance in it was fine (had a rather sappy happy ever after ending, but I can live with that ), though my favorite character died at the end :/ still looking for fanfiction with him in it, but there's so little to be found.....
Agree with you 100% when it comes to setting up stuff and readers expectations and love the way you word it!
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LadySeshiiria In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-20 16:02:20 +0000 UTC]
Sure go ahead and send it, I'll take a look at it.
You'll probably like my fantasy then because it has a romance sub-plot in it. Though I have 7 different endings picked out. :/ All really good ideas. Some or HEA others are HFN and others are tragic, or unsatisfying for the reader like an unexpected turn out. The unsatisfying is my favorite ending though. I think sometimes we don't always get what we want and it can make for a good ending too.
I'll check it out.
Thanks! I was scared I was babbling while writing this piece. Been sick and really tired.
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LadySeshiiria In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-23 04:25:47 +0000 UTC]
No problem I live in a polluted area so I think that's why I'm sick. I will get t o you story sometime this week. Sound good? I've been resting a lot. Sick kids wear you out.
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chateaugrief [2018-01-19 23:48:47 +0000 UTC]
solid writing advice. If you know all this, I suspect your story isn't actually boring. keep fighting!
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N64King [2018-01-19 21:57:25 +0000 UTC]
Just wondering, do you want someone to help "proofread" your stories? I am an avid reader, mostly with biographies and historical events, but I could help with proofreading fiction if you ever need it. I know what you said about beta readers, but maybe a new perspective would be useful?
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N64King In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-20 20:58:30 +0000 UTC]
What way could you send it to me (email is the most convenient)? What do you mean by 11K? Like words? Don't worry about how long your chapters are, my only limit is if your chapters are longer than the chapters in the "Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles Encyclopedia."
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N64King In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-30 19:11:34 +0000 UTC]
I will be sure to give you my opinion in a professional way! Thank you for letting me read your stories!
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StettafireZero [2018-01-19 15:20:38 +0000 UTC]
You raise a number of valid points. I prefer to write with the characters first. If someone doesn't suit the character's personality then I won't write it.
(A few exceptions being if the character is drunk then they'll behave differently from when they're sober etc)
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StettafireZero In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-19 18:42:35 +0000 UTC]
Well... I'm a bit mean to my characters and there was one part of a writing project where the main character was involved in a massive battle with the undead and he arrived all injured and beat-up in another country. So, I played on the idea that he wouldn't be thinking straight and had all the people around him appear like skeletons and so forth, causing the character to freak out.
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StettafireZero In reply to KaizenKitty [2018-01-19 20:38:30 +0000 UTC]
Their ability is not dying, they just keep coming which causes a lot of problems for the living. So not really going the supernatural route.
I agree! Conflict is the centre of plot!
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