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Post by doolfan4life on Jan 6, 2016 13:55:48 GMT -5
Hey, so I don't know if I created this in the right section so if its wrong, mods please correct! Anyways, I wanted to kind of pick everyone's brain here if that is ok. Many of you write fan fiction and also just generally write as most of you know I am still very timid with my writing. I am at a block in my story, I know what still needs to happen but I am stuck on how to write and where to begin my next chapter.
my questions to all fellow writers here is: 1. does this happen to you? 2. If yes, how often? 3. What tips and tricks do you use for writers block?
any advice would be much appreciated and welcomed........ I don't know if it is because I have been anxious the last week or so (and I have no idea why) or what but I feel like the story needs to be told and I am stumped for words Help! |
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Post by Kpatch on Jan 6, 2016 14:01:45 GMT -5
Great questions doolfan4life. This is the section we use to talk about author and reader stuff. I don't know any writer who DOESN'T experience this. The way I handle a block is just to write out of order, write whatever comes to me, sometimes just write bits of dialogue and worry about filling in the meat/descriptors later. I find writing scenes out of order really freeing. That way I write whatever moves me. Later I go back and put things in the order they should appear in. It's not easy, but it's better than not writing at all. Hope that helps a little. |
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Post by doolfan4life on Jan 6, 2016 14:19:51 GMT -5
I may try that today Kpatch it's funny that I didn't think of this because back in the day I had a prof back when I did a night course at the university of Ontario who always said that too, and even gave us an assignment of writing a chunk of story and not worrying about starting from the beginning It was quite a while ago though I swear my memory these days..... I call it "sometimer's" lol thank you for the tip  |
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Post by heroicmuse on Jan 6, 2016 14:30:44 GMT -5
I have a file folder titled Writers Block. When I'm stuck I create a document in it and start writing about how frustrated I am, why I'm stuck, what's not working etc. Usually I get an idea somewhere in the middle of doing that. I also write out of order like Kpatch does. I have files and files of future scenes. I sometimes write about how excited I am about future stuff too to get myself in the right frame of mind. |
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Post by doolfan4life on Jan 8, 2016 9:48:01 GMT -5
so I started writing a scene a quite a bit ahead in my story
it helped a lot with the writers block, I haven't started the next chapter yet but while I am writing this scene and thinking about how to execute the important parts of the story I actually took a big step and gave what I had (about 8 or so chapters) to someone to edit for me.
I am nervous but hopeful
If at the very least he tells me that it is easy to follow and he understands the characters I will be happy
I also am glad that what ever criticism will be constructive and not meant to put me down back in the day when I took my writing class my professor saw a lot of potential and challenged me to read my prologue to the entire class, one student who knew that the main character was essentially me as there is a lot of truth to this story (I am adding more fiction now) he called me a B*!ch in front of the class and basically said it sucked in a nut shell, he humiliated me in front of the entire class. a handful of people jumped on him for it and my prof told me after the class that this guy had yet to submit one assignment and he wasn't sure why he took the class, the kid never showed his face after
I only started writing again the last few months as it was a scary experience for me and it was hurtful.
I realized then that I had to make the story a lot more fictional and the basic events are the truth to it because I couldn't have my life being exposed and put on trial for the world.
as much as it was terrible what he did, and it sucks it took me so long to attempt writing again, I am glad it happened because it was a learning experience and it is easy to get over one jerks opinion about me then to be exposed and have it happen
anyways Kpatch and heroicmuse thank you for the advice as it helped a lot and it is much appreciated.
I believe I have potential as a writer but I recognize that I am still a rookie, so I always appreciate tips from people with more experience. |
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Post by heroicmuse on Jan 8, 2016 11:42:49 GMT -5
I'm sorry that happened to you doolfan4life. If I were the prof I would have kicked that student out of the class. That behavior is inappropriate and was about them, not about you, but it doesn't make it hurt less. When I was getting my MFA I was writing a fantasy story that included Greek gods and one of my classmates began her critique with "I hate Greek mythology so I would never read this." I didn't care to hear the rest of what she had to say, because obviously she was not in the target audience for my story, but why was that comment even necessary? Anyway we are a friendly group here that focuses on what we like about each other's writing and build each other up, not tear each other down. I hope you will share your fanfiction with us one day soon! |
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Post by DancingDays on Jan 8, 2016 12:21:50 GMT -5
doolfan4life - I once read where an author suggested that when you get stuck, make the worst possible thing happen to your character(s). Then work from there. A VERY long time ago I wrote a fic and I realized that's what I'd done with my characters and it helped me from getting too stuck. On a side note - hello to everyone who remembers me. It's been a while. |
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Post by doolfan4life on Jan 8, 2016 13:06:27 GMT -5
DancingDays when you say make the worst possible thing happen and go from there, what do you mean by this just as an example. heroicmuse I feel like I would be able to share with who ever on this forum however my book is a little racy for the criteria of this site, and I don't know how to do the links like Kpatch does I suppose it will be one of those things that I may figure out how to do or just bribe my 5 year old niece with candy to do it for me lol
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Post by DancingDays on Jan 8, 2016 13:53:28 GMT -5
Doolfan4life - In my fic, Rafe found out his "dead" wife wasn't dead and that she'd given birth to his son. Before Rafe could find out where his son was, she was killed, thus killing his only lead. For him, it was an unimaginable tragedy. For me, it awakened my story telling muse.
Sadly, that muse died and now I'm left to just watch the show. *sigh*
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TJ
Member
Posts: 67
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Post by TJ on Jan 8, 2016 17:20:46 GMT -5
That's so terrible what happened to you doolfan4life, I truly hope that you do post your fic here one day. I (along with everyone else I assume) would love to read it! |
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Post by Kpatch on Jan 8, 2016 19:47:22 GMT -5
I agree, that is awful that someone who doesn't even know about reading or writing would choose to criticize you publicly like that. Obviously, it says more about them than you, doolfan4life . Is the story you're planning to post a Days-related fan fic? I thought of another tip that may be helpful for both you and TJ : editing. Your first draft won't be perfect. That's what editing is for. I know both me and my friend heroicmuse are big on tweaking our stories before we post each chapter. I figure that might take the pressure off of you. You always have the opportunity to make changes before you hit "create post." On a side note - hello to everyone who remembers me. It's been a while. DD - I remember. I remember. LOL. And I remember your great Carrafe (Carrie/Rafe) stories too. They were so vivid and memorable. Maybe the muse will strike again. |
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Post by heroicmuse on Jan 8, 2016 19:49:40 GMT -5
I can attest to that. I just tweaked a scene that will air next week. Again. Lol. I try to stay at least a few weeks ahead so I have room for tweaking.
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Post by DancingDays on Jan 8, 2016 20:40:44 GMT -5
On a side note - hello to everyone who remembers me. It's been a while. DD - I remember. I remember. LOL. And I remember your great Carrafe (Carrie/Rafe) stories too. They were so vivid and memorable. Maybe the muse will strike again. I keep listening, but so far nothing.  Maybe someday she will rise from the dead. |
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Post by fluffysmom on Jan 8, 2016 20:45:25 GMT -5
DD - I remember. I remember. LOL. And I remember your great Carrafe (Carrie/Rafe) stories too. They were so vivid and memorable. Maybe the muse will strike again. I keep listening, but so far nothing. Maybe someday she will rise from the dead. I hope so! |
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Post by doolfan4life on Jan 8, 2016 23:01:13 GMT -5
Kpatch no my story isn't fan fiction for dool It is essentially a life experience of my own that was commented to be a great novel by many and I took the plunge and began writing I've been writing poetry since I was a kid but never stories I realize this forum is mainly dool so I won't post on here also the contents are not pg I don't even know how to create a link to be honest I'm not that tech savvy If I figure it out I don't mind sharing with experienced writers here for feedback My first chunk is currently in editing as we speak and I have been using the earlier mentioned tips I find them extremely useful plus it's a good topic to hear what everyone else does so I'm glad people are posting
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Maybe someday she will rise from the dead.
