Any creative writers out there in shave land per chance? This is a long shot maybe, but I like to hobby write a bit and would love to chat about it if there are any others out there. I could use a little advice and would love to hear what other creative folks are up to. If anyone chimes in on this thread I will start a conversation topic, if not I will let it rest.
I quite rather enjoy writing stories. I have composition books full of stuff. Here is a short story I wrote for The Article Team.
@stringraysrock Nice! That's a good story. Have you tried you hand at any lengthier pieces? I've done my share of poetry and such and have been trying to break into short story writing but keep hitting some roadblocks.
Thanks! I have written longer pieces, but not to the extent of a novel. The creative writing modules were my favorite classes when I was pursuing a psyche degree at Columbia college. What sort of road blocks are you running in to?
What I struggle with most is how to map out the arch of a story, basically the plot. For example I tried my hand at a novel a couple years back and I managed a 300 page write with pretty decent characters, solid prose, conflict, etc. When I got to the end though I hated it because I felt like it was so thin, the main issue being I didn't really know what it was "about." I don't think I will try anything so long again but I would like to step back and do some short stories but I have the same issue: how do you take a simple idea (the story about a guy) and decide how it will resolve? Back to my past experience I think I felt like it would just naturally evolve but I see now that you sort of need to have that mapped out in advance. Thoughts?
I have never mapped any of my stories out in advance. When I sit down to write something, I just let the ideas flow freely and make notes along the way as to which characters relate to others, what their names are, and other key information that is needed for continuity. My stories are like my tattoos, they all have very deep meaning to me and I never set out to just go get a tattoo; the tattoo comes to me. When I write a story, the story comes to me, or out of me so to speak. I think if I were to just sit down and take a random thought or idea for which I had no common frame of reference, or emotional connection, I would get jammed up like you are. That is not to say that the emotions or reference has to be grounded in fact, or something that I have actually done, or could do. The inspiration for the fantasy has to be real though. Try this - think of an event that has occurred in your life, either directly or indirectly, the more emotional of an event the better. Start writing about it, but don't white it about yourself, write it in second person or even third person dog, and fictionalize it. Don't try and map anything out, just let the words flow through your mind and into your hands. Make notes of names, dates, places and relationships. Try and hammer out 2,000 words without stopping or going back and reading what you have written. Once you are at or around 2,000 words, go back and read what you have thus far. Does it make sense? Can you see a story developing? Is the story creative? If the story is an emotional event, does it evoke powerful emotions in you? Does the story make you want to laugh or cry? When I go back and read my story that I linked to earlier in this thread, I actually get a lump in my throat, I get choked up! I made that whole story up with the exception of not having a Dad around while I was growing up; that was my inspirational springboard. The part of the Schick I-2 was real too, but that part came from another persons life, our board member Bird Lives / Lloyd inspired that part when he told me about his Dad having an I-2. The most important part about creative writing as with any hobby is to enjoy the process. If it becomes a cumbersome chore and is not fun anymore, then you have a job instead of a hobby.
I really like to write, but it typically takes a back seat to other things. Tried starting a novel last summer, but had too long of a break to really keep the writing going. Maybe I'll go back to it later. I'm very different from Jeff in how I write - must come from being an engineer. I start with a concept I want to portray. The concept could be a unique setting, character background, philosophical principle, etc. I then think about the key big pieces - main characters, setting, major plot, etc. I make sure all the pieces are going to work well to show the concept I'm after. I'll then do a simple high-level outline of how I want the story to progress. At this point I'll have a good idea how long of a piece I'm going to have - anywhere from a single page short to a novel. If it's more than a few pages I'll typically break the outline down a little further so I can get to the point where I can write out each outline element in a single writing session. Because I'm so structured in my pre writing, I focus very much on making a realistic progression during the actual writing. I'm careful not to preemptively kill subplots that pop in my head, but also to avoid letting them take over. I'll keep notes on minor characters, subplots that need to be wrapped up later, and details which are likely to be important later in the story for any story that takes multiple sessions to write. Now, which method will work for you is a totally different question. What is the basic process you use when doing other work successfully? Do you normally plan out everything in detail before starting the real work? Do you like to just start getting your hands dirty right away and adjust on the fly? Figure out how your successful at other things and try to follow the same pattern with your writing. I had a college technical writing class where we had a group assignment. My group of four where all in the top 10% of the class in writing ability, but differed greatly in approach. I started to outline the paper so we could each pick a part or two which we would compose. Two of the others totally ignored the outline and what was assigned to them and made a draft of the entire paper that was nothing like the outline (but still quite good). I and the fourth student made a round of edit suggestions, which were 90% ignored and the same two made totally different edits. When we all agreed it was a good paper, it was handed in and received an A. The point of this is that any one of use could have written an A paper, but we each would write it very differently. You need to write in the way that matches how you do your best thinking.
I recently took a short story class. I am working on a short story that I wrote in the class, to add content, develop the characters more. The teacher said it would was good and she gave me pointers in how to improve and the steps to take to enter it.
I wrote a novel length story back in 2000, but never tried to get it published mostly due to the graphic adult content, but was told by several that read it that it was very good. I read it again about a month ago, and I would have to do a total edit before even trying to publish. Not so much the content, but too many run on sentences. (I have a tendency to use a huge amount of adjectives) which can lead to lengthy sentences. About six months after writing that one, I began with another story. This time was a drama with a vigilante type theme. I set it down and got busy with life and haven't touched it since. But, when I'm on, I'm on it to completion. I wouldn't say I am an author but a writer. I guess that's the difference? An author is just a writer until they get published.
All really good ideas, thanks gents! @Stingraysrock - I like your idea of starting with something closer to home so to speak that might help. I've always been quite good at the prose itself. I can sit down at a keyboard and just freewrite for an hour. Wordplay and imagery comes easily to me. My wife's grandmother who is a published author has read past manuscripts and commented on this too which is heartening. I guess I just struggle with the structure aspect. It's one thing to write 200 pages of actions, scenarios for a group of characters but when you near the end you still have to tie up all those knots so that they find an interesting resolution, so that the story has a point you know, and I guess that's where I get hung up a bit. Sure you could just kill off all the characters I guess, but that's not too interesting and the reader is gonna scratch their head and say "what the heck was all that about?" I'll keep hacking away though. Thanks for the insight, great to see so many people who write!
I've done a fair bit of writing. Lately, I've been lax about it. The best advice I can offer is not to stop. I've really lost touch with my writing, and I need to get back to it. My biggest problem is that I've got too many stories floating around in my head waiting to be written, and I'm not taking the time to put them down. Structure is an area I struggle with, too, but maybe not in the same way as you. I find myself wanting to write my story from beginning to end which means that when I get to a troubling spot, I get hung up. I totally lack organizational skills, and don't think I could pull off writing a story out of order and reassembling it like so many authors do. Of course, I've no shortage of excuses.
@ChemErik - I like your idea. I tend to be methodical so perhaps I would enjoy more structure. In case anyone else out there has faced writing struggles to, I just found this writing article this morning that really helped me get my head around this issue I'm having. Thanks to this article I see now that the issue I was trying to put into words is finding a Theme. He addresses it here and yes this is exactly the issue I'm having. Plot is one thing, but finding that central theme is the bugger for me.
I write, too. Is there any interest in swapping fiction? I'm always interested in finding readers who will give honest and gentle criticism.
I've participated in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) the last couple years and have loved it.
Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. I will have to scan and email mine or print and mail it; I tend to write everything out long-hand.
Picked up a vintage 1970s smith corona electric typewriter this week... I really need to get back to writing.
I just finished a short story fiction piece and am working on my 3rd draft right now. I could always use more critique to improve the piece and would be happy to swap it.
