Writing |OT| like endless rain into a paper cup
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I don't think there is yet a writing thread (pls forgive me if I'm wrong) but thought this might be good to give eachother a bit of optimism, inspiration, motivation etc.
Was wondering if we now with the massive influx have any published authors on SLAENT? Song writers? Journalists? Copywriters? Comic book artists and writers? Critics? Would love to hear experiences and everything.
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So uhhhhhh I'm trying to write a novel my lads. I did my degree in English and Creative/Professional Writing and I came up with my basic outline about 5/6 years ago and never developed it. Now my new school being much more chill means I get 5-10 hours a week back I'm trying to get this shit done so I become a genuine trillionaire and I don't have to teach when I'm 70.
I think I got a good idea that i've googled around for and not seen anything that similar; decided to sit down and start thinking about writing it a couple of weeks ago and got about 5000 words done. Developed very quickly from 'rip off a John Grisham thriller' to 'depressed white male has some real shit happen to him and weird dream sequences'. But I think it's a good idea. I just have to fill in all the gaps.
Those gaps are scary though. How do you work out whether you're repeating yourself? How do you know if what you're writing is fucking turgid cum? What if I write a 75000 word novel and I never do anything with it and I die alone and broken like Dejan Lovren?
Was wondering if we now with the massive influx have any published authors on SLAENT? Song writers? Journalists? Copywriters? Comic book artists and writers? Critics? Would love to hear experiences and everything.
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So uhhhhhh I'm trying to write a novel my lads. I did my degree in English and Creative/Professional Writing and I came up with my basic outline about 5/6 years ago and never developed it. Now my new school being much more chill means I get 5-10 hours a week back I'm trying to get this shit done so I become a genuine trillionaire and I don't have to teach when I'm 70.
I think I got a good idea that i've googled around for and not seen anything that similar; decided to sit down and start thinking about writing it a couple of weeks ago and got about 5000 words done. Developed very quickly from 'rip off a John Grisham thriller' to 'depressed white male has some real shit happen to him and weird dream sequences'. But I think it's a good idea. I just have to fill in all the gaps.
Those gaps are scary though. How do you work out whether you're repeating yourself? How do you know if what you're writing is fucking turgid cum? What if I write a 75000 word novel and I never do anything with it and I die alone and broken like Dejan Lovren?
Writing is rewriting, just focus on finishing this draft and then you can go back and edit it. It’s easier to fix a bad story that exists than it is to write a perfect one from scratch. Think of all the bad movies you’ve watched and said to yourself: “That would have been better if they had just did X, Y, or Z” - you just need to finish you book, then you can worry about making it good.
Also, from what I hear, most authors didn’t sell their first book - so be ready for that.
I’m currently working on three projects: a prose short story that I just finished outlining, a 12 page comic that’s in the first draft stage, and a much longer comic that’s in it’s second draft. I’m curently focusing on the 12 page comic because I’m trying to submit it to an upcoming anthology collection before the deadline.
Also, from what I hear, most authors didn’t sell their first book - so be ready for that.
I’m currently working on three projects: a prose short story that I just finished outlining, a 12 page comic that’s in the first draft stage, and a much longer comic that’s in it’s second draft. I’m curently focusing on the 12 page comic because I’m trying to submit it to an upcoming anthology collection before the deadline.
Yeah I know its fucking unreal to sell a first book, but at the moment this feels like the only book that's in me - it's the one idea I've ever had I think would really stand out as something I don't think exists.
Do you just write the comic and work with an artist?
Do you just write the comic and work with an artist?
I’m the writer and the artist. But I’m a completionist, so I’m trying to completely script out my long form comic before I start drawing it. I’ve been working on that one for close to year, but I’ve gotten into a bit of a slump while working on the second draft.
With my shorter anthology comic, I’ve been drawing thumbnails for it while scripting it at the same time and it’s been going a lot smoother. I’m going to take the lessons I’ve learned with it and roll them into my longer comic.
My long comic is an epic/dark fantasy story, my short comic is an all-ages comic about a future robot fighting sport, and I’m also working on a prose horror short story.
With my shorter anthology comic, I’ve been drawing thumbnails for it while scripting it at the same time and it’s been going a lot smoother. I’m going to take the lessons I’ve learned with it and roll them into my longer comic.
My long comic is an epic/dark fantasy story, my short comic is an all-ages comic about a future robot fighting sport, and I’m also working on a prose horror short story.
You should also surround yourself with good readers. Having someone you trust to read through your drafts and make notes can be invaluable, especially as you get further into the process. It's very easy for a writer to disappear up her own ass if she's spending a lot of time with a piece. It's equally as easy to fall into a despair and never finish. Good readers can keep you on track.
I wish you the best of luck!
I wish you the best of luck!
My suggestion is finish that first draft. Walk away from it for awhile before editing. Maybe work on some short stories. Then go back to the first draft. I've found time away lets me spot the problems quicker.
Just finish that first draft.
This too. I have a few fellow screenwriters that I share with. They share with me too. We are all brutally honest with each other and don't expect anything less.
Just finish that first draft.
By Jocund Go To PostYou should also surround yourself with good readers. Having someone you trust to read through your drafts and make notes can be invaluable, especially as you get further into the process. It's very easy for a writer to disappear up her own ass if she's spending a lot of time with a piece. It's equally as easy to fall into a despair and never finish. Good readers can keep you on track.
I wish you the best of luck!
This too. I have a few fellow screenwriters that I share with. They share with me too. We are all brutally honest with each other and don't expect anything less.
I've written a few op-eds here and there though that doesn't make me a journalist. Most of my writing these days is historical but naturally I've cultivated a desire to one day write fiction.
I'm a PhD student in history, of a school that crosses frequently and with relish into literature. My intention for my thesis is a trade publication rather than academic, it's the way of the future.
I'm a PhD student in history, of a school that crosses frequently and with relish into literature. My intention for my thesis is a trade publication rather than academic, it's the way of the future.
Fiction writer and gaf refugee. I have a new story coming out in an anthology that just went live on kickstarter and I'm prepping for a collaborative project for NaNoWriMo.
10,288 words written now, three chapters in. Feel like it's going okay. I need someone to read it at some point, guess I'll go with my little brother. Kind of just getting into the main conceit now so it should pick up.
Editing. Down ~3,500 words so far. Can't wait to be done.
I'd edit more tonight, but watching NeoGAF burn to cinders is too delicious to ignore.
I'd edit more tonight, but watching NeoGAF burn to cinders is too delicious to ignore.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostAnybody tackling NaNoWriMo?
I was going to do it but I have a screenplay I am starting instead
By Apollo Go To PostI was going to do it but I have a screenplay I am starting instead
Yea, I have a script that I was supposed to have had finished last month, that I need to finish. So, I'm skipping it, this time. Only managed to complete it once.
Next year though! >.>
I've gotta write about 40k words before March so it's something like nanowrimo every month from here on in.
Though it being history that's far less doable on some counts. I dream of fiction! Though of course it's a different challenge entirely.
Though it being history that's far less doable on some counts. I dream of fiction! Though of course it's a different challenge entirely.
I actually have finished two novels, and I am working on my third. I am going to try to self publish at first. I am getting to drop the prologue to get feedback soon.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostYea, I have a script that I was supposed to have had finished last month, that I need to finish. So, I'm skipping it, this time. Only managed to complete it once.
Next year though! >.>
I did it once two years ago.