Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) Yeah, I vote the serial method. (You write long chapters. Most of mine run in the 1,000 to 2,000 word range. ) In my first draft, they were shorter; I thought it a bit too choppy so did some combining in the second draft. That said, I think that writing a longform all in one piece tends to make for a different "feel" to the chapters as you write the story. You're basically using scenes as chapters, and that works just fine for the way you're creating. Edited January 20, 2016 by Kaymyth
The Honor Spren she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I vote chunks! And I'm very excited for this story to finally be up.
Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I vote chunks! And I'm very excited for this story to finally be up. Hopefully I won't disappoint! (Eek, pressure.)
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 In my first draft, they were shorter; I thought it a bit too choppy so did some combining in the second draft. That said, I think that writing a longform all in one piece tends to make for a different "feel" to the chapters as you write the story. You're basically using scenes as chapters, and that works just fine for the way you're creating. And it's easier when I'm writing fanfic, since the world is already developed. Maybe my original world will be easier to work in if I developed it more before I started writing, but I'm not sure what all still needs developing. :/
Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 And it's easier when I'm writing fanfic, since the world is already developed. Maybe my original world will be easier to work in if I developed it more before I started writing, but I'm not sure what all still needs developing. :/ A lot will develop as you start working through the story. Basic questions will come up in your characters' day-to-day actions, and you'll have to work out the answers as you go. And you'll change your mind on some of them when you get a better idea pop into your head. The best way to do it is to just start writing. Technically, what I've written is fanfic, but I've got an entirely original cast of characters running around with their own problems and questions; not everything I need to know is out there. So there's some stuff that I had to make up based on conjecture and theory.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 A lot will develop as you start working through the story. Basic questions will come up in your characters' day-to-day actions, and you'll have to work out the answers as you go. And you'll change your mind on some of them when you get a better idea pop into your head. The best way to do it is to just start writing. Technically, what I've written is fanfic, but I've got an entirely original cast of characters running around with their own problems and questions; not everything I need to know is out there. So there's some stuff that I had to make up based on conjecture and theory. Hope so. It just feels so thin right now, like I'm writing one of those YA novels people on the Internet make fun of. I thought I was ready to start writing....and then I started.
Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Hope so. It just feels so thin right now, like I'm writing one of those YA novels people on the Internet make fun of. I thought I was ready to start writing....and then I started. Start the mantra now: "First draft...first draft..."
+Slowswift Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) Start the mantra now: "First draft...first draft..." Yeah, mine is... terrible. Bad quality overall and several scenes I need to rewrite. Also, need to flesh everything out more. I wrote it in a month, and it's not even finished. (I took a month off to fix my sleep schedule and haven't touched it since) Not really a good omen. ETA: Basically what I'm trying to say is don't worry. Edited January 20, 2016 by Slowswift
The Honor Spren she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 We're tearing down my school curriculum and starting from the beginning. I feel so free.
Mashadar Mistborn he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 We're tearing down my school curriculum and starting from the beginning. I feel so free. We're taking February away for more testing and three hour classes. Tennessee education thinks that the solution to everything is more testing.The ridiculous amount of testing is maddening.
Seonid he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 And it's easier when I'm writing fanfic, since the world is already developed. Maybe my original world will be easier to work in if I developed it more before I started writing, but I'm not sure what all still needs developing. :/ There are a couple of different approaches to developing an original world. One is mine: DEVELOP EVERYTHING! And then just use what you need. Pros of this approach oxide incredibly developed worlds with immense background and detail. Cobs include spending so much time worldbuilding that the plot is thin (or, in my case, I haven't even got to that yet - this is what is known as worldbuilder's disease). Kaymyth has a better plan if you are at all interested in getting an actual story out in a reasonable timetable. Worldbuild a little to get your setting ready, then develop what you need as you need it. Don't be afraid to build on tangents - but be in control. Build because you can use it - or because you need it for background. But in any case, all development happens because of questions. Why does my character think that? How do these changes to history affect religion? What do politics look like? Even simple questions like "what is my character eating?" can lead to fruitful development for the world. Above all, don't be afraid. Writing is hard work, but it's some of the most rewarding in the world. 1
Mistrunner Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 We're taking February away for more testing and three hour classes. Tennessee education thinks that the solution to everything is more testing. The ridiculous amount of testing is maddening. Ah, testing. Are they doing Common Core in Tennessee too? Because Common Core needs to die. It's a terrible thing that should never have been invented. Hey look, homework I'm supposed to be doing. This happens way to often. Thing is, I like college-type courses. Like my Human Geo teacher from California or my old American history teacher. You take notes in class, you study your socks off, and you get an insanely hard test that you're insanely happy to get a B on. I loved that. It was great. I can study, but I'm terrible with the busywork. The homework. The structured stuff, because of course everyone thinks the same way. [/rant]
Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 There are a couple of different approaches to developing an original world. One is mine: DEVELOP EVERYTHING! And then just use what you need. Pros of this approach oxide incredibly developed worlds with immense background and detail. Cobs include spending so much time worldbuilding that the plot is thin (or, in my case, I haven't even got to that yet - this is what is known as worldbuilder's disease). Kaymyth has a better plan if you are at all interested in getting an actual story out in a reasonable timetable. Worldbuild a little to get your setting ready, then develop what you need as you need it. Don't be afraid to build on tangents - but be in control. Build because you can use it - or because you need it for background. But in any case, all development happens because of questions. Why does my character think that? How do these changes to history affect religion? What do politics look like? Even simple questions like "what is my character eating?" can lead to fruitful development for the world. Above all, don't be afraid. Writing is hard work, but it's some of the most rewarding in the world. Also, sticky notes are your friends. Very handy for popping scene descriptions down and/or good lines to use, and then rearranging them as necessary.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I think I'll just develop what I need and build the rest later. The problem is, I keep telling myself I don't NEED to know exactly what happened in the Soviet Union in 1953, but my brain says "NOOOO THEIR NEWS INFLUENCED US NEWS YOU HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED". I'll have to invest in some sticky notes, though.
Kaymyth she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I think I'll just develop what I need and build the rest later. The problem is, I keep telling myself I don't NEED to know exactly what happened in the Soviet Union in 1953, but my brain says "NOOOO THEIR NEWS INFLUENCED US NEWS YOU HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED". I'll have to invest in some sticky notes, though. I like to color code them. Plot-important scenes on one color, character-building scenes on another, connecting scenes on a third and/or fourth. I put in a general rule when doing the second draft of Swift as Steel that if there were too many non-plot colored scenes in a row, something needed to be condensed or cut. 1
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I like to color code them. Plot-important scenes on one color, character-building scenes on another, connecting scenes on a third and/or fourth. I put in a general rule when doing the second draft of Swift as Steel that if there were too many non-plot colored scenes in a row, something needed to be condensed or cut. I might add a color for worldbuilding, too. Thanks for the idea!
Delightful Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) But in any case, all development happens because of questions. Why does my character think that? How do these changes to history affect religion? What do politics look like? Even simple questions like "what is my character eating?" can lead to fruitful development for the world. Edited January 20, 2016 by Delightful
Young Bard he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Cycle of parenthood: Parents have a child. Parents proceed to drive child crazy. Child grows up, now completely insane. New adult has kids, and with their bitter insanity, proceed to drive their kids insane. A vicious cycle. Unofficial poll: Can you hurt someone by tossing a pillow at them. So far as I am aware the total tally would add up to 7 billion saying no, and 1 saying yes. And that one attempts to find any excuse - plausible or otherwise - to milk every scrap of sympathy from those around her. Just my luck that I live with with her.
Voidus Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I killed my first Babaji today.It felt good. 8
Mailliw73 he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I killed my first Babaji today. It felt good. All praise the mighty Voidus, killer of the Babaji, savior of the Shard!
Mestiv he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 It's close. I still have a couple stray beta readers to round up, and then February is going to be the final revision. I want to start putting it up at the start of March. But so long as we're on the subject, I have to decide exactly how that's going to work. I know the structure I'm going to use (a thread in Creator's Corner, first post a table of contents, following pieces go up one chapter per post to avoid overflowing the character limit), but I need to work out the timeframe. 1. Post it up in one big chunk. I have assurances from admin that I can have the thread start out hidden until I get all of the chapters up. Pros: * Once it's up, it's all there; no worrying about whether it's going to become an abandoned work. * People can read at their own pace. Cons: * I have to slog through formatting everything all in one big chunk. Ugh, formatting. * Potential readers might be intimidated by the size. Maybe? I don't know. 2. Post it chapter by chapter, with something like a thrice-weekly update. Pros: * I only have to format one chapter at a time. * I get to read all the feedbacks! * Readers can have sort of a real-time chapter discussion. * The first chapter will be available sooner, and you won't have to wait to start reading. Cons: * People might not be patient with waiting and be annoyed with how slowly it's going up. * I might be totally overestimating how many people give a fat fig about my fic, and will be disappointed by no feedback. Oh, woe, the bruising of my fragile ego! So...I dunno. What do you guys think? Maybe make your own e-book? Unofficial poll: Can you hurt someone by tossing a pillow at them. So far as I am aware the total tally would add up to 7 billion saying no, and 1 saying yes. And that one attempts to find any excuse - plausible or otherwise - to milk every scrap of sympathy from those around her. Just my luck that I live with with her. I think you can hurt someone with a pillow. Here in Poland, we sometimes have feathers-filled pillows that can weight up to 2-3 kilograms (they are huge). When you throw that with full strength at someone (ahh good times ), well... it's fun! but this person might hit the wall behind him/her if the pillow has some kind of harder elements like buttons, they might hit the eye which can hurt but won't do any permanent damage I guess. Pillow fight using this kind of pillows was serious business when I was a kid
Delightful Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 You can be hurt by a pillow but probably not injured by one.
SmurfAquamarineBodies he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I killed my first Babaji today. It felt good. Not gonna lie, I was pretty close to googling what a babaji is. You can be hurt by a pillow but probably not injured by one. Does hitting someone off a cliff with a pillow count as injuring them with a pillow?
Voidus Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Not gonna lie, I was pretty close to googling what a babaji is. Does hitting someone off a cliff with a pillow count as injuring them with a pillow? I don't recommend it, you might summon them.
SmurfAquamarineBodies he/him Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) I don't recommend it, you might summon them. Doing it. EDIT: It led me to a page about immortal yogi. Whatever that is. Though i will say that the page had alright music. Edited January 20, 2016 by SmurfAquamarineBodies
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