Endurant Archivist

I'll have something ready by the 14th. Looking forward to reading some new stuff this Monday

Alright, sounds like we've got a small group going. I'll post the start date and additional info soon. I'm looking forward to this course!

Cool! You are on the list

*Note* I posted this over at Reading Excuses but I wanted to make sure everyone who writes doesn't miss out on the fun So, I'm having a thought here. I'm not certain how many people know about Brandon Sanderson's creative writing course from BYU, but I've been doing some research on the class that he's made available online at Write About Dragons. A friend and I are going to be taking his course together, but I'd love to have some more people on board to write with us as we create our own 30k word novellas through the course. Here's the gist. We would start watching through the videos in two weeks (TBA-this is just the best time for me to start) and each week watch 10-11 videos, here, while writing about 3000 new words each week. That's ten weeks. Then have two weeks of make up time at the end of the run, for finishing stories, catching up on critiques, etc. We'd keep track of our submissions through a group email, like we do here, and email our critiques directly to each other. Keep it simple and straight forward. At the end of twelve weeks, we've all written another story, gotten some education from Sanderson himself, and gotten to expand our network of fellow writers. I'm excited to get rolling and hearing what you all think! @Mandamon had a good thought, you can bring your old stories you're working through if you want. But it's definitely geared towards new, fresh stories!

Just an unofficial start for me because that's when I can commit to it. I can't imagine there would be a problem with redoing your story. Submissions for critiques are about 1000 words at a time, so it'd be getting the gist for scenes through the writing group, but you could use your old one. For me, it's a great way to get a new novella written. How does the Alpha Reader's Dropbox work? Could you PM me with how to access it?

I'm having a thought here. I'm not certain how many people know about Brandon Sanderson's creative writing course from BYU, but I've been doing some research on the class that he's made available online at Write About Dragons. So, a friend and I are going to be taking his course together, but I'd love to have some more people on board to write with us as we create our own 30k word novellas through the course. Here's the gist. We would start watching through the videos in two weeks (TBA) and each week watch 10-11 videos, here, while writing about 3000 new words each week. That's ten weeks. Then have two weeks of make up time at the end of the run, for finishing stories, catching up on critiques, etc. We'd keep track of our submissions through a group email, like we do here, and email our critiques directly to each other. Keep it simple and straight forward. At the end of twelve weeks, we've all written another story, gotten some education from Sanderson himself, and gotten to expand our network of fellow writers. I'm excited to get rolling and hearing what you all think!

@MozytheHealer how do you win NaNoWriMo? Completion? Or is there something more? Just curious, I've never done one. Definitely looking forward to it this year though.

@The Only Joe it sounds like something my brother and I did as kids. We would both be characters in our imaginary world and then just talk through stories or worldbuilding. It was pretty crazy looking back at it, but we made progress. Fight scenes would be hard. It'd be a fun exercise to do here, maybe in Reading Excuses. Someone lay out a plot idea and pass out characters. Then people tell the story how they think the character would talk. Anyone up for that? @Quiver it could be a good way to get some writing practice in!

@Quiver how long have you been writing? Personally, I struggled with this in my first book. I had to complete the whole book, then look back and see, "This didn't work, this did, this didn't" judging it just like I do with other authors. But I had to finish it, even though it didn't "work" how I wanted it to. At all. It was pretty horrible, actually. The act of finishing the work let me see how my ideas got out of my head in a complete way. As an artist too, it's similar (for me) to sketching something on paper, but it doesn't work and you drop it in frustration. Yet you never add shadows so it looks false–filling out the rest of the picture does wonders for how real it looks. When I wrote my second novella, the ideas flowed much, much better, filling out the rough structure I had in my head. By my third, the ideas are coming out much closer to how I want them to, which is exciting to see. So all that to say, my ideas were either too broad to be captured in a moment of writing or I lacked the experience needed to get them into a string of words that captured them. The first you can resolve by just narrowing down the concept to be specific and writable. The second is something that can only be fixed by–you guessed it–writing! Good job @Gamma Fiend for pointing that out. Hope this helps, keep us updated with how it goes. @The Only Joe I've never heard of writing with a friend actively. It sounds fun, what kind of stories have you guys created that way?

Looks good, it's on the "watch soon" list. How did you come across it?

@Quantus Welcome to the 17th Shard! How's the shameless spoilering going? Getting up to speed? I'll admit, I'm slightly jealous, I'm waiting till I read the "Mistborn" series to continue spoilering, but it's hard to wait.

I would like to start receiving submissions so I can critique as well. Could you add my email to the list to receive?

Alright! I'm starting my vacation, so for the next two weeks, I'll be mostly reading things, though I'll try to be writing a bit of my book. Again, thanks for taking the time to read through this and give feedback. I know it takes time, it's appreciated. Not much to say, I've taken the feedback, but I'll answer some specifics. @manahiem There are a lot of repetitive words, which isn't making as much sense as I'd wanted. Some of this will be removed in the rewrite. Also, I hadn't noticed everyone "looking". Good point about just describing what they see. As for Perrin being whiny, I want him to be, so he can grow. Would it help if I added more to Jacob's control of the situation, moving them forward? @jParker I'm glad you got pulled in by the pistols and rifles. It's an interesting angle, though you'll have to RAFO to get more info as to why they exist. I've been reworking the world building, making it stronger, while clarifying bits. I'll be rewriting soon. @Mandamon Where would you put the description of Perrin? As for the name, I'm guessing you're talking about the "Wheel of Time" series, Perrin the blacksmith. It's worth considering a name change, but Perrin is Perrin because that's his name. It'd be hard for me to switch it just because another series uses it. I'll think about it. I can understand what you mean about the interest. For me, it was interesting because I was asking so many questions. What are they running from? Who beat them? The idea of starting after they fail. Would a brief prologue in the middle of the previous battle help, then move to the "building" material in the beginning? Hope to hear from you guys soon! Thanks again!

OK, I'm appreciating the feedback. I'll respond more specifically when I can either tonight or tomorrow, just wanted you guys to know I'm listening and notes are being taken. Thanks! @manaheim thanks for making this thread. My bad for not getting it up first, I'll get it up earlier next time.

@Leftinch Ha! What happened to this? Actually, I was curious how the guild joining process worked anyway. So I guess I'll let you off this time. @timemagetim Oh, simple enough then. I should go get a library card. Of course, I'm moving again in a few days...bummer.

I've got something that will be available the 13th.

@kaellok Sure, he could. But he would loose all his power and ability. Can a broken Knight Radiant mesh with another spren? It just doesn't seem to work for him to be Odium's champion. Though you have a point that he might break his oath again.

@timemagetim Welcome! You'll definitely fit in around here. Libraries...I've not been to one in years, since I moved. I'm online for most of my work, reading is all digital for me now. Do you just walk in and get a library card at any ol' library?

@Thorn Welcome to the 17th Shard! The Cosmere is pretty impressive, it definitely makes me want to reread his books when I get a chance to, looking for specific pieces of the Cosmere. Which Sanderson book is your favorite so far?

@JeffB I'd like to get involved here too. I've been looking to join a writing group for several months now. Do you post to another forum? Or just share writing via emails and post under a topic for reviews?

I agree with @traceria. Kaladin already stood up for a man he didn't like, King Elhokar, even had reason to hate. But when he protected him, his bond to Syl was restored. If he were to serve hate, it'd be selfish and he wouldn't fulfill the second oath. I will protect even those I hate Given that it's integral to his oaths, he fits as Honor's champion more then Odium. Now Shallan and her relation to the Ghost Bloods...there's possibility for a darker path with her. She might give in to her lies, twisting the truth to be what she wants it to be. She's already struggling with the perspectives of her own truth.

@Awesomeness Summoned I guess that reinforces the power of having a blog to communicate your thoughts.

I've heard of that style roaster, with the popcorn popper. Never used it though (Don't own a popcorn popper) Skillet method is pretty good, but it's not a super even roast. You have to keep stirring it, which gets repetitive. But it's tons of fun to watch them literally pop out of the skillet at you as they darken up. And you can get a pretty dark roast. What kind is the new coffee roaster?

Same here, no excuse. My bad. But it's corrected. Thanks for the heads up.

@almost_awakened @Leftich So I'm going to have a crisis moment when I read Mistborn and then I'm like..."Wait, I knew that would happen! How did I know! 17th Shard!" I'll let you know when that happens to me.