Thread: Writers' Corner

Hmm, interesting thread. I suppose I will participate.

Anyhow, I mainly write fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary drama. Right now, I am writing two separate series, one of which is drama and romance, the other of which is fantasy and sci-fi. Both stories take place in twenty-first century UK. I also have several other novels on hold. As far as the fantasy and sci-fi novels are concerned, though they do have their share of violent moments, for the most part their main focus is the drama, not the action. When writing in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, I often originally intend to write something light-hearted and comical, but ultimately end up doing something MUCH darker.

Unfortunately, I have not had much time to write, due to a very busy schedule.

One of mine main issues with writing is mine wording. When it comes to language, I am stuck in the past. For instance, I will often end up writing in a formal, Victorian style dialect for a story that takes place in the year 2012. I really think that has a lot to do with me reading too much Arthur Conan Doyle as a child.

As far as setting up the main plot and writing the story goes, mine methods are a little unconventional and difficult to explain. Before writing any sci-fi or fantasy story, the first thing I usually do is flesh out a complex magick system. If it takes place in a fictional world, I anal-retentively map out every little detail, right down to the countries, their laws, their lifestyle, and so on. Typically, I do not like to look for ideas or force mineself to think of any; when I do that, I often end up with a piece of rubbish. I usually just wait patiently for an idea to pop in mine head--like a python that lurks silently until it ensnares an unsuspecting prey. If I think said idea is good, I write it down immediately. If I am not at home, I either write it down on mine memo pad or email it to mineself. Sometimes mine magick concepts and whatnot derive from various mythology, but aside from that I usually come up with mine ideas on mine own. Being the old-fashioned coot I am, I always write down mine stories with pen and paper first, then type them out on the computer. Oftentimes when I am writing, I will listen to a song that I feel best reflects the mood of the scene (truth be told, I do this whilst reading, too). I also sometimes give mine stories and characters their own theme songs.

I used to write fanfiction when I was much younger, but nowadays, it just isn't mine thing. When I did write fanfiction, I had a completely different way of doing it than most others. For instance, say I wanted to write a Star Wars fanfiction. Mine story would take place in the Star Wars universe, but instead of using Luke, Darth Vader, or any of the characters that appeared in the movies and spinoffs, I would just create mine own original cast and have them act out their own separate story. I might mention some of the characters that appeared in the movies, but that is pretty much it. I just...cannot use other people's characters. In the end, only their creators know them best.

Personally, mine advice to any aspiring writer is to develop your own unique method; something that works for you--as opposed to forcing yourself to adapt to another writer's ways.

"I hate that term, 'Method'. My belief is that everyone's got their own 'method', and as long as it works, that's OK." ~Robert Carlyle

Originally Posted by Aristaeus

Personally, mine advice to any aspiring writer is to develop your own unique method; something that works for you--as opposed to forcing yourself to adapt to another writer's ways.

"I hate that term, 'Method'. My belief is that everyone's got their own 'method', and as long as it works, that's OK." ~Robert Carlyle

I completely agree. I've tried to force myself to write in styles similar to others, but what I've found useful is to take a break and wait for inspiration. Making myself carry around all three of my notebooks and my USB, just in case. Sometimes I don't get inspiration for months and sometimes it doesn't stop. For some reason I also found I write best when I am feeling any emotion except for normal/fine/okay.

But then again that's just me.

Originally Posted by Aristaeus

One of mine main issues with writing is mine wording. When it comes to language, I am stuck in the past. For instance, I will often end up writing in a formal, Victorian style dialect for a story that takes place in the year 2012. I really think that has a lot to do with me reading too much Arthur Conan Doyle as a child.

I do this ALL THE TIME. As a result, I usually end up writing things that fit that mood. My #1 recurring character (Egoman) talks somewhere in-between, using ridiculous words like "radical" in down time, but when it gets serious he talks like he came straight from the early 1800's. It creates some fun contrast for the character.
And, the way you write out the universe around your story first is a really great way of doing it. (I'm going to keep referencing Egoman because I have been writing that stuff for a couple of years now) Egoman's universe takes place in our own, so that's not to much of a problem, but when I'm writing something large (especially sci-fi) I try to write out a few different stories then the one I want to use; that way, I will have set up a sensible universe for it all to take place. Then I have some "bonus content" to give away later.
Also, the method thing no longer applies when you resort to parody or satire.
If anyone is interested, I can write some summaries for the main Egoman books. Just if you're interested.

If anyone is interested, I can write some summaries for the main Egoman books. Just if you're interested.

Sure are.

Originally Posted by EG0CENTRAL

I do this ALL THE TIME. As a result, I usually end up writing things that fit that mood. My #1 recurring character (Egoman) talks somewhere in-between, using ridiculous words like "radical" in down time, but when it gets serious he talks like he came straight from the early 1800's. It creates some fun contrast for the character.
And, the way you write out the universe around your story first is a really great way of doing it. (I'm going to keep referencing Egoman because I have been writing that stuff for a couple of years now) Egoman's universe takes place in our own, so that's not to much of a problem, but when I'm writing something large (especially sci-fi) I try to write out a few different stories then the one I want to use; that way, I will have set up a sensible universe for it all to take place. Then I have some "bonus content" to give away later.
Also, the method thing no longer applies when you resort to parody or satire.

I like to try and mix people with diverse backgrounds and give them diverse speech patterns so I can feel more distinction between them as I slowly flesh them out. Otherwise they blur together at the beginning and it takes a while to get to know them. They'll usually evolve their own dialect and then I get to go back and revise the beginning to remain consistent with the voice I found, but a lot of the time it also starts off very anachronistic. I don't let it bother me because I have faith they'll find their place in whatever world I'm making for them and if I need to change the beginning to fit that then I will. The only problem is sometimes a character does something or says something that I realize later they wouldn't, and whatever it is becomes integral to the story. But it's fun to write out of corners like that, too.

Originally Posted by jumpscreamfly

I completely agree. I've tried to force myself to write in styles similar to others, but what I've found useful is to take a break and wait for inspiration. Making myself carry around all three of my notebooks and my USB, just in case. Sometimes I don't get inspiration for months and sometimes it doesn't stop. For some reason I also found I write best when I am feeling any emotion except for normal/fine/okay.

But then again that's just me.

I like to challenge myself and try other styles, otherwise I get stuck in a rut. But ultimately you're right, you have to find your own style. I also think it's important to explore and challenge yourself, corner yourself, force yourself. For me, sparks of inspiration come from making frictional surfaces bump into each other.

Originally Posted by Aristaeus

Hmm, interesting thread. I suppose I will participate.

Anyhow, I mainly write fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary drama. Right now, I am writing two separate series, one of which is drama and romance, the other of which is fantasy and sci-fi. Both stories take place in twenty-first century UK. I also have several other novels on hold. As far as the fantasy and sci-fi novels are concerned, though they do have their share of violent moments, for the most part their main focus is the drama, not the action. When writing in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, I often originally intend to write something light-hearted and comical, but ultimately end up doing something MUCH darker.

I get bored trying to write action. It's overly technical and abstract and even terrific action authors like George RR Martin and JRR Tolkien would lose me attempting to describe how a battle unfolds. It's also not the action that makes the story good, but the stakes. I prefer sticking to the drama and the dialogue myself, but I wouldn't say my stories lack for either action or violence, they just lack for fight scenes. I like to keep violence short, abrupt and surprising.