Well, I've never really done any writing before, but I recently had an idea that I felt compelled to develop - The problem is I'm still not entirely sure what the idea is. I have a concept, but i'm having a lot of trouble coming up with an actual storyline.
I think the main problem was the way I went about it - I wrote a short passage from my idea, but it didn't turn out too well, and I kept adapting it and playing around with the passage, while I was still thinking through how the story could go. After I made no progress, I stopped - I left it for a few weeks, so I could just think the idea through without trying to do anything. My idea is starting to become more clear now, but I still don't have a full story so I can begin planning, so instead I'm sorting out finer details of the places and people involved, until I get a better idea on how it will go - Do you think this is the right way to go about planning the writing?
I'd also like to know if those of you who write (I believe there are a few, at least), have any methods of developing an idea that I could at least try... I'm not planning on diving straight into a full novel, but a little help getting started would be appreciated...
First-time Writing
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duchess of malfi
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Everyone has a different way of writing...I know that probably isn't much help to you, but each person has their own method that works best for him or her. I usually stew on something mentally for weeks before I even write down a single word. Some people make out an outline of their story and go from there. One of my favorite authors, George R.R. Martin apparently writes huge swatches of his stories and then has to go back and change big chunks of it, which is supposedly part of why his latest novel is delayed...Lord Foul has said that he writes his poetry to the beat of songs he loves. I guess my advice is to not give up, but try different approaches until you find a method that works for you.
Also sometimes it can be fun to just write fragments...little bits of things that set up a mood. A scene rather than a story...so if you can't work it into something elaborate don't worry about it, as long as you have enjoyed the process, which is what really matters in the end, after all.
Also sometimes it can be fun to just write fragments...little bits of things that set up a mood. A scene rather than a story...so if you can't work it into something elaborate don't worry about it, as long as you have enjoyed the process, which is what really matters in the end, after all.
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Lord Foul here, with a bit of advice! Particular methods for writing are usually totally subjective and all depend on your style. I’ll try to touch upon getting the writing bug in general. Hope this helps!
First of all, make sure before you even sit down to write, that you're about to write on something that gives you a buzz, and make sure the feeling your imagination gives you is the same feeling you get as you transmit the thoughts down into words. Simply put: make sure it's something that intrigues you so much so that you feel it almost a mini-tragedy that it should remain in your head for all time. Heh, well, anyway, just get focused--put some team spirit into it and go, “Yeah, I wanna write this! It's damn great!"
Confidence was always my major problem, and still is. The best times you'll ever write is when it's something that feels like it's flowing, instead of forced or contrived. And if you’re writing contrived or forced, don’t sweat it or stop--just keep writing in that manner . . . eventually something will click and it’ll start flowing. It’s all about sitting down and writing--practice.
And if you're writing something in a certain mood, then finish it off in that same exact mood and leave it for a few days. Just write it, cause the first time is from the heart, and don’t go back and back and back and snip and clip it and “polish” it. That’ll come later. Just write out the first draft, and don’t think about it for awhile, and then proofread it much later.
So, in short a sentence as possible: it’s all about being natural.
First of all, make sure before you even sit down to write, that you're about to write on something that gives you a buzz, and make sure the feeling your imagination gives you is the same feeling you get as you transmit the thoughts down into words. Simply put: make sure it's something that intrigues you so much so that you feel it almost a mini-tragedy that it should remain in your head for all time. Heh, well, anyway, just get focused--put some team spirit into it and go, “Yeah, I wanna write this! It's damn great!"
Confidence was always my major problem, and still is. The best times you'll ever write is when it's something that feels like it's flowing, instead of forced or contrived. And if you’re writing contrived or forced, don’t sweat it or stop--just keep writing in that manner . . . eventually something will click and it’ll start flowing. It’s all about sitting down and writing--practice.
And if you're writing something in a certain mood, then finish it off in that same exact mood and leave it for a few days. Just write it, cause the first time is from the heart, and don’t go back and back and back and snip and clip it and “polish” it. That’ll come later. Just write out the first draft, and don’t think about it for awhile, and then proofread it much later.
So, in short a sentence as possible: it’s all about being natural.
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Foul again. Okay, as far as stewing up something to write . . . I spent 8th, 9th, and the first Semester of 10th grade sharpening my imagination until I thought I was old enough to write seriously. I remember some critic saying "the movie was almost as horrible as a 9th grade love story." That really pissed me off, back then, when I was in 9th grade and holding a novel in my head like a precious newborn! 
So, anyway, I usually have the entire A-B plot in my head. And as I write, things happen--the little intricacies like who jumps on whom, who slashes whom and how fast they fight. Eh, not to say my book's about fighting at all.
So, anyway, I usually have the entire A-B plot in my head. And as I write, things happen--the little intricacies like who jumps on whom, who slashes whom and how fast they fight. Eh, not to say my book's about fighting at all.
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Earthfriend
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I think the duchess and LF have covered some really good points murrin, so let me just add this:
A Writer writes - always!
(kudos to any who can guess where this quote comes from )
My point is if you feel like writing, write! Don't think to much, or start editing in your head before you get anything down on paper (my personal bugbear!
). The act of creaton is always rewarding murrin, and your story will probably take off in many different directions before you finally reign it in to the one you want.
In the words of the immortal Bigbird:
A Writer writes - always!
(kudos to any who can guess where this quote comes from
)My point is if you feel like writing, write! Don't think to much, or start editing in your head before you get anything down on paper (my personal bugbear!
). The act of creaton is always rewarding murrin, and your story will probably take off in many different directions before you finally reign it in to the one you want.In the words of the immortal Bigbird:
Happy writing!Don't worry if it's not good enough, for anyone else to hear. Just sing - sing a song! La la lalalala....
Stone and Sea are deep in life,
two unalterable symbols of the world;
permanence at rest, and permanence in motion;
participants in the Power that remains.
two unalterable symbols of the world;
permanence at rest, and permanence in motion;
participants in the Power that remains.
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Worm of Despite
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Throw Momma From The TrainA Writer writes - always!
I was thinking of saying that, in my first post on this thread. Also--best advice I can give to a writer is "just apply yourself to your seat and write"--something like that . . . think Stephen King said it.
Last edited by Worm of Despite on Tue Jun 10, 2003 1:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Argh... My muse needs to get some better timing. I had finally got some ideas straight and started to write, and I had hardly finished two sentences when I was told it was time to go out. I come back now and I've managed to add one more sentence, but apart from that I've lost it. Here's hoping I have longer next time. I really need to learn to plan ahead...