Okay, maybe I wasn't quite done with my last post.
Another tip that has helped me out a lot in the last month is to watch movies. No one actually told me to do this, I just started doing it. And I don't mean vegging-out on new releases like a normal movie-goer, especially if you are writing Fantasy.
Watch EPIC movies. Watch CLASSIC movies. Watch EPIC CLASSICS and do your best to appreciate what you get out of them. Try to find hidden themes that the story could be saying. Try to imagine directions it could have gone. Imagine your characters in the story in place of the hero or heroine.
A couple of movies I'd recommend if you ARE writing Fantasy...
The Vikings
Hamlet (any version)
Dragonslayer
Spartacus
Dungeons & Dragons (either one)
Eragon
Les Miserables (most recent version)
These are in no particular order. Some of you may not like Kirk Douglas and if you are one of those people I guess you're SOL. I suggest you sign up for Netflix the day you undertake the task and privilege of writing a novel. You never know what might inspire you.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Anticipation, Tips #1-5
So, here I am sitting on the edge of completing the second draft of my first novel. My latest impromptu goal was to have the 2nd draft done before the end of March and have it submitted to a publisher by the end of April. I think I can still do this but one bite at a time.
The final four chapters that require drafting revision include the ending, two loose ends, and the epilogue. All but one of these should be fairly easy but the "ending" chapter is pretty damn crucial.
I wish I had a bunch of words of wisdom to share about what it takes to write a novel. Here are few things that I've found to be helpful.
#1 - Work your ass off. The novel isn't going to write itself. If you don't feel like you're writing enough then it may help to schedule writing time. For awhile during the first draft phase I had 3 nights a week of 3 hours per "session" at a coffee shop like Starbucks or Seattle's Best (these do not have free Wi-Fi so provide less of a distraction). I would progress anywhere from 1500 to 3000 words a night, most nights, by just sticking on the headphones and plunging forward into the story.
#2 - There is no "right way" to write a novel. You can read as many books as you want, and you should read a ton of books on writing novels, but you will only be able to piece together a formula that works for you. One person could never impart to another the perfect way to get a book down on paper; it's a purely personal experience. If someone else were to try to write my book even based on the same premises it would be a totally different book (and not just a different story). It might take them longer or shorter, it might be longer or shorter itself. Basically the best plan is to listen to everyone who gives you advice and take from it what you think will be beneficial.
#3 - Set realistic goals for yourself so you know what you're working toward. My initial goal was a 50,000 word first draft. My second goal was finishing the second draft within a certain timeframe, regardless of the word count. I'm now just a hair over 70,000 with 4 chapters to go. My book will be different than your book. The closer you get to achieving your goals the better you will feel and the more you will enjoy writing.
#4 - Spelling is always important. Grammar and punctuation only become imperative during your second draft phase. Yes, you must have a second draft phase. And possibly a third draft phase. If you get to the tenth draft phase, call for help. (Some of these tips are compiled from books I've read about writing. Obviously I wouldn't know what a tenth draft phase feels like) The bottom line is that your first draft will absolutely not be publish-able. It is likely to be incoherent and the longer you take to complete it the more disconnected the beginning will feel from the ending.
#5 - Know when your most productive time of day is. Some of us are morning people, some are night owls. If you can drink coffee any time of day like me then you may have better luck just writing when you can. Choose writing time when you can focus but know what time of day you focus best. An addendum to that: never give your most productive time of day to your boss.
That's all I've got for now and most of it is fairly common sense if you read as many books on writing as I do. Reading your eyes out of their sockets should be a given. If you're not reading, you're not going to do much writing either. Or, if you are, your vocabulary is going to suck.
The final four chapters that require drafting revision include the ending, two loose ends, and the epilogue. All but one of these should be fairly easy but the "ending" chapter is pretty damn crucial.
I wish I had a bunch of words of wisdom to share about what it takes to write a novel. Here are few things that I've found to be helpful.
#1 - Work your ass off. The novel isn't going to write itself. If you don't feel like you're writing enough then it may help to schedule writing time. For awhile during the first draft phase I had 3 nights a week of 3 hours per "session" at a coffee shop like Starbucks or Seattle's Best (these do not have free Wi-Fi so provide less of a distraction). I would progress anywhere from 1500 to 3000 words a night, most nights, by just sticking on the headphones and plunging forward into the story.
#2 - There is no "right way" to write a novel. You can read as many books as you want, and you should read a ton of books on writing novels, but you will only be able to piece together a formula that works for you. One person could never impart to another the perfect way to get a book down on paper; it's a purely personal experience. If someone else were to try to write my book even based on the same premises it would be a totally different book (and not just a different story). It might take them longer or shorter, it might be longer or shorter itself. Basically the best plan is to listen to everyone who gives you advice and take from it what you think will be beneficial.
#3 - Set realistic goals for yourself so you know what you're working toward. My initial goal was a 50,000 word first draft. My second goal was finishing the second draft within a certain timeframe, regardless of the word count. I'm now just a hair over 70,000 with 4 chapters to go. My book will be different than your book. The closer you get to achieving your goals the better you will feel and the more you will enjoy writing.
#4 - Spelling is always important. Grammar and punctuation only become imperative during your second draft phase. Yes, you must have a second draft phase. And possibly a third draft phase. If you get to the tenth draft phase, call for help. (Some of these tips are compiled from books I've read about writing. Obviously I wouldn't know what a tenth draft phase feels like) The bottom line is that your first draft will absolutely not be publish-able. It is likely to be incoherent and the longer you take to complete it the more disconnected the beginning will feel from the ending.
#5 - Know when your most productive time of day is. Some of us are morning people, some are night owls. If you can drink coffee any time of day like me then you may have better luck just writing when you can. Choose writing time when you can focus but know what time of day you focus best. An addendum to that: never give your most productive time of day to your boss.
That's all I've got for now and most of it is fairly common sense if you read as many books on writing as I do. Reading your eyes out of their sockets should be a given. If you're not reading, you're not going to do much writing either. Or, if you are, your vocabulary is going to suck.
Labels:
tips
Thursday, March 22, 2007
more fiction
He pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers in a fiery embrace. With a protesting screech she pushed him away. The impact of her palm against his cheek sent him reeling but did nothing to quell his passion. His eyes stared into hers as he rubbed his wounded face. She said nothing but he knew all the thoughts going through her head at that moment.
As the door slammed in his face he hung his head in defeat. His attempt to redeem himself had failed; he had nothing left. Trembling, his hand reached for the phone to make his final call.
The future was waiting.
As the door slammed in his face he hung his head in defeat. His attempt to redeem himself had failed; he had nothing left. Trembling, his hand reached for the phone to make his final call.
The future was waiting.
Labels:
fiction
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
fiction
I drag my heels through this one-horse town even though they say a plague is coming. As I look at the picture of the man I'm looking for I start to wish that his father had never been born; it would have saved me all this trouble. I know he's here, somewhere, but he has no idea who I really am. I know I can catch him before this puny hamlet becomes just another sore on the surface of the world.
I search a house. Nothing. I search the barber shop. Nothing but bald men flapping gums about weather that never changes. I step into the street to cross and watch a man come rolling out of the tavern doors. There's a pause as the obnoxious music stops and the swinging doors have enough time to stand still again before a man comes staggering out.
I almost wet myself. It's the man I'm looking for.
My right hand reaches across my body for the pistol even before I remember that I have a hand to reach with. In a flash and a bang he is on the ground. The shot echoes against the buildings but no one flinches or stirs. I start to think this kind of thing has happened before.
I collect some evidence of his passing and grab everything of value off the man's corpse before turning west and looking at the setting sun. "The next one is that way," a familiar voice echoes in my mind. "I know," I respond aloud. I put one foot in front of the other on my way out of the town.
I take a quick look back toward the eastern horizon. The blackness beneath the blue is a constant reminder. I bring my hand to my mouth to cough. They say a plague is coming. They're right.
I search a house. Nothing. I search the barber shop. Nothing but bald men flapping gums about weather that never changes. I step into the street to cross and watch a man come rolling out of the tavern doors. There's a pause as the obnoxious music stops and the swinging doors have enough time to stand still again before a man comes staggering out.
I almost wet myself. It's the man I'm looking for.
My right hand reaches across my body for the pistol even before I remember that I have a hand to reach with. In a flash and a bang he is on the ground. The shot echoes against the buildings but no one flinches or stirs. I start to think this kind of thing has happened before.
I collect some evidence of his passing and grab everything of value off the man's corpse before turning west and looking at the setting sun. "The next one is that way," a familiar voice echoes in my mind. "I know," I respond aloud. I put one foot in front of the other on my way out of the town.
I take a quick look back toward the eastern horizon. The blackness beneath the blue is a constant reminder. I bring my hand to my mouth to cough. They say a plague is coming. They're right.
Labels:
fiction,
short story
Friday, March 16, 2007
43things.com
I added my "wish" to publish a novel to this website called 43things.com. It basically publicizes my goal and links me with other people who are pursuing the same thing. Hopefully this will be a positive thing; I'm kind of indifferent about it.
I think that I am almost done with the Second Draft. Then comes the Major Readthrough and any minor edits that need to be done before submitting to a publisher. I think I may send it to Tor/Forge first and see what kind of response I get.
Do you ever get that gnawing feeling that no one cares? I hate that.
I think that I am almost done with the Second Draft. Then comes the Major Readthrough and any minor edits that need to be done before submitting to a publisher. I think I may send it to Tor/Forge first and see what kind of response I get.
Do you ever get that gnawing feeling that no one cares? I hate that.
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