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I dont know how others write, but I tend to write in sequence - that is, I write the first part of a chapter first, then each event as it occurs.
Once in a great while after I have finished a part of a chapter, I realize something would actually work better earlier, and switch it around, but generally the story unfolds as I write it.
But I think I need to do something different for the next chapter of Mercy.
See, I have a pretty solid idea how the chapter will end, but I am less confident about how to get there, so I am tempted to write the ending out, and then see if I cant work backwards till I connect with the previous chapter.
I am curious, how others organize their stories, does anybody want to share their process?
Comments
I write like that alot too
I write like that alot too
But when a section just grabs me, I do not resit it at all. I write it and wrap the rest of the plot around that 'nugget'!
do what you feel like
my process is basic to me--major plot points--then filler if needed and then add all the small parts that link it all together
Just like building a Frankenstein Drow --bones, muscles --guts, skin --finish
Proud member of the Whateley Academy Drow clan/collective
Depends
When working on some longer works, I do sometimes jump ahead and write an ending when the necessary ending becomes clear to me. That way, I have somewhere to go and some idea of how to get there.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
your a great author.. and amazing woman...
Not that I'm any where near as good as you but...
When I write something I have to see it in my mind. Once it is there then I can write. In a way I envision the whole story before my hands reach the keyboard.
Unfortantly lately i try to write something...look at it and realize it's junk and delete it.
Instead
> Unfortantly lately i try to write something...look at it and realize it's junk and delete it.
I suggest that you not delete it but rather put it in an old_files directory, where it's available to mine for ideas, dialogue, and other bits and pieces.
-- Daphne Xu (a page of contents)
I do things a little differently.
I begin writing a story near the middle of the story, on the scenes I am most excited about in the story. Then, I work on the ending. Next, I start filling in scenes. Around this time I have a good idea of the beginning. After which, I organize the scenes with an outline into a workable plot. At this point, I write the beginning and work down the entire story. When I am done with the rough draft, I go through the story again from beginning to end to find any mistakes I missed in my rough draft.
Also, I find listening to specific pieces of music to set the mood for writing specific scenes help a lot. Slow relaxing music for dialogue scenes. Sweeping music romantic scenes. Epic music for scenes show vast vistas of what an area looks like. And fast paced music for action scenes.
Dorothy, thank you for posting this thread. I do like talking shop about writing. And I am sure those people whom want to write will enjoy reading how various people write stories.
Fitting
I just completed a new chapter to River, and found the linear approach didn't seem to fit. I wanted to finish up a subplot with a character, so I branched off the main plot and followed him for 40 years (85 if you count the prestory that was given). Now I don't need to worry about revisiting what will be a minor character later in the tale (which will not run for 40 years, I hope.
Dawn
Massively Disorganized
I am massively disorganized, unable to concentrate usually. I routinely jump from idea to idea, trying to get one down before I forget it, often stuck on an idea. I often have trouble writing down a straightforward scene, description, or dialogue. I sometimes really have to work to get transitions in, or getting from here to there, or getting something in that's little more than filler. Once in a blue moon, I get a story done, perhaps as I envisioned it, perhaps rather different.
Then it's back to revision. Then, at least, something gets cleaned up.
Sometimes, I have an audacious, maybe even nasty, perverted, dark idea. I wonder to myself, do I really dare do this? Then I answer myself, "Why not?" And it usually stays.
-- Daphne Xu (a page of contents)
Methodical
The ethics of writing are that you've created an unwritten contract with your reader. One of the things that you've agreed to is that you will not waste their time by posting a story that won't eventually be completed.
When I start writing I have the plot worked out in a two to three page synopsis.
I then draw a schematic showing the characters' main conflicts with each other.
Depending on the story I will then do a character sketch for each character, so I stay consistent throughout the story.
I subscribe to the school of thought that a readers' pleasure is largely due to being able to accurately predict what will happen. This includes not only being able to predict the story's ultimate outcome -- but also being able to predict what will come next after each and every action. It is beyond me how an author can provide accurate foreshadowing throughout the story if she doesn't know the outcome until she writes the final chapter.
All that being said, many times I get to know my characters better as the story unfolds through writing -- and the story often changes during the process.
The reasons we write are varied. Writing should be the goal. How you write or why you write is secondary to the primary goal.
I just added all of the hits for the serials shown on the front page and all the hits for the solos. I took out the "classic" stories. On average, solos receive 75% more hits than serials. Food for thought.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Foreshadowing
"The ethics of writing are that you've created an unwritten contract with your reader. One of the things that you've agreed to is that you will not waste their time by posting a story that won't eventually be completed." I agree. It's most annoying to start a story, and be stalled in the middle. (Of course, one might spread out the story's posting, just to drive her readers crazy, especially if a post ends on a cliffhanger.)
In general, I don't care for foreshadowing. There should be surprises. Not only that, foreshadowing seems supernatural in a non-supernatural story. (For example, "Mean Girls" didn't require the Alpha Bitch's bus encounter to be foreshadowed, but it was, twice.) On the other hand, I agree that foreshadowing is essential in certain circumstances. Normally, what's not a surprise to the protagonist shouldn't be a surprise to the reader -- and certain things must be established (requiring foreshadowing) to avoid Asspulls. (For example, "Back to the Future" had to include an extended prologue before getting into the main story, just to set up the situation -- and had to do it without losing our interest.)
"It is beyond me how an author can provide accurate foreshadowing throughout the story if she doesn't know the outcome until she writes the final chapter." Revision, of course. That's one reason not to post parts of stories as they're written, but to wait until the story's complete.
-- Daphne Xu (a page of contents)
OTOH
I remember reading in the daily dormouse that Angharad had planned to wrap that story up after 100 or so chapters. And we all know where that ended up.
Sometimes you just need to let your muse loose, and hope to steer her to a conclusion. But I agree that just stopping a story is evil.
Dawn