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Synopsi? Synopsees?
Regardless of what the right word is, I'm offering 'em.
For the last couple of years, my ability to get anything worth posting down on paper has pretty much been squat, hasn't it? I've got lots of ideas, and lots of DESIRE to write, just no drive, if that makes sense. Often times, even when I do get myself fired up to write and get sat down to do it I somehow end up either online reading or playing a game instead.
So, for anyone who is interested, I'm offering the option for a quick synopsis of the remaining events in various stories of mine in case they don't want to wait the unspecified time until I get the next chapter(s) finished for posting.
Here's the list of stories I'm willing to offer this service for, and their current state of writing:
Echoes -- on hiatus, not sure when I will return, and may require a rewrite to get back into.
Princess For Hire -- active development, but S-L-O-W for some reason I can't pinpoint.
Switcheroo -- Same as PFH, just more so since PFH is the higher priority.
Boys of Summer -- on hiatus, not sure IF I will return, and WOULD require a substantial rewrite so as to avoid annoying people.
Right Hand of the Devil -- on hiatus/offered to another author. Events would be what I had planned, but could change if the offeree takes things over.
Pickles -- over and done with, since it lost momentum with the audience after a certain point, though I'm happy to give a quick rundown of the general idea(s) I had for the plot.
If you want to be patient and wait for it, I am still working toward completion of PFH (there's only 7 posts to go before it's over, after all) and gearing up for a return to Switcheroo, which like most comic books has no real end in sight though the TG elements will eventually play out as far as importance. BoS and Echoes are pushed so far back on the timeline they're practically lying in the rubbish bin, so it's likely we'll see the next ice age before I make substantial enough progress on them to continue them.
In addition to this service, I am also offering free story ideas to any interested parties, ranging from things as simple as titles and short opening ideas to as complete as a full synopsis of events from beginning to end, though pulling short of writing the story for you. The less of these I have lying around tempting me, the better off I'll be as far as finishing other ideas, after all.
And none of this even TOUCHES on the non-TG side of things I've been trying to write...
Too much imagination, too little time, too many distractions. Gah.
Melanie E.
Comments
The plural of "synopsis"...
...is "synopses". ^^ It's one of the unusual ones, though there are a couple of other words that are similar (of course, I can't remember any of them at the moment >.< ).
-Liz
Successor to the LToC
Formerly known as "momonoimoto"
Try diagnoses
which is another of those words which have Greek roots, another is thesis - theses.
Melanie you write very well, but perhaps lack discipline or even priorities. If game playing is your priority then it will always take precedence over your writing, which is a pity as I'm still waiting for the remaining seven PFH episodes.
Angharad
Harsh but true
I write fiction for the same reason I play the games and read so much. Rather than really writing for anyone else, of even for my reception here (though that does help give me reason to let it out rather than keeping it confined to my head) I use fiction writing as a way to escape the world around me; to travel to a place where I can experience a different life as a different person, perhaps a better one, perhaps just a more exciting one.
Reading and playing games tend to be much faster accesses to those feelings. On the contrast, they are also much less rewarding, hence my desire to return to writing so badly.
My lack of discipline has been a problem in more areas than one, though, trust me. I've spent the last couple of years in a long drawn-out battle not just with my writing, but with my weight, and my social life, and a few other things where, well, let's just say better discipline would definitely help.
Melanie E.
Quick fix
I'm inclined to agree that you are looking for a quick fix - instant gratification if you will. The games are a quick and sure way to meet that need, whereas your writing is a slower, but deeper and more lasting way to do it.
Like all things in life, it's all about balance. The classic line from Lost Horizon was " All things in moderation." if you've never had a chance to read the book, or even watch the movie, then you probably don't understand that. The monks of Shangri-la, who basically lived forever, expressed their primary belief in that one line.
You must learn to walk that fine line between what you want and what you need; between instant gratification and long term happiness.
Having said that, I for one am truly looking forward to the rest of PFH. I believe that I have expressed that before, lol.
I would also love to see the continuation of BOS and Echoes both as well. I loved all three stories and was completely left at sea when I reached the end of your writing without reaching the end of the story.
I have faith in you and in your abilities. Fulfill your destiny young Jedi.
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song
"Just and Old Fashioned Love Song" was a hit for Three Dog Night and was written by Paul Williams (a great combo). The song speaks indirectly to the importance of knowing your audience. "Just an old-fashioned love song. One I'm sure they wrote for you and me."
When I'm reading a book I want personal relevance. Great stories have universal themes with broad appeal.
Within the TG genre are several areas that might better be described as oil and water. Those who love magic, rarely love CD. Those who enjoy forced fem rarely enjoy sweet transitioning bios. The favored sub-genres on BC have ebbed and flowed over the years.
Perhaps your inability to find the desire and energy to write is directly linked to having lost contact with a responsive audience?
Some of your remarks would lead me to believe that you received critical comments.
It would take someone with a self-injury disorder to continue to write when the reward is dubious and possibly even negative.
When I was editing for you I enjoyed your talent for expressing ideas. You're a natural story-teller with talent that is far above average for this site. Those who say different DON'T COUNT.
Even Stephen King has said many times that he writes for his wife. If his wife enjoys his books he is satisfied. If she doesn't like his writing he is defeated. millions of people can't wait for his next book to be published or made into a movie. Yet, critics love to pan his efforts. He is wise to only care about the opinion of someone who gives him unconditional love and unvarnished opinions.
His first book was published only because his wife pulled a copy of the manuscript for "Carrie" out of the garbage and sent it to one more literary agent. He had given up.
You just need to find person who wants to read your material and tell you it's wonderful . . . when it is. Tall order ... but there have to be people like that somewhere in your life.
If finding and appreciative audience means leaving this site behind then you need to do just that. I love Big Closet, but it might be that you should be writing exclusively non-TG material.
I write for myself. I recently spent two months writing a story, including research and self-editing. That story received a large number of kudos (for me) but far less than what other writers on this site receive. I'm not into competitive writing, or I would have been crushed by that story's inability to garner widespread acceptance.
Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you're simply wonderful and find yourself an audience who thinks your stories were "wrote for you and me".
And . . . shame on those readers who either failed to support Melanie . . . or worse yet, made unkind remarks that dampened her spirit.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Thanks Angela
It's always good to hear from you!
To be honest, though, it hasn't been about critical comments at all. In fact, about the most critical comment I've received recently has been over the fact that I haven't posted often enough, and that isn't exactly something I can argue against.
No, the problems with my writing not moving on fall squarely on ME. Like my post said, too little time, too many distractions. I'm constantly playing a game or reading a story or, if not doing one of those two things, I'm at work or asleep in preparation for starting the cycle over again.
Thank you, though. Very much.
Melanie E.
I too write for myself
That's why I wrote Twins. I needed something to clear my mind and to be honest I thought it would just be a story I would never finish, but it eveolved. I'm much like you with regards to getting side-tracked. It's too easy to start reading someone elses stories because of the effort of writing, but I've found lately that I don't find many stories I like, so it makes it easier for me to write the things I do like. I hope you find that spot and continue your fine stories, Arecee
:(
Well, I don't know what to say other than I'm very disappointed. Boys of Summer and Echoes were two really great stories. They're the only stories I've been looking forward to from you. I really do appreciate your honesty when it comes to your writings, though. At least I can finally abandon all hope. :P
As I said several years ago, I firmly believe that Boys of Summer does not need a re-write. Those naysayers complaining about forced femme were ridiculous. They'd clearly not read 98% of the stuff on fictionmania. At most, it was a tiny push to get things going.
I am quite curious as to how you were planning to write the subsequent chapters. I'd like to take you up on that offer on a synopsis of the two. I'd love to know the fate of those characters.
I think the issues you address...
are called life. Sometimes it just whacks us in the back of the head (or lower), doesn't it? If you get it under control, please write and tell me how you did it.
Ole
Oh: synopses.
We are each exactly as God made us. God does not make mistakes!
Gender rights are the new civil rights!
Melanie, why not go back
through each story to catch up on the characters and situations, then plot out any changes yo want to make. You might even want to edit them as well if needed.
May Your Light Forever Shine
Beware Of The Shiny Thing
I've got lots of ideas, and lots of DESIRE to write, just no drive, if that makes sense. Often times, even when I do get myself fired up to write and get sat down to do it I somehow end up either online reading or playing a game instead.
Very slowly, and without too many of us noticing, the Internet has been turned into a trap. For every budding writer who views sites like BC as an opportunity to develop their skills, tens or maybe hundreds will have started out with the best of intentions and been distracted by the shiny thing.
Because the shiny thing works. It makes money. If enough people look at enough shiny things then some of them will pay to get their hands on one.
Every piece of fiction posted on this or any other site, no matter how short, no matter how much it may be in need of improvement, is a statement. It says I've seen your shiny thing and you know what, I'm not buying.
Our corporate masters fucking hate that.
But then it's tough keeping everyone happy.