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At the moment, I am a nursing student.
However, one of my goals is to begin writing my own works of TG fiction. I was hoping to hear from some of you as to how I might get started?
A plot helps...
I know it's obvious, but I'd assume writing TG fiction is no different to writing any other fiction. Generally speaking, you start with a rough idea of the plot, fashion some characters, and start scribbling. Eventually (so I'm lead to believe) the characters may 'take over' and start guiding you themselves - possibly even straying far from the original plot.
Then again, if you're really brave, you could go down the Angharad route and make it up as you go along...
Once you've got it roughly into shape, there are several editors amongst this community, who'd take your manuscript and polish it up. Then publish it and wait for the votes and comments to roll in :)
-oOo-
I'm only a reader myself (virtually no literary skills), but anyway, welcome to BCTS. Enjoy yourself here, we're quite a friendly bunch of characters (or at least, that's the impression I've got since arriving a few months ago) scattered across the globe - and will almost certainly comment positively on whatever you do write :)
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Getting Started
Melody,
I would recommend reading stories of many of the wonderful authors on this site. Then start with a short story. You may want to submit one for this year's Christmas contest. Make sure to have someone proofread your work and edit it for you. Many of the authors will offer to act as your editor. Generally the people who read and comment are supportive. It will be a learning process - just don't get discouraged.
Good luck.
As always,
Dru
As always,
Dru
Hi Melody, As Dru suggested,
Hi Melody,
As Dru suggested, reading is a great place to start. Examine how others construct their tales. The way they use different viewpoints. How they make dialogue come alive. Where they use great detail, where they skip over things, and why.
Decide what you'd like to write about. I suspect most authors write what they'd like to read. Me...I'm partial to bodysuit stories. There are many wonderful bodysuit stories out there, but at a certain point, I just had to try "rolling my own".
An important point: A good story is always about the characters. Start with an idea. But tell us how the characters deal with it. When you can do that well, you will have a hungry audience.
When you're ready to take the plunge, pick an idea. Build a plot around it. Populate it with characters. Sounds like a homework assignment, doesn't it? :) OK, try this...
1) Start with a short story.
2) Write.
3) Read what you've written, correcting spelling and grammer, and rewriting sections as needed.
(reading aloud will highlight mistakes you won't "hear" if you read quietly)
4) Write some more.
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed.
The key is to WRITE. Put (and keep putting) words on paper (or computer screen). You can always correct, tweak, edit. But you need to write something first. Sometimes writing is like sculpting. Putting down a bunch of words is like starting with a block of stone. You then have to "chisel away" everything that doesn't belong. Other times it can be like painting, where you might add a tiny speck of color right "there", which changes that section of the painting entirely.
If you need help, ask. Us folk here at Big Closet are always willing to lend a hand.
I wish you every success.
- vessica b
Dreams As A Foundation
Hi,
First off, I applaud your determination to write. Once you get into the swing of things and find your own voice, you will find it is a wonderful way to explore both the world you live in as well as your dreams. It's strange, but true. I wish I could explain it better, but for me, it's one of those feelings that defy my ability to articulate in words without sounding cliched.
As to writing, first off, I really do not like the idea of writing TG fiction. Rather, you should take the approach straight out of the gate of writing fiction in which the character just happens the be TG. There is a subtle difference. TG fiction, as I define it, often follows a set path littered with conventions and predicable plot lines. It is possible, in my mind at least, to side step many of the traditional conventions and, instead, concentrate on the character and his/her interplay with others as they deal with a challenge or events they are faced with. My last three works involved very different characters dealing with a war they did not ask for but none the less had to deal with. In this way, you can write a conventional story, (mystery, suspense, love), with the character having one more complication, i.e. he and/or she is TG.
As to how to get started, well that varies greatly. Since I was very much into studying Shakespeare, I followed his approach to story telling.
Act I - Set the stage and introduce your characters. This is what I did in Chapter One of 'Annoying Facts'
Act II - Introduce the issue/problems facing the characters and how they view them, avoiding the problem or seeking a solution. (Chapter 2 and 3 of Annoying Facts)
ACt III - The crisis, the part of the story where the characters come face to face with an issue/event/problem that cannot be avoided
Act IV - Reaction to the Crisis, What does everyone do, either alone or together to overcome or resolve the crisis
Act V - Resolution; how all the characters manage to survive or over come the crisis and move on with their lives.
The above has always worked for me. When I started, I used an outline to organize my thoughts. After the first two books, I simple gave that up because I was wasting too much time updating the outline as I hit upon new ideas as I went along. Now I simple 'screen compose,' which means you make it up as you type. If you have done a good job of developing your characters and their setting early on, this should not be a problem.
Recommendations;
1. Stay with a subject/area of expertise you are familiar with. For example, what is it like being a nursing student who is TG?
2. Decide right off if you want to write in the first person or the third person. By writing in the first person, you are restricted to telling the story only from one person's point of view, (POV), which is the 'I' person. Using third person, you have the freedom to get into the heads of other characters and write whole scenes that do not involve the primary character but will impact him/her.
3. When trying to figure out how to depict a scene or conversation, go back and read how your favorite writers dealt with a similar scene. At first, you will find yourself aping their approach. Very quickly, however, you will develop a a style of your own.
4. Finally, don't push it. When you try to force something, it usually comes out bad. When I experience a blockage, I take a break, walk the dog, go to the store or fix dinner. Some of my best scenes have popped into my head while following Arnold, my dog or in the shower.
Well, all that is left is wishing you luck. Writing is both fun and illuminating.
Nancy Cole
www.nancycole.org
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Thank you, all.
Of course, I mentioned that I am far too busy to begin anything like writing even a short story. Nursing school can be extremely difficult, but is always exhausting and time consuming. I am coming to the end of the first semester, and one might thing that I might have time to have a go at it over the break,...but I need to begin reading textbooks for the next semester.
Is it fair to say that a good way to start, given how involved I am with school,....is to keep a journal of my day to day life,...adding in story ideas, characters, etc,...that I think about I would think that just making an effort to observe people and situations would be helpful.
The things I do write,...even personal correspondence,...tends to be a little technical,...or as my wife puts it,..."high fallutin". That will be the difficult part,....writing character dialogs so that they sound real,...as well as not writing above my readers. By that I mean, most readers will not respond well to technical medical terminology,...or any terminology that is specific to a particular field. For example,...unless my reading audience are truckers,...I wouldn't want to use the term "sliding tandems" or "jake brake", because most people will not know what they are.
Best wishes to all,
Melody