Okay so there are a lot of questions flying around on here and the Writer's Forum. If you have any suggestions on the questions, please say! So let's try and get our heads around the most common ones:
How can I continue a story after leaving it for months/years?
There are numerous options. First thing is to read through it an decide if it is worth carrying on. Can you improve it? Can you make the story take a seperate path or perhaps something is missing? If you do decide to continue the best option would be to re-write it so you know where you stand and you continue with the same quality.
How do I combat writer's block?
Okay, a difficult one. There are many options:
- Give yourself a much needed break, whether that be minutes, days, weeks or months. Come back to it with a fresh mind with fresh ideas.
- Read. Reading books spurs many ideas and gets the cogs working again.
- Move on with the story. Leave that part and go on to write the next part, which could be more exciting. Writing doesn't have to be done in chronological order.
- Go for a walk. Walking clears your head, make the excuse of taking your dog for a walk and churn the ideas over in your head.
- Get a pen and paper. If you tend to be staring at that computer screen, close it down, grab and pen and paper and start writing down everything that comes to your mind. Sometimes reverting back to the old ways can be best.
- Set a writing goal! This is what the guild is all about, tackling that block and goal can be a huge challenge and reward yourself after!
Writing Software?
Personally, I tend to use Microsoft Word, nothing wrong with it. There are many basic programmes that can be used to write with such as NotePad and WordPad.
For script writing I use Celtz, which sets everything out perfectly and looks professional too! Although we may not want to pay out, there are programmes you can dish out money for. I don't really know of any but if anyone uses one themselves, please say!
I need character names fast!
Name generators can be fun! They can be great for Sci-Fi or Fantasy or just general names:
General Names from Countries
Fantasy Name Generator
Or there is the old fashion way of websites made for picking names and baby name websites of course:
General Baby Names
List of Dark Names, Plus many other lists of 'types' of names
Ancient Names and their Meanings
British Surnames, I think they go into other Countries as well
Anymore, please share!
Do I run the risk of not being published because I post my work online?
Okay, I usually see a lot of this on most writing forums. People have mixed views. However, how are we writer's meant to know if our fictions are any good without feedback? It may be all well to send it to a friend but will you honestly get good critique?
Writer's Digest has recently posted a Blog telling writer's to stop being afraid to post their work online. The main points:
- The idea is getting archaic with the way the publishing industry is going, with online publishing going on all the time.
- Test marketing is one of the best things you can do!
- Is hiding your work going to improve it really?
- Offering online work can create such an interest, it can get published that way. Yes, it has happened!
- E-books can get picked up by traditional publishing.
So in other words, we are heading for a new industry of writing.
Here is the link to the Writer's Digest Blog
How can I continue a story after leaving it for months/years?
There are numerous options. First thing is to read through it an decide if it is worth carrying on. Can you improve it? Can you make the story take a seperate path or perhaps something is missing? If you do decide to continue the best option would be to re-write it so you know where you stand and you continue with the same quality.
How do I combat writer's block?
Okay, a difficult one. There are many options:
- Give yourself a much needed break, whether that be minutes, days, weeks or months. Come back to it with a fresh mind with fresh ideas.
- Read. Reading books spurs many ideas and gets the cogs working again.
- Move on with the story. Leave that part and go on to write the next part, which could be more exciting. Writing doesn't have to be done in chronological order.
- Go for a walk. Walking clears your head, make the excuse of taking your dog for a walk and churn the ideas over in your head.
- Get a pen and paper. If you tend to be staring at that computer screen, close it down, grab and pen and paper and start writing down everything that comes to your mind. Sometimes reverting back to the old ways can be best.
- Set a writing goal! This is what the guild is all about, tackling that block and goal can be a huge challenge and reward yourself after!
Writing Software?
Personally, I tend to use Microsoft Word, nothing wrong with it. There are many basic programmes that can be used to write with such as NotePad and WordPad.
For script writing I use Celtz, which sets everything out perfectly and looks professional too! Although we may not want to pay out, there are programmes you can dish out money for. I don't really know of any but if anyone uses one themselves, please say!
I need character names fast!
Name generators can be fun! They can be great for Sci-Fi or Fantasy or just general names:
General Names from Countries
Fantasy Name Generator
Or there is the old fashion way of websites made for picking names and baby name websites of course:
General Baby Names
List of Dark Names, Plus many other lists of 'types' of names
Ancient Names and their Meanings
British Surnames, I think they go into other Countries as well
Anymore, please share!
Do I run the risk of not being published because I post my work online?
Okay, I usually see a lot of this on most writing forums. People have mixed views. However, how are we writer's meant to know if our fictions are any good without feedback? It may be all well to send it to a friend but will you honestly get good critique?
Writer's Digest has recently posted a Blog telling writer's to stop being afraid to post their work online. The main points:
- The idea is getting archaic with the way the publishing industry is going, with online publishing going on all the time.
- Test marketing is one of the best things you can do!
- Is hiding your work going to improve it really?
- Offering online work can create such an interest, it can get published that way. Yes, it has happened!
- E-books can get picked up by traditional publishing.
So in other words, we are heading for a new industry of writing.
Here is the link to the Writer's Digest Blog
