|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:30 pm
So, I'm going to be starting a much larger project than usual. I'm going to be aiming for ten chapters of around 5,000 words each (so around 50,000 in total). I'm still really new at writing, and I've honestly never attempted anything like this before. My longest story was only 6,000 (though I planned on making it around 10,000 - 12,000, it was never finished.). Now, while I'm plotting out the story, I'm going to trying to find as many articles written on the topic as I can, but I was hoping someone could give me a few pointers.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:27 pm
It kind of depends on the individual writer.
I've done nanowrimo for three years now (successfully! woot!!) where the goal is 50,000 words in one month. So I have some experience with longer works.
If you prefer pre-planning and organization, than try a simple outline. If you know where you want to start, what you want to happen in the middle, and where you want to end this is likely your best chance.
If you have no idea beyond a vague plot/character, than write out what you know and then just start writing. Be prepared to go back and edit - and when I say edit I mean pretty much rewrite.
I've done it a couple different ways. My second nano I sat down and plotted out the course for three parts of one book. From start to finish I had chapter to chapter. In certain areas I was more detailed than others. At the end of nano I had just completed part 1. When I went back and edited, I realized my pacing had been way too fast and what I meant to take a couple weeks in story finished in three. Oops. So I scratched my first part 1 outline, noted additional plots that came up while writing, and starting writing it again. I didn't just edit, I put aside my first copy and rewrote it, occasionally glancing and rereading my first copy.
This past year, I only had a world and two characters and vaguest idea of plot. I just wrote and let the characters tell me what was up. Nothing I wrote I'm keeping, but it gave me plot, characters, important events.
On the other hand, I've also written a longer work wherein I didn't have an outline and I didn't just linearly write it. I ended up writing out scenes, skipping here and there and writing as inspiration struck. Some scenes ended up not fitting in when I started patching it together but it was also really fun.
Okay. I guess what I'm saying is that for me, it doesn't matter. Whatever happens in my first draft - outline first or not, I tend to completely rewrite it anyway. It's always valuable information, most of it reworked into the new draft, but the first time I write there's so many plots and characters that I forget or create or change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:32 pm
So, my last post was kinda long and didn't provide direct help.
Things I've noticed in longer works. I've had trouble keeping track period. Characters, minor/side plots, and the like. This tends to lead to me rewriting to better work in ideas. You might want to keep a document just to keep note.
I find the longer you write, the smoother it comes and the additional ideas. Don't be afraid to go back and fix or change your beginning. Don't be afraid of new ideas you get in the last stretch, even if it might been rewriting 30,000 words.
If you want help, I'm always happy to help. A direct question would likely help me focus. sweatdrop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:35 am
Wow! That was really helpful, thanks. I'm usually the type of guy who plans things out in advance. I've got a vague outline of where I want the story to go, but I'm not too worried about following it, if I get a better idea while I'm writing, I'll usually run with it. Kybia So, my last post was kinda long and didn't provide direct help. Things I've noticed in longer works. I've had trouble keeping track period. Characters, minor/side plots, and the like. This tends to lead to me rewriting to better work in ideas. You might want to keep a document just to keep note. I think I'm going to need to do that. In the first two chapters, I tried to get everything perfect before I moved on, but I don't think that approach is working. I think I'm going to try and finish everything, before I do any serious edits, and look at everything as a whole. Kybia I find the longer you write, the smoother it comes and the additional ideas. Don't be afraid to go back and fix or change your beginning. Don't be afraid of new ideas you get in the last stretch, even if it might been rewriting 30,000 words. I've definitely noticed that too. Whenever I start writing, usually it takes me awhile before the ideas really start flowing. From the looks of things, when I finally do finish it, you're right, I'm probably going to need to go back and do some heavy edits to the beginning. Kybia If you want help, I'm always happy to help. A direct question would likely help me focus. sweatdrop Well, what's causing me the most grief right now is scene transitions. Every time I finish a scene, I just sort of sit there asking myself how to start the next one. Usually I know what needs to happen next, but it always gives me a lot of trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:08 am
Maltese_Falcon91 I think I'm going to try and finish everything, before I do any serious edits, and look at everything as a whole. Personally, I think that's an excellent idea - one that took me forever before I began implementing. sweatdrop It might be difficult to do, but it might help to keep a second document (or right there in the story!) make note of any plot changes, character shifts, and additional ideas. Maltese_Falcon91 Well, what's causing me the most grief right now is scene transitions. Every time I finish a scene, I just sort of sit there asking myself how to start the next one. Usually I know what needs to happen next, but it always gives me a lot of trouble. Hey! I do have something to say about that (though, I'd likely find something to say anyway...). I'd recommend grabbing a favorite book or two (variety helps!) and read through it again. Rather than reading for its amazing plot or characters or whatever made you like it first, pay close attention to the writing. There's something abut the writing you liked enough to name the book your favorite, so learn from it. As it's scenes you're having some difficulty with, pay special attention to how they change scenes. The biggest, easy method is usually to just end the chapter. Sometimes it's as easy as starting a new paragraph with a transition like "The next morning". And to be completely honest, you might be amazed at how blatant the scene change is. When you're reading it and pulled into the action most books are good at keeping your attention. You'll read over slightly awkward scenes or scene changes that aren't really dressed up. Sometimes, you need to keep the scene change really simple in order to prevent kicking people out of the book. Also, I'd like to add an endnote stating this is just how I do things. If someone else has some advice please, don't let my over-talkative post scare you away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
