Where to begin - Page 2 - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Aes · 18th April 2006, 11:41 PM

^

Final Fantasy fanboys/fangirls are going to scream "chocobo ripoff" to that.

Winters_Sorrow · 19th April 2006, 10:21 AM

Welcome to the forums, Alkhara.
How do you pronouce Shanae? It's a beautiful name.

Netted · 19th April 2006, 08:40 PM

When i comes to outlines, i just do a basic one of what i want to happen plot-wise, very rough. I dont write them down, i record them onto my MP3 player (which i always have with me, unlike a pen + paper, which i can never ever find!). but just general ideas, anything i see or hear that i want to stick in there.

i find the first draft is more of an outline, in the traditional sense. thats where the basic shape comes from. then i start to do more research into charecters, places, thoeries, science etc, and in (hopefully0 all kicks off from there.

But dont worry if stuff doesnt kick off. with pieces like that, i always keep them, so i can steal bits out of them at a later date... just coz the whjole doesnt work, doesnt mean the parts of it wont be great seperatly, or in something else.
Dont get too bogged down in sticking to the inital concept either, I always see my first inspiration as the pot a plat grows in... the ideas that sprring from it are more enjoyable than the pot itself.

Coolhand · 20th April 2006, 10:54 AM

See, I'm one of those people who just can't outline. Well, I can but the stuff I come up with is never as good as if I simply made it up as I went along. Some, if not all of my best ideas come when I'm just typing away to see what happens next. It's more fun for me this way, because I feel as if I'm telling myself the story as I go.
I will admit though that it's a very messy way to work, and can mean lots of dead ends and tangents that never make it into the final work. I do often have to spend time sorting the mess of ideas out, but that's more a case of a reactive sorting process than proactive outlining!

So Alkhara, if you're having trouble with your outline or world concepts it might be an idea just to start typing and see what happens.

Marky Lazer · 20th April 2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

See, I'm one of those people who just can't outline. Well, I can but the stuff I come up with is never as good as if I simply made it up as I went along.

You got to remember that an outline is a tool. If you come up with a great idea that doesn't fit in the outline, you should alter the outline not the idea. No one is going to read (buy) an outline, but they read the story.

Coolhand · 20th April 2006, 03:45 PM

I agree 100% Sometimes it's that crazy little flash of "what if" that hits you late at night whilst pounding the keys that makes all the difference. I do know some writers who swear by outlines, though, and never deviate from thier original plan, which just goes to prove what a mixed bag we all are.

I suppose you just gotta find what works for you.

18th April 2006, 11:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
Aes Registered Procrastinator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 380	Re: Where to begin ^ Final Fantasy fanboys/fangirls are going to scream "chocobo ripoff" to that.

19th April 2006, 10:21 AM	#17 (permalink)
Winters_Sorrow Unreg. Mutant Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,708	Re: Where to begin Welcome to the forums, Alkhara. How do you pronouce Shanae? It's a beautiful name.

19th April 2006, 08:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
Netted holy :) Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 40	Re: Where to begin When i comes to outlines, i just do a basic one of what i want to happen plot-wise, very rough. I dont write them down, i record them onto my MP3 player (which i always have with me, unlike a pen + paper, which i can never ever find!). but just general ideas, anything i see or hear that i want to stick in there. i find the first draft is more of an outline, in the traditional sense. thats where the basic shape comes from. then i start to do more research into charecters, places, thoeries, science etc, and in (hopefully0 all kicks off from there. But dont worry if stuff doesnt kick off. with pieces like that, i always keep them, so i can steal bits out of them at a later date... just coz the whjole doesnt work, doesnt mean the parts of it wont be great seperatly, or in something else. Dont get too bogged down in sticking to the inital concept either, I always see my first inspiration as the pot a plat grows in... the ideas that sprring from it are more enjoyable than the pot itself.

20th April 2006, 10:54 AM	#19 (permalink)
Coolhand Spiff's Stunt Double Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 429	Re: Where to begin See, I'm one of those people who just can't outline. Well, I can but the stuff I come up with is never as good as if I simply made it up as I went along. Some, if not all of my best ideas come when I'm just typing away to see what happens next. It's more fun for me this way, because I feel as if I'm telling myself the story as I go. I will admit though that it's a very messy way to work, and can mean lots of dead ends and tangents that never make it into the final work. I do often have to spend time sorting the mess of ideas out, but that's more a case of a reactive sorting process than proactive outlining! So Alkhara, if you're having trouble with your outline or world concepts it might be an idea just to start typing and see what happens.

20th April 2006, 03:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
Coolhand Spiff's Stunt Double Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 429	Re: Where to begin I agree 100% Sometimes it's that crazy little flash of "what if" that hits you late at night whilst pounding the keys that makes all the difference. I do know some writers who swear by outlines, though, and never deviate from thier original plan, which just goes to prove what a mixed bag we all are. I suppose you just gotta find what works for you.

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