When do you know?

[kaufmannp]

So hi there,

I've had this story in my head, in one shape or form, for nearly fifteen years. Throughout that time it has grown, stretching out this way and that, and now I'm thoroughly concerned that if I don't write the damned thing it'll go off in my head.

As I commit words to screen, I get more and more excited when I realize I'm getting that much closer to completion, to putting something out there that at the very least I love to read.

So my question is; when do you know that the world you're building is one worth reading about?

As excited as I am, I confess to some nervousness when I realize that I could very well finish the thing only to find that what looked so amazing in my head, (sort of an internal star wars reel with my own creation of galactic adventures...no ewoks), turns out to be utter crap.

I know it doesn't really matter, that I'm doing something that I love and having a ball as I watch things appear that I had no part in planning.

Still; kinda scary and perhaps an issue someone on here may have struggled with.

Thanks for indulging!

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by kaufmannp

I realize that I could very well finish the thing only to find that what looked so amazing in my head, (sort of an internal star wars reel with my own creation of galactic adventures...no ewoks), turns out to be utter crap.

It's an issue that most (if not all) of us have struggled with.

This is why we do rewrites, and get critiques, and do more rewrites. Most first drafts are awful. The real question is, how much time and effort are you willing to devote to making it as good as you can make it?

[kaufmannp]

I suppose that is the real question, and it is probably one I'll have to continue asking myself every time I try to flake out of putting in the energy required.

Hopefully, years down the line, I can look back and say enough.

Or I could just break the whole thing down and rebuild it. Worked on my lego creations

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Originally Posted by kaufmannp

So hi there,

I've had this story in my head, in one shape or form, for nearly fifteen years. Throughout that time it has grown, stretching out this way and that, and now I'm thoroughly concerned that if I don't write the damned thing it'll go off in my head.

As I commit words to screen, I get more and more excited when I realize I'm getting that much closer to completion, to putting something out there that at the very least I love to read.

So my question is; when do you know that the world you're building is one worth reading about?

As excited as I am, I confess to some nervousness when I realize that I could very well finish the thing only to find that what looked so amazing in my head, (sort of an internal star wars reel with my own creation of galactic adventures...no ewoks), turns out to be utter crap.

I know it doesn't really matter, that I'm doing something that I love and having a ball as I watch things appear that I had no part in planning.

Still; kinda scary and perhaps an issue someone on here may have struggled with.

Thanks for indulging!

You just described pretty much my experience with my now-dead world, Morcalia. Eleven years I put into it, through thought and word, only to realize that what it added up to, I couldn't pay to have taken to a dump. There's many a thing I regret writing, but the so-called "biography" of Zoe Maeshalanadae is my biggest regret ever.


And to think that when I was originally writing it, originally for my eyes only, I thought I was being clever. Looking back, and from some sophistication from Chrons, I wish I could have gone back in time to slap myself upside the head and yell "No!"

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Karn Maeshalanadae

There's many a thing I regret writing, but the so-called "biography" of Zoe Maeshalanadae is my biggest regret ever."

It was part of the learning process, Karn, and you shouldn't regret it. You must know by now that so much of our growth as writers comes through the process of trial and error. We learn from our mistakes, and become better writers because of them. Morcalia taught you things that you needed to know. Now it's up to you to profit from the experience.

[kaufmannp]

I read that post very carefully, struggling to peer beyond the mere words and attempt to grasp the meaning of the thing. After at least fifteen seconds, I have it.

Message received.

Time travel is the obvious solution!


Its probably the hard work thing..but time travel would be several levels of awesome

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

It's not what I learned that I regret, but more the fact that I had ever thought up such filth.

I still say the way I destroyed Morcalia was nice, though. And I did learn from a show on the science channel that it could indeed be possible for planets to survive interplanetary collision enough to form another celestial body. (It's a theory on how our moon was formed.)


But back to the original thread, you never really know how good or "bad" a piece is going to be, unless you can look at it with objective eyes; I have a theory that to really be a successful fiction author you almost need a separate personality-a personality that might take form by way of a pseudonym, for some published authors.


And whether that secondary personality is the real author, or your objective reader, the opposite will be your judge.

[RcGrant]

Yeah, I don't think it gets easier to "know", as such, I think you just get to a point where you become a little more confident in your abilities. Couple that with the knowledge if you want to attempt to get it published then other people will have their own opinions on it, and I think you just get on with it then.

It helps me to know I have other projects I will continue with. It reminds me the current story isn't the be-all, which frankly when you are right in the middle of writing it does feel like it.

Post some in the Critiques section here, then see if you can find some readers (trust me, these people are invaluable. Hold onto them where you can) - they will at least flag up anything obvious for you.

Also, I agree with what Teresa said about it all being part of your individual learning process. Be proud you have written as much as you have (many people don't even get that far).

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Come to think of it, that does tend to be one of my issues...I don't work on multiple projects, even if I should. I rarely have more than one idea going through my head when I buckle down seriously.

[The Judge]

Originally Posted by Karn Maeshalanadae

And whether that secondary personality is the real author, or your objective reader, the opposite will be your judge.

Don't know as I approve of people going round being their own judges, not when I've got the monopoly on all Judicial Actions around here...


I agree with Teresa, and if this is your first book, you yourself simply won't know even when you've finished. As new authors we're all too close to the writing, and we just can't get the necessary objectivity here at the beginning of our careers, so we carom wildly between thinking it's the best thing since Shakespeare and a pile of utter garbage. We need a good critiquing friend, someone who can read it objectively, and show us its faults (because it will certainly have faults) and its virtues (because it will surely have some... we hope...).

And there are two aspects to it, too. You ask when do you know that the world you're building is one worth reading about? But even if the world is awesome in its conception, if the delivery is bad, because the prose is plodding, the dialogue insincere, the characters ludicrous, no one will read far enough to find out.

But as you say, for now don't worry about critical reception, just write and enjoy the writing. When the book is written look it over again and then start thinking about getting that critiquing friend.

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, law is a subject that, to be perfectly honest, has always bored me at the thought of studying and practicing. *shrugs*


And now all this discussion about the quality of one's work has kept me awake, wondering if I should take a revived wind at trying to add to my Czastaria story, or what. And yes, there is a reason the world is named that. The "staria" part is a corrupt version of ancient Morcalian meaning "shine," as in, a star. The Cza part I meant to be derived from "Czar," and all its connotations. So, the world's name is supposed to mean "shining empire," but in the context that in the destruction of two of a mere handful of planets with intelligent life, it was meant to be a glimmer of hope for the remaining humans of the larger world, Morcalia, and more importantly, the gods, however few are left.



Hm. I think I just came up with a bit of mythology there. Why is it that only when I'm in between a burst of energy and tiredness my mind actually works correctly? I seem to have hijacked the thread, and I don't have my towel...

[Luiglin]

I don't think I'll ever know. Even if it ever gets published, and I'm working damn hard to meet that end, I suspect that I'll still be hyper critical. I think it goes with any sort of creative process.

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by kaufmannp

So my question is; when do you know that the world you're building is one worth reading about?

I honestly don't think you can. You just need to work on a world/story that interests you and make it the best you can.

I have spent years writing about and creating new worlds for my characters to play in. Each time it was fun, each time I learned more about the craft of story telling. Now I write stories that are based in our world, because I have found that interests me more. (Will it interest others only time will tell.) I am still creating a world of sorts, it is ours through a lenses, darkly.

[RcGrant]

Originally Posted by Karn Maeshalanadae

Come to think of it, that does tend to be one of my issues...I don't work on multiple projects, even if I should. I rarely have more than one idea going through my head when I buckle down seriously.

I don't necessarily work on multiple projects in the strictest sense of the word, but I keep a running notebook of ideas, some of which I may flesh out into character studies or plot-lines. These then get put to one side. Many people do swap between writing two projects, but I find it difficult. However, the little notebook with ideas makes me feel confident whatever I am writing won't always be the only thing. I think once you get to a redrafting stage of one project it might be easier to then write a first draft of a second alongside.

[kaufmannp]

Lots of positive feedback, thank you! I'm looking forward to the posting/critique stage, if only to have someone who isn't married to me tell me how my wip reads/sounds.

Thanks again!