For writers - the purpose of this board

[I, Brian]

I would probably recommend that if creativity is a beast, then writing for the publishing markets is all about finding a way to tame the beast, without destroying its spirit. So, so many aspirants I've met on other forums refuse to limit their beasts. They jump into self-publishing so that they never need correct anything for an editor or agent. But who reads their stories?

[Vodstok]

That would be why there is a link to my story Gloom in the critique forum

no need to be a legend in one's own mind.

[Esioul]

Hmmm... I've rarely come accross an English teacher who was that into writing and stuff. For my CGSE coursework I had to describe a room, as well, and I think mine was a sort of gothicish room. Oh well. For the short story I think I filled up an entire excercise book and she screamed at me saying 'you can do that when you're a famous writer!', sarcastically, of course. She was a good teacher though- she taught me how to write a proper essay.

I've always been a bit behind because I didn't learn to read until I was about 8. I remember being given the same story book over and over again, it was the 'Tinderbox' I think. I remember getting to the last bit and getting so sick of it that I decided to read, and also getting so sick of sitting on the stupid table, and the next book I read was LOTR- I tend to be crap at things for ages, and then to pick them up fairly fast. That said, I should have learnt to write my bike ages ago- I'm 18 and I only learnt two weeks ago!

[Myla Starchild]

With every new book I read, I pick up inspiration for my stories, or a trick for my writing technique.


Ack! I know just what you mean, Esioul. I'm 15 and working towards my GCSEs, and I told my English teach about my writing, and the first thing he said was "it's not going to interfere with your coursework is it?". Prat.

[Esioul]

It doesn't really improve much at A Level, either, although if you do lit&lang combined you get to write a short (very short) story.

[Myla Starchild]

I just can't write short stories. I get too involved with characters and stories.

[polymorphikos]

In Unit 3 Literature they let me write a thirty page story based on Oedipus Rex and entirely in my own time, but then when Unit 4 rolled around we were only allowed to write for two hours at less than 800 words, and the source material was A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE!!! I could have written a novel inspired by that thing.

Fate is a cruel mistress, but she's excellent in the sack.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by polymorphikos

Fate is a cruel mistress, but she's excellent in the sack.

LOL!! I am definitely going to remember that one.

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by Myla Starchild

I just can't write short stories. I get too involved with characters and stories.

I feel your pain. i had that problem for a long, long time. The problem was, i wasnt writing because everything got so big, and since i have so many interests, i had 3 or 4 massive epics that i had mapped out. I have since learned to keep it small, but even my short stories blow out bigger than i think they will. Father Dillon's Funeral was going to be a 5 page short, but now it is 14 typed.

And that is just a zombie survival story.

[Esioul]

Oedipus? Aaagh, don't mention Oedipus to me...

[Myla Starchild]

I have three epic stories I'm working on, and various other stuff. Like I said, when I create characters I do really extensive character building, and I end up getting attatched to them.

[Chefo]

Myla,

The best way to not get too attached to them is to kill them off at regular intervals .

A person who has read a big part of my novel once asked me:
"Why did you have (name) killed? He was the best of the bunch..."

Another pleaded me not to kill his favorite character off...

I think it kinda' shocks the reader when that happens, which in my opinion is a good thing. Basically when you do that it catches the reader off guard for it is assumed that if you take the time to develop a character, he/she is worth keeping around. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to, in a way, start fresh with a new character/s.

Otherwise, it can get too boring. As good a series of books as LOTR is, I never doubted that Frodo or any of the main characters will somehow survive. So, rather than keep the reader wandering whether the characters will make it at all, the reader starts thinking about how the characters will make it. Knowing that your favorite characters will survive no matter what takes some of the excitement out of a story, in my opinion at least.

Just my 2 cents .

Chefo

[I, Brian]

I think the moment you let your characters seem invulnerable is the moment the plot dies. Characters have to seem vulnerable - to me characters have to always have the "will they get killed?" having over their heads. And at some point, you just have to do it - but only as the story demands.

[KajiunVu]

I agree too! My teachers usually gave me B's and Grammer I do last after I write. When I read through something I correct all mistakes in my head without even noticing. Writing is one of the greatest things to do if you write about what you want!

[Sarek]

My opinion; there's nothing wrong with becoming attached to ones characters, after all you have created them, work on them, given them life. They become part of you, your friends.

When I submitted my first novel to my editor, he killed off two of the main characters in the early stages; a few choice word from me leting him know they appear largely in my other three soon changed his mind.

He now doesn't attempt to kill off anyone.

I do not write short stories; those who do have my admiration for being able to complete a story in such a short space. most of my stories are 100,000 words.