Writing (science, Articles, Roman)

[Druidus]

Do you write? What do you write? Fiction? non-Fiction? Sci-fi? Fantasy? Romance? Any tips for other writers?

I write fiction, mostly science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history. I have three novels on the go, although only one is going steadily. My tip to any other writer is to work in scenes. Write out a description of a number of scenes for the beginning, middle, and end of the novel. Now you have a guidleline, with the majpr plot points written down for you. All you have to do is write each scene. Take pleasure from watching as each scene is finished, and you see the progress you are making.

Remember that the beginning should be roughly 25% of the novel, the middle roughly 50%, and the end roughly 25%. This means if you have a hundred scenes, 25 should be the beginning, 50 should be the middle, and 25 should be the end.

A guide (and site) that has helped me:

http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/#1

[michel]

I used to write - both Fiction and Non-fiction. The one book I wrote that was non-fiction was about dowsing, for medical purposes, using a pendulum, in conjuction with homeopathic remedies. I was told by a publisher that I would be better off trying to publish the book as articles, in a specialist Magazine.

The Non-fiction that I wrote was Sci-fi ish - a book about a guy who suddenly found himself transported 200 years into the future - for no reason whatsoever.

I never particularly wanted to write crime stories, but I had a theory that the way to 'map out' a plot would be to start at the end of the book, work backwards so as to have a plausible 'link' between the characters that could be totally unrelated at the start of the story.

[Jaiket]

Yes. Songs.

[Dinogrrl]

I'm working on a fantasy/historical fiction novel currently. After that, it's onto my sci-fi/fantasy story.

Everyone writes differently...for me, trying to write in 'scenes' would cause me to write an extremely choppy story >_o. I tend to almost free-write the first draft, and then completely shred it up and move it around for the subsequent drafts XD. But that's just me. I have an idea of where I want to go, but if I try to structurize it, I disrupt my train of thought; but adding structure later helps me tie everything together. I guess I jsut forget too much stuff if I try to do the outline thing >>.

I've tried my hand at plain historical fiction before, as well as mystery and fiction. I think my head is too far up in the clouds for me to not add fantasy to anything XD.

[Jaymes]

I write... badly. I might be a semi-decent writer if I could pick a story and get motivated to finish it, but I have too many things bouncing around to focus on one thing for long.

[Tawn]

I would love to write in my spare time in the future.. the problem I have is that I dont think I could remain fixed on one idea for long. I can draw inspirational ideas from things around me all the time, but I am too whimiscal.
I would likely write half a book, decide I didnt like the idea any more and start a new book.

[Malus 12:9]

Oh Fantasy warriors of course. :

[Unedited]

Thanks for the link; it looks interesting, but long, so I'll have to save it and read later.

I have a habbit of getting an idea in my head, and writing out about ten - twenty pages, then leaving it until I actually have time to develop it, so I have a ton of stories waiting to be finished. I started writing fanfiction about a year ago to help me with my writing. Fanfiction isn't any easier to write, but since I put it out on the web, I get immediate feed back, and it encourages me to write a little everday. Of course, I usually spend a week writing fanficition, then a couple months going back to whatever depressing novel I'm writing just for myself.

I find it hard also, to stay with a story until the end. I just make myself do it, even when I've lost interest. I know forcing myself to write something I'm not excited about, produces a story that's not very exciting either, but I get the entire story. And then it gets easier to write until the end.

[Dinogrrl]

*nods* I do a fair bit of fanfics myself...although there's only one that's anywhere near worthy to be shown to others >>. Got a few chapters of it up on fanfic.net, and a whole bunch more on my computer that I haven't gotten around to editing yet. :**

Godo fanfics are fun. Bad fanfics hurt my brain, but sure are fun to make fun of >.