Belisarius
Bluelighter
Before I start, I want to say: mods, feel free to move this to Words. The reason I didn't post this in Words, is because the impression I get from that subforum is that it's primarily used by people who want to post their stuff, rather than those who want to have a serious discussion of the craft.
Anyways, I've wanted to make a thread like this for a while. Let this be a thread for all writers, struggling or otherwise. I was thinking we could start this off with a simple "quiz", with discussion interspersed in a free-form fashion:
--What do you like to write?
--Have you published anything, or are you in the process of getting published?
--What do you like most about writing?
--What do you like least about writing?
--What do you want to do with writing, personally?
--What are your tips for other writers?
I'll start.
What do you like to write?
Science fiction.
Have you published anything, or are you in the process of getting published?
Not yet. However, I've finished one short story and am in the process of finishing another; I have high hopes that I can get at least one of them published in the next year.
What do you like most about writing?
When I'm writing something I love, when I'm "in the zone", I get a feeling that I can only describe as self-actualization. I literally feel like like this is what I'm *supposed* to be doing, like I'm a tool that's found its natural purpose.
What do you like least about writing?
Writer's block, of course. Repeatedly starting stories on ideas that sound promising, but that ultimately fall flat. Realizing that I have a long way to go.
What do you want to do with writing, personally?
I want to be an accomplished fiction writer. I don't have to be famous, or make enough from it to live off (though that would be sweet
); it'll be enough for me if I just see my work in print somewhere, knowing that other people are reading and enjoying it.
What are your tips for other writers?
1.) Never be too proud to consider advice from other successful writers, past or present; articles by well-known fiction writers have been tremendously helpful to me over the years.
2.) Always keep abreast of the genre you're interested in. I think this is especially important in science fiction, horror, and fantasy, as these genres are full of ideas that have been done to death, like time travel, space opera, evil sorcerors, vampires, etc.
3.) Try to make a schedule and stick to it. Lots of writers prefer to do x number of pages every day; for me, I usually do one on, one off. That gives me a day to write, and another to read and think over my idea. If I'm on a roll though, I'll barrel through.
4.) See the world as a place of potential ideas. My imagination can be piqued by all sorts of things: people I've met or watched, conversations I've had or overheard, my own past, or even personal accessories. I got an idea for one character just by seeing a woman with a black shirt and a cool lunch box. I think it also pays to people watch, and listen to how they speak and interact, so you can translate that into more realistic characters.
Anyways, I've wanted to make a thread like this for a while. Let this be a thread for all writers, struggling or otherwise. I was thinking we could start this off with a simple "quiz", with discussion interspersed in a free-form fashion:
--What do you like to write?
--Have you published anything, or are you in the process of getting published?
--What do you like most about writing?
--What do you like least about writing?
--What do you want to do with writing, personally?
--What are your tips for other writers?
I'll start.
What do you like to write?
Science fiction.
Have you published anything, or are you in the process of getting published?
Not yet. However, I've finished one short story and am in the process of finishing another; I have high hopes that I can get at least one of them published in the next year.
What do you like most about writing?
When I'm writing something I love, when I'm "in the zone", I get a feeling that I can only describe as self-actualization. I literally feel like like this is what I'm *supposed* to be doing, like I'm a tool that's found its natural purpose.
What do you like least about writing?
Writer's block, of course. Repeatedly starting stories on ideas that sound promising, but that ultimately fall flat. Realizing that I have a long way to go.
What do you want to do with writing, personally?
I want to be an accomplished fiction writer. I don't have to be famous, or make enough from it to live off (though that would be sweet
); it'll be enough for me if I just see my work in print somewhere, knowing that other people are reading and enjoying it.What are your tips for other writers?
1.) Never be too proud to consider advice from other successful writers, past or present; articles by well-known fiction writers have been tremendously helpful to me over the years.
2.) Always keep abreast of the genre you're interested in. I think this is especially important in science fiction, horror, and fantasy, as these genres are full of ideas that have been done to death, like time travel, space opera, evil sorcerors, vampires, etc.
3.) Try to make a schedule and stick to it. Lots of writers prefer to do x number of pages every day; for me, I usually do one on, one off. That gives me a day to write, and another to read and think over my idea. If I'm on a roll though, I'll barrel through.
4.) See the world as a place of potential ideas. My imagination can be piqued by all sorts of things: people I've met or watched, conversations I've had or overheard, my own past, or even personal accessories. I got an idea for one character just by seeing a woman with a black shirt and a cool lunch box. I think it also pays to people watch, and listen to how they speak and interact, so you can translate that into more realistic characters.
my dream would be able to support myself with writing but really I'd be happy just to have published something.
