Writer's Workshop General Chat Thread

[Kelleo]

Oh, I could definitely do romance, as I write quite a bit of that. I'm not really sure how to draw up a good lesson plan though, and I've never been too great at writing articles... xP

[Caitlin]

@Caitlin;, don't put yourself down thinking that you can't do it, that's a recipe for disaster. You obviously enjoy writing the story and the world in your story, I can tell that. Try put a bit more faith in your co-writer/editor's words, I'm certain he means it.

I wish I could, but I always seem to fall into the same trap; I start out, bursting through content and then later the killer drag hits in. I'm trying a new strategy this time (that is, planning, but not overplanning), so maybe I'll get further this time.

Faith? She's mine, but she's shaky. Hopefully that's enough to see me through.

As for the time it takes, many famous books have taken years for authors to complete, so you're not the only one in that situation. However, I'm certain you'll be satisfied with the end result.

Yeah, I'm trying to not expect this to be some quick affair. For the scope I'm aiming for, it's going to take quite a bit of time to craft, write, and then shake the bugs loose and squash them, patching up the plot holes and inconsistencies as I go.

@Caitlin If you are worried about posting it on the board for free...you could always email it people who ask. Though you don't have to send a whole chapter maybe just blacks of certain parts here and there. That way you don't give it ALL away.

As for getting feedback and suggestion, this may not be ideal and I'm not certain about it, but what if you let a select few individuals read and give feedback, preferably some you know in person instead of posting it on the Internet?

This is probably what I'm going to end up doing, though it's also been suggested to me that, if I near a presentable state and take it to a publisher, I post a prologue and a few chapters, to get some buzz rolling. I like that idea.

I think the biggest issue I'm facing with my confidence that it'll work out in the end is that I'm stepping into an over saturated genre, facing off against the mighty giants that are well established, well loved and have violently rabid fanbases that are quick to destroy due to perceived "this story did it first!"-ism. I need to stop thinking, I think.

[Flaze]

Well I guess someone else should start the review game, cause I seem to have stopped it xD

Also what are the requirements for an academy article again?

[Druddigon]

So, I'm formulating my first OC fic. I gotta say, OC fics are something I have zero experience with so this will be an interesting experience. I don't plan to post it soon since I'm very much focused on my current fic. and I believe having more than one fic. at a time is detrimental to both fics and has the potential to give said writer a bad name if one(or both) end up being dropped. After all, it can be a tad annoying for readers who have invested time in the story only for it to be dropped on a dime. Plus since I'm rather new writer I rather not have a scarred record to begin with. I thinking about waiting for current fic. to get a little older and further in, perhaps nine or eight chapters, I would then begin to release the new fic. while still keeping main priority over the current one. I think the biggest trouble I'm having is avoiding cliche characters, formulating personalities, and thinking up an engaging plot as well as a few character driven plots.

Speaking of OC fics, @System Error; Your fic. really has come a long way. You can really tell you've got everything planned down pact, I recently read your latest chapter in class on my 3DS in my free time. Your antagonist and protagonist are all very amazing, your battles are well done as well. I still can't believe this fic. has been in the making since 2009, it's a shame such a good story has so few reviews and gets so little critique. How many composition notebooks did you end up filling with story notes?

[AceTrainer14]

@AetherX/ @Kelleo: We are probably going to stick towards focussing on main writing areas such as proofreading, dialogue, that sort of stuff for a while at first, but after that I think looking into genre themed articles would be a good idea.

@Tophat Dragoneye: I do not think so, I shall add that to the list as well :)

Well I guess someone else should start the review game, cause I seem to have stopped it xD

Also what are the requirements for an academy article again?

I would say lessen what you are asking for Flaze, as you are technically outside of the limits set by the rules (ie just the prologues ;)) Like several people said, a lot of people have already read your work so I will talk to Soulmaster about potentially adding in a new rule...

And there are not really any set requirements outside of trying to include outside sources as well. Just look through past lessons to get an idea, but you just formulate a lesson in a way that suits. Obviously a requirement would be it stays on topic and does teach us something :P

[Flaze]

If it helps I can switch to my other story, it's still new.

[Kelleo]

@AetherX/ @Kelleo: We are probably going to stick towards focussing on main writing areas such as proofreading, dialogue, that sort of stuff for a while at first, but after that I think looking into genre themed articles would be a good idea.

Alright, if that's what you want to do, AceTrainer. You're the forum head. :)

[System Error]

Speaking of OC fics, System Error; Your fic. really has come a long way. You can really tell you've got everything planned down pact, I recently read your latest chapter in class on my 3DS in my free time. Your antagonist and protagonist are all very amazing, your battles are well done as well. I still can't believe this fic. has been in the making since 2009, it's a shame such a good story has so few reviews and gets so little critique. How many composition notebooks did you end up filling with story notes?

Some fics receive even less attention than my own, others receive so many replies there's more pages to the topic than chapters in the fic. :P

Well, I use Wordpad for things, so no notebooks here. But there's over a megabyte of planning stuff. Believe it or not though, it's about half and half. The way I write is pretty flexible. About as much was planned for the first two parts (which were actually some of the latest things) as there was changed or put in/removed on the spot. The most prominent example is Elyna, who was originally just a cameo/guest star done in a creative way to help me write a scene, but fit the circumstances and added enough to put her in recurringly.

[Druddigon]

[QUOTE=System Error;4635343]

Some fics receive even less attention than my own, others receive so many replies there's more pages to the topic than chapters in the fic. :P

Well, I use Wordpad for things, so no notebooks here. But there's over a megabyte of planning stuff. Believe it or not though, it's about half and half. The way I write is pretty flexible. About as much was planned for the first two parts (which were actually some of the latest things) as there was changed or put in/removed on the spot. The most prominent example is Elyna, who was originally just a cameo/guest star done in a creative way to help me write a scene, but fit the circumstances and added enough to put her in recurringly.

I gotta admit, I'm kinda jealous because I really like the way you use first person narrative and implemented so many unique ideas. Your plot is also very original, it's a bit slow at the beginning but sometimes people let their impatience get in the way of a good story. Also, I don't mind your chapter lengths.(Which you talked about before.) As long as it's quality, I'll read it. Besides, I look at as more of a roller coaster or the first three of the prime sweetness you get from a piece of gum.(Holy crap, how did I forget roller coaster is two words). I wanna enjoy it for as long as I can. Your dialogue and detail in normal description flows really well, you have your own unique style that stands out.

[AceTrainer14]

As a note to you all, @harryheart is now the man in charge of both the Workshop and Archive Directories. He is the one to ask if you have any questions about either of these areas!

Also, people should start thinking of potential questions based around their stories that they could ask the rest of the Workshop. We have a new competition/quiz coming soon which you will hear more about soon, so start thinking of initial questions and look out for the proper announcement!

[Flaze]

Oh,t hat sounds interesting.

[Lugion]

That does sound pretty cool.

[NoirGrimoir]

O_O Make up questions about the most obscure character that you mention like once ever in the entire story. Hah, no, that's just mean, heh~!

@Gotpika; I'll give some free advice if you want it, regarding characters and plots for OC fics. I usually revolve my stories around a relationship between two or more characters (not necessarily a romantic relationship, it could be a new friendship, a rivalry, a brotherly relationship, whatever you want, as long as the relationship is in a state of change). So you think of both what kind of characters who want to write and what kind of relationship you want to write. If we're thinking about a brotherly relationship, then maybe we'll have an aloof older brother and a younger brother who is always trying to get his attention, or an older brother who is always causing trouble and a younger brother who is the perfect child. Maybe they start off with a bad relationship and it becomes a very close one. Or they start off close but a difference of ideals rips them apart. Lots of possibilities. So you figure that out, and basically at the beginning the characters have one relationship, and by the end the relationship is different. So right there you have two characters and a very tenuous, but basic plot, and as you think about it, you can think of the more exciting parts like battles and such, which are going to be the stepping stones to changing said relationship.

That's just how I do it, I don't know if that's useful to you.

[Druddigon]

O_O Make up questions about the most obscure character that you mention like once ever in the entire story. Hah, no, that's just mean, heh~!

@Gotpika; I'll give some free advice if you want it, regarding characters and plots for OC fics. I usually revolve my stories around a relationship between two or more characters (not necessarily a romantic relationship, it could be a new friendship, a rivalry, a brotherly relationship, whatever you want, as long as the relationship is in a state of change). So you think of both what kind of characters who want to write and what kind of relationship you want to write. If we're thinking about a brotherly relationship, then maybe we'll have an aloof older brother and a younger brother who is always trying to get his attention, or an older brother who is always causing trouble and a younger brother who is the perfect child. Maybe they start off with a bad relationship and it becomes a very close one. Or they start off close but a difference of ideals rips them apart. Lots of possibilities. So you figure that out, and basically at the beginning the characters have one relationship, and by the end the relationship is different. So right there you have two characters and a very tenuous, but basic plot, and as you think about it, you can think of the more exciting parts like battles and such, which are going to be the stepping stones to changing said relationship.

That's just how I do it, I don't know if that's useful to you.

Sorry about replying to this so late, I've been practice drawing for the most part a lot. OC Relationship-driven stories are a concept I haven't touched on at all, but I do indeed plan for the relationship between two characters(Mother and Son.) to be a bit of a starter for the whole story in a way. The subtle change in personality you mention in-terms of Character Development will be a bit tricky to pull off, though thanks for the ideas.

[Instrutilus]

Sope, I've decided I want to do a BIG project, bigger then the Travelsverse, and infact related to it. Simply put, I want to do a Massive Crossover story with every 'canon' of Pokémon out there. Including 'verses, such as AceTrainer14's Galacticverse, to oneshots, and even RPverses if I can read through them. As well as not just limiting myself to Bulbagarden, I plan to look for 'verses in other Pokémon communities and such. What's people's general opinion to this and do they want their characters to have a significant role in the events? If not, cameos all'round :L