I've got some foolish notion in my head to write a story. A fantasy, with my own world, characters, and hopefully some exciting, thoughtful, and inspiring writing. But I'm struggling with the more fundamental aspect of any story, the story itself. I can't think of a good plot, nor can I seem to decide on a central theme or tone for the work. What is needed for a great work of narrative art? What should I have established in my mind before even attempting to think about a plot? And what of the plot itself, my world-building is rather barebones in my opinion and I'm struggling to think of much of a coherant plot rather than just a string of events or a broad plan. In short, a case of writer's block before any writing has commenced.
[video=youtube;juko0sAndsA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juko0sAndsA[/video]
Just sit down and start writing. If you're that sapped for ways of connecting everything, perhaps just focus on those main ideas you mentioned, OP. Make them short stories if nessecary.
[QUOTE=Archimedes;36817119][video=youtube;juko0sAndsA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juko0sAndsA[/video]
Just sit down and start writing. If you're that sapped for ways of connecting everything, perhaps just focus on those main ideas you mentioned, OP. Make them short stories if nessecary.[/QUOTE]
So I should punch the keys for God's sake?
[editline]18th July 2012[/editline]
I can do the first two chapters without my plot trouble, it's getting the characters together and I've largely got that sorted out in my head. Hopefully by then I'll have something a bit more substantial and a batter grasp on my own world. I guess you're right, it's eaiser to keep an object in motion than it is to start it and I should dive right in. I just hope I can write something that'll mean something...
[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;36817205]So I should punch the keys for God's sake?[/QUOTE]
Yes.
But seriously broseph, just take a sit down with some drink of your choice and write. Even if it starts with "It was a dark and stormy night..." you'll at least have a start and a jumping off point. If you've got a distinct idea for the main character, try to let events flow along as he gets from point A to point B. Think how he'd react in those situations and what he'd encounter along the way.
Maybe even write a short introduction to your world and how it works. Even if that never makes it into the story, you'll still have more of a concrete idea of how this world works and what its history is. That's what I tend to do, at least.
[QUOTE=Archimedes;36817268]Yes.
But seriously broseph, just take a sit down with some drink of your choice and write. Even if it starts with "It was a dark and stormy night..." you'll at least have a start and a jumping off point. If you've got a distinct idea for the main character, try to let events flow along as he gets from point A to point B. Think how he'd react in those situations and what he'd encounter along the way.
Maybe even write a short introduction to your world and how it works. Even if that never makes it into the story, you'll still have more of a concrete idea of how this world works and what its history is. That's what I tend to do, at least.[/QUOTE]
I've already decied on the opening line "It was a full moon this night, but it was scarcely visible behind the pine trees". As for my main character, she's, uh, kind of aimless. A larger, or even a short-term goal, for the main group of characters at large would be helpful. I could prolong the journey back and use it as an excuse to learn up the audience more about the world dynamics. But it's nearly half 1 AM over here, I'll definitely start tomorrow, I've got a lot of free time.
[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;36817377]"It was a full moon this night, but it was scarcely visible behind the pine trees"[/QUOTE]
That's a pretty uninspired line, and you've already broken your tenses. Read books, always read books if you want to write, they will give you instincts.
Just start building. Build the world in short descriptions or single lines, build on your notions of characters in the same way. Don't worry about phrasing right now, just focus on your content, and make sure that you are sure of what it is. When you feel you have built enough, you can begin, and draw on what you built to weave a better narrative.
At this stage, time is unimportant, don't try and make a coherent line to follow, you can do that later. Create events. Plot is liquid and can be shaped to your designs, but it requires the base of solid character and setting design. These things should allow the reader to easily immerse themselves in the text, and from their, they can be engaged with the narrative.
If you're old enough, take some college courses or something. Maybe even some online courses. Your sentences need to flow, and no offense that first sentence is pretty atrocious.
[quote]"It was a full moon this night, [U]but it was scarcely visible behind the pine trees[/U]."
[/quote]
First off, the underlined portion makes the entire sentence ugly and unappealing. It's really awkward to read. The first part is okay, but I don't see it as opening sentence material. Keep the first part, but let's edit the second, underlined part:
[quote][U]It was a full moon this night[/U], scarcely visible past the silhouette of the tall pine trees.[/quote]
The second part looks a bit better, but now the first part is awkward. Let's try switching the order of the two clauses.
[quote]Scarcely visible past the silhouette of the tall pine trees, it was a full moon this night.[/quote]
Okay so merely moving the sentence won't fix our problem:
[quote][I]Scarcely[/I] visible past the [I]silhouette[/I] of the tall pine trees, the moon [I]glowed[/I] bright and full.[/quote]
In this revised sentence, I imply that the moon is full, and still keep the fact that it's hidden behind the pine trees. You could probably follow up by describing that, despite the moon being full and bright, the world around the character is still very dark. Even though I still think the above, even after revise, is a weak sentence, I hope you get my point. In my opinion, it needs to be quite a lengthy sentence. So follow up by describing the setting, but keep in mind that it should be a single, lengthy sentence that flows. I'd recommend, since you already started with the moon, to go down and describe the trees, down to some bushes, then the character, then the environment she is stand on. Something like that flows. A sentence won't flow if it jumps around, describing the moon, then the grass, then back to the trees and finally to the character.
Obviously, I shouldn't be telling you how to write, but this is what you should do when you're editing your sentences. Keep in mind to use strong diction (which is italicized), and strong syntax, making your sentences flow. Keep sentences long when they should, and short and choppy when necessary.
As for just writing, just write. Write your hearts content out until you're done. Be sure to take note, whether it be making a sentence bold, etc., at which areas need revisions. Then do what I did with your opening sentence above. Just be sure it does not destroy the flow of your story.
Before anything, though, I would really suggest your try and take some classes. If not, youtube and google can be your friend.
Perhaps trying to write simply because paper (or Word in this case) is cheap compared to the production costs of other media is a bad idea, and that I shouldn't try to make something purely from a blind, impotent "creative" urge.
[editline]18th July 2012[/editline]
Probably doesn't help that I've never read a book outside the Harry Potter seres and that I've failed every English test I've ever taken.
[QUOTE=redBadger;36824728]Scarcely visible past the silhouette of the tall pine trees, the moon glowed bright and full.
[/QUOTE]
"Past" and "tall" are out of place here if this was a novel, also silhouette should be plural
:v:
[QUOTE=MakoSkyDub;36831056]"Past" and "tall" are out of place here if this was a novel, also silhouette should be plural
:v:[/QUOTE]
Like I said, I shouldn't be telling him how to write :v:
[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;36830102]Perhaps trying to write simply because paper (or Word in this case) is cheap compared to the production costs of other media is a bad idea, and that I shouldn't try to make something purely from a blind, impotent "creative" urge.
[editline]18th July 2012[/editline]
Probably doesn't help that I've never read a book outside the Harry Potter seres and that I've failed every English test I've ever taken.[/QUOTE]
No! This is a good idea, and a good way to get better at English, as long as you are prepared to accept criticism and revise. Just [I]write[/I] what you want to, worry about form later, and we can probably help with it.
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