McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Deciding on a Story?
cenwolfgirl:
1. who?
2. if you have dislexia and are new at writing/come up with intresting spellings you often have to rewrite bits or it makes no sense at all
or am i the only one with that problem?
Naomi:
--- Quote from: Dresdenus Prime on May 06, 2012, 03:17:41 PM ---My issue is, I'm worried about two things:
1. There's not enough back story - Since we're on the JB boards, I'll use the Dresden Files as an example. My book is essentially JB writing his first Harry Dresden novel at the point where (click to show/hide)Harry is picked up by DuMorne and begins his training as a wizard, learning exactly what's out there
2. The main character isn't conflicted or complex enough. Me being a first time writer, I'm not exactly sure how complex or conflicted the main character should be? He's essentially just an average joe at the moment. For the most part he's satisfied with his life.
--- End quote ---
I think answering #2 will fulfill #1. I love characters that are "average joes" who have to face fantastical, and dire, situations. I immediately relate to "average joes" on some level. Using Dresden as an example, he is a powerful wizard, facing incredible obstacles. But, he has to concern himself with the mundane -- like rent, and earning money for food. Touches like how Harry assesses his appearance makes him easy for me to connect with. Your character can be satisfied with his life -- for a few pages. Then, kick him out of his comfort zone with problems. I think characters who are scrabbling to get to, or back to, their perceived comfort zones are usually engrossing. I think this helps in making them interesting. Then, readers also get to see the impact the struggles have on the character.
I think this leads to an answer for #1. Readers will learn about your character's back story as they see how he addresses these problems. One's past heavily influences how one reacts to problems. Even if your character hasn't dealt with any major problems in the past can be used to generate interest in, and empathy for, him. The character will have to change, or be overwhelmed in facing the newly surfaced problems.
cenwolfgirl:
okay not shore where to put this or if it belongs in a diffrent thread but
i have put down a book i was writing for about two moneth and want to pick it up again but can not seem to get started
i started trying to get started on this book at about 11 this morning and its now 15 in the after noon and i have yet to write a singal word
the anoying thing is i knew what i wanted to write and had a good idea what was going to happen but RL got in the way and now i am stuck
dose any one have any idea how i can solve this problem ?
Zuriel:
--- Quote from: cenwolfgirl on May 28, 2012, 01:47:12 PM ---okay not shore where to put this or if it belongs in a diffrent thread but
i have put down a book i was writing for about two moneth and want to pick it up again but can not seem to get started
i started trying to get started on this book at about 11 this morning and its now 15 in the after noon and i have yet to write a singal word
the anoying thing is i knew what i wanted to write and had a good idea what was going to happen but RL got in the way and now i am stuck
dose any one have any idea how i can solve this problem ?
--- End quote ---
Hi cen!
When I find myself stuck like this, the only thing I can do is walk away from the story. I can't force what isn't there, so if I'm not exactly inspired at the moment - even though I have a great idea - and the words just won't come, there's no use staring at a blank screen. I go work on something else, maybe another story, and at some point, days later sometimes, I get all jazzed about it again, thoughts start to flow and I go back and work on it. If I try too hard, it never works. What I try to write never feels right, and I end up with a scene I have to re-write anyway.
So I don't think there's an easy answer for this. But go with the flow, I always say, and if it's not there, move on until it is. It will come back to you, just maybe not when you expect it. That's how it is for me.
cenwolfgirl:
i thought that would be what some one would say i was hopping for there to be a diffrent solution
it is rely anoying me as i finerly have tome to write and i sit down and bame all the things i thought would make grate ideas for this story all the things i wanted to write wile RL has been keeping me away from the story and just gone
oh well i will have to give it a rest for to day and see what tomorow brings i guess
and find some antyhistamine before my alagies kill me
stupid pollen count
thank you even though i don't like the awnser at least i know that there is nothing i can do about it ;D
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version