McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

A Writer who can't Write

<< < (6/6)

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: Cyclone Jack on March 06, 2008, 02:06:20 AM ---Don't leap right into writing novels! Even if you only want to be known as a novelist or etc. Start with short fiction. Become proficient with telling a complete story, with beginning middle and end. While short fiction is by no means easy to write (some consider it to be more difficult than novel length), by its very nature it allows the beginner a very helpful thing: a reachable goal while that white hot 'oh-lordy-I-gotz-a-great-idea' passion is burning brightly. :)

--- End quote ---

This only works if writing a short story takes you any less time than writing a novel; this is not the case for me.  Some people are natural novelists, some natural short-story writers, some have the good fortune to be both, and, well, I suppose there's Ted Chiang as an example of a natural novella writer; find the length that works for you and work on that.

Roaram:
even though I  use a scene by scene, I ususally let a scene run its own course. that's why my friend is such a help. I find with my writing its a love/hate thing. I can hate decent writing that does what its supposed to and tells a good story, and I can completely love writing that really should be cut as it does not a single thing for anyone. there have even been chapters myy friend loved reading, yet still took away from the story as a whole, little chapters upstaging big chapters. some times I get to red pencil my editor (ah the sweet satisfaction) but usually he's  right. (i hope he doesn't read this) I doubt my way is the best way for everyone, but I personally find making my writing better is easier than making it perfect on  the first try, or getting it on paper in the first place

sluice:
I think the key to actually writing is just getting into the habit. An obsessive-compulsive unbreakable habit.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page