Meta: Rambling About Learning Craft

[ann_applecore]

Writing
Taking some time to study plot and characterization (as well as structure) is beginning to pay off in terms of seeing where I can improve. Now I can see the holes in my work--not enough plot/movement, lack of drama. I can see where I usually do well (atmosphere-building, flow, pacing), too. This is good! *happy*

Previously (aka Why I

Comments

[thephoenixboy]

Only three WIPs left? Somehow it seems like a lot more.

I suppose working with an idea, beginning and a goal is a lot easier with shorter fics and the longer the fic, the easier it is to get lost in it. When I'm writing something big, I tend to sketch out the main theme in each chapter before I'm say 5000 words in and that helps a bit.

While you're busy with your longer fics, don't forget that the short fics are tricky too - because you can't hide behind the plot, the characterisation has to be very strong. That's something I learned in PoT.

a yamato/tezuka/echizen fic has just been posted in triopuri. I'm very happy XD

[ann_applecore]

I know. O_o It always felt like there were so many!

*nods* I tend to approach long fics as a series of shorter chapters, but I'm finding this really inadequate because I want to seed the chapters with hints and I can't if I don't have a _very_ clear idea of what's going to happen next.

*laughs* Preaching to the choir, I think. Have you ever found the characterization in any of my short fics to be lacking? Oh heck--have you ever found the characterization in ANY of my fics to be lacking? (PLEASE tell me if you have. I want to know so I can do better.)

Pairing aside, is it good?

[thephoenixboy]

I guess I am. I just don't want you to run off to write epics and worry about plot and everything and forget about the characterisation because I like your characterisation.

I liked it - there were moments when I didn't quite buy their Echizen but their Yamato was great

[ann_applecore]

*hearts and loves you to bits* I will try my best not to forget my roots. *snuggles*

I'll keep it in mind the next time I'm looking for fic to read. ^_^ I think I'm starting to lose interest in the _reading_, though I still like the writing.

[moonsliver]

We will pretend I was Never Here, but I need a sanity break... >>;

It's good to see that the stuff about craft is really worming it's way into your brain. :D And those books do look interesting. I've never heard anything bad about the Write Great Fiction series, though I've never had a chance to pick it up for myself. (I may have to after I finish The Anarchist In The Library...) ♥

[ann_applecore]

Gotcha.

Write Great Fiction seems to be really good so far! Certainly I think it's more interesting and enjoyable than the previous Elements of Fiction Writing series. I'm a little leery of getting Description & Setting and Dialogue just yet, because I think I do all right in those areas, but I may if I find I'm not satisfied with what I'm currently doing.

[moonsliver]

♥

See, those are the two that interest me, along with structure and plot. Especially anything that gets more emotion into my writing. >>; I will have to try to pick them up...

[ann_applecore]

Let me know how you like them. *snuggles* You know my writing, and you could tell me if I could learn more from them.

[everysecondtues]

I haven't really written anything very long for fandom in the past couple of years--I finally hit 10K for a story and feel like it's quite a bit (though I think I could easily expand it into 50K at least, but I really, really don't want to). This is kind of amusing to me in that when I was in my second through fourth year of fandom I wrote these long rambling wips with epic plots (but that were also incredibly terrible looking over them again).

When I started the fan fiction meme (still haven't finished it), I came to the strange realization that not only have I been in fandom for a long time, but it's well over half my life now. D: I started at ten (which, uh, wow) and now I'm twenty-two. It feels kind of strange, but also reassuring to realize I'll probably never make it out of fandom entirely. Something will always draw me back in, I'm sure. <3

[ann_applecore]

I've always been in the sub-1000-word category, and breaking 1000 words was extremely rare. Then I started breaking 1000 words regularly. Now I'm getting to 1500-2000 words for one-shots, and I'm beginning to see an increase in the number of longer fics (chaptered). It's heartening!

♥ It's VERY reassuring to see that you'll always come back. We met through fandom (well, if meeting through ontogenesis counts as meeting through fandom, because I met her in HnG), and it's always fun talking about shared interests like that! (Besides, fangirls need someone else to understand exactly why they squee, ne?)

[ontogenesis]

Of course she'll always be coming back. There are people grabbing for her ankles, pulling her back.

It's great that you are increasing your word count, and that you've found the books so useful. I brazenly take credit for the writing book binge of yours.

Yes, it is fun. It's like being in a cult, minus the poisoned Kool-Aid.

[ann_applecore]

Yes, it's all your fault, and for that I'm REALLY grateful. I never really thought about how much writing books could help me become aware of my own shortcomings. And now you have me owning a freakin' library of them. T_T (You're welcome to borrow any of these anytime, by the way, especially if I'm not using them actively.)

[aishuu]

*looks slightly embarrassed* I think I SUGGESTED it, not TOLD you. I don't TELL anyone anything about writing since it's so much a matter of subjective opinion.

[ann_applecore]

Ah, this is more a case of reported speech, but I have to admit, it's been a while and the exact wording eludes me. Maybe it was a suggestion. ^_^ In any case, I know who to blame for the whole "write longer fics" idea, and who to thank. I haven't learned so much in AGES. *hugs and loves you to bits*

[ontogenesis]

Better look out. Shindou's coming for you. :smirks:

[ungalad]

I know what you mean so, so, so well. You know, this entry is kind of motivating. I wanna finish my WIP now! It's a matter of commitment, too. How am I gonna be able to write a novel if I can't commit myself to finish a simple, long, chapter-ed fic? :S And I agree with what you say that short stories (in fanfiction) are easier. It's a good thing that you're pushing yourself to write things that are difficult for you (v.gr., to finish your long fics :P). Good luck with those WIPs! *cheers for Ai*

[ann_applecore]

*snuggles and hearts you* Thank you, dear. I hope this helped you!