Scribblejitters

[verlaine]

The good point is raised by purple_pen that if I can't bear the thought of being a historian (because I wouldn't be able to just make stuff up), then maybe I should try my hand at some historical or pseudo-historical fiction.

I am, as it so happens, doing a spot of writing at the moment. And the question of what to write is enormous, and paralyzing.

Comments

[andrewducker]

There is a median point for world-building. Where you construct things as you go along, making sure that nothing you add contradicts what you've already constructed, and thinking ahead, so that you can drop in hints as you go.

[verlaine]

World-builders have a dire prime exemplar though in the form of Mr Tolkien. When you can speak the languages of all your non-human characters before you've even started Chapter 1, you know you have a problem.

[verlaine]

Do it because you feel like it, or there's not much chance you'll get it done.This is obviously sound advice, but imagine if we applied it to the world of work! How many people would turn up to their jobs any more, or even if they did, do much productive while they were there

[inskauldrak]

How about a creative young historian leaves the frustrations of London behind for the peace of Victoria. Then, as the mundanity sets in his mind begins to wander and
alt-Historty London-of-Old begins to bleed through?

Is he going insane, or is something darker afoot?

That gives you Real/Fantasy/History and if it's inconsistent it just adds to the reader's fun in trying to figure out if it's 'real' or the main character is going mad ; )

[verlaine]

And my LJ-readers' meta-fun in trying to figure out if verlaine's updates on his novel are 'real' or if he is just going mad! (Well, madder.)

[haggisthesecond]

Writing a book is an investment of hundreds, probably thousands of hours of your time, how can you be sure you're writing the right one before you start out?

Impossible to know if it's the right one, as of course you are aware. The only thing for it is to take a deep breath and write *something*. If it's not working for you, chalk it up to experience and go on to the next item on your ideas list. But don't let the risk of failure hold you back.

[nantosvelta]

You could always try writing a fantasy novel whose world's sole consistency is that it's consistently changing. I do believe that's part of the charm of Tad Williams' Otherworld series. If you completely confuse the reader with a randomly changing world then they'll keep reading in the hopes of figuring out what the hell is going on!

Or something along those lines, anyway...