Ever tried to write a full-length book?

[moksliukas]

well, i had an idea once to write a book called "Life: user's manual" from the God's point of view (it should have been funny, like Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy is funny). It should have been written in a style of a computer game manual (like Civilization

) with description of units, terrain, countries, what you can do with your life, etc. However, I decided that I would be a lousy writer and I didn't even start. If I did write it, noone would read it anyway, even if I put it online for free.

 

[DarkCloud]

FAL, perhaps you should elaborate more inth 1st chapter about the destruction, it is fairly bland.

The beginning of the chapter is interesting. The style is new and innovative, but halfway down the page you should probably revise it more... more description about the attempts by God. To write 50K words is hard to do without much description. Personally I write around 15K words as a non-description outline type telling me what I want to do.
Then I do character sketches and descriptions.

Then I write the 2nd version.

Then I research.

Then I type it and revise.

More research and spot checks, then I'll send off the story.

Also, a good hint is to introduce your main protagonist early in the story.

----
About my tale: An Action-Adventure Espionague Thriller Parody told from the point of view of the evil characters.
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MrSparkle- what type of fantasy novel? What style, Tolkien, Jordan, Brooks, Anthony, Asprin, etc.?

mok- just write it and we'll critique it here. (Writers workshop

)

 

[Archbob]

Well noted, I will indeed re-write the first chapter.

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Join me in World Conquest

<FONT COLOR="blue"><FONT face="lucida handwriting">
Would ya shoot someone? What if he also had a gun pointing at you?

</FONT c></FONT f>
Check out Arcade Portal and

 

[The Green Destiny]

I've only one suggestion for you...
You should learn the difference between telling a story and writing one.
If you tell us a story it won't be nearly as interesting as if we experienced it for ourselves.
I hope you understand what I am attempting to quarry.
Good Luck to you my friend you have stumbled upon a long and tedious road.


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LIVE!

 

[MrSparkle]

Well Darkcloud i never really thought about it but i guess its more like modern fantasy like Eddings and Fiest if anything.


And thanks to Fallen Angel Lord who started this topic because i am now in the 'mood' to write.


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I am disrespectful to Dirt! Can you not see that I am serious?

 

[Archbob]

I love writing. I'll go start a "show off your works thread"

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Join me in World Conquest

<FONT COLOR="blue"><FONT face="lucida handwriting">
Would ya shoot someone? What if he also had a gun pointing at you?

</FONT c></FONT f>
Check out Arcade Portal and

 

[MrSparkle]

I think i understand what your saying Green Destiny. You do not tell the reader everything, you let them find things out for themselves as they woudl in a real0life experience

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I am disrespectful to Dirt! Can you not see that I am serious?

 

[Magnus]

Originally posted by goodbye_mr_bond:
PS: Stormerne, I also agree with your doubts on whether the novel is the pinnacle of literature. I remember a quote (whose I can't recall) that went something like: "A short-story writer is a failed poet, and a novelist is a failed short-story writer."

couldn't agree less with that statement. verse is an entirely different form than prose and some stories are longer or shorter completely due to subject matter and depth, not due to the limitations of the writer. Most novelists I have read are excellent short-story writers as well.

 

[DarkCloud]

Actually, at least according to Orson Scott Card, they are completely different!

A short story- one thing happens, minimal character development, usually no back history, etc.

Novel- Many things happen, subplots, major character development, much back history, etc.

Also, in short stories the author 'tells' more. Such as: "It was red" rather than, "her red satin dress shone." Merely because they are trying to cut down on words.

 

[MrSparkle]

How do you guys combat writers block? Sometimes i just stare at the copmuter screen and draw up a big blank, then after fifteen minuts i go and play Civ. Other times i am writing so well i dont want to sleep.



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I am disrespectful to Dirt! Can you not see that I am serious?

 

[DarkCloud]

The best way is to have a lot of random ideas written somewhere for inspiration. Then, when you don't know what to write, look at the ideas, or jokes, or conversations and then write.

Or, you can do research, etc.

What I did with my story was write
70 pages, sort of a rough outline
Then extend the elaboration of ideas to 102.
Then type it on the computer with more elaboration (75 pgs)
Then do research, elaboration etc (STAGE I AM NOW ON)

 

[dreadhead7]

I have written several short stories and papers for various college courses. I actually started writing a bit when I was about 8 years old. I wrote a short story that was published in a children's magazine. Later, I started writing some poetry, and had one poem published in a Peace and Justice newspaper. These days, I mostly write articles for newsletters and press releases.

I have always gotten A's in creative writing and speaking in school, from grade school through college. My problem is this--I am a chicken. I fear rejection. Actually, I'm my own worst critic, but I'd hate to spew out some drivel and have you guys annihilate me.

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"Shake the world beneath your feet up"
--Johnny Clegg