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Right, I'm sick of writing all these little pointless 'things' that add towards nothing, and knowing that some of you are writing books (FFF, Black Glove, yes?) just wondering if anyone has any tips.
I've tried before, but failed miserably, and that is now lost in history. I just want to do something, really. I love writing mini-story things, but they all just seem pointless. I mean, I've written loads of stuff, and don't really have anything to show for it.
Thing is... I have no idea where to start. Not good with planning and things so... tell me oh talented keyboard-mens.
Danke.
I've tried before, but failed miserably, and that is now lost in history. I just want to do something, really. I love writing mini-story things, but they all just seem pointless. I mean, I've written loads of stuff, and don't really have anything to show for it.
Thing is... I have no idea where to start. Not good with planning and things so... tell me oh talented keyboard-mens.
Danke.
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That's pretty good Meka, thanks, might have to try that out.
:o) I said I got them off of various places online, I just c'n'p'ed them, didn't see the need to paste into word, drop caps, etc...
The enthusiasm really picked up after a bit there, didn't it Meka?
;)
;)
One of the most useful things I've ever read is regarding the importance of knowing your main character(s) well. They have to seem real, and not just flat characters designed to play a part in the story. They need a history, they need feelings. The best way to do this, is to interview them, here are some questions I dragged off of various places:
Name:
Sex:
Age:
Physical Appearance:
How does s/he feel about her looks?
The character’s childhood in terms of:
a. Relationship to parents:
b. Relationship to siblings:
c. Other key people:
The character’s romantic life:
The character’s sex life and moral beliefs:
Character’s occupation:
Relationship with co-workers and boss:
How does s/he feel about work?
Hobbies/non-work activities:
What is the character’s philosophy of life?
Character’s political views:
Main aspects of character’s personality:
What is the character proud of?
What is s/he ashamed of?
What is her/his state of health?
How intelligent is s/he?
What is the character’s relationship to others in the story?
What is the character’s goal in the story?
Why does s/he want it?
Who/what is trying to stop her/him? Why?
What strengths will help her/him?
What weaknesses might hinder her/him?
NAME
SEX
HOME
HEIGHT
EYES
HAIR COLOUR
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUIJA BOARDS?
FAVOURITE BOARD GAME
FAVOURITE MAGAZINE
FAVOURITE SMELL
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD
BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD
FAVOURITE SOUNDTRACK
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
ROLLER COASTERS ~ DEADLY OR EXCITING?
PEN OR PENCIL?
HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
FUTURE SON’S NAME?
FUTURE DAUGHTER’S NAME?
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME?
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
FAVOURITE ICE CREAM
DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?
DO YOU SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS?
THUNDERSTORMS: COOL OR SCARY
IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE POET?
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCOLLI?
GIRLS, WOULD YOU EVER ASK A GUY FOR HIS SHIRT?
GUYS, WOULD YOU GIVE A GIRL THE SHIRT OFF YOUR BACK?
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOUR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD GET A PIERCING, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
WHAT IS ON YOUR WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SOFT DRINK?
FAVOURITE MOVIE
ARE YOU A RIGHTY, LEFTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS?
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANY WHERE YOU WANTED, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD BE ONE GARDENING TOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR?
FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
FIVE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKET/BAG
These were used to help round the characters in the sitcom I'm writing with a group, and I feel it helpe dthem come aliv,e even though they've changed from the initial ideas we had for them. They've taken on lives of their own, in some cases they surprised even us. Funny, how first of all their nasty aspects came out, all of their insecurities, but it seemed that as we got to know them they opened up to us and let us share their secrets, so we all know them so much better now.
Name:
Sex:
Age:
Physical Appearance:
How does s/he feel about her looks?
The character’s childhood in terms of:
a. Relationship to parents:
b. Relationship to siblings:
c. Other key people:
The character’s romantic life:
The character’s sex life and moral beliefs:
Character’s occupation:
Relationship with co-workers and boss:
How does s/he feel about work?
Hobbies/non-work activities:
What is the character’s philosophy of life?
Character’s political views:
Main aspects of character’s personality:
What is the character proud of?
What is s/he ashamed of?
What is her/his state of health?
How intelligent is s/he?
What is the character’s relationship to others in the story?
What is the character’s goal in the story?
Why does s/he want it?
Who/what is trying to stop her/him? Why?
What strengths will help her/him?
What weaknesses might hinder her/him?
NAME
SEX
HOME
HEIGHT
EYES
HAIR COLOUR
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUIJA BOARDS?
FAVOURITE BOARD GAME
FAVOURITE MAGAZINE
FAVOURITE SMELL
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD
BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD
FAVOURITE SOUNDTRACK
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
ROLLER COASTERS ~ DEADLY OR EXCITING?
PEN OR PENCIL?
HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
FUTURE SON’S NAME?
FUTURE DAUGHTER’S NAME?
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME?
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
FAVOURITE ICE CREAM
DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?
DO YOU SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS?
THUNDERSTORMS: COOL OR SCARY
IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE POET?
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCOLLI?
GIRLS, WOULD YOU EVER ASK A GUY FOR HIS SHIRT?
GUYS, WOULD YOU GIVE A GIRL THE SHIRT OFF YOUR BACK?
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOUR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD GET A PIERCING, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
WHAT IS ON YOUR WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SOFT DRINK?
FAVOURITE MOVIE
ARE YOU A RIGHTY, LEFTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS?
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANY WHERE YOU WANTED, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD BE ONE GARDENING TOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR?
FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
FIVE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKET/BAG
These were used to help round the characters in the sitcom I'm writing with a group, and I feel it helpe dthem come aliv,e even though they've changed from the initial ideas we had for them. They've taken on lives of their own, in some cases they surprised even us. Funny, how first of all their nasty aspects came out, all of their insecurities, but it seemed that as we got to know them they opened up to us and let us share their secrets, so we all know them so much better now.
Haha, The Train from Rhodesia.
*Slit, Slit, Spurt, Spurt*
*Slit, Slit, Spurt, Spurt*
The people at OCR have convinced me never to read a book of short stories ever again.
What's wrong with a book of short stories?
Cheers for the advice fella's.
The one problem I've always had with trying to make a short story into a full blown novel, just seems like cheating. I know, sounds a load of crap, but once I've written something I never like changing it - as someone said it has that fluidity to it, once you go back and change things it kinda loses what makes it so readable.
Well, that's what I think anyway. Will have purge my way through some of my short stories. If anyone remembers my train journey thingy, I think could work well as a sort of opening pre-cursor to the whole bulk of the story.
The one problem I've always had with trying to make a short story into a full blown novel, just seems like cheating. I know, sounds a load of crap, but once I've written something I never like changing it - as someone said it has that fluidity to it, once you go back and change things it kinda loses what makes it so readable.
Well, that's what I think anyway. Will have purge my way through some of my short stories. If anyone remembers my train journey thingy, I think could work well as a sort of opening pre-cursor to the whole bulk of the story.
I prefer good stories to good imagery. It's far more accessible to read, yet can be very powerful.
Before I forget: keep everything you write. I've found that stuff I've written at an earlier date occasionally fits like a glove into a new piece, etc.
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