I've recently read some interesting things about how people come up with story ideas. The two main groups seem to be people that come up with plots first and people who come up with characters first. This got me wondering about the different ways that people come up with stories. Specifically.
I mean, I don't really fall into either category. I like to take general ideas and then expand the characters and plot on those ideas. For example, for this year's NaNo I've been thinking about writing an Asian-style fantasy because most of my stories are very western. This is unfortunate because, if you know anything about me, I'm not-so-secretly in love with Asia and minored in Japanese.
Now, when I say Asian-style fantasy, this invokes a lot of different things. I like to take a broad topic like this and focus specifically on the things that I really want to show up in the story. Often these things are clichés, which can always be expanded on. With this story I want people wearing modest robes all of the time--but when everyone dresses up in elaborate modest robes, they're still considered beautiful and dressed up. Asian-style dragons are totally a must and I've decided the females should be blue and the males red (for specific reasons I assure you). I like doing things with magic, so that'll have to play a part. It'd be cool if that magic revolved around kanji somehow--specifically with the mixed meanings in Japanese kanji. Or maybe writing in general. Japanese has three different alphabets (each with their own uses), so that could be fun somehow.
All of these are fairly basic things, but I know I want them in the story and I'm going to build my plot and my characters around that. Nearly all of my stories are built around these kinds of ideas. How do all of you come up with story ideas? Is it plot? Character? Or something else?
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A Writer's Biggest Asset
Ever since I've entered college (and since, left) telling people that I'm pursuing writing, my family, among others, have started coming forward and informing me that they too considered writing when they were younger.
I just got off the phone with my father this weekend who told me stories from when he was my age and was writing short stories. Then he said, "I guess a lot of people start out wanting to be writers."
The difference between writers and those who wanted to be writers is really one thing: perseverance. You don't actually have to be a good writer to become published, even. Just take a good look at some of the books in your local bookstore. There is a lot of crap, to tell the truth.
It's not an easy career by far. It's a lot of time alone, obsessing over a keyboard, slashing parts we love from manuscripts because they don't work and therefore are slashing parts of ourselves, all wrapped up with a whole lot of rejection. That's the simple truth of it.
A quote I heard this weekend while watching the new episode of Project Runway really cemented the idea for me. It was from the first girl to get kicked off the show. In a voice over as she was leaving, she said, "If everyone gave up after after their first rejection, no one would get anything they wanted."
So I submit the idea to wannabe-writers everywhere: The difference between being a writer and wanting to be a writer is perseverance and the ability to never get up.
When it's three o'clock in the morning, and nothing is going right with your story, and you can't figure out what's supposed to happen or how to make it work, just sit back and take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you can get through this, that the end is worth it, and continue on.
I just got off the phone with my father this weekend who told me stories from when he was my age and was writing short stories. Then he said, "I guess a lot of people start out wanting to be writers."
The difference between writers and those who wanted to be writers is really one thing: perseverance. You don't actually have to be a good writer to become published, even. Just take a good look at some of the books in your local bookstore. There is a lot of crap, to tell the truth.
It's not an easy career by far. It's a lot of time alone, obsessing over a keyboard, slashing parts we love from manuscripts because they don't work and therefore are slashing parts of ourselves, all wrapped up with a whole lot of rejection. That's the simple truth of it.
A quote I heard this weekend while watching the new episode of Project Runway really cemented the idea for me. It was from the first girl to get kicked off the show. In a voice over as she was leaving, she said, "If everyone gave up after after their first rejection, no one would get anything they wanted."
So I submit the idea to wannabe-writers everywhere: The difference between being a writer and wanting to be a writer is perseverance and the ability to never get up.
When it's three o'clock in the morning, and nothing is going right with your story, and you can't figure out what's supposed to happen or how to make it work, just sit back and take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you can get through this, that the end is worth it, and continue on.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Writers and Stories
I think the best part of being a writer is being interested in stories.
Stories are everywhere. Not only are they embedded deep into the books we read, but they are also in the shows we watch, the movies we see, the games we play, the news we peruse and the conversations we have. They are all different, all created in different ways - some fiction, some real - but they are all stories nonetheless.
I think a lot of people forget that when they sit down to write. The goal is to share a story, to make it entertaining to the reader. Successful writers, in my mind, keep that always at the front. Sure, there are a lot of things that are important to writing - point of view, characters, grammar and construction, detail - but even grammar (and I almost shudder to say this) takes a backseat to the story. If it doesn't have a story driving readers onward, why are they going to care?
Sarah and I took a class last semester that was all based on plot. The driving force of a story is plot, our professor told us, and I really took that to heart. Think about it: How many things have you read that you weren't really that impressed with the writing, or the characters or something, but you kept reading anyway because you wanted to know what would happen next? I've hated the writing of some people, complained about it incessantly, but kept reading because I still wanted to know how it was all going to end.
Take a look at stories around you - in any form - and think about why someone was compelled to tell it. Then, take that inspiration and use it for your own endeavors. I constantly am inspired by good stories - whether from watching them on the big screen or reading them in the newspaper. Then, I take that inspiration and use it when I sit down in front of my computer and become a storyteller.
Happy writing,
Brenna
Stories are everywhere. Not only are they embedded deep into the books we read, but they are also in the shows we watch, the movies we see, the games we play, the news we peruse and the conversations we have. They are all different, all created in different ways - some fiction, some real - but they are all stories nonetheless.
I think a lot of people forget that when they sit down to write. The goal is to share a story, to make it entertaining to the reader. Successful writers, in my mind, keep that always at the front. Sure, there are a lot of things that are important to writing - point of view, characters, grammar and construction, detail - but even grammar (and I almost shudder to say this) takes a backseat to the story. If it doesn't have a story driving readers onward, why are they going to care?
Sarah and I took a class last semester that was all based on plot. The driving force of a story is plot, our professor told us, and I really took that to heart. Think about it: How many things have you read that you weren't really that impressed with the writing, or the characters or something, but you kept reading anyway because you wanted to know what would happen next? I've hated the writing of some people, complained about it incessantly, but kept reading because I still wanted to know how it was all going to end.
Take a look at stories around you - in any form - and think about why someone was compelled to tell it. Then, take that inspiration and use it for your own endeavors. I constantly am inspired by good stories - whether from watching them on the big screen or reading them in the newspaper. Then, I take that inspiration and use it when I sit down in front of my computer and become a storyteller.
Happy writing,
Brenna
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Music can go a long way
Goodness, somehow 15 days passed without a new post! I received a lovely comment from Marina over at Adventures in Children's Publishing, and realized that I had left you all hanging. I guess I got caught up in summer. Oops!
Speaking of caught up in summer affairs, this past weekend I went to the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana. It was pretty awesome, but it's going to be in Nashville for the next three years, which is a bit out of my range, unfortunately. Anyway, I think it's amazing how inspirational music can be. I don't know about anyone else, but I've always liked to make little soundtracks for my novels. It's a good way to get yourself in the mood instead of puttering around on the internet for 45 minutes. That way the instant you turn on a song, you're thinking about your story. Or at least, that's the plan.
I mostly listen to modern rock, but I'm pretty tolerant of everything, and it shows in my music library. What about you guys? Is there anything in particular that sparks your writing? Last NaNo I wrote about my soundtrack, which is pretty limited, but you can check it out here and here if you want.
Speaking of caught up in summer affairs, this past weekend I went to the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana. It was pretty awesome, but it's going to be in Nashville for the next three years, which is a bit out of my range, unfortunately. Anyway, I think it's amazing how inspirational music can be. I don't know about anyone else, but I've always liked to make little soundtracks for my novels. It's a good way to get yourself in the mood instead of puttering around on the internet for 45 minutes. That way the instant you turn on a song, you're thinking about your story. Or at least, that's the plan.
I mostly listen to modern rock, but I'm pretty tolerant of everything, and it shows in my music library. What about you guys? Is there anything in particular that sparks your writing? Last NaNo I wrote about my soundtrack, which is pretty limited, but you can check it out here and here if you want.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The big WB
Sometimes, I think the most shocking things are inspirational. As I sort of said below, I don't really believe in what we've dubbed as "writer's block." There's never anything stopping people from writing except themselves.
This can be seen in a lot of different ways. There are those people who just buy writing book after writing book looking for all of the rules to follow, and they end up with the big WB simply because they've found too many restrictions for themselves. Or it might be that time when you sit down ready to write and then get distracted by the internet or tv or any of those other shiny things. WB is when your story looks too difficult to push through, and you would rather spend all of you time doing something else. It doesn't really exist, but we like to pretend it does.
Other people, like myself, have too many stories all with legitimate reasons to not work on them. I'll sit down in front of my computer and say, "I'm going to focus on this story!" But then I realize it's not going to be that simple because that's the story with underdeveloped main characters and more interesting side characters (Kai Story), or the story that has POV issues that I'm. not sure how to fix (Kaleidos), or the story that has a terribly complex plot that hasn't afforded me a way for the characters to save the day (AROS). All of these stories and glittering little gems of their own, but they're all flawed in a sense. NaNoWriMo is a brilliant thing for getting work done, but it's made a lot messy projects for me. Too many.
If you ever spend some time visiting other writers blogs, you'll notice a trend. It's warning of sharks in the water, painted red on a sign: DO NOT FOLLOW THE NEW, SHINY IDEA. It's when you're writing something, and you hate it, and life sucks, and then you get an idea. An idea for a better story. This story has a more dynamic plot then the one you're currently working on, better characters, and a brilliant future. It's really just a siren, coaxing you in, and trying to make you forget what you're working on. Sadly, for me, NaNo is a little like that. Right now I've got too many different stories, all with different problems, singing against each other.
I think a great way to get something done when the great WB is looming over your head is to have a deadline. Don't just set yourself a deadline, because unless you're trapped in writing and don't need to push yourself. NaNo, despite what I've said, is wonderful for this. It's like the world is pushing you to succeed and get those 50,000 words.
On the hand, what about when it's not Novemeber anymore? You can always go join one of the NaNo spinoffs. They're easy to find on google. Something I think that's a little simpler, is to give copies of chapters to your friends. Build yourself a little reading base. I did this once, when I only had two stories, and I cranked out the words just so my friend could find out what happened next. It didn't have to be written well, as long as I was getting the words out and she was enjoying it, that's all that mattered.
Right now, I've been puttering over what story to work on for over a month. The WB is sitting on my shoulder, influencing me with lack of productivity and a skittish mind. Should on this story? The one thats so incomplete that its size scares me (Lazuli), or maybe the one that I've been saving for NaNo (Epic)? Should I hit up the disaster that spawned from last November (Treese Story) , or the baby one that's more of an experiment than anything else (Good Drinks)?
EDIT: I went off on a tangent and never finished what I was going to say! Ooops. Brenna drew me this beautiful picture of Russus and Caeruleus (Kaleidos), and it kind of makes me want to work on that!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Author Bio: Brenna
Name: Brenna Braaten (username Annerb)
Works in Progress: I also have many. I have several novels that I'm working on right now, not to mention the short stories I have been putting off editing for the last several years. I suppose I'll have to get on that, soon. Stories include: Alona, Kino, Aine story, Serah story and some other stuff.
Bio: You know that place where you sit down and try to write, but nothing seems to come to mind. Or, you force yourself to write, but you know it's almost done more harm than good? That would be the writer's block we titled this blog after. Writer's block does suck, and I know because I currently am in it. I have been creating stories since forever, playing surprisingly complex and plot-driven make believe stories. When I was 12 I started writing my first novel, which I slowly worked on for roughly seven years. I ended up at the University of Montana for creative writing. I've participated in NaNoWriMo annually since 2006, except last year when I had to quit due to too much homework. I'm currently looking for a job as a copy editor, since I also received a degree in journalism and am a very hard-core word nerd.
Genre: Like Sarah I have mostly novel-length stories with some short stories in literary fiction. My favorite genre is fantasy, but I also dabble in science fiction, literary fiction and realistic fiction. I would love to get into steam punk as well, I just have to figure out how to do it well first.
Works in Progress: I also have many. I have several novels that I'm working on right now, not to mention the short stories I have been putting off editing for the last several years. I suppose I'll have to get on that, soon. Stories include: Alona, Kino, Aine story, Serah story and some other stuff.
Bio: You know that place where you sit down and try to write, but nothing seems to come to mind. Or, you force yourself to write, but you know it's almost done more harm than good? That would be the writer's block we titled this blog after. Writer's block does suck, and I know because I currently am in it. I have been creating stories since forever, playing surprisingly complex and plot-driven make believe stories. When I was 12 I started writing my first novel, which I slowly worked on for roughly seven years. I ended up at the University of Montana for creative writing. I've participated in NaNoWriMo annually since 2006, except last year when I had to quit due to too much homework. I'm currently looking for a job as a copy editor, since I also received a degree in journalism and am a very hard-core word nerd.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Author Bio: Sarah
Name: Sarah Robertson (and my username is mizutaka)
Works in Progress: Many. I have seven novel-length works, which is a little pathetic, and multiple short stories that I've been tinkering around with for a while. I won't get into any details now, but stuff to look out for in the future: Kaleidos, AROS, Lazuli, Kai Story, Treese Story, Epic, and Good Drinks.
Bio: We thought it was a cute title, but writer's block sucks and I'm the S in BS, which doesn't bode well for me I suppose. Maybe I'll just pretend we're yelling BS to writer's block. Hmm. Anyway, I've been writing since before I can remember and my first "book" was titled Nicki and Noel. It was about a cat and a dog who ended up in a situation that was somewhat similar to the movie Milo and Otis. Only different. To my mother's chagrin, I proceded to give this book away. Since then I wrote a bunch of terrible things in middle school, messed around on fanfiction.net, and went to the University of Montana for creative writing. I've participated in NaNoWriMo annually since 2006, which is always an interesting experience, but sadly have yet to complete a novel-length story. On the other hand, I do have some short stories and one of them, titled "Copernicus Goes to London the Third," was published in the 2010 edition of Scribendi, which is cool. Right now I'm in a post-graduation funk and trying to get stuff done, so wish me luck, yes?
Genre: Mostly novel-length speculative fiction of the sci-fi sort, but I've written short stories of the literary fiction sort and I've been dabbling in fantasy, steam punk, and realistic fiction. I don't like to limit myself to one thing, and I tend to write different things in order to challenge archetypes.
Works in Progress: Many. I have seven novel-length works, which is a little pathetic, and multiple short stories that I've been tinkering around with for a while. I won't get into any details now, but stuff to look out for in the future: Kaleidos, AROS, Lazuli, Kai Story, Treese Story, Epic, and Good Drinks.
Bio: We thought it was a cute title, but writer's block sucks and I'm the S in BS, which doesn't bode well for me I suppose. Maybe I'll just pretend we're yelling BS to writer's block. Hmm. Anyway, I've been writing since before I can remember and my first "book" was titled Nicki and Noel. It was about a cat and a dog who ended up in a situation that was somewhat similar to the movie Milo and Otis. Only different. To my mother's chagrin, I proceded to give this book away. Since then I wrote a bunch of terrible things in middle school, messed around on fanfiction.net, and went to the University of Montana for creative writing. I've participated in NaNoWriMo annually since 2006, which is always an interesting experience, but sadly have yet to complete a novel-length story. On the other hand, I do have some short stories and one of them, titled "Copernicus Goes to London the Third," was published in the 2010 edition of Scribendi, which is cool. Right now I'm in a post-graduation funk and trying to get stuff done, so wish me luck, yes?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)