How's Your Writing Going Today?
I read fanfiction, which is fine, but the way you are able to build exposition, scene, character, emotions and dialogue is an example for me. Even a translator can't ruin it. You have something in you and in my opinion you should also write something of your own. You know, your own story with your own characters. I would be the first reader after translation into Polish! 😃 Sorry to deviate from the topic of this thread, but this is my reflection.
Your advice reminded me that in ancient Egypt, tomb painters were treated as craftsmen. And there's nothing wrong with that if we translate it into the language of game creators or writers. The only important thing is not to be an ordinary worker. Then it is a waste of time for both the creator and the recipient.
Quote from Robaku90 on November 17, 2024, 3:22 am@heatherlly thank you.
I read fanfiction, which is fine, but the way you are able to build exposition, scene, character, emotions and dialogue is an example for me. Even a translator can't ruin it. You have something in you and in my opinion you should also write something of your own. You know, your own story with your own characters. I would be the first reader after translation into Polish! 😃 Sorry to deviate from the topic of this thread, but this is my reflection.
You are so sweet! Thank you. 💚
As for writing original stories… I do have some half finished projects lying around, but I've always been too focused on fanfiction to finish them. Hopefully, I'll get around to it at some point!
Quote from Heatherlly on November 17, 2024, 3:58 amQuote from Robaku90 on November 17, 2024, 3:22 am@heatherlly thank you.
I read fanfiction, which is fine, but the way you are able to build exposition, scene, character, emotions and dialogue is an example for me. Even a translator can't ruin it. You have something in you and in my opinion you should also write something of your own. You know, your own story with your own characters. I would be the first reader after translation into Polish!Sorry to deviate from the topic of this thread, but this is my reflection.
You are so sweet! Thank you.
As for writing original stories… I do have some half finished projects lying around, but I've always been too focused on fanfiction to finish them. Hopefully, I'll get around to it at some point!
I'm just stating facts. 😃 I keep my fingers crossed for your original projects then!
Quote from Chorus on November 11, 2024, 12:30 pmAnyone have any writing tips for someone who is purely art/programming based and doesn't think in words at all? Any artists turned writers on here? I'm trying to build a game and struggling with the planning side. Mainly because I suck at writing, detailed plot, characterisation, and therefore can't decide on pacing, order of events, etc. I love the building part, but get tied up on the planning to the point where I can't go any further.
First of all, this is a fascinating situation. To go from art and programming to the written word takes a huge leap, and when you're in an uncomfortable spot, growth is most likely.
Definitely follow what Heather has said.
I just have a few further observations:
Why not start with scriptwriting? Scriptwriting forces you to be utterly ruthless with words. If you follow Heather's stream of consciousness writing, you may find yourself writing a "script" of some kind. A script has to contain detailed instructions along with the actual lines of dialogue (if your game requires dialogue). Descriptions are therefore short and to the point.
The first thing you need to focus on is ensuring the story problem and the story goal are immediately obvious within the first few minutes of your game. Again, scripts will help you with this.
After that, work out where the big twists need to happen. Because scriptwriting is so tightly regimented, there are usually expected points where you need to add twists. Off the top of my head, I assume it would be halfway and three-quarters of the way through.
You also need to know the resolution/ending in advance.
That will give you the bare bones of structure to work with. Then you go back and refine things layer by layer. Do not try and fix every element of story at the same time, at least not until you're comfortable with structure and plotting.
Every plot is different, but most stories have the same structure. At its basic level, this is beginning (the problem is discovered), middle (the problem is being solved), and end (the problem is fixed).
In addition to reading, you should watch a lot of TV shows and films in the genre you're using for your game. Pay attention to the TV episodes with time constraints; the story problem and goal have to become apparent within minutes of starting the episode. The more ruthless you are, the less likely you are to waste time doing excessive planning. You can definitely fill out the details later, but don't get lost in the woods (like I do, LOL!).
Also for reading, I recommend plays first. Everything's ordered into acts, and you'll see again how the structure works, what has to happen in each act, what has to happen in each scene, how the play moves to its climax and how it resolves.
Personally, I would go with Shakespeare, who was a master at this kind of stuff. But there are great contemporary playwrights you can choose.
I strongly recommend reading both extensively and intensively. You read a lot, and then you narrow in on the books/plays etc. that influence you the most and read those repeatedly over a long period of time. Keep those books/plays next to you while doing your own writing.
Does any of this make sense? Let me know if anything needs clarification. And good luck with building a game! That sounds so cool. 🙂
So, after around 12 years of immersion in romance fanfiction, films, and novels, what a great surprise it was to me on Tuesday, when I realised that I can't actually plot romance fiction. This explains a lot! I can do shorter portraits of characters, but once the idea blossoms into a longer narrative, things collapse, LOL.
I think there are two options: either I have been far too lazy about reading craft books specifically for romance authors (guilty as charged), and secondly, I might not be writing romance at all. I might be writing in a more general genre with a side of romance. We shall have to see.
OK, I have sorted out my problems. Been working on a proper outline for WIP in another fandom over the last week or so. The issue was me playing fast and loose with plotting rules for romance. With another story, I was getting stuck until I realised that, yet again, I didn't start with the romantic conflict. Am fixing that now!
