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Post by Suburban Gardener on Feb 5, 2015 15:37:07 GMT -6
As many of you know, I started writing the story "Empire Down" as an outlet to frustrations at not getting enough new PAW fiction quick enough. I figured I could create a moderate length story in the genre without too much trouble, but now I find my plot line blowing up on me.
No, this is not a bad thing. My last couple of chapters have nearly doubled in size, and I'm starting to see connections between the characters that I hadn't realized were there before; connections that are just begging to be worked into the story. And all the other characters (especially the young ones) are just itching to tell their own stories in turn, when my current protagonist has finished telling his first person story.
Not complaining, but I was wondering if anyone else who has written fiction here has experienced this affliction?
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 5, 2015 16:04:42 GMT -6
You are not alone. I commented some time ago that Accidental Family had taken on a life of its own ;-)
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Post by mnn2300 on Feb 6, 2015 13:06:18 GMT -6
Yes, my characters take on a life of their own and lead me in directions I never intended them to go. In fact in one story (Vanished) I was planning on killing off a certain character (Russ) but he wouldn't let me and in fact he became one of the prime characters of the entire story.
You just have to regroup and decide where to go from there.
I find it helpful to write a short paragraph or two on each major character to get a feel for what they would do in certain situations, who they are, where they're coming from, etc
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Post by Suburban Gardener on Feb 6, 2015 13:18:10 GMT -6
I find it helpful to write a short paragraph or two on each major character to get a feel for what they would do in certain situations, who they are, where they're coming from, etc In fact that is pretty much what I did before I was three chapters in. I have a separate document that lists the characters by name, age, occupation, and vehicle type, plus what they grow/raise on their property. Even that document is getting a bit unwieldy, with all the new characters I'm having to add.  |
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 6, 2015 18:21:19 GMT -6
In fact that is pretty much what I did before I was three chapters in. I have a separate document that lists the characters by name, age, occupation, and vehicle type, plus what they grow/raise on their property. Even that document is getting a bit unwieldy, with all the new characters I'm having to add. I find a spreadsheet easy to use as a reference. It can have many characters visible on one page and many bits about each character: age, sex, spouse/significant other (if any), vehicle(s), pet(s), occupation, hobby, weapons, previous experience (truck driver, military medic, etc) or whatever is important to your story. Selectively hiding columns/rows allows me to group specific people and their related info. |
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Post by Suburban Gardener on Feb 6, 2015 21:10:30 GMT -6
Why didn't I think of that? I live by spreadsheets. Must be tired. Thanks papaof2. |
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Post by Suburban Gardener on Feb 8, 2015 21:41:41 GMT -6
You were correct papaof2. Putting it in a sortable spreadsheet does help. I find, now that it's in this format, that I have named 70 individuals so far (including ones that you haven't met yet). Of course, several of them are DOA, back on the second night of the raid. |
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Post by steve on Feb 10, 2015 19:55:07 GMT -6
Here's my advice, for what it's worth: * K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Sir (the slightly fresh version of that acronym replaces "Sir" with another word). * Always think ahead about your story. Think about where you want the plot and the characters to go. Plant the "seeds" for future segments of the story in the present segments so that the story feels more "integrated." * The main character should go through a character arc. If the character starts out as shy, the story should force the character to become more bold and vice versa. The final confrontation can not be solved by the "original" main character but by the one that has evolved throughout the story. * Plots that center around fundamental questions tend to be more fulfilling for the reader. What does it mean to be "a human"? What is "loneliness"? When does anything turn into an unhealthy obsession? Is there such a thing as "too much is a good thing"? Try to think of a plot that forces the main character (and the reader) to ask those types of questions. * Avoid "Mary Sues," or, to put it plainly, inserting yourself into the story. Always try to make your main character fundamentally different from yourself in some significant form. If you are male, make your main character female. If you consider yourself well-versed with firearms, make your main character completely ignorant of firearm usage. Stories should have a certain degree of challenge to write because that forces the writer to engage in research into areas they may not be familiar with. Don't be afraid to experiment or "fail." * Read settings and genres completely opposite of what you enjoy. If you enjoy science-fiction then challenge yourself to read stories about ancient history. If you enjoy horror then challenge yourself to read comedies. Like action? Read dramas (heck, read classic poetry!). Seeing how other settings and genres tackle conflict, character descriptions and other aspects of a story... And take notes while you're reading them. After every chapter, write down what you liked, what you didn't like, re-read how all of the descriptions were written. Walk outside and ask yourself how your house or apartment or car or landscape would be described by that author. Good luck with your story; The more you enjoy writing it, the more readers will enjoy reading it. As many of you know, I started writing the story "Empire Down" as an outlet to frustrations at not getting enough new PAW fiction quick enough. I figured I could create a moderate length story in the genre without too much trouble, but now I find my plot line blowing up on me. No, this is not a bad thing. My last couple of chapters have nearly doubled in size, and I'm starting to see connections between the characters that I hadn't realized were there before; connections that are just begging to be worked into the story. And all the other characters (especially the young ones) are just itching to tell their own stories in turn, when my current protagonist has finished telling his first person story. Not complaining, but I was wondering if anyone else who has written fiction here has experienced this affliction? |
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Post by kathyinfl on Mar 2, 2015 9:07:59 GMT -6
ROFL!!!! Yes, my characters take me in directions I did not always mean to go and yes it is very easy to let it get away from you. Case in point is MJOTZY for those that have read the first "book" and then the continuation that I have not finished. I mean to but it is a very involved and complicated story with a lot of character voices that have to remain true for the story to remain viable.
I can't give you better advice than what you've already received but I would like to remind you to enjoy the ride. It can get wild and wooly. LOL
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Post by freshwaterpearl on Mar 26, 2015 17:39:22 GMT -6
I found it necessary to give one of my characters his own book. This is always an option. In the second book, you can also bring in more of another character than you had in #1.
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Post by freebirde on Mar 29, 2015 9:02:32 GMT -6
Most of you know I do short stories. I keep telling myself I will find time to type them up and post them. Current story I am working on, no title yet but working title is 'preppers in space', about an asteroid miner is already 35+ pages and about a week into the story. Personal choice, and I am not criticizing people that do differently, I won't post a story until completely typed into computer.
I have had stories that I have enjoyed writing just to see what the characters will do next.
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Post by freshwaterpearl on Mar 30, 2015 17:33:39 GMT -6
I’m with you freebirde. There are those who will tell you to outline the entire story first. I can’t do that, I don’t know what will happen. In school I would write the paper first, then write the outline.
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Post by willallen on Apr 8, 2015 16:24:11 GMT -6
Steve,
That is great advice about going against the grain with your characters. My most popular character to date is a sixteen year old protagonist who was raised by a career military father and who has spent hours and hours at the range honing his shooting skills. I can't say why, yet. That's for Book Three.
Anyway, I am a 45 year old couch potato who hits the range occasionally and my father was a hippie with a haircut. A small minority of reviewers are killing me because they say this kid is too Rambo, which is funny because his go-to move is to run away or to shoot you in the back from ambush.
As a result of this series, though, I find myself spending way more time at the range, doing tons of research, both online and in person, and bugging all my friends and relatives as I pick their brains. Also ended up learning way more than I ever expected about the Army National Guard bases in three states as well as individual units.
And yes, I write from an outline, which is usually just a hand-written thing that I use to keep myself on track. And I still deviate as the story progresses. And Gardener, I absolutely know what you mean about certain characters creeping up on you with unexpected meaning and unforeseen consequences. In my second book, I'd intended for a certain family (the Kellers) to let my protagonist and his girlfriend crash at their farm for a while, but they soon became so much more and I've had readers now demanding they want a companion book to find out what happens to this family once my protagonist has moved on from the area. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice. I know I haven't contributed much lately. Sorry, but I've been lurking while working on two different series and now a stand alone mystery I've decided to resurrect.
Carry on,
Will
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Post by pbbrown0 on Nov 13, 2015 20:27:36 GMT -6
I have only made one attempt at writing fiction (never posted - just to see how it would turn out), so I am not exactly an experienced writer. My experience was that the story developed in a different direction than I expected. When I looked back, the variances were due to the characters being who they are interacting and reacting to each other and their circumstances. I think that is why many fiction writers talk about their stories taking on a life of their own.
I suppose that is a bit like real life. I a wise man once told me that LIFE is what happens while you were making other plans.
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