I have a question for my writing, and I'd really like some input. My story Realms (the first scene of Chapter 1 is in Writing) has a prologue. I need it to start pretty far in the past- over six generations- long enough that the species can build up a new history, get traditions, master their magic, and pretty much forget about the past. So how long should I make that time gap be between the death of one species in the prologue and the whole history of another in Chapter 1? I have 2073 years right now, but I'm worried that's too long.
Please comment with advice.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A Jump-Start for Writing
I know that a lot of us have been struggling with writing. I've been writing a lot more consistently now that I have another notebook to haul around with me. Tyler saw it and said in mild disbelief, "Another one?" I'm planning on typing it up in chapters, so that means I'll try to spend some time up in a dark corner in my room revising chapter two before I type it up tomorrow.
So this post is more about getting back into a writing funk. I need this just as much as- or more- than you two followers. So here we go:
1. Write in what interests you. How many times have we heard that? But I think it needs to be a litlte more extreme: Write about something so interesting that you can work on it for months at a time, then go back to it and still be ready to help every word.
2. Think about what's happening right now. Usually I'm really excited for the next chapter or even the end of the book; or maybe I just want to write that one line in chapter five. As a result, I feel like the current part of my book drags, completely empty of conflict. (Of course, I once got writer's block while trying to make my character jump off a horse because I wanted to get to the next chapter. Writing can be so unpredictable sometimes.) Don't spend 100% of your time plotting out for the future, like I have a tendency to do; make some conflict in the moment and make each page memorable.
3. Don't hold your characters in concrete. Do you want to know what my first version of Realms was like? No, you don't. It was still that total chaos of trying to work out writing in mind. But those moments in my first draft are what defines the storyline now. In the first book, I introduced a character, then decided two chapters later that he was a phoenix. I also added a receptionist at the desk that could grow plants at will in the first draft at book three, and he became a major character in book one. Whatever you have planned for your book can easily change. Writing is a balance of a solid plot and flexible characters. If you have to choose between the two, hand your characters the reins and brace yourself for the disaster.
4. Finish your writing. Ending the book is always a huge milestone. No one can tell you the absolutely perfect way to write; people have been trying to find it for centuries. You have to find your own style. (Though an overly preachy teenage writer's blog might be some help.)
I hope that everyone can work out their writing issues! Best of luck to all of you!
Kirah
(ps. If anyone wants me to talk about anything or post something about writing that isn't preachy, let me know! Leave a comment/email me!)
So this post is more about getting back into a writing funk. I need this just as much as- or more- than you two followers. So here we go:
1. Write in what interests you. How many times have we heard that? But I think it needs to be a litlte more extreme: Write about something so interesting that you can work on it for months at a time, then go back to it and still be ready to help every word.
2. Think about what's happening right now. Usually I'm really excited for the next chapter or even the end of the book; or maybe I just want to write that one line in chapter five. As a result, I feel like the current part of my book drags, completely empty of conflict. (Of course, I once got writer's block while trying to make my character jump off a horse because I wanted to get to the next chapter. Writing can be so unpredictable sometimes.) Don't spend 100% of your time plotting out for the future, like I have a tendency to do; make some conflict in the moment and make each page memorable.
3. Don't hold your characters in concrete. Do you want to know what my first version of Realms was like? No, you don't. It was still that total chaos of trying to work out writing in mind. But those moments in my first draft are what defines the storyline now. In the first book, I introduced a character, then decided two chapters later that he was a phoenix. I also added a receptionist at the desk that could grow plants at will in the first draft at book three, and he became a major character in book one. Whatever you have planned for your book can easily change. Writing is a balance of a solid plot and flexible characters. If you have to choose between the two, hand your characters the reins and brace yourself for the disaster.
4. Finish your writing. Ending the book is always a huge milestone. No one can tell you the absolutely perfect way to write; people have been trying to find it for centuries. You have to find your own style. (Though an overly preachy teenage writer's blog might be some help.)
I hope that everyone can work out their writing issues! Best of luck to all of you!
Kirah
(ps. If anyone wants me to talk about anything or post something about writing that isn't preachy, let me know! Leave a comment/email me!)
Friday, March 23, 2012
Games
I really mean to post more! But siblings + homework + procrastination (of course) + piano recitals= no time. Sorry! I'm trying. At least it's Friday; who's seeing Hunger Games over the weekend? I'm seeing it today! I don't think anyone will focus in gym; even more class time will be spent discussing it: Which boy's the cutest? How will the plot change from the book? Which boy's the cutest? How will they end it? And which boy's the cutest? (That's really all that matters to most girls.)
Now since this is a writing blog, I need to add a few things about writing that'll help everyone. Ahem. Characters, careful, rewrite, edit, do something awesome, and home. There. I'm done. I've got to do a lot of posts, and I'm taking a day off before I even start.
Hopefully my posts will be much more satisfying over the weekend!
Kirah
Now since this is a writing blog, I need to add a few things about writing that'll help everyone. Ahem. Characters, careful, rewrite, edit, do something awesome, and home. There. I'm done. I've got to do a lot of posts, and I'm taking a day off before I even start.
Hopefully my posts will be much more satisfying over the weekend!
Kirah
Monday, March 12, 2012
Procrastination
Allow me to define procrastination: 1. Evert teenager's soul mate 2. A very bad reason for not posting 3. The reason 50% of people fail junior high. Sorry for not posting for a while.
Anyway, I guess I could go all preachy about how procrastination is so bad and about how writers should never procrastinate, but the thing is, I'm a huge procrastinator. I also enjoy writing things that come in book three while I'm still in book one. What can I say? There's no such thing as perfection in writing.
I hope to finish one of my short stories by the end of this week. Please help hold me to it!
Kirah
Anyway, I guess I could go all preachy about how procrastination is so bad and about how writers should never procrastinate, but the thing is, I'm a huge procrastinator. I also enjoy writing things that come in book three while I'm still in book one. What can I say? There's no such thing as perfection in writing.
I hope to finish one of my short stories by the end of this week. Please help hold me to it!
Kirah
Saturday, March 3, 2012
High Expectations
This weekend is falling flat of what I wanted. I really just want a fun weekend that involves a friend, lots of writing, and freedom to play whatever piano song I desire. Is that too much to ask? No, no it's not. And I don't even care if I have to do chores.
Brooke is taking a ACT practice test which means no music. My parents have mysteriously disappeared, which means no friends. And I've written to the point where if I write more my brain will explode. Anyone else stuck in a bad Saturday that's never-ending? Please say I'm not the only one stuck here!
I have Writer's Block, Writer's Laziness, and Writer's Boredom all discussed within two weeks. (this is Writer's Boredom) We are on a roll!
Hopinh your weekend is better than mine,
Kirah
Brooke is taking a ACT practice test which means no music. My parents have mysteriously disappeared, which means no friends. And I've written to the point where if I write more my brain will explode. Anyone else stuck in a bad Saturday that's never-ending? Please say I'm not the only one stuck here!
I have Writer's Block, Writer's Laziness, and Writer's Boredom all discussed within two weeks. (this is Writer's Boredom) We are on a roll!
Hopinh your weekend is better than mine,
Kirah
Friday, March 2, 2012
Haunted
This post is about my dog, Pip. I just gave him a bath, and the entire time- counting drying him off and brushing him out- he was shaking and whimpering. It was a mix between pathetic and adorable. Afterwards, he wouldn't look at me for at least twenty minutes (which is about two hours in dog time). When I tried to brush his fur out a little more, he tried to bite the comb- something I don't advise- and growled at me. At last he allowed me to hold him, and he was still shaking, almost saying, "That was horrible. I really hate you."
For those of you who want this post to have something other than droning on and on about my dog, I'll talk about horrifying experiences. So it ties in to the subject. Kind of. Anyway, everyone has a handful of memories that they will always be haunted by. My earliest "bad" memory was jumping off my parents' bed at five years old and hitting the laundry basket and ending up with a bleeding them. Another vivid one is rolling off of the bunk bed and practically knocking out my two front teeth when I was eight. Pip's newest hardship will be sitting on the counter while I attempted to brush out his fur. Everyone has them. You can interpret this three ways: to be corny, do No. 1: Nobody is perfect. To be a little odd, say No. 2: Whoops, spam! Wrong website! Or No. 3: Well, duh. I just got a writing lesson from her dog.
On a random note, for anyone that wants some unique music this morning, I recommend something by Jon Scmidt. This is one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Have a good weekend!
Kirah
For those of you who want this post to have something other than droning on and on about my dog, I'll talk about horrifying experiences. So it ties in to the subject. Kind of. Anyway, everyone has a handful of memories that they will always be haunted by. My earliest "bad" memory was jumping off my parents' bed at five years old and hitting the laundry basket and ending up with a bleeding them. Another vivid one is rolling off of the bunk bed and practically knocking out my two front teeth when I was eight. Pip's newest hardship will be sitting on the counter while I attempted to brush out his fur. Everyone has them. You can interpret this three ways: to be corny, do No. 1: Nobody is perfect. To be a little odd, say No. 2: Whoops, spam! Wrong website! Or No. 3: Well, duh. I just got a writing lesson from her dog.
On a random note, for anyone that wants some unique music this morning, I recommend something by Jon Scmidt. This is one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Have a good weekend!
Kirah
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Rewriting
Sorry I didn't post yesterday. The only February 29th in four years, and I miss it!
Today, I'm thinking about rewriting. For those of you who know about my Realms story, you know how often I've rewritten it. If you don't, well, I've written the first chapter at least 8 times, finished the entire book twice, and the plot has drastically changed every single time. A weekend or two ago I wrote the first chapter again longhand, and then I have to type it up again. That's going to take a while.
To make your rewriting a success: (please read this is a loud commercial voice full of smiling)
1. These rules only apply to rewriting; the first draft is just tearing through the story.
2. Read the story out loud after you've written a page or two. This will help you make it flow better.
3. Be harsh with yourself. Turn on the editor's side of your brain.
4. Don't be afraid to delete huge sections or entire scene.
5. Write only what's important to the plot. If you're like me, the first draft is full of the characters just sitting there and being like, 'Hmm, I wonder what'll happen next?'
Good luck! Have fun writing/rewriting!
Kirah
Today, I'm thinking about rewriting. For those of you who know about my Realms story, you know how often I've rewritten it. If you don't, well, I've written the first chapter at least 8 times, finished the entire book twice, and the plot has drastically changed every single time. A weekend or two ago I wrote the first chapter again longhand, and then I have to type it up again. That's going to take a while.
To make your rewriting a success: (please read this is a loud commercial voice full of smiling)
1. These rules only apply to rewriting; the first draft is just tearing through the story.
2. Read the story out loud after you've written a page or two. This will help you make it flow better.
3. Be harsh with yourself. Turn on the editor's side of your brain.
4. Don't be afraid to delete huge sections or entire scene.
5. Write only what's important to the plot. If you're like me, the first draft is full of the characters just sitting there and being like, 'Hmm, I wonder what'll happen next?'
Good luck! Have fun writing/rewriting!
Kirah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)