I’ve been writing each post separately with a rough chapter outline, and I think it shows. I’ve rushed some sections, and I’ve tossed out others because they didn’t fit within a reasonable word limit. For the next chapter I want to write the whole thing, then break it into posts. Maybe that will help me learn how to develop a plot. I find that I’m often confused about what fits in the story as opposed to what’s there because I like it.

If it is there because you like it - keep it. You have proven your taste is beyond excellent in what you have offered up on your thread - proven your abilities and capabilities. Your characters are strong and developed without being Uber or Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu in any way - they easily draw the readers hearts and interest in them. You have an incredible talent, and I love your story!

What mALX said. Rule one for writing fiction (or poetry or whatever is not "work-related")- HAVE FUN!

So- if you have something that you like- make the story fit that part! I cannot tell you how much I have changed my original concept because I realized there were things I (and my long-suffering readers) really wanted to see.

Case in point- Athynae, who has basically become the "co-star" was originally just going to be a cameo so I could test my ability to write a more "romantic" subplot. The story would suffer terribly if I had forced myself to "stick to the plan."

Yes, poor Treydog was inundated with poems about Athynae - do you realize how many words rhyme with her name ??? Like billions! I could have gone on forever with them ... but thankfully Treydog resurrected her into the story to save himself the grief I was causing him with my attempts at poetry, lol.

Binder clips are my new best friends. I have a notebook that I write in when I’m out somewhere without my laptop, and a tiny notebook so I don’t get stranded without anything to write on when I don’t think ahead and bring the regular notebook. But sometimes the tiny notebook and the regular notebook both get left behind (sitting next to the laptop), so I write on gas receipts, napkins, envelopes, and the like. Then I often throw these things away without checking the back for scribbling. But no longer! I sprinkled a bunch of binder clips around wherever I might have access to a pen and a scrap of paper, so now I binder clip the scrap and don’t toss it! Woo hoo!

Sometimes it’s the little things.

Oh my....you're all so very talented here....like professionals, and I can't even dream about catching up...yet. So I will lurk around for now.

I'm not sure I dare continue Serene...with this massive competition, then again, I normally finish what I start even if it take ages!

The great thing is- we do not compete- we cooperate. So we have all won. I WILL catch up on my reading (shakes fist defiantly at RL).

And as for you- you simply MUST continue Serene's story.... Don't make me deploy the "Puppy Dog Eyes of Extreme Begging!"

There is no competition, just wonderful stories! Besides, you could hold your own on any stage, minque. You are Serene's mother and Serene is Athynae's mother. Athynae inspires dear Athlain. Athlain inspires dear treydog. And so on. . . . And you all inspire the rest of us so very much.

Who else could possibly tell the story that we all so fervently hope will continue?

QFT !!!!

Minque - do you know what is amazing about this forum? We all learn from each other, we all inspire each other. There is no competition here, but rather a brother/sisterhood of writers who are very passionate about the TES world and who share that passion with each other. Since coming here and posting my story here, my writing skills have developed so strongly and so much that I can see a distinct difference between the novel I wrote for Nanowrimo last year and the stories I wrote five, seven, ten years ago.

No doubt this will reflect in your own writing, when you are once again inspired to sit before your computer monitor and start beating on your keyboard.

Being the newbie around here I have read some of several writer's contributions and all that has been said is absolutely true, you all have incredible talent but even more than that, as I read the comments in each thread the one thing that is constant is the wonderful support you give each other.

Minque your ability to put a picture to words is incredible, do not doubt yourself! You have a true gift and speaking from experience, allowing yourself the freedom to put your heart on a page sets your spirit free. It allows you the ability to release into space the experiences that you would not be able to share otherwise. Your pen is waiting word master, and your fans are frothing at the mouth for another dose to quench their addiction to your art.

Trey, thank you for inviting me to this wonderful world!!!!

No no no! You mustn't quit! As others have said--no competition. We cooperate! Each of us adds our own unique touch to this forum with our stories--together we create a beautiful tapestry full of life with our characters, and if one thread is lost, the whole thing comes unraveled. Don't pressure yourself, of course, but likewise never give up! I'm sure all of us feel discouraged from time to time, and we all feel like we can't compare to each other at times. But we are a community of writers, each with his or her own thread to add to this exquisite tapestry. So, please do not feel so discouraged, dear.

Essentially I'm just going to echo the above - there's a reason I post here and only here. The internet is full of writing places where there's competition and a rather unpleasant atmosphere, maybe good for development (but probably not) and certainly no fun. Chorrol is different, there is useful criticism but there isn't the competitive element, just cooperative.

One thing I will add though is that it's been two years since an update - that itself can be stressful. Getting back to something that's been left is daunting, at least I find it to be. If you keep finding yourself meaning to, but not quite doing it, I'd suggest setting a time when you're going to write some more and not let RL get in the way, then just write. It doesn't have to go up, but it will get the thing flowing again. Even writing a short sidepiece can help get back in the mood of the story, and in the mood for writing.

Certainly I have a date set for getting back to it once I'm finished exams... otherwise I never will.

And if I might be so bold as to add one other thing, the same thing I've been saying since 2005...

There's only one person who ever has doubts Minkey - about your story, your ability, about your way of making Serene a compelling, thoughtful, layered character. And that's you. Don't doubt yourself. Those same people you say make you feel, I don't know the right word, intimidated maybe? Those are the same people who react with pleasure and joy when you've updated your story in the past. So...(to continue this increasingly laboured point ) if our forum writers here know their stuff, as you say, maybe you do as well....

SO GET BLOODY WRITING!!!

I, for one, want to know what happens next!



p.s. Mind you, it occurs to me that I'm a fine one to bleedin' well talk. I can't even remember the last time I wrote something here. Maybe we both need to get our backsides into gear

Hi, I wanted to at least finish Chapter One of Serene of Cyrodiil before I spoke up.

I can imagine a lot of reasons why a writer would put a story aside and not return to it. RL gets busy, and they might move on to other interests. But if you still want to continue Serene’s story, let me add my voice to the chorus encouraging you to do so. This community amazes me. Just look at the number of characters who are able to move through different writers’ stories. I’m guessing it takes a lot of respect and co-operation to accomplish that! What a group of thoughtful, generous, supportive, inspiring individuals. All brought together (in this forum at least) when someone writes a story. The Writer Sub Forums are like treasure chests to me. I would love to know there is more to anticipate from you, Minque!

This post has been edited by Grits: May 12 2011, 03:48 PM

This!!!!

Its been far too long since I updated. So I get on and start typing...but then I realize just how long its been and it gets harder to do. Of course I can't walk away from it. I think about it all the time, especially the specific plot lines and how to arrange certain things so I hop back to it... and then realize its been so long and the vicious cycle continues.

One of my biggest issues is the "What if I've lost my touch?" repeating itself in my head. No matter how many times I read and fix it doesn't seem to be as good as previous chapters. So I figure I'll read the other stories and draw inspiration...but I'm sooooo far behind those too! -sob-

This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: May 19 2011, 05:30 AM

That would be the internal editor of doom. There are a few solutions, I believe Haute was rather forceful with hers during natwrinimo (or whatever the acronym is), I'll let you find the metaphor...

But I'd recommend just writing, read over it later - it'll probably be fine and if not then rework it or just lose it - either way it gets things going again. Failing that write something related, or not.

I believe I've posted links here before, some of them have good articles. The best one I've tried though, if you're really stuck, is to write something you'd never normally dream of writing. Me? I'd never write romance so if nothings coming, especially if it the editor getting in my way, I go and write something racy (and promptly delete it because it's dreadful). It's not the product which matters though - it's the utter shock to the little voice which says "this is no good" and makes it quiet so I can write things I do enjoy. Give it a go, I'd like to see more Champion of Madness.

The metaphor he refers to goes to the relationship I have with my inner editor. I tend to see it as the BDSM kind, with my inner editor being the Dom. Not that I like it (I don't, particularly), but that's just the way it works out.

But during Nanowrimo (the correct acronym), I basically reversed the tables on him and left him bound and gagged like the classic gimp in the corner. It worked well - after a false start, I scrapped the first attempt after a week and started a whole new one. It was wonderful - I wrote 100,000+ in about 21 days. And in reviewing it, it wasn't half bad, either. Two of my friends read it and told me that it was pretty good. I'm waiting to hear from a third.

Discipline is important, I've found. Just write something every day. Whether or not it moves your story forward, or even has anything to do with your story, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you are writing.

Olen has the right of it too - if you don't like what you are writing, scrap it. Forget about it. Move on to something else. Be ruthless.

The fact that I am a frequent offender on the "I can't write anymore" blotter was one of the things that prompted this thread.

And, although you seem to have already found your muse once more (YAY!)- I will still second what Olen said-

The only REAL way to get past writer's block is to write your way out of it.

To be a writer- you have to write. Find that "moment" or "place" or "chronoclastic infundibula" by enacting your particular "writing ritual." For me, that means going back to a spiral notebook and a blue G2 pen. The entire sensory experience of writing that way reminds me of why I love it.

The words are not important at that point- the act of putting them on paper is. The "right" words will come with time; if there are NO words, the right ones cannot emerge, either.

Or someone could threaten you with a balding spell like I did Treydog, fixed his problem real quick....
hahahahaha

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