(member)

11/07/2008 17:24

for the writers ...

Hello everyone!

I am so pleased so see so many people are interested in having a dedicated writers section. I have no idea how that will work or when it might happen but in the meantime I think we have to move off the original thread for fear of snapping it!

So, how do you all feel about starting a whole line of different threads (like any other subject) but prefixing the heading For Writers just so that those who aren't interested can avoid us?

I know I started the first thread but this isn't my link so everyone feel free to start something new off just as you would in any of the other sections. I guess this would be a good place to ask people who have been published their advice, or to share a bit of good news or to suggest an idea to overcome a writing problem. Maybe we could talk about why we write what we write, how we'd like to develop the way we write and maybe discuss other writing sites, books or courses?

Over to you...

(member)

12/07/2008 10:34

Re: for the writers ...

Hi Ashbee - welcome back! I think the idea of starting different threads prefixing the title with 'For Writers' is a great idea - unless W&H would like to give us our own 'slot'. I did PM Pippa Jackson suggesting this - not sure whether anyone else did.

(member)

12/07/2008 11:11

Re: for the writers ...

Hi Ashbee. I think that is a great idea. It makes me feel like a writer just to hone in on "For Writers". I will PM Pippa Jackson. I have noticed that you are not sure whether anyone else did and it seems that if we don't pull our finger out then our link to the world of writers on this forum may not happen. Thank you for starting this.

(member)

12/07/2008 11:14

Re: for the writers ...

Just tried to PM Pippa to be told there is no record of that user. How else do we let her know?

(member)

12/07/2008 12:40

Re: for the writers ...

I PM'd Pippa Jackson re. the writers 'slot' and the PM seemed to go through ok. Unless she has been taken off the forum in the meantime. How about PM-ing one of the other moderators?

(member)

12/07/2008 15:32

Re: for the writers ...

Perhaps if we can show that there is enough interest W&H might give in. In the meantime, those of us who are enthused about writing in whatever form or with huge ambitions or not, just keep conversations flowing. It seems we have some very experienced paid people on the forum so why not ask all those questions that you have been dying to ask...or just throw up all those 'is it me, but do you...' sorts of things that the other parts chew over with great fun and frivolity.

My name is on a lot of links so I'm keeping my head down for a while but I'd love to know if I'm the only one who thinks up wonderful ideas, jots down the first few pages and then lets them gather dust. I'd love to know how many of us are long-haul (novel length) writers, short sprinters (short stories), how many are fiction writers, how many prefer fact etc.

(member)

13/07/2008 12:09

Re: for the writers ...

Ashbee - like you, I am always thinking of ideas, jotting them down intending to make more of them, and then not progressing any further than that. I'm a real scribbler - of ideas, things I read, quotations, etc. etc. but must develop a bit of discipline, I think, and write the short story I have in my mind!

(member)

13/07/2008 13:14

Re: for the writers ...

Phew! Glad it's not just me...but why? Do you think we will ever settle down, pull out all those ideas and work our way through them?

Perhaps we need to set ourselves a challenge? Have you heard of the Nanowrimo challenge?

(member)

13/07/2008 13:20

Re: for the writers ...

Difficult to say whether we will ever settle down and work through all those ideas - speaking for myself, I have been scribbling like this for so many years without actually producing a short story, always intending to do more, but not finding the time. Some would say that this is just an excuse and that, if we really want to do something, then we make the time - what do you think?

A challenge might be the answer (no, I've never heard of the Nanowrimo challenge - what is that?). Are you talking about something like a certain amount of writing in a certain length of time - so that we have something to aim for?

(member)

13/07/2008 13:29

Re: for the writers ...

Yep - write 50k words in the month of November...I first heard about it three years ago and got half way through that year but have signed up and stalled ever since. I think I failed because I wasn't prepared - had the idea but nothing more and its so simple to get stuck in that situation.

I really have no writing stamina. I used to think that you could start with a vague fiction idea and just write and see where it takes you but it doesn't work for me. So now I'm working on expanding some ideas and getting to know the character(s) before I try to write the whole thing. Am still working on the characters though...

What sort of thing do you think you would like to write one day...?

I love the word scribble - the feel of the pen on paper or finger on keyboard is as much fun as the whole creative writing thing to me.

(member)

13/07/2008 13:55

Re: for the writers ...

I like the idea of a challenge, but would have to start with a more moderate challenge than 50k words in November!

I would like to write a short story - I have the germ of an idea in my head and have scribbled (there's that word again!) several pages of ideas, notes about characters and possible paragraphs for inclusion. I don't think I could begin a story with just a vague idea and then write and see where it took me. However, who knows - since I haven't yet managed to complete anything at all!!

I suppose it could be said that I dream and think a lot about writing instead of actually getting on with it!!

(member)

13/07/2008 16:26

Re: for the writers ...

As I said in the other writer's thread, my problem is trying to find the time at the mo...... I need to find a solution!!! This is way too important to me, so I need to find a way of doing for instance an hour or two minimum most mornings......
Sometimes I scribble down some details about my characters, and I always make a big hooha about names, as I always find the characters must have fitting names and looks to go with it..... I even check the best fitting astrological signs....
Short stories are just not for me. I love reading interesting articles about beautiful and special places, and find out certain informative facts.... love articles about someone's interior, or garden, or about a village, or a building..... But fictional short stories are so disappointingly short!! But that is just me! I love a book into which I can get my teeth, and every page I turn brings new thrills, and I always feel sorry when a book reaches its end..... and then the end of that particular adventure is suddenly over, and I feel like I lost a friend. And because of this I am considerably more inclined to write a full fledged novel. But now to start.....

I promise I too will send a PM to Pippa, but this week I just have not gotten round to much..... still nursing my wounds.... but like in real life too, my wounds heal quickly.

(member)

13/07/2008 18:53

Re: for the writers ...

Apologies for being a bit of a big gob here but I seem to be on a mission to get everyone who wants to write doing just that...

AlexP: what is stopping you from writing that short story? You seem to have everything mapped out? I understand the pleasure of imagining doing something - to have a go and fail is to blow that wonderful, perfect dream. But how much more wonderful would it be if you actually did give it a go? As writers, we are allowed to write drafts so it's not a case of win or fail. Put those notes into some order with linking paragraphs and sentences and you have a first draft. Later in the week you can fiddle with it again and make something more...go on, dare you...write that opening paragraph...

(member)

14/07/2008 14:02

Re: for the writers ...

Chatelaine - I agree that fictional short stories can be disappointing, as can any sort of fiction. But, I think they can also be very creative and lovely - stories condensed into cleverly written gems. I think I appreciate the art behind telling a story, getting across character, etc. when there is a limit to the number of words that can be used. It is said that the best things come in small packages - perhaps this might apply to fiction as well!

I enjoy reading good short stories as well as full length novels - enjoying each type of writing for what it is.

Ashbee - please don't apologise for being on a mission - we need to get some 'back and forth' going with our posts and this is a good way to do it.

What is stopping me from writing that short story? A good question! Perhaps what you said about the pleasure of imagining it rather than the reality of the finished story.

My head is full of ideas and characters for this story and others. I find that wherever I am, I am taking mental notes to put down on paper when I am able. The problem is, the ideas I think of at the time (say, when driving and can't actually write anything down) can never be recalled quite as they initially were when the time comes to write them down. I think this is because they are not just ideas, but reactions and it is quite difficult to recall later the exact way I felt at the time.

OK - so I'll respond to your dare! I'll begin by putting those notes into some order and take it from there - how's that??!!

(member)

14/07/2008 17:59

Re: for the writers ...

That's brilliant - I'll give you two weeks and then you can tell me if you've managed a first draft.

I always seem to get that brilliant opening line or a fabulous scene when I can't write it down...sod's law, I guess. Maybe we need one of those tape recorders with a head set? Who cares if we look a bit odd - just think of the benefit to English Literature...

(member)

15/07/2008 10:02

Re: for the writers ...

OK, Ashbee - it's a deal!

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