Fic Talk > General Discussion
The Writing Thread: Orlando Passaggio (aka The Writing Thread 3)
RokofAges75:
--- Quote from: RokofAges75 on April 09, 2021, 11:34:05 PM ---This was today's Camp Care Package on Nano. I thought it could make a good discussion topic.
"Sometimes choosing a story idea is easy, others times it’s like having a rose to give only to one potential suitor. Sometimes you have to give the story a tryout period before finding out it’s the one. Also, never be afraid to put a story aside when you realize it’s not working out the way you like."
Today's Writing Challenge:
Before you begin your writing session for the day, take a minute to jot down the things you absolutely love about the story you're writing right now. What about it makes you feel excited and invested? (If you can't think of anything, or if another story keeps popping into your head, maybe that's a sign to try something different for a little while.)
Do you usually focus on one project, or do you get distracted by lots of new plot bunnies?
--- End quote ---
I almost always have a period of what I call "WADD" when I'm between novels and trying to figure out which project to tackle next. I usually end up flitting from story to story, outlining or writing a little bit here and there until I finally settle into one, and that becomes my next project. Sometimes it only takes me a few days of doing this to decide, and sometimes it takes weeks or months.
It seems to be worst when I've just finished a long story that took years to write. After I finished BMS, I wrote nothing but short stories and collaborations for over two years before I finally found a solo project that could hold my attention for longer than a few weeks. I went through a similar period with SAMS, after which I went back and forth between what would become AHTIM, Heroic Measures, and MBK for over a year before I settled into AHTIM. It's so satisfying to look back on that and realize that I have since finished AHTIM and Heroic Measures and made MBK my main project.
Usually once I get far enough into a novel to think of it as my main project, I will stick with it until the end. But it often goes through that tryout period, like the quote said. I really thought I would want to write that Brian horror story over MBK, but once I got the first scene out of my system, I didn't really feel compelled to keep writing it. I hope I will someday, but for now I'm just happy that MBK is going well.
So... things I love about MBK:
- It's my first Kevin novel! I'm having more fun torturing writing Kevin than I thought I would.
- Nick is not a victim! He may be a hot mess, but he gets a break in this one. It's nice to write something different.
- It's fun hopping back and forth between two different POVs.
- It's full of drama and angst - my favorite things to write!
- The research I've done for it has been interesting, and I've learned a lot.
- It has given me a greater appreciation for little things in life I used to take for granted.
- It's been fun reminiscing on the Unbreakable era, but I've also been reminded how glad I am that Kevin is back in the group and Nick is no longer a hot mess.
RokofAges75:
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---Bad-lekya with a silent D, lmao. I love that pronunciation. Now I wish I had more excuses to use this brand new acronym.
I believe in your character development MBK Hot Mess Nick!
--- End quote ---
LOL I know; it's a good one! I totally had to go watch the clip of their fight. The first time I ever saw it, I was horrified at how they were both shouting "Shut the fuck up!" at each other, but now I'm like Kevin laughing in between them - I just find it funny. It shows that brotherly relationship they have, because the only person I could ever see myself screaming at like that in real life is my sister LOL.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---That's what I keep telling myself, one day at a time. And if I get that day by writing a little of something else, so be it. Realistically, I'm happy as long as I can be ten chapters ahead of whatever I'm posting, 15 is better, 20 would be amazing. I think there's some dread that comes with finishing a story and I don't know why that is... I think we've already talked about that though?
--- End quote ---
Yeah, I think we have. It's true, though. I think it's because while you're excited to finish, you're already starting to worry about what you're going to write - or not write - next and if it will go as well as the story you've been working on and have gotten comfortable with. It's fear of the unknown.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---I challenge you! We'll do it together. :) I'm sure I'll have 50,000 words of something to try to write in July.
--- End quote ---
Sounds good! I will still be writing MBK LOL. My early estimate is that this is going to be a medium-sized novel for me, not an 100+ chapter epic, but also not a 25-chapter short novel. I'm guessing it will be around 50 chapters? Which probably means it will end up being at least 60, although I have been more concise with my last few stories, so maybe not. In any case, I'm only on Chapter 12, so it has quite a ways to go.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---I've been doing it on my own since I didn't want to make PBox a project when I was editing it, though it would have been nice to keep track of my monthly progress on PNecklace specifically in hindsight. If you want to keep tracking it on NaNo, you just go to your "projects" section and any project you've added will have a little button that says "create new goal" and then a window pops up where you name the goal, add the number of words in your goal, and then set the timeline. If it has a goal already associated to it (e.g., "Camp NaNo April 2021"), you won't see the button until that goal timeline ends.
--- End quote ---
Awesome, thanks! I may have to create a new goal when this month is over.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---Since I've had a computer again, writing has been so much easier. I wonder if I would have gotten more into it in 2015 if I'd had an actual computer at the time and not just a tablet or my phone.
--- End quote ---
This made a huge difference for me too! My last laptop died right after I finished the first few chapters of MBK back in 2018, and that was a big part of what derailed my writing for the rest of that year. I didn't buy a new laptop because I still had an old desktop computer, but I had gotten so spoiled by being able to write wherever I wanted that I didn't like sitting at a desk any more. It wasn't as comfortable, so I just didn't do it as often. First world problems. I finally asked for a Chromebook for Christmas that year, and I was so much more productive after that. This past year I got a new desk, desk chair, and desktop computer, which is what I'm on right now, but I still prefer my Chromebook for writing. I know Tracy uses a tablet and has used her phone in the past, but I could never write that way regularly.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on April 10, 2021, 12:50:35 AM ---I want to be better about getting morning sessions in. I have gone back to my "I have nothing to do and no students are here yet, I will write until they show up" and it's been pretty productive the two days I did it so far. I think I need to convince myself to do some writing earlier on weekends or set times when I can check the forum (like "write from x time to x time, then check the forum) rather than "type type type type type refresh type type type type type refresh," lol.
--- End quote ---
Good for you, writing before/at work! I've been on spring break, so it's been much easier to get morning writing sessions in, but I had been writing for a few minutes while drying my hair almost every work day. I don't really count that as a morning writing session, but it still counts as writing - enough to keep my streak alive on days when I don't come home from work and write in the evening. But I think doing that actually helps motivate me to come home and get writing again. There's something about not having the time to write that makes me want to write more... whereas when I have all day to write, I will do it, but I also waste a lot more time.
I have gotten into a good routine on my days off where I wake up, make coffee, bring it back to bed with me, and write in bed for hours. I usually don't even let myself check the forum or Twitter until I've gotten going on my writing, and then I will give myself a break. It has worked out well for me, but it also requires that I have no plans until afternoon, which is not always the most practical. One perk of the pandemic is that it gave me a lot more plan-free days, which I appreciated.
RokofAges75:
I had a 10-year-old leave a comment on my site, saying she loved BSB and had gotten into fanfic and loved my story. The fangirl side of me was excited to see such a young BSB fan (I told her she had great taste), but the adult/aunt/teacher side of me was weirded out by the thought of a 10-year-old reading my stories. That's the same age as my students and my nephew - definitely not my target age group LOL. There's a lot worse out there she could be reading, but still. My stories may not have much smut, but I also don't shy away from adult content, like sex, swearing, violence, gore, and graphic details. I'm trying to remind myself that I was only a few years older than her when I started reading fanfic, and although I came across plenty of inappropriate stuff, none of it scarred me for life. But part of me is still cringing.
FrickingKaos:
I have a lot of younger readers on wattpad, I can usually tell by the slang they use. None that young though!!
I have been meaning to read your new story Julie. I just got sidetracked this weekend with work but I'm off the next two days so I'll definitely be reading it.
RokofAges75:
Yeah, she seemed young by the way she wrote; knowing 10-year-olds, I could believe she was really that age. Probably the child of a BSB fan, but maybe not. Some of these youngins with old souls discover them on their own through YouTube or wherever.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it if you get around to checking it out. I just got caught up on your story and left you a comment on AO3.
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