Fic Talk > General Discussion
Writing & Thread (aka The Writing Thread 4)
RokofAges75:
--- Quote from: nicksgal on July 21, 2021, 10:50:13 PM ---This is semi-related to BSB fanfic, did anyone else see this post on r/FanFic? https://www.reddit.com/r/FanFiction/comments/on3xw0/blast_from_the_past_fanfictionnet_20_years_ago/
I died laughing that people responded with surprise that Backstreet Boys fanfic was ever a thing, lol. Anyone recognize any of those stories on the example page? Also I just realized that I also started writing fanfic over 20 years ago... What a crazy life we live.
--- End quote ---
OMG! No, I hadn't seen that, so thanks for sharing. It's nice to see BSB fic discussed there, even if it's just in a nostalgia thread. I loved the throwback to what ff.net looked like 20 years ago! I remember that logo, but I don't remember actually reading a lot of BSB fic there. Seems like they got rid of real person fanfic right after I joined LOL.
I loved this comment:
Ah, the memories! My teenage self used to absolutely devour the Backstreet Boys fic! Loved the h/c ones, 99% of which featured tour bus crashes and broken limbs. There was also a surprising amount of permanent damage and/or death involved. Good times.
Still true, at least in our corner of the fandom LOL.
It's funny to see people laughing at the idea of BSB fanfic because I've had the same reaction to so many other fandoms. "There's fanfic for this?!" I have learned that, much like Rule #34, if it exists, there is fanfic about it. But this basically confirms that most of the posters on that Reddit are too young to remember (or weren't born yet) when BSB fic was at its peak.
RokofAges75:
--- Quote from: nicksgal on July 21, 2021, 10:31:11 PM ---I think there's always ways to improve if you continue to write. It might not be in "writer voice" (I think that's about the same as the end of PBox), but it could be in tight prose or something else. I can't think of any examples right now, but I think there's always growth and improvement in one way or another, even if it's a small thing. :) Maybe it's just writing speed.
But I also think that every story is a little different, so maybe there's something different to improve on between each work. I'm working on comedic timing right now, for instance, and that's not something that's part of PBox as much.
--- End quote ---
That makes sense. I do think every story is an opportunity to learn and grow. I don't think that growth is always linear; I don't think each one of my stories is necessarily better than the one before it, but it's also hard to compare them because each story does have its own tone and style. I have looked back at older stories of mine and seen the growth when comparing them to my writing style now, but admittedly, I've also looked back at some and thought, "Wow! I wrote this??" and wondered if I could produce something that good now LOL. It's hard to objectively compare your current work in progress to previous stories, though, because you're too close to it.
I can say without a doubt that my writing speed and focus have gotten worse over the years LOL. But hopefully what I've sacrificed in quantity of words in one sitting, I've made up for in the quality of them. Part of the reason I'm slow is because I put more thought into my word choice and edit more than I used to.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on July 21, 2021, 10:31:11 PM ---I didn't feel rusty when I started because I was just happy to be writing anything, but now I feel like I was rusty. (Like chapter four is so awful, I'm so sorry everyone.) And I definitely feel like some chapters are better than others even as I continue to write them. It wasn't too bad to get back into the groove again once I could get started, but I think it takes the right headspace.
I felt even rustier starting new story, because it's pretty different from PBox.
--- End quote ---
I think it's normal for some chapters to be better than others, even when you've been writing a story consistently the whole way through. Some days the words just flow better than others, and some scenes are just naturally going to be more engaging.
I can definitely see why you would feel rustier starting on a brand new project, separate from PBox. As we've discussed, I think beginnings are the hardest part of a story to write because there's so much to establish, but in a sequel, at least you can kinda pick up where you left off with the last story. It's different when you're starting from scratch.
I've never taken more than a few months off from writing, but my biggest breaks were during my master's when I was writing SAMS and then after I finished SAMS and had major WADD. It was definitely easier to get back into writing when SAMS was in progress because at least I could reread what I'd already written and get back into the story that way. It was a lot harder to get anywhere with a new story after that, even though I was done with my master's by then and had more time. I don't remember if I actually felt rusty, but I probably was. Maybe that's why it took me three tries to get a beginning of AHTIM that I liked and why I had writer's block on MBK for three years.
When I've been in those slumps, short stories have been my saving grace. I don't write a lot of them, but they have been a great way for me to keep back into writing when I'm between novels or feeling uninspired by my works in progress. And although I've always considered myself more of a novelist, I think some of my best and most creative writing has happened in short stories. Those are usually the ones that are a pleasant surprise when I go back and read them. I wish I had ideas for short stories more often.
--- Quote from: nicksgal on July 21, 2021, 10:31:11 PM ---But I think I've gotten away from my plan for it from the beginning, which was "What's the craziest thing I can think of? Write that." I blame trying to be medically accurate in the beginning, lol. So now I'm trying to get back to the crazier things. Escape goats are helping, lol.
--- End quote ---
LOL It's probably hard to be medically accurate while writing the craziest thing you can think of. Go for the crazy; I will not judge you for any medical inaccuracies, especially given that it's meant to be a comedy. And yes, escape goats!! LOL
mare:
--- Quote from: RokofAges75 on July 20, 2021, 10:16:00 PM ---That is so frustrating. I'm sure Covid doesn't help with the processing time, since everything probably got backed up last year. What a mess.
LOL Well, here's hoping you get some motivation without losing your mind. How's it been going with your mom?
--- End quote ---
Two more days. She’s leaving Saturday. I can make it!
mare:
--- Quote from: RokofAges75 on July 20, 2021, 10:23:09 PM ---A couple questions I thought of to discuss:
Do you think your writing continues to gets better with each story, or have you already hit your peak as a writer? If it's the latter, when (or with what story) did you peak, and why do you think that is?
For those who have taken extended breaks from writing, do you think it affected the quality of your writing when you came back? Did you feel rusty when you started again or notice a decline?
--- End quote ---
I think I hit my writing peak with my last story and yes, I feel ultra rusty.
mare:
--- Quote from: nicksgal on July 21, 2021, 09:49:26 PM ---Inmomnia is the worst! Hopefully you'll get some real rest soon, Mare! Disability sounds really complicated. I can't believe they take such a long time to turn down people who need it. :( I hope it all gets worked out soon.
I'm sending you good writing vibes as always. :) We should all try one of those short story prompts. Here's another six word story:
"What are mask mandates?" Brian asked.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for always being my cheerleader! ❤️
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version