Tag: writing shit

So it looks like I’ll be working on the vampire AU fic next! 😀 Thank you to everyone who voted! This will definitely help me focus a little better. The Amnesia fic was a relatively close second, so I’ll be getting to that one soon as well, hopefully. (I’ll get to all of them eventually, but it’ll be a bit easier to get through them now that I’ve established a bit of an order).

I might take a little longer to start posting the vampire fic, since I still need to write up a draft, and I don’t have a completely clear-cut idea of the plot yet. But I hope you all enjoy it when I get it done! Thank you again! ❤

How in detail do you like Plan out your stories since you’ve mention in previous asks about how you plan them out, write them, and then furiously post until all the readers worry whether or not you take a break. How in detail before you actually write? Or is it intuitive?

To be honest, I usually come up with an idea, draft out a very brief plan, and then just start writing and come back to fix it up later. But I usually don’t start posting until I’ve either completely finished writing the fic, or pretty much written the bulk of it and planned out an ending.

(I’d actually done that for Sixteen Rules, but ended up going wayyyyy off what I’d planned. I think it worked out for the better though.)

But I like to have an entire (or at least, very substantial) draft written up before I start posting, just so I know where I’m going. I’ve found though, that the best chapters I’ve written have been spontaneous. I think it’s good to have a rough draft though, just so that you know where you’re going and to help you familiarise yourself with the characters. But you don’t have to stick to it perfectly (I know I seldom do).

All that being said though, sometimes it can be better to start posting it, and see what the readers enjoy. I’ll be completely honest, I probably have about 100k+ words worth of fanfiction that I’ve just never published. Long, detailed fics that I really wanted to finish writing before posting, because I was worried I’d lose the plot if I started posting too early. But it’s very easy to lose motivation when doing this, because you have no one giving you feedback about your writing, so you’re not sure whether or not people will actually enjoy it when you post it.

Even so, drafting is my lifeline, so I do it very rigorously before I start posting chapters. But normally, I just start writing once I’ve come up with an idea, and see where it takes me. I’m not sure this is the best advice. I often tend to get stumped at certain points or chapters, and I think it might be because I don’t do enough planning beforehand.

I think planning out with themes and character goals in mind can help move the plot along well. All this said, I’m probably not the best person to be giving advice. While I really enjoy writing, I’m still learning how to go about it.

Thank you for sending in this ask though! I’m sorry it got really long ^u^ I like writing out my thoughts like this though, it kind of helps me step back and analyse myself haha.

what do you do when you have a writers’ block for a long period of time, let’s say from 1 to 4 weeks? You just…wait for it to pass or force yourself to write at least a little bit every day, no matter what it takes? Or just hope? Or give up… And what if you think you will never have enough inspiration to finish that particular story? Do you abandon it, or visit it every day to see and hope? Sorry for the sad questions, not feeling too well

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re struggling! I’ve definitely
been in the same place, and while I’m not sure my methods for handling writer’s
block are always the best, I’ll try my best to give some advice!

It depends on how *intense* the block is, but when it comes to
smaller hurdles (for instance, you know exactly what you want to say, the words
just aren’t flowing the way you want them to), I try to take a break. As
begrudged as I am to say it, exercise is a great way to get the blood flowing
to your brain. Even just going for a short walk can help to clear out the
cobwebs. Also (and this may just be me) I like to take naps. That being said, I
probably nap more than the average human, so this might not always work. But if
my brain is tired, it can be very refreshing!

With
all that being said, honestly, the best way to get past a block is just to…
write. Even if it sounds terrible. Even if you hate it. Just do it – you can
always come back to it later and edit vigorously. But sometimes the only thing stopping
you from writing what you want is your mentality. So often, I let myself
think “nah, today isn’t a writing day, I’ll try again tomorrow” when I
could probably just push through and manage something if I tried. So even if you
hate what you’re putting on the page, just writing in itself can get you into
the write mindset.

When it comes to longer blocks (or longer fics that you just no
longer have the motivation for), it’s a bit of a different story.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure my advice is the best, since the only long fic I’ve
struggled with, I ended up putting on a semi-permanent hiatus. But the best
advice I can probably give, is just to keep chipping away at it. Even if you
only write a couple of sentences a day, it can help get your mind back into the
zone. If you’re finding the writing itself a little too daunting, sometimes it
can be good just to write out a few planning sentences (or even random
sentences that don’t fit in anywhere, but you might use later. I do this all
the time). All this being said, if there’s a longer fic you’re really not
feeling the motivation for anymore – don’t force yourself to keep going.
Sometimes it can be best to leave it behind, and start on something fresh. I’m
terrible at stopping myself from rolling with every new idea I come up with,
but a change of pace can be good if you feel like you’re stuck. You can always
come back to your older fic later!

But always remember that breaks are important. Especially when
it comes to longer fics. I myself am not very good at taking breaks. I tend
just to write until I completely burn myself out, but I think I’m improving.

Anyway, this got a bit long, but I hope it was helpful! And I
hope you feel better soon!

(The irony of this, is that I
decided to write a mini essay to answer this ask instead of actually writing my
fic.)

itsladykit:

sesurescue:

caitielewd:

timedectectiveontheserenity:

randomcat1832:

just-fic-me-up:

curledlife:

caffeinewitchcraft:

sassy-un-classy:

lifeandlovesofemmalinethewriter:

kjsama:

thlayli-rah:

snapdreygon:

andercas:

I feel like when you’re writing, organizing chapters and dialogue is easy

but jfc, the amount of time it takes to constantly keep people moving and make sure they’re in the right spaces and trying to come up with wording for it is always such a shock. 

Like, fuck, I made you pick up a coffee cup, you need to put it down at some point. also I can’t remember what I dressed you in, can you push up your sleeves? I don’t remember if you even have your shirt on.

and YOU. YOU OVER THERE, you got out of your chair earlier, but did you come back yet? Are you coming back? Where did you even go and why’d you get up? Fuck, I can’t make you sit down again already, you just stood up, go…over there. go get more coffee. Did you bring your mug with you? fine. bring the pot to the table and—wait, wasn’t the coffee pot already over here? shit, hold on, I need to go back and re-read and re-write

this is the most relevant thing i have ever read.

I think one of the most wild things as a writer is the sensation that you’re not actually directing your characters– they’re sort of directing themselves, and you’re scrambling around attempting to copy down whatever it was that they just did, but they don’t wait for you to finish copying. They just keep walking and talking and moving around and existing of their own volition and at some point you look up and you’re like “WHOA OKAY EVERYBODY BACK THE FUCK UP WHERE ARE WE”

It’s kind of like trying to write sheet music for an orchestra while it’s playing

#thatwritinglife

@cats-galactic @kyleandthekids

It’s kind of like trying to write sheet music for an orchestra while it’s playing 

Oh my god its in words

“Listen,” my main character says reasonably, “I’m not just gonna sit still while he goes on spouting that nonsense.”

I, the writer, frantically scribble down a rough map and route. “No, obvious now, but I still have to write the part where he yells–”

“I’M BEING IGNORED,” the antagonist yells and begins to flap his arms. “LOOK I AM ALSO DYNAMIC.”

“Whoa there,” the main character says mildly and begins to do squats. They pull out a weapon. “Take a look at this escalation!”

“No!” I cry, “he took your gun, like, five minutes ago–”

“Second gun,” the main character says and cocks it. Pauses. “Was I on a low squat or a high one just now?”

“HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN BLOWING RASPBERRIES?” the antagonist wants to know, still spinning.

“When did you start spinning?” I ask in despair.

There is no escape.

@x-i-l-verify reminded me of you 🙂

This is utterly perfect and accurate

It’s back!

@captain-shitpost @ravvi-k @caitielewd @mercy-run

LOL. YES. SO TRUE. I swear choreographing sex scenes is like trying to herd angry, greased-up cats. Okay, so your legs are up here, which gives you room over here, but then where do YOUR legs go…okay hands on top, wait that won’t work…okay put that there but don’t forget you’re still on your front…and then if you’re like this then how is he gonna…

UGH. WHAT IS VAGINA. PENIS GOES WHERE. ALASDKJFALSDFKJ;JADF

@purrfecktlysinful @sesurescue @damnedxfate @megalotrash

Omgggg the accuracy!

Can we discuss fight scenes for a moment? I mean. Holy shit, they are at least as complicated as sex scenes. Like–

Me: But, wait, is that even a thing you can do?

Character: I don’t know, but it sounds cool, right?

Me: Yeah, but is it physically possible? I mean–

Character: Look, bitch, research is your job. Google that shit.

Me: …I wouldn’t even know how to being describing that in a manner suitable for a search engine. 

Character: Not my job. Figure it out. I’m gonna be over here, being awesome.

Me: …why did I make you such an asshole?

Other Character: What about me! I’m cool too! And just as awesome! Make sure you make me look cool too!

Me: *hands over my eyes* Yes, yes. You’re cool too. Just give me five fucking minutes to figure out how the fuck I can simultaneously make both of you look capable and competent, while also maintaining suspension of disbelief–

Both Characters: AND COOL! WE NEED TO LOOK COOL TOO!

Me: YES! AND COOL! I’M SO GLAD YOU HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER! FUCK! *deep breaths* Okay. I’m gonna take a break. Fuck you both and your stupid fucking fight. *flips them off and walks away* JUST FUCKING KISS ALREADY! IT’S WHY EVERYONE’S HERE ANYWAY! 

berlynn-wohl:

Reading a fic full of tired, overused tropes…THAT YOU LOVE

image

Reading a fic that was obviously not written in the writer’s first language…AND THEIR ODD PROSE MAKES IT EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL

image

Reading a fic that springs something on you that is really not your kink…BUT THEN THAT KINK SUDDENLY BECOMES YOUR KINK

image

Reading a fic, clicking on the author’s name, and they haven’t written anything else for that pairing…BUT THEY’VE WRITTEN FIFTY FICS OF YOUR OTHER OTP

image

don’t be afraid to write ur fanfictions

the things you are afraid about are probs making other ppl happy

Sorry??? D:

Guys, I um. I have made a terrible mistake.

I know people seldom stick to 100 words, even for drabbles, but, uh. Shit. My shortest one so far is about 1300 words, and I have a few straying around 2000. Whoops? I feel like I definitely may have added a few unnecessary details to a lot of them.

I hope this isn’t too much of a problem for anyone D: I’m sorry!

The good news though, is that I only have a few left to write! I’m hopefully going to start posting them on Friday (probably Thursday for most countries), and then have them all done by Christmas! I really hope you all like them, I’ve had a lot of fun writing them.

I’ll probably make a masterpost linking to all of them at some point. (And I’ll post them over on AO3 as well if that’s ok with everyone!)

Thanks again to everyone for sending in requests!

babyboy-dan:

Shout out to the fic writers that struggle to get 25+ notes on their 2k+ word one-shots

Shout out to the fic writers that consistently put out fics and still don’t get many notes

Shout out to the fic writers that constantly mess up grammar and spelling simple words we all do that we’re human

Shout out to the fic writers who write beautifully sculpted, 50k+ word chaptered fics and don’t get any feedback (or again, many notes)

Shout out to the fic writers who are insecure about their writing and never get any feedback they think will help them improve their writing

Y’all fic writers are awesome and deserve so much recognition

A word of advice:

chidi-anagonye:

If you want more fics to read in a specific ship/fandom/etc. then reblog the fics that do exist!!! Leave reviews, say nice things in the tags, send people asks telling them that you appreciate their writing, all of these things mean the world to writers. But honestly most of all just,,,reblog the fics, don’t just like them. I promise you that if you do, the writers will be 10X more likely to keep writing for the fandom that encourages them.