tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post835715962803102506..comments2023-12-31T14:09:29.720-08:00Comments on The Pen and Parchment: My “First Four Chapters” ruleStar-Dreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14298850366884374226noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-28084146678991614212011-09-02T20:39:11.417-07:002011-09-02T20:39:11.417-07:00I try to write what I've got, whether it's...I try to write what I've got, whether it's outline level only or detailed scenes. When I do that, I find creativity "back-filling" the space left by what I just got out of me into writing, and I have more I can write.<br /><br />I also find it helpful to work on multiple projects in parallel: if I get tired on one, I can let it rest and work on another one. When I get back around to the first project, it's fresher to me, and I find I have more to write.<br /><br />I don't know how that correlates to a "pantser"; I never heard of that word until now. :) But I like to outline and create histories.Philip Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15407695870657587787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-4502866640406743862011-08-30T03:32:01.792-07:002011-08-30T03:32:01.792-07:00I love how your story naturally structures itself....I love how your story naturally structures itself. have to admit that any sort of planning or structure makes me feel queasy (not including natural structure). I'm an out and out pantser.<br /><br />Backstory is probably one of the hardest things for me. It's easy at the moment for me to keep my main character a secret, but there's so much backstory that has to be show gradually. It doesn't help that I don't know much backstory either. Ah the joys of being an outright pantser.<br /><br />Anyway, I really enjoyed reading your post!Imogenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410837283440529139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-36520637650318863022011-08-29T17:25:22.863-07:002011-08-29T17:25:22.863-07:00Ah yes! :) Good points, Jake!
I never do the sam...Ah yes! :) Good points, Jake!<br /><br />I never do the same things with my books either... they all start off differently and they all have differently plots and stories that they follow. In fact, they are all quite different with very few (if any) similarities... other than the fact that I seem to write my first four chapters like this: you know, meet them, enabling crisis, dark hour, move the story forward into the next part.... (Hmmm... I wonder if that makes sense?)<br /><br />Showing backstory is what is difficult. *nods* especially with SOTD. I'm working on revising a bit of chapter one right now to reveal more of Curron's backstory, (because I posted it over at a forum called "writeoncon" several weeks ago, and got about 6 or 7 reviews all stating that they felt like they needed to get to know Curron closer to the beginning... get to know his predicament and history) and I'm finding out just how extremely tricky such a thing can be. But hopefully I will get to post a piece of it soon so that I can see what you guys think. ;)Star-Dreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14298850366884374226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-12702474268772629662011-08-29T17:10:32.816-07:002011-08-29T17:10:32.816-07:00Great post!
While I do have a bit of similarity...Great post! <br /><br />While I do have a bit of similarity with my first few chapters (in all of my novels, my MC starts out in relatively normal life, etc.) I seem to veer from what I've done before and run to a different path.<br /><br />While all of my stories have an inciting incident, they all like to manifest in different ways. In my first trilogy (y'know, those books shrouded and mystery and dust, probably going to stay that way), I started out the first book with the main character disappearing from his home after getting lost. In the second, a New Guy Comes to Town, and the MC kills a dangerous beastie. In the third, my character's father is presumed dead. Etc. <br /><br />Basically, my writing likes to be different than things I've written before. I have two different styles of writing first person, and developing a third "modern teen" first-person POV.<br /><br />One last point to this long post; while I like the idea of keeping an MC shrouded in mystery, it doesn't seem to pay for me in most of my mian characters. Sure, I can have a mysterious supporting character, but since I'm in someone's head, they know all about themselves, right? Showing backstory (note the lack of telling there; telling and I are mortal enemies, and telling backstory makes me wince) is one of my favorite ways to flesh out a main character.Jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013859345463250479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-12705947941266643882011-08-29T15:19:08.919-07:002011-08-29T15:19:08.919-07:00lol! ^_^ Not on purpose!!! But thank you. ;Dlol! ^_^ Not on purpose!!! But thank you. ;DStar-Dreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14298850366884374226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7970703367799585001.post-10382374433164368362011-08-29T14:00:42.540-07:002011-08-29T14:00:42.540-07:00Very interesting. You definately have more structu...Very interesting. You definately have more structure in your work than I do.Galadrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12993204559713347090noreply@blogger.com