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I finally started writing last night. I haven't made a serious attempt at it in so long that I know I'm going to need some major editing advice later, but I don't mind. I wouldn't be here if I didn't enjoy it ;)
I'll be the first to admit that I already hate the intro, but intros were one thing I've never done well. They keep me staring at a blank page for what can feel like hours or even days trying to decide on the best way to approach the scene, but once I get past that, I'm alright.
Anyway, my first script may turn out to be a lot longer than I expected. I've finished the first chapter, which, formatted single-spaced (double-spacing between paragraphs and dialog) is exactly 12 pages. This is gonna take awhile ;)
So, my question to authors and readers alike, should I be working on this a chapter at a time and release each chapter as I finish - with no guarantee of how long this thing's going to be by the way - or wait until I'm done and post it as one long piece?
There's going to be a lot of writing and re-writing involved in either case. I'm just a perfectionist like that, and I already have ideas I want to go back and implement just in the first chapter, clarifying character motivations and things.
Personally, as a reader I like both serial and "one big gulp" methods equally, but as an author I'd feel more comfortable with the latter, so I "know" my baby is as complete as it will be, where I'm not going back from chapter four, say, to fix a continuity issue in chapter two, but that's just me.
Come to think of it, does BC have a hard-lock text limit on how much can be posted in a single entry? There's nothing more embarassing than spending a month working on a project, only to have a web form eat it (That's happened to me with forum software before, but thankfully I only lost something important once. I never made last-minute edits in a forum post again either ;))
If it helps, I already have in mind the way I plan things to go. Plans are a fragile thing, and easily shattered, but I know the key points in the character's growth and acceptance of herself. I know where she'll be at the end; it's just that getting there is half the fun.
Zoe
PS: Yes, I am so totally procrastinating right now. I just can't decide how to proceed into chapter two after the first chapter taking a different direction than I was initially expecting. I haven't written myself into a corner yet, but the main character did surprise me. Like I said, plans are fragile things ;)
Comments
I think it's great that you're starting to write!
I think it's great that you're starting to write! I haven't written anything for BC, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
I would suggest you go with your gut, which seems to be telling you to write the whole thing first before you release any of it. But I would think that then you can release it as a serial. How's the reader to know if it's all been written or not?
Then if you get comments on the first chapter or two that really, really make you rethink what you've done, you can still make changes to the remainder of the story before you release the remaining chapters.
Would that work for you?
Kris
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
That's a great idea
That's a great idea. Releasing it slowly would give me the flexibility to let my perfectionism run wild without drawing things out too much, leaving anyone with an interest in the story waiting for updates.
The one thing I do want to avoid with that route is releasing it in parts too close together, where if it ended up being more than a few chapters, bumping other stories off the front page. Being conscious of that should be its own preventative measure though, I'd imagine.
Thanks a bunch for the quick reply :)
Zoe
Edit: Not to say, on that last part, that I've ever seen anyone else do that. I just wouldn't want to be the first *grin*
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That's a question without a single one size fits all answer
There are some who will not even look at a serial until it has all been posted. (I used to be that way, until I began editing, in which case I can't wait. )
Some will but only after being assured it has been completed.
Many will start, and as suggested, give suggestions that may help the author fix a weak point. I'm trying to do more of that myself, but there is a lot out there and I can't keep up with all of it.
One reason many are hesitant to start a story until they know it has been finished, is that too many good stories just stopped. We never find out if the author died, got angry at a nasty comment, just gave up because they couldn't figure an ending, or what.
It’s not given to anyone to have no regrets; only to decide, through the choices we make, which regrets we’ll have,
David Weber – In Fury Born
Holly
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Holly
Krunch Advice
Let ol' Admiral Krunch help you out.
Rule number one of writing is don't. Forget about it. It's a vast black hole of time. Since no one listens to rule number one, let's move on to rule number two.
Rule number two. Never write anything over 500 words. Ever. No one wants to read more than that. I know I sure as hell don't want to. If I see more than 500 words, well geez, can't you just summarize the damn thing? Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back in hot dog eating contest. Boom. Send it to the printers, that's pure gold.
Rule number three. Don't do serials. No one reads serials. I sure as hell don't, and I'll sure as hell never write one. Takes too much damn time. People want know the answer now, not five installments from now. And even if you write a serial, the total length should be no longer than 500 words. Because after that, well geez, can't you just summarize the damn thing?
Rule number four. Explosions. You got to have explosions. No one cares about feelings. Feelings are for tea parties. We want explosions. Probably car chases too. But definitely deadly deadly explosions. Don't get hung up on "characters" and "character development". And did I mention feelings? No one needs to hear about those.
So, stick with explosions. In 500 words or less. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, explosion! That's gold. Pure solid gold.
I'm guessing that you're going to ignore rules one through four. Everyone does. Except for me. I'm all about explosions. But if you're not, here's some suggestions.
Serial or otherwise, you don't have to make that call yet. Write a whole bunch of stuff first, and see where you're at. You don't have to get feedback five minutes after you write something. Sit on it a while. Refine the story. Make sure you know where you're going. If you put something up five minutes after your done, you're married to it. You can always go back and revise what you've published, but that's kind of like replacing Bo and Luke on the Dukes of Hazard and expecting no one to get pissed off.
As far as getting off the ground, don't worry about introductions, openings, closings, or transitions. In fact, don't bother writing them. They'll just slow you down. Just write the important stuff. You can stitch it together afterwards. All that stuff is like scaffolding. If you spend all your time on the scaffolding, you're going to ignore the building. Get the important stuff done. The rest will come to you.
And explosions. You need explosions.
explosions Admiral?
I don't recall any, was a car crash, but then you were being ironic or sarcastic or something. I'll just fold my arms and glare a little, raising eyebrow whilst tapping one foot staccato fashion; about that story then, hmmm?? Huh, did I just do a Mum impression? Oh dear.
See this writing thing is curious. Ideas flow and you try and even with the best of intentions you may never get there. Does that mean you should never start because you may not finish? Well... no. Sure it's a disappointment when a story you enjoy stops, but at least you had the bits that were done and you can play with your imagination and take it where you will. I can sort of understand those that won't start a serial until they know it's complete, but I don't quite agree with the idea. Some may say I did just that with my little Escape pieces. True in one sense if you expected a saga. I just played with an idea and did 3 little vignettes on a character. Should I not have because the tale is not really complete? It was an experiment an idea and I ran with a few tendrils and made a scenic entree. Is that a failure? Maybe in one sense in that I did not take it to logical end point. Yet in a sense there is never an end. Though some situations set better than others I'll grant you.
I guess I'm trying to say write it as it comes to you and if that means leaving gaps and filling them in or having an end but missing a bunch of middle scenes, well hey they'll come. I do that often. Complete it before you start or run wih a piece or two and see where it takes you. More pressure with the latter strategy though.
Simply, do it as it works for you. Ask for help if you want to or do it solo. Whatever, it's yours, we're just spectators. We might even read and comment, if ya's lucky. However it comes you probably won't get too bruised up. We's a gentle bunch really.
Kristina
Almost There - You're Almost There
Everyone knows the modern reader wants implosions. Explosions are so cliche. Stephen King once said, "Please pass the salt, Honey." He wasn't talking about pepper. In the writing game you're either out or you're in. What do you want to be?
On the serial vs. readable writing question - I don't have a bias. Just ask yourself. "Am I writing this as a masturbatory exercise -- or do I care at all about the reader."
Other than that, follow Krunch's rules - or not.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
That's gold. Pure solid gold.
this is a keeper - best advice ever given. it should be perpetually linked from the front page of this site.
not as think as i smart i am
Hehehehe. If you only knew
Hehehehe. If you only knew ;)
I don't remember if I've mentioned it before, but I used to be an avid online gamer. One of my favorite characters was in City of Heroes. I was part of a big role-playing group, and everybody was afraid to get too close to my character, not because of her ability to control fire, but because she had access to sickening amounts of explosives ordinance. Her motto? "There's no problem that can't be solved with more explosives."
She was fun. I just had to share that little tidbit.
Back to writing I go!
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Good intentions
I guess I'm like you. I've started to write the most fantastic story that's ever been written. It's going to be... You know, all those great things.
It's a big job and releasing a chapter at a time is SO tempting.
But I know myself too well. After the third chapter, I lose interest, and go onto another story.
Fortunately, I haven't published the first three chapters, so I haven't left a load of frustrated readers. It's simply not fair to publish before you've finished the story.
That's why I'll never read a serial unless it has been completed.
That's a really hard question...
Krunch had some good advice (except for the explosions!) but, you need to look behind some of his suggestions... He has a LOT of frustrated fans, waiting on the conclusion of his story, which seems to have been sidelined by RL in a BIG WAY. (I, for one, hope that the RL issues will ease off, and allow him to finish his fine story.)
Hers are some observations, and what I've done... And, I'll admit up front it's probably not worth much. But, I like to see my name in print (No, actually, it's a RL Occupational Hazard - I'm a consultant, and have the commenting habit).
I've done both - wait until done to publish, and publish as serial. My first novel (Who Was I) I did serial - after I'd written the first several chapters. I made a promise to the two ladies that first reviewed (& encouraged me to post - both do serials & stand-alone work) that I would finish the story if I started posting it... AND maintain a relatively fast posting schedule... And, I did... (I knew what the ending was when I started, and had the broad outline done in addition to the first few chapters before I started posting.) That story needed a LOT of help... Don't read it, typos, gramar errors galore... *Sighs*...
More recently, I wrote a complete novella (The Reluctant Bridesmaid) that I posted in 10 parts - my reason, I thought it was the best thing I'd written to date (& the reader reaction seems to bear that out) and I wanted to give folks a better chance to see it. (Yeah, and I wanted to get a few more comments, too. I like comments.)
My other large work (A New Style of Education: Hidden Gifts) is intentionally a serial, as it's in a Serial Universe. There, I know the point I'm driving toward (yes, there IS a planned ending to the story). I wrote the first four chapters before even considering posting. At this point, I try to have at least half of the next chapter written in draft, before I post. I'd prefer to be further ahead, but I've been kinda slow posting recenlty (TRB & RL have gotten in the way of my writing). I'm sure there are quite a few frustrated people that were following Hidden Gifts.
So, my best advice (based on a whole year of writing (but a bit more reading) - so take it for the little it's worth) is EITHER guarantee that you can maintain a fairly quick posting schedule as you write (I don't say daily, not many can keep up Angharad's pace, if any, but every 2-3 days to at most every other week might be reasonable AND guarantee that you can finish the story. Otherwise, Get the entire story written (at least in 1st draft form) before starting posting...
IF you go with multiple posts (chapters, chapter combinationsn, etc.); make a judgement call on how long you want each post to average. Who Was I and The Reluctant Bridesmaid averaged about 3k words. Hidden gifts averages around 6500 words. Look around at the stuff you like to read - see their average word count. Too Short, and you'll frustrate your readers. A few readers do prefer fairly short segments, but the feedback I've seen is that more prefer the longer ones (though - not as long as I've gone with HG. LOL). And there are some, that will not read ANYTHING, until the entire story is posted... And some of them prefer to get it all in one chunk, though others will go through the chapters.
Annette
How to post
Zoe,
This is an opinion only and you know whhat they say about opinions. I won't post a story until it is completed. I want to be able to edit, proof, check for story mistakes, etc. before I let it out there. I still make many errors and my thanks go to Holly for helping me make further corrections. I think posting chapters without a conclusion and route to that conclusion clearly in mind and in print may lead you to post a story that is not as strong as it could be. Every one of the four novels I've posted was a done deal before I started posting a chapter or two or three at a time. I reviewed them many times, and should have had assistance, before I had the confidence to put them out there.
What you write is part of you and it reflects your persona. Why not put it out there in the best light. Get help editing and have your work critiqued before posting it. Be happy and satisfied with your work in its completed state. Then let the rest of us read and enjoy it. Nothing says you have to post a story in one swell foop. Tease us with a chapter or two at a time.
Now, I am waiting for your story. :) Portia
Portia
RE Serial vs. One Page
First I apologize or any hurt feelings. These are my views on producing a story.
I would say that you would need to have a character introduction and setting up the story.
Then a flowing story line with enough detail that the reader can picture the scene.
Then a ending that closes all the issues that has been develop through the story.
The decision of length of posting is up to author.
Before posting any part of the story I would suggest that you have someone read aloud the posting back to you, or if you have a text to speech program listen to it.
Why I said that is that is because I listen to all stories and catch a lot of errors.
readplease is a good text to speech program.
the free readplease work with 3000 words and below.
Been there, done that
Hi Zoe, I have to agree with Krunch except the best is the car driving over the cliff with an explosion at the bottom. With regards to which method is the best, that's up to you. I can give you a little insite though, since I've done all three you ask about. I posted a novel in one large chunk "Mialing" and even though the few coments I received were positive not many people read the story. It takes too much time was the complaint. The next novel I posted I did as a series "Runway" and wrote the whole story before posting. The last novel was "Show Me The Money" and I posted the chapters as they were written. I liked that I got lots of comments, but as the story unfolded there was preasure to post a chapter once a week, and they had to be 2600 words long. Miss a week and there was hell to pay when you posted again. The hard part is when you hit a writer's block, have real life issues, and don't want to disappoint your readers. Then writting becomes pressure, and it's not fun. Me? I won't post a story again that's not finished. The best advice I can give you is to find an editor. I tried to edit my own stuff and after I posted something, I wanted to gag. When you edit your own work you know what you're trying to say and you interpret your word to mean what you think. An editor will see something different. Your eyes are blinded to what you've written. There is a test, I can't remeber where I saw it, but you read a short paragraph and then you are asked to count the "I's" in the paragraph. Because of the way the brain works most people miss three or four of them. The same with what you have written, you see one thing and write something else, at least I do. That's why I have my editors. Holly, Angela, Samantha, Karen, and Sephrena. They have all knocked my stories into shape and without them the translation would be lost. Have fun writing and don't get discouraged, and remember, you can always drive that car off the cliff into a dynamite factory, Arecee