Have a question, need answers...

[Boweva1]

I'm not sure if this should go in this forum but ill just post and see how it works.

Anyway... I just started here, and finally got accepted and was soo happy. But when I sat down to try writing a first post for a new quest, I wasnt able to write what i wanted people to read. I have an idea of what i want to say, but when i sit down to write it, I can't put it into words. I already know Im not the best at writing, and ive never tryed writing a story outside of school but now it seems to be even more difficult just getting anything on paper. If you have any tips please share them.

[Irene]

Well, first, stop thinking so negativly. I've learned that if you think you can't do something, or your poor at something, you are. This doesn't mean your qualified to fly a plane as long as you think positivly about it, I'm not that simple, but it does make learning to fly it easier.

So start having some confidence in yourself and your writing. You say your not the best, well who gives a rat's ass? I certainly don't, and no one worth listening to does either. Just write, get it out there, you can't improve if you don't try, and practice. That's what Thread Judging is for, to give constructive criticisim and complements.

Now, that aside, I admit it is a chore sometimes to turn a thought into something written. Sometimes, blatantly ignoring the problem actually helps. Go watch movies, listen to music, read books, play with friends, have sex. Then after awhile return to the task at hand and you find the problem doesn't seem to be there anymore.

If it's just a matter of inspiration, you might wanna try Meditation. The mind is as much a muscle as anything else in your body. Exercise it, and it tends to work better.

I'm certain others will have other avenues of possibility as well.

[Nautilus]

I also often have a problem organising my ideas into words. Something else which I have found to help is to take a few minutes and write every day. It can be about...whatever. Your thoughts, stream of consciousness, a random story, descriptions of the stuff happening around you. Try to keep a journal for this purpose handy.

The mind is indeed a muscle and you must put it through it's paces. A good writer develops his skill through practice, just like any other activity. Practice, write as much as you are able without it turning into a total chore, on and off Althy, and you'll improve. Althanas-wise, just write what comes to your mind, and don't obsess too much. Like Irene said, no one worth caring about will give half a flying burrito. When you are finished the Judge will return with a detailed crit of your work and you can build off that. Take their advice, and just...keep on writing. It's the only way, except maybe using the Matrix to download the skill directly into your brain.

[Winterhair]

It's the only way, except maybe using the Matrix to download the skill directly into your brain.
Pffsha, thats what I always do.

[Boweva1]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Your right, I think im trying to start off as a great writer when i need to slow it down to my own pace and work up. Even though I might not sound as perfect or cool as I'd like, I think I'll end up having more fun in the end. Especially when I went looking in "the crystal ball" and and found theres plenty of people not that good at writing. So I think ill go ahead and try again with my quest.
Ty for the tips, I think with writing daily and playing on here will get me up where I wanna be.
(PS. I'll try and get a quest going this week, so look out for it and if you could, PM me with suggestions/tips)

[Irene]

Tip #1

Try different styles until you find one that flows as easily for you as water does over Niagra Falls. For instance, I found I'm better with first person perspective.

[Tainted Bushido]

Tip 2
Don't force yourself to write. The more you try to force it, the more likely it won't come out. Like being constipated, you just gotta relax, maybe take that laxative (think on it) and let it come out on its own. Forcing is only going to aggravate the problem.

[Mithra Reborn]

Tip 3

When you do write, think first and foremost with EVERY situation "Is this really what this character would do?" or more like "Am I telling the character to do this so they end up in this situation, or did the character choose to be in this situation?"

Its more of a detail, but when your character does things that are natural to who they are, the flow of the writing just sky rockets. actually, the all around health of the writing is good.

And to add to above, writing for me is like the menstrual cycle. I am on almost a body clock of when I'm going to be really good and into writing, and when I'm going to write like shit. What matters is just WRITING.

Also, one thing I do when I am stuck is take a bunch of random words in my room(title of books, brands of drinks, objects, etc...) and make a sentence out of them.

ex: Ice webs in castle Greenman.

it makes no sense, right? wrong. make it make sense. why are there ice webs in castle greenman? what is an ice web? who is pointing out/why is it being pointed out/etc. just use that to create a story. let your imagination just run wild and see where it goes.

hope I could help, PM me if you need any more help/ second opinion/etc/etc/etc ;D

[AdventWings]

And Tip #4:

Get together with other people to brainstorm ideas certainly help formulate writing styles and potential storylines. Often times, unless you already have a epic quest written down to the smallest of finger movement, it's a lot easier to set up a rough premise and play with it than plan every posts out carefully. Also ties into Mithra's post about letting your characters grow in the IC environment.

Two heads are better than one. But too many cooks spoil the soup, you know.

[Letho]

Tip #5:

Try to use better analogies than the ones that compare writing to taking a crap (thank you, Pat, for that one) or menstruating (likewise, thank you, Mithra).

:P

[Storm Veritas]

Tip 6:

The easiest way to think of new stuff is to experience new things. Read a book, watch a movie, go for a drive, play some golf, whatever...

Creative writing processes tend to be counterintuitive. We want to come up with great creative ideas, yet where we write is often in complete sensory deprivation.

[Boweva1]

Tip #5:

Try to use better analogies than the ones that compare writing to taking a crap (thank you, Pat, for that one) or menstruating (likewise, thank you, Mithra).
Lol, thats a great one.

Thanks everyone for the tips. Ive been trying them out but I think its too soon to notice any improvement (lol, its only been a day). I havent started writting a quest yet, so far im trying to get to know my caharacter a bit more (thanks Mithra for the tip), and so far it seams to be helping. I found a nice character sheet to help understand how my char thinks, and its really helping out.
Once again thanks for all your help:)

[Terminus Mortis]

I like that one Mithra, let's try it.

Tom Clancy's Playboy Legacy.


... No, not working for me...