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Post by naynish on Nov 25, 2017 13:09:55 GMT
What's this, you say? A NEW THREAD?! That's right. And this one is for those times when you want to tear your hair out. You love your cast. You love your world. You maybe even love your plot. But sometimes you feel just COMPLETELY at odds with all of it. So here's where you can come and rant. Just get it out of your system. No holds barred. Like me, for instance. I stopped posting in the RAA threads because for some reason, when I started Book 3, I felt like my characters were strangers. I have been totally distanced from their actual brains and motivations, unlike in the first 2 books. Weird, huh? And the last few days, brainstorming has also been REALLY HARD. I'm at my wits' end, guys! Still writing, but second-guessing everything I put out. HANDS UP IF YOU CAN RELATE. Or if you have a rant of your own. Let it out and push forward
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Post by Chiefy on Nov 25, 2017 13:19:51 GMT
Yup, same. My cast hates me, I hate them, actually no I love them but I hate them right now. There are those moments where I'm writing and I feel like it doesn't go anywhere but if I don't write it definitely doesn't go anywhere so idk. I was worried about the plot going too fast at the start of the book and now I feel like it's not moving. I had all these subplots planned, too, and it's kinda like "hellooooo please cooperate I NEED YOU TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN" to a plastic spoon.
VAL I'M LOOKING AT YOU. GET YOUR ASS OUTTA YOUR MANSION AND MAKE THE SUBPLOT HAPPEN.
After Shadow leaves, of course.
SHADOW GET THE HELL OUT OF THE MANSION. YOU'RE NEEDED FOR THE MAIN PLOT. THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT. GO. NOW.
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Post by naynish on Nov 25, 2017 13:38:09 GMT
YES. UGH. The subplot thing!! Same here. I realize I've forgotten a ton of my subplots. They're threads flapping in the breeze...
And distantly I hear Athaia whisper, "Story map...story map..."
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Post by Athaia on Nov 26, 2017 11:31:41 GMT
Story map, definitely . But also... maybe your characters' mood is rubbing off on you? All of your characters are in a... not good place at the moment, and we as authors suffer with them and through their plot with them, so if they're depressed, you're depressed, and depression just sucks out the spark of inspiration? Or maybe it really is a structural weakness. Maybe something is off with your plot. points at story map
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 6:24:05 GMT
Subplots?
Sigh.
I have so many...they're all just hanging around, begging to be fleshed out!
Maybe I need to use my code, get Scapple, and try out making a story map on it. I've tried other mind mapping software, but nothing so far has been right. Pencil and paper don't work because I need to be able to move things around.
Actual rant of the day: I am having SO much difficulty writing this scene about Ainar. I have no problem getting into his head - it's just that I don't actually know where to start him off, and I'm just not happy with anything I've come up with so far. Nothing feels right.
So far I have been making use of the bot on the chat to try to at least eliminate what will NOT work. >.<
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Post by naynish on Dec 10, 2017 11:00:04 GMT
Any way we can help? Maybe talk/flesh out some of the possible starts? I hate when there's direction to the character but no scene to anchor them!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 18:33:03 GMT
I'll let y'all know if there is anything you can do. At the moment I am trying to figure out how to create an interesting initial set of circumstances that have a lot of subtlety so that a sufficiently rational character has a lot of room to maneuver and be subtle and move the plot forward delicately without having to resort to sword fights quite so early in the story.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2017 18:05:39 GMT
I'm just...chilling here until I can get into the rest of the forum. XD
--
How do you figure out where to start off a character in their first scene when you know only the most general nature of their arc, and have already tried writing several different scenes?
I'm not looking for the answers to all my problems or anything. Just, anyone have any tips or tricks that have helped when in a really tough spot?
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Post by naynish on Dec 13, 2017 11:29:55 GMT
I'm just...chilling here until I can get into the rest of the forum. XD -- How do you figure out where to start off a character in their first scene when you know only the most general nature of their arc, and have already tried writing several different scenes? I'm not looking for the answers to all my problems or anything. Just, anyone have any tips or tricks that have helped when in a really tough spot? This is a great question! Honestly, for me, it's usually music. I have to find a song that allows me to visualize where I want their scene to begin. I have a few go-to tracks and certain artists. Or I just brainstorm while listening to music for a LONG time, until I have a clearer idea of their arc
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2017 18:40:30 GMT
Hmmm...yes...you bring up a good point. It is true, music has helped me get scenes down a lot in the past, and it is also true that this is the one character for whom I have no music.
Also, the fact that I have NO music for him probably means I haven't connected with his emotions enough. After all, I only know that he's afraid of something.
Time to do some trawling through my library...
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Post by naynish on Dec 14, 2017 9:58:05 GMT
Let me know if I can be of any assistance! my Spotify playlists are ridiculously inflated. I have connections I tell you. xDDD
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Post by Chiefy on Dec 14, 2017 10:13:04 GMT
*looks at ALL THOSE SONGS Nay has suggested to me*
Yep I can vouch for that.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2017 1:24:41 GMT
XD
Well well WELL.
If anyone has any suggestions on songs about feeling inadequate or being in way over your head, or about feeling suddenly disconnected, or something about senseless war, political intrigue, or betrayal, or about trying to stay human in an inhuman world, or about resisting your dark side, they would be more than welcome! You can interpret these however loosely you need.
And I'm willing to do the same if anyone else needs a playlist. *had to switch to Google music because she exceeded Spotify's limit*
Just know that anything I suggest is likely to be metal or something atmospheric.
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Post by naynish on Dec 15, 2017 12:09:23 GMT
@agent Metal and atmospheric are two of my favorite kinds of music, so I highly approve of this! So I have a couple titles to suggest in the "inadequate/over your head" sense: Waste - Seether Runnin' - Adam Lambert (more like running from your problems by drinking, but could offer some inspiration for an actual arc direction!) The Night - Disturbed Counting on Hearts - Icon for Hire The World Belongs to Me - My Darkest Days As for politics and also resisting your dark side... We Ignite - Against All Evil More Than This ft. Dan Chandler - HeavensDust To Be Human - Sia, Labrinth Halo - Evans Blue Let Em' Burn - Nothing More Walk on Water - 30 Seconds to Mars Hopefully some of these help! I can trawl my playlists for more if need be Don't be shy to tell me if none of these help and/or if you want more!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2017 4:11:25 GMT
So I did actually listen to this playlist, and some of these songs did definitely give me glimmers of the character! Thanks a lot!
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