Let's whip those WIPS

[sharpiesgal]

I'm suppose to say something inspirational concerning those stories that are languishing on all of our hard drives, but the only thing I can come up with is we can kick their asses into shape and get them published

Comments

[ext_4084645]

I don't tend to outline stories very often, but lately when I'm stuck I've found it helps me to write out what I'm trying to get at with the fic.

I don't necessarily do it in outline form - more like freewriting out the details - what's the story about, what has happened so far and why, what are the motivations of the characters. Then I write a bit about where it might all end - maybe there's a clear ending in my head or maybe not. If not, I'll write about multiple ways it could end - sometimes the best surprises come from that part. :)

I find it helps me get some clarity, and once I know where I am and where I'm going the roadblock clears a little. I might still have to just bash out words until it starts to come together, but it gives me somewhere to start doing that.

Hope it helps!

[asphaltcowgrrl]

I'm the same way but I have found that doing exactly this helps. OneNote is wonderful for this kind of thing, actually. And, for me, it keeps me from forgetting the things I want to happen later while I'm working on what's happening now.

[ext_4084645]

omg...seriously. There have been more than a few times I thought through a way to make progress on a story and figured 'I'll remember it later, how could I forget....' but of course I do.

[asphaltcowgrrl]

Right? And then there are times when the things you forget are major plot points and you (or me, anyway) sit, staring at the page wondering, WTF was I going with this? Hah.

...but then I forget which kid I'm talking to on a regular basis and I only have two. One's small and blonde and the other is tall and brunette. :D

[sharpiesgal]

I'm kind of a dialogue writer since that's what first pops into my head. It's the going back and filling in the details that trips me up, but I might give your idea a try. I'm open to anything at the moment because my words have really dried up this year.

[ext_4084645]

I hope it helps! Funny, sometimes the dialogue comes first for me but sometimes its the scene and it's more the narrative. When I'm stuck, another thing I try is just banging out the dialogue for a while to see if it gets on a roll.

Good luck!