me(me) too!

[flambeau]

It's nice when an interesting meme actually coincides with me having computer access for the next 24 hours. So, from many many people:

Ask me any one question about my writing, then post this in your LJ, so I can satisfy my curiosity about yours.

(I think everyone else already has posted this in their lj, though.)

Comments

[louiselux]

How do you plot?

[flambeau]

Usually very very loosely, in the back of my head. This is an area where I could really use some improvement, but too much attention to outlining plot tends to interfere with my ability to write in the sense that when I get all the details noted down, or even just outlined in my head, I start to believe that the story is over and done with, time to move on. So mostly I plot by thinking about things but not too hard, and making little notes at the end of the story of everything I put in that needs to come back/be resolved, and which characters should be involved when that happens

[louiselux]

I really like the way you break it down into layers - it's actually very easy to visualise how the 'external' layer might fit over the 'internal' layer. Not that visualising has ever made plotting very easy for me. I'm definitely of your school - don't think about it too hard. I spot the plot out of the corner of my eye and let it come wandering over of its own accord. It's also partly because if I plot too hard I begin to suspect that the plot is silly or not going to work - it starts to frighten me!

Popslash made me try to figure out the parameters of romcom, and learn way more about dialogue as a vehicle for plot and a way of telling two different stories at once.

And those two different stories can also be seen as plot layers, right? So you have the actual dialogue and underneath that there are the things that aren't being said, who says what to who and when, and how they're said.

A lot of the time, this loose approach to plotting is a real drawback;

Have you tried other methods, just out of interest?

[flambeau]

And those two different stories can also be seen as plot layers, right? So you have the actual dialogue and underneath that there are the things that aren't being said, who says what to who and when, and how they're said.

Yes, exactly! :) It developed into a different way for me to "disguise" the emotional plotline and take the scenic route to wherever I was going.

Have you tried other methods, just out of interest?

I've tried the detailed outline thing, but mostly it kills the stories dead. The more I write down and arrange plot elements, the less I end up writing the actual story.

Mountain or molehill?

[temaris]

How do you know if that first idea is going to be an epic or a drabble, or something in between?

Re: Mountain or molehill?

[flambeau]

I... don't know. I mean, I don't know how I know - I usually know. If that makes sense. *g* Things do sometimes turn out longer or shorter than I'd anticipated, but usually not extremely so. I do usually know whether what walks into my head is a single-scene momentary illumination of character interaction kind of thing, or a piece of a much larger surrounding narrative. And lately I've been more about small ideas than large ideas, or at least, the large ideas languish half-written, so I'm more likely to glom onto a short-story idea and trust that it will at least get written...

[janecarnall]

Okay.

Do you ever go back to fandoms that you used to write in? (Interpret this question how you like.)

[flambeau]

Yes. I've already gone two rounds with HP, for instance, with a two-year break in between, and it will be interesting to see what happens with the next book and/or movie. And some fandoms I might consider myself to still be in and still be writing in although there's no evidence outside of my brain and/or WIP folder. *g*

[janecarnall]

and it will be interesting to see what happens with the next book and/or movie.

Oh, yes. Mmmm.

(I am awaiting, with trepidation, the very first Harry Potter/Hitchhiker's crossover. Shared actors lead to bad crossovers...)

[flambeau]

the very first Harry Potter/Hitchhiker's crossover

I think I'll just go hide under the bed now...

[hampden]

Is L*t**n* still getting some attention or languishing?

And because this is me - where's my lucius, fluffy remus story? It could morph into a Gerald/nameless/Damian story....

Yes, beware the loose wording of memes!

[flambeau]

You know, I've stared at that first line for several minutes and I'm totally lost. Apparently my brain doesn't do cryptic after a day of exercise!

Fluffy Remus is still a WIP, and I swear I have never promised anything with Lucius! (Imagine me waving a hypnotic squid here.) Gerald and Damien, now... hmmm.

[hampden]

(giggle) Litany....

But which extremity do I watch? They're all waving!

Lucius icon! Ok, so I mutated it into a story but it was worth a try :)

oooh, no. 3 ?

am working up to writing you back when I don't keel over on getting home every night. We're down half the team at the moment, it's a bit pushed.

[flambeau]

w00t! Thanks for the rec, and for letting me know! (And very special thanks for the very cheering comment about later sex scenes being better, as I think I spend far too much time thinking morosely that they get more and more boring. *g*)

[flambeau]

Yes, and you keep thinking you've used that metaphor, that simile, these very phrases too many times, waves of this and fiery that and you just want to write "They had sex. It was good." ...or is that just me?