chibi-lurrel mentioned taking a break and working on a different project, which I sometimes do (this is part of why I always have so many WIPs in circulation at any given time).
I tend to talk about my stories a lot in chat with indulgent friends. Narrating the ideas helps me work out a lot of things that I didn't even think about, and sometimes friends have helpful questions that give me new ideas or point out issues that could become problems down the line. It's also exciting to be sharing an idea that starts to sound dull and repetitive in my own head with someone who hasn't heard it before and finds it new and fascinating. That kind of cheerleading and enthusiasm can be infectious, giving me a jumpstart on my own enthusiasm.
What I also find helpful in igniting the passion is skipping around in the chronology of a story. I find a really exciting/dramatic/interesting moment in the story and write that scene out. I usually edit it later, but seeing what interesting ideas or moments spring that that draft motivates me to write towards something.
The thing about a longer stories is that a lot of it is a series of setups and reveals (subplots, foreshadowing, etc)--or, to put it in comedy terms, it's building expectations and then subverting them with the punchline. Sometimes it's better to figure out the punchline, dramatically speaking, and then build the setup from there. Having interesting goalposts to write towards is the way to get through the marathon that is writing a long story.
The post about 'Writing a novel bigger than your own head' is particularly helpful for where you are at right now, I think, and also contains links to a bunch of other metas that may be good food for thought.
Haha, see, that doesn't deter me at all from talking about my stories. In fact, I consider taking really dumb sounding ideas and making them into thoughtful, interesting stories a bit of a hobby of mine. But my writing in fandom is pretty much just fulfilling a series of random challenges for myself.
Eames is a mob boss' mistress? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Eames wears sparkly underwear and dances on stages around the world: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Arthur & Eames have sex in fursuits: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
I just try to find the thread that makes each scenario interesting and meaningful so I can convey that to my friends and readers, and occasionally remind myself when I forget.
Oh, I know all about that little brain quirk. Eames is Calvin, all grown up? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to read your furry fic.
With this story, I know why I'm interested in it, and have been putting ridiculous amounts of thought into how a model would go about being a superhero, and how an economically disadvantaged neighborhood might feel about vigilantism, and... I still have no idea how to talk about that in a conversation. I never have.
Maybe you're just not used to it? I've grown up badgering everyone I know with my ravings and stories, but perhaps it's something that improves with practice. Most things improve with enough persistence and time, I've found.
I tend to talk about my stories a lot in chat with indulgent friends. Narrating the ideas helps me work out a lot of things that I didn't even think about, and sometimes friends have helpful questions that give me new ideas or point out issues that could become problems down the line. It's also exciting to be sharing an idea that starts to sound dull and repetitive in my own head with someone who hasn't heard it before and finds it new and fascinating. That kind of cheerleading and enthusiasm can be infectious, giving me a jumpstart on my own enthusiasm.
What I also find helpful in igniting the passion is skipping around in the chronology of a story. I find a really exciting/dramatic/interesting moment in the story and write that scene out. I usually edit it later, but seeing what interesting ideas or moments spring that that draft motivates me to write towards something.
The thing about a longer stories is that a lot of it is a series of setups and reveals (subplots, foreshadowing, etc)--or, to put it in comedy terms, it's building expectations and then subverting them with the punchline. Sometimes it's better to figure out the punchline, dramatically speaking, and then build the setup from there. Having interesting goalposts to write towards is the way to get through the marathon that is writing a long story.
I also posted an entry that links a couple of metas that discuss writing long stories here:
http://bauble.livejournal.com/149279.html
The post about 'Writing a novel bigger than your own head' is particularly helpful for where you are at right now, I think, and also contains links to a bunch of other metas that may be good food for thought.
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I have this weird thing about talking about my stories. When I do, they seem so stupid. Especially when talking about gay superheroes.
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Eames is a mob boss' mistress? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Eames wears sparkly underwear and dances on stages around the world: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Arthur & Eames have sex in fursuits: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
I just try to find the thread that makes each scenario interesting and meaningful so I can convey that to my friends and readers, and occasionally remind myself when I forget.
Reply
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to read your furry fic.
With this story, I know why I'm interested in it, and have been putting ridiculous amounts of thought into how a model would go about being a superhero, and how an economically disadvantaged neighborhood might feel about vigilantism, and... I still have no idea how to talk about that in a conversation. I never have.
Explaining my own brain = hard work.
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