Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkein started writing LOTR several times and then discarded what he had and started over? Many authors have struggled with plots, I think.
No, I was not aware of that fact... Rather interesting, and perhaps somewhat encouraging to think about, seeing how great his trilogy of books turned out so well.
So you've starting with mini-stories and tried to work those into a larger story?
Hmm. I don't know if I could actually say I've ever tried working my snatches of writing into a bigger story. Most of the time my pieces are quite different than the others, so I can't imagine fitting them together very well. It's just fun to experiment around, I suppose. Have you started on any other books besides VIM?
I keep the most recent plot revisions in my head, and that's the only place where it's all put together, really.
That makes sense. I imagine it would be hard to keep track of writing down all the details in your actual plot document... especially because your story is rather complex. 2001 was five years ago! =) You've been working on this one for quite awhile, I guess. Have you ever had to go back and edit any major parts of what you've written of your story so far?
(Oops, now you won't want to read it. =P)
Lol... I think your forewarning hardly discouraged me. ;) Several weeks I finished reading the whole bit of VIM you sent Samuel awhile back. =) I was going to write you an e-mail to tell you how much I enjoyed it, but alas! This comment has beat me to it. =P You have an excellent writing style, and although (as you mentioned) the beginning starts out slow, the story held me captivated the whole way through just the same. You describe life on Heimis with such detailed description I can't help but wish there was some way I could visit this planet of your imagination... When will there be more? =) I can't wait to read the rest.
Yes, you'll find many bits of me in the story. In fact. The two main male characters are both like me in certain ways.
*grins* I did. =) I'm curious -- In what ways, specifically, would you compare yourself to Chad and Tom? *consults VIM outline with interest*
Oh... lastly, I just wanted to say I really liked this line of your book. I copied it down. "To him only something that lasted was valuable and meaningful. To him a friend today who isn’t a friend tomorrow was no friend ever."
Well, in the past I've started three or four other stories, but got stuck or realized that the stories weren't structured enough since there weren't any plots for those. Finally, I decided, "Okay, if I really want to finish a story I'd better start with an overall plot, otherwise it's like building a house without a blueprint." =P So... I'm sticking to this story until it's finished.
I'm certainly glad to hear that you found it interesting and entertaining enough to read through. =) Thank you. I'm always glad for compliments, too. Part of the reason the story is hard to write is because I do try to imagine details about the society and technologies being used. Every so often I get motivated to write quite regularly on the story, but of recent it's been slow going, to say the least. I can't say when there will be much more... But when it's done or when there's a good deal more, I'll be sure to let you know. =)
Hmm ... let's see. Looking at the list of personality traits, I'd say that Chad is like me in that he's:
* opinionated (me to a lesser degree) * determined (much of the time) * enjoys challenges (um... mostly) * thoughtful and a philosopher * a romantic (I'm going to make him more so than me, I think) * emotional * friendly (certainly like to be, anyway).
Some of the other traits may fit me to a lesser degree.
For Tom probably these fit the best: * a melancholy and phlegmatic (exactly =P) * introverted (somewhat more than I'd like to be).
Other similarities are that Chad was a programmer and dreamed of being a policeman, and Tom disliked city and saw the value of evangelism. There are probably other finer points of similarity, but I think that covers most of it.
Yikes! All of that was about me...
Well, I think you'd do very well at writing a novel, though I haven't heard any fictional writing of yours. What kind of things have you written about? =)
No, I was not aware of that fact... Rather interesting, and perhaps somewhat encouraging to think about, seeing how great his trilogy of books turned out so well.
So you've starting with mini-stories and tried to work those into a larger story?
Hmm. I don't know if I could actually say I've ever tried working my snatches of writing into a bigger story. Most of the time my pieces are quite different than the others, so I can't imagine fitting them together very well. It's just fun to experiment around, I suppose. Have you started on any other books besides VIM?
I keep the most recent plot revisions in my head, and that's the only place where it's all put together, really.
That makes sense. I imagine it would be hard to keep track of writing down all the details in your actual plot document... especially because your story is rather complex. 2001 was five years ago! =) You've been working on this one for quite awhile, I guess. Have you ever had to go back and edit any major parts of what you've written of your story so far?
(Oops, now you won't want to read it. =P)
Lol... I think your forewarning hardly discouraged me. ;) Several weeks I finished reading the whole bit of VIM you sent Samuel awhile back. =) I was going to write you an e-mail to tell you how much I enjoyed it, but alas! This comment has beat me to it. =P You have an excellent writing style, and although (as you mentioned) the beginning starts out slow, the story held me captivated the whole way through just the same. You describe life on Heimis with such detailed description I can't help but wish there was some way I could visit this planet of your imagination... When will there be more? =) I can't wait to read the rest.
Yes, you'll find many bits of me in the story. In fact. The two main male characters are both like me in certain ways.
*grins* I did. =) I'm curious -- In what ways, specifically, would you compare yourself to Chad and Tom? *consults VIM outline with interest*
Oh... lastly, I just wanted to say I really liked this line of your book. I copied it down. "To him only something that lasted was valuable and meaningful. To him a friend today who isn’t a friend tomorrow was no friend ever."
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Well, in the past I've started three or four other stories, but got stuck or realized that the stories weren't structured enough since there weren't any plots for those. Finally, I decided, "Okay, if I really want to finish a story I'd better start with an overall plot, otherwise it's like building a house without a blueprint." =P So... I'm sticking to this story until it's finished.
I'm certainly glad to hear that you found it interesting and entertaining enough to read through. =) Thank you. I'm always glad for compliments, too. Part of the reason the story is hard to write is because I do try to imagine details about the society and technologies being used. Every so often I get motivated to write quite regularly on the story, but of recent it's been slow going, to say the least. I can't say when there will be much more... But when it's done or when there's a good deal more, I'll be sure to let you know. =)
Hmm ... let's see. Looking at the list of personality traits, I'd say that Chad is like me in that he's:
* opinionated (me to a lesser degree)
* determined (much of the time)
* enjoys challenges (um... mostly)
* thoughtful and a philosopher
* a romantic (I'm going to make him more so than me, I think)
* emotional
* friendly (certainly like to be, anyway).
Some of the other traits may fit me to a lesser degree.
For Tom probably these fit the best:
* a melancholy and phlegmatic (exactly =P)
* introverted (somewhat more than I'd like to be).
Other similarities are that Chad was a programmer and dreamed of being a policeman, and Tom disliked city and saw the value of evangelism. There are probably other finer points of similarity, but I think that covers most of it.
Yikes! All of that was about me...
Well, I think you'd do very well at writing a novel, though I haven't heard any fictional writing of yours. What kind of things have you written about? =)
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