On Writing!

[zeitgeistic]

Finished my do-me-veela fic and came in at 12k which is AMAZING for me. The only thing that saved this from turning into 50k of me fucking around is the fact that it has absolutely zero plot.

Okay let's talk about fic/fiction writing strategyI've gotten 4 inquiries on my writing process for Azoth now, which is just mind-blowing to me since I never felt like

Comments

[nherizu]

Oh I remember writing about this two years ago in a workshop. :D

1. I always decide a theme and other general stuff first. If I see a prompt, I'll think about the theme (coming out!fic? time-travel? PTSD?), the tone I'm gonna use (light or mellow or funny?), which character's POV I'm gonna write (Harry? Draco? 1st person? 3rd person? Limited? Omniscient?), what kind of story it is, target audience, and other little things that seem unimportant but play a great role in my writing. I wrote 'When the Songbird Stopped Singing' in two different tones because of the characters' mental condition (from stiff and serious to light and a bit dorky), and it was planned out before I even started writing it.

2. I always write a plot-line. Per scene, in detail, from the opening scene to the ending. Everything I write is always already plotted out. Maybe I add or delete things as I write, but generally I always follow my plot-line. I never insert anything that's not important to the story. Even the most mundane scene serves a certain purpose (only

[zeitgeistic]

You have a very professional writing modus operandi. Very sophisticated. I like it.

Your plotting strategy especially is nice. I try to generally follow Larry Brooks' story structuring format, but it's in a very loose way. I follow it more closely when I'm writing origific.

And I love how you research! I may try interviewing someone next time!

Themes. I love having themes. I feel like it makes the writing process easier. Something I don't have to spend time thinking about is POV--if it's H/D, Harry is always the main POV. Sometimes I'll have secondary POVs, but it's never just Draco's POV and never 1st person POV. I just can't seem to get in anyone's head like I can Harry. I like how you're able to do different tones for different POV characters. That's something I would find difficult.

Titles. I must be like the only person who has a title in mind when I start, haha!

Also, yep! Manticoria was mine. I'm glad you liked it! I have a love/hate relationship with it myself, haha. :D

[sophie_french]

Oh god, I really love reading about that! And thanks for the link, will go and read it now!

I always write a plot-line. Per scene, in detail, from the opening scene to the ending.

I am the same. For TGE, I had pages and pages of tables with every single detail, because I didn't want any loose end. It happened there was one in the end, but not too important and I was able to change it, but basically, I wanted to make sure that everything had been adressed!

God, I definitely have to go and check Manticoria!!!

[nherizu]

You really should, Manticoria is really good. I really like the premise, and of course, it has a wonderful twist, too ;)

[zeitgeistic]

I hope you like the link. Larry Brooks is great with engineering a story to be well received by the majority of people. I found that working with his "Beat Sheet" really helped me to know when conflict was needed.

[sophie_french]

Yes, I haven't read everything yet, but it's certainly interesting. Although I couldn't find his "Beat Sheet", is this the thing you have to pay for?

[zeitgeistic]

Nope! Here's the template: http://storyfix.com/blank-beat-sheet-form

And here's the post about it: http://storyfix.com/a-simple-story-development-tool-4-u

Some other links of his I recommend are his "Six Core Competencies" tags (http://storyfix.com/category/six-core-competencies) and his "Story Structuring" tags (http://storyfix.com/category/story-structure-series).

[sophie_french]

Thank you so much! I've looked for it but couldn't find it! That's awesome, thank you! :)

[zeitgeistic]

Yay glad to help.

[sophie_french]

God, this is so good, I can't help reading all those links you sent me! Oh, and have you read that? (I'm sure you have, but just in case)
This is crazy!!! http://writelikerowling.com/2013/07/18/story-structure-in-harry-potter-how-rowling-became-a-billionaire-by-following-the-rules/

[zeitgeistic]

Nooo! I haven't read that! Thank you SO MUCH for this link!

[sophie_french]

You're very welcome! It's a fascinating read, I couldn't stop myself! It's very enlightening! :)

[josephinestone]

I love his story structure series.

[zeitgeistic]

:D He explains everything so clearly. It really helped me with learning when to add/resolve the conflict.

[nherizu]

A very professional modus operandi, now if only I could produce a very professional result, too. LOL. I used to write whatever I had in mind and see wherever my muse would lead me, but that made me stuck countless times, so this strategy is much better for me xD

Thank you for the link! I know, I also become more detailed when it comes to orific :D

I really want to interview people again for my fics lol, it was really fun! Although I had to repeatedly tell them that the piece I was writing was fanfiction and it wasn't for sale. xD
Let me know when you interview someone for a fic, I'd love to know your writing progress <3

[sophie_french]

The story I am currently working on is the first I write in 1st POV. And I really like it. Because it forces me to get into the character's shoes, and it gives an interesting take to the story I think! :)