So I'll start things. I have this little thing, called "Ex Marks The Spot" (working title). It's based on an eons-ago prompt fron tielan about "Maria and the exes, from Clint's POV". He watches her chatting up his various former flames in the cafeteria, and it's all kinds of funny (with my usual slightly darker undercurrents). And I know that she's doing it because she wants to know whether he is decent enough potential partner material for ...
And this is where I am stuck.
I can't decide whether Maria is doing the vetting to determine whether he can be partnered with Natasha, set up for a date with Fury's EA Laura (who has a secret crush), or whether Maria is interested in a quick fling herself. Literally. Can. Not. Decide.
I'm inclined to immediately suggest Natasha. Maybe it's not just her looking into whether he can be partnered with Natasha? But whether he can remain objective - because to Maria the fact that Strike Team Delta is sleeping together is glaringly obvious, no matter how well they hide it from the rest of SHIELD. And maybe, just a little, she's looking out for him because she knows when he falls, he falls hard.
I love the idea of Maria just trying to look out for Clint a little! Especially since I often think of their dynamic as sensible older sister and goofball younger brother :)
Over EditingmitchpellJanuary 22 2017, 03:22:58 UTC
I haven't truly written any fic for years. I used to write Smallville substantially. But Netflix's Daredevil and the MCU in general has made want to start up again.
I have two huge novels, one Daredevil and one Hawkeye, planned out. But I never get anywhere with them. I find my biggest problem to be over editing. It takes me an hour to write one paragraph because I can't stop tweaking each and every sentence over and over again.
How can I get past this?
I also find myself without confidence. I've read so much fantastic fic that I can't see how I could possibly measure up.
RE: Re: Over EditingmitchpellFebruary 8 2017, 00:48:37 UTC
Sorry, I took so long to respond to this. I really do appreciate your advice. I have read in other places about just writing and not allowing any edits until I'm finished. But my confidence has plummeted to the point where it can take me two hours to write one paragraph.
But as with most anything, it's just a matter of self-discipline. I have the whole story plotted out in my head and on paper, I just have to force myself to write. Not edit, not cop-out and go read, just write.
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I going to take your advice and try to find time for the Valentines Day promotathon.
You're writing your stories. I'd add that when it comes to fandom we're here because we love something so much we want to create things for it and share them, we want to talk and write meta and share picture, we want to contribute in some way, join in. You're here. You're creating. You've already measured up. To borrow words from Neil Gaiman: "The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before."
And the old adage: don't get it right, get it writtten. Just to just get a draft before the editing bug kicks in, telling yourself you'll sort it out later. Prompting events and similiar can help if having finished something else gives you a boost. Deadlines help some people (so I hear *grins*) if you wanted to set yourself goal posts. And always encouragement - we'll be sat here waiting for your story :)
I've wanted to continue my florist/tattoo AU for ages but can't find the right plot. Steve delivers flowers for Clint, Natasha and Bucky open a tattoo shop next door, in the end the stars align, etc. I want to bring Kate into the sequel, but don't know how. The WIP I have sets up with Steve leaving the flower shop and surreptitiously hires Kate in his place, causing bro drama. I guess I'm just not super convinced that this is enough basis for an interesting story? Or, rather, it sets up things for Clint to deal with, but doesn't give me anything to do with Natasha. So I'm not married to the idea slash would love feedback and/or suggestions!
So... Steve leaves. Kate fills in at the shop for him. There's conflict with Clint getting used to this on various levels. Am I getting that right? I'm finding that interesting enough on it's own. :)
If you wanted to be more inclusive of Natasha... Could Natasha be Clint's sounding board as he deal with the changes? His 'bro' in Steve's place? And that brings them closer?
That's sort of what I'm thinking. I originally though I wanted Natasha to be having some sort of struggle of her own (and maybe something will pop up while writing) but for now I think I'll just give this a whirl and see what comes out!
Well. So, here's my take: A strip mall -- added advantage, you can fill the neighbourhood with other whimsical neighbours of choice... Clint has a tattoo parlour, with a rather precocious apprentice (Kate). Steve runs the flower shop; Bucky (vet with PTSD) is the guy hired by the block's owner (N. Fury) to act as a janitor, finds himself cleaning up after the flowershop rather more than he should. Natasha owns a Nespresso bar, which doesn't really fit in the neighbourhood (too upmarket) but she endears herself by letting the other folks in the block have coffee from her sample machine. Like Clint and Kate. And Steve
( ... )
Back from an internetless weekend (oh, that was soooo good for my psyche!) and Alpha pointed me here reminding me there was an ATTF.
I've got a T'Challa/Natasha fic with a pretty solid middle but have yet to figure out a start or end. It's basically Natasha landing in Wakanda to plot with T'CHalla and Steve on a rescue at the raft. The smoldering heat between them flares again, they sleep together, Nat confesses she's got more complicated relationships and she can't commit, T'Challa gets it, they move on. But I'm having a hard time getting them from Nat landing to the flirtatious "let's go to bed" bit. I don't want it to be overly long or complicated but can't seem to get even the slightest hook or anything going. Likewise, I don't want to get to the actual rescue but can't seem to get it to end neatly or in a good place after they talk about not being able to be in a real relationship at this time. Gah!
Comments 46
And this is where I am stuck.
I can't decide whether Maria is doing the vetting to determine whether he can be partnered with Natasha, set up for a date with Fury's EA Laura (who has a secret crush), or whether Maria is interested in a quick fling herself. Literally. Can. Not. Decide.
Help??
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I'm inclined to immediately suggest Natasha. Maybe it's not just her looking into whether he can be partnered with Natasha? But whether he can remain objective - because to Maria the fact that Strike Team Delta is sleeping together is glaringly obvious, no matter how well they hide it from the rest of SHIELD. And maybe, just a little, she's looking out for him because she knows when he falls, he falls hard.
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I'm just now noticing I didn't reply directly to your comment - I'm blaming that on my meds and the small screen on my phone!
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I have two huge novels, one Daredevil and one Hawkeye, planned out. But I never get anywhere with them. I find my biggest problem to be over editing. It takes me an hour to write one paragraph because I can't stop tweaking each and every sentence over and over again.
How can I get past this?
I also find myself without confidence. I've read so much fantastic fic that I can't see how I could possibly measure up.
Any advice on that front?
Reply
Reply
But as with most anything, it's just a matter of self-discipline. I have the whole story plotted out in my head and on paper, I just have to force myself to write. Not edit, not cop-out and go read, just write.
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I going to take your advice and try to find time for the Valentines Day promotathon.
Thank you again!
Reply
You're writing your stories. I'd add that when it comes to fandom we're here because we love something so much we want to create things for it and share them, we want to talk and write meta and share picture, we want to contribute in some way, join in. You're here. You're creating. You've already measured up. To borrow words from Neil Gaiman: "The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before."
And the old adage: don't get it right, get it writtten. Just to just get a draft before the editing bug kicks in, telling yourself you'll sort it out later. Prompting events and similiar can help if having finished something else gives you a boost. Deadlines help some people (so I hear *grins*) if you wanted to set yourself goal posts. And always encouragement - we'll be sat here waiting for your story :)
Reply
Reply
If you wanted to be more inclusive of Natasha... Could Natasha be Clint's sounding board as he deal with the changes? His 'bro' in Steve's place? And that brings them closer?
Reply
Reply
Reply
I've got a T'Challa/Natasha fic with a pretty solid middle but have yet to figure out a start or end. It's basically Natasha landing in Wakanda to plot with T'CHalla and Steve on a rescue at the raft. The smoldering heat between them flares again, they sleep together, Nat confesses she's got more complicated relationships and she can't commit, T'Challa gets it, they move on. But I'm having a hard time getting them from Nat landing to the flirtatious "let's go to bed" bit. I don't want it to be overly long or complicated but can't seem to get even the slightest hook or anything going. Likewise, I don't want to get to the actual rescue but can't seem to get it to end neatly or in a good place after they talk about not being able to be in a real relationship at this time. Gah!
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