Poll | | Is the phrase "Once upon a time..." | Overused | | 33% | [ 1 ] | Underused | | 67% | [ 2 ] |
| Total Votes : 3 |
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Monthly Writing Prompt |
For this month's writing prompt write a scene using the following sentence to start;
The streets were deserted. Where was everyone? Where had they all gone?
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Writing Tip |
Our monthly writing tips are written by our very own TerishD. You can read more in Terish's Blog located in "The Abstractions" area of the forum.
Look Back
When not able to write ahead, it helps to look back. In my case I had written a paragraph ahead of the story. What I needed to do was add a section of exposition (talking) presenting some facts. In going back, I realized that I could insert a section where a 'tour' of the surroundings could be done. This allowed for character interaction, story development, and other things that enabled me to present the facts in an entertaining manner.
One should not face a writer's block with the mentality of bursting through it. I have found in my own experience that a writer's block is usually due to my mind indicating that it has a problem in 'channeling' the story. One reason might be a re-imagining of certain story points. Another reason however is that there is a problem in where you are at in the story, so you need to look back and find out the problem with the 'journey' that prevents the tale from advancing.
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| | Write What you Know. | |
| | Author | Message |
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Urs
Number of posts : 569 Location : Corner of Insane Ave & Stupid St. in the State of Denial Current Mood : Registration date : 2008-09-23
| Subject: Write What you Know. November 4th 2009, 7:11 am | |
| on another forum a discussion about the phrase "Write what you know" has started and I wanted to take a moment to visit this advice here, and what it is exactly.
"Write what you know" is not advice from Writer to Writer, anything along that vein is almost always philosophical, this advice is ground into the mechanical world, the functions of life and how they work, it is advice from a reader to the writers.
Now, we all can attest that asking a general populace like the denizens of the internet what they thought of your story is akin to shoving a hot coal up you own rectum, invariable, no matter what happens, it will be painful.
but I would like to ask here, what does the line "Write what you know" mean to you? | |
| | | Skwerly
Number of posts : 79 Age : 49 Location : Yucaipa, CA Current Mood : Registration date : 2009-06-21
| Subject: Re: Write What you Know. December 2nd 2009, 4:38 pm | |
| To me, it means to write what YOU have experience in, so that your “research” isn't too lofty, and so that you don't screw it up.
For instance, I **know** chess. I am an addict. Therefore, if I write a story about a chess player, a tournament, or one with a general chess theme, I'm not going to screw that up. I KNOW chess.
I also know welding, I know RC cars that run on nitro fuel, I know computers and operating systems, I know camping and hiking and fishing, I know off-road trails and vehicles, etc.
If I try to theme my writing off of those things alone, you can imagine the amount of stories and settings that can stem from it.
If I were to try and write a story about knitting, or operating heavy machinery, for instance, I would have to do a LOT of research, and invariably something would end up wrong.
Write what you **know**. | |
| | | Snacker
Number of posts : 818 Age : 39 Location : Stuck in Michigan Current Mood : Registration date : 2008-07-17
| Subject: Re: Write What you Know. December 2nd 2009, 5:00 pm | |
| Well said, Skwerly. I don't even know if there is anything else I could add to what he just said.
Write what you know for me means - writing without having to research!
You can always say that you 'think' you know how it works, but that mostly means that you don't unless you do some research.
Write what 'you' know comes from your own experience and knowledge without any help or research on the side. | |
| | | TerishD
Number of posts : 1441 Age : 64 Location : Ringgold, Louisiana Current Mood : Registration date : 2008-07-21
| Subject: Reply December 2nd 2009, 7:42 pm | |
| First, sorry Urs for being so unresponsive. This thing has been sitting awhile. Thanks, Skwerly for bringing attention to it.
I believe writing what you know to mean just that. Don't just blather, but write from a knowledgeable position. Now, this does not mean that you have to write as an authority. This however does mean that you need a clear perspective. Do a little thought and research to assure that you aren't just rambling.
If you want to write on something that you really are not learned, I recommend first outlining what you want to do with the topic. The next thing is to do a general research (encyclopedia or wiki). If the basic information has not blown your project away, then research a little harder to assure that you can speak with some competency. At this stage go back to your outline, and start focusing to fill the gaps in your knowledge and what you want to achieve. Once you can fill in your outline, get to work writing. | |
| | | Urs
Number of posts : 569 Location : Corner of Insane Ave & Stupid St. in the State of Denial Current Mood : Registration date : 2008-09-23
| Subject: Re: Write What you Know. December 2nd 2009, 8:01 pm | |
| All good responses.
I will have to agree that there is something to be said for first person involvement into a specific arena that allows you to see, hear, smell, taste and touch something and then try and include that into a story. You can touch upon nuances that would/might be missed otherwise and thus truly makes the moment unshakably realistic.
Great points, all of you. | |
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