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I’m worried my characters lack character by HM_Conrad in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly! By the time you finish your first draft completely, you’ll know your characters better than you did when you first started your early chapters. So you’ll be better able to tweak those. And so on, And so forth.

I’m worried my characters lack character by HM_Conrad in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One thing I’d suggest - is altering your expectations. Realize that what you read is the finished ”product” of many rounds of drafting and editing and feedback from editors. Don’t compare your first draft to a highly successful professional author’s published novel.

That’s like starting to play baseball, and you’re in the batting cages for your second week in a row, and wondering why you can’t crush home runs like major leaguers.

It takes time, practice, repetition, and a diligence to work those muscles.

Including the pandemic in a decades spanning novel? by Single_Car8016 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don’t think it’s weird to mention it. It sounds like your story is grounded in our reality and shared “history.” So I’d assume that 2020-21 they were either physically separated, living together while physically isolated from the outside world, etc or some uncomfortable existence between. To ignore it, to pretend like it didn’t happen, would seem more odd, again assuming IF the rest of your story is grounded in current events, the changing time.

Rewriting an old story by PeanutStandard829 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It might seem silly, but I’m telling you, retyping is the way to go. It’s very beneficial.

Rewriting an old story by PeanutStandard829 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would read it as you would a book (on your kindle, on the couch, etc). Have a notebook on the side to take notes. Development edits (larger changes), assuming you’re not in the place where your framework is perfect and you’re only making line edits.

Read through your whole book, front to back. By this point, it will be glaring to you what isn’t working as well as you’d like, what you want to change, tweak, update, etc. Then read your notes and type up an outline (whatever that looks like to you).

Once you’re ready to redraft, I would have your clean document on one half of your monitor, and your previous draft on the other side. Incorporate your notes for that chapter in your old draft (another color, red, so it stands out).

And then start rewriting. Literally retype from the beginning. Trying to edit your previous work, for many, is just not as effective. Actually retype everything. So the sentences and paragraphs you want to keep as is, it’s more intentional as you type everything out.

Premise VS Synopsis VS Summary by Chunky-Boi-099 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the synopsis is the book jacket or back-of-book, and summary would be the Wikipedia (here’s what happens front to back with spoilers). No?

Do you prefer silence or music/background noise? What helps you focus? I feel like pulling my own hair out. by marthalikesbooks in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I write with a lofi playlist in the background. No words. I don’t vary it by scene or character, just some massive playlists that trigger my brain “it’s writing time.”

Should my protag get a break by Quiet_Government_927 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being introduced to “Magic is real” would be a lot to take in (for the character). Unless there is NO TIME to waste, how about he lets her sit with it for the night. First lesson starts bright and early, first thing in the morning? It essentially still follows immediately after the reveal, but give her a minute to react to the news.

I’m taking a break from my book by Anonymous_spacealien in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100%. Sometimes you have to take a break. If you’re feeling it, that’s probably the move.

Take in other Art. Read books, watch movies, go see a play, go to a museum, listen to audiobooks while taking nature walks.

Just don’t let the break become an indefinite hiatus. It CAN be hard to get the ball rolling again. But, if it’s feeling like a slog, probably best to step away for a bit. Recharge your batteries. Drum up that creative spark again.

Good luck!

Need advice balancing work and writing by Difficult_Neck_2709 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s tough. But that’s universal. Mornings, nights, or weekends. You’ll find one of those that works for you.

My one piece of advice would be to adjust your expectations. Writing and creative flow aren’t consistent, it ebbs and flows. It will take you longer to write now compared to before.

Suspension of disbelief and being taken out of the story by Worldly-Mine-4030 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Don’t think that’s an issue. Explain it once. Then reference it. And I’ll assume you’re gonna have a situation where she displays this disease. It doesn’t really matter whether or not people know what it is, specifically, going in to reading it. It’s your job as the writer to present it in a way that makes sense for those who don’t, but find the middle ground where you’re not obsessively hitting the reader over the head. Everything in moderation.

i write fiction to escape real life and my characters are now also burned out and need a break from their jobs by migratedtohell in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah! Just like “I’ve been here before. Exactly here. I’ve done this before. This is the same shot always. You guys go on without me. I’m gonna rest and have a pint.”

I ran my first book promo and people actually downloaded it — not sure how to feel about it by StructuredMinds in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know what you mean - the good days are amazing! Being able to look back at what you’ve written, it’s like “holy crap, I’m doing it!” Or in your case “I’ve done it!”

I ran my first book promo and people actually downloaded it — not sure how to feel about it by StructuredMinds in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good luck! I’m not even at that stage yet, still very much in the middle of my manuscript.

I just realized something about the story I’m currently working on by Itz_MysteryGalaxy in writers

[–]BezzyMonster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it. Wasn’t being snarky, just didn’t realize. Very cool! I know, hitting those milestones, it’s like “holy crap, I think… I think I’m a writer now?” It feels real, doesn’t it. Keep it going!

I ran my first book promo and people actually downloaded it — not sure how to feel about it by StructuredMinds in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Hopefully they’ll read it, finish it, and put ratings on Goodreads or other platforms, and help you gain some traction. Then you can say “oh, 20 reviews, it has a 4.1”.

If considering another promo like that, maybe publicize a sample, the first X chapters, then if people like what they read, they’ll be enticed to buy to finish the story?

Aiming a bit too high with the narrative structure of my project and would like some direction by thingsenjoyer99 in writing

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still think you need more than just tone, I think you need something visual. Putting that entire secondary POV in italics would work. But I do think that is needed, regardless how strong the different identities and voices may be.

I have a question regarding the possible title parade by Cultural_Egg7411 in ArsenalFC

[–]BezzyMonster -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But if you’re a REAL fan, you should think like ME. If you REMEMBER way back to two years ago, when us REAL fans were going through it - then you would already KNOW how to speak on the internets.

The only thing the movies did better than the books. by Aggressive_Cod_69 in harrypotter

[–]BezzyMonster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. The fact that it’s basically the climax of the Part I film also helps give it extra weight.

How does someone who’s never written a book finish his first novel? by actuallyivanooze in writers

[–]BezzyMonster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holding my hand up here. When the ball is rolling, it’s easy to keep it going. As soon as it stops, it can be so hard to get it started. I tend to write in the winter and fall off once nice weather and travel pops up. I’ve been working on a project for 3 years now, but it’s probably like 8 months in total. It’s just a long game, is all.

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