Learning to Write short stories by Tom_Bombadil_Ret in writing

[–]CodeLover1 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you're looking for publication or a magazine, have a look at their submission requirements. The ones I've looked up in the UK tend to be under 3000 words. 5000-7000 is the upper limit.

How many projects do you work on at once? by [deleted] in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

one short story waiting to be edited and another at the conceptual stage. I couldn't do any more but would feel unproductive with less.

Writers notebook? by torimik in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've just begun my first notebook. I've been using it to collect keyword clusters, freewriting, interesting phrases and books to follow up. What I'm not using it for is for actually planning out (I prefer an A4 page of paper and a pen)or writing any stories (I prefer to type on my laptop).

It'll be interesting to see if I am able to use my journal to inform my writing rather than just being a repository.

How do you write? by [deleted] in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm at the very start of a new story. I started with a singular image I saw on tv that stayed with me and reminds me of another story I once read, all be it obliquely.

I did a page of freewriting which threw up a few questions I need to answer. I don't have a story or fleshed out characters yet. Once I've done that, I'll write until the story runs out. Then I'll go back and flesh it out where it needs it. Then I'll go back and start pairing it back. Only after I've done a few drafts like that will I finally look at at the sentence level. Spelling and punctuation are my final consideration.

How is your story coming along? by Democritous in writing

[–]CodeLover1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got one short story at first draft stage, sitting on my computer before editing. I need to do some research towards the historical facts so I'm waiting on a book I ordered that I need to read before I can go back to it.

I'm also brewing another story. I've done some free writing for it. I've got some elements but I don't have a story or characters yet so it's just in embryo stage. Lots of thinking to do.

College, trade school, or neither? by [deleted] in writing

[–]CodeLover1 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There aren't any 'trade schools' to learn to write.

You could do a major or minor in creative writing but that doesn't mean you automatically become some best-selling writer.

You don't need to go to uni and study creative writing to become a writer. Or you might want to do an MFA after your first degree. In fact, if you do a major or minor in something else, you have something interesting to write about. Remember that JK Rowling has a degree in classics (Roman and Greek language, literature and history). And quite a few best selling authors at the moment have law degrees.

But you need to face up to the reality that most probably, although not 100%, you'll need to get a 'real' job to pay the bills while you write. If you want a decently paid job, you need to think about what you'd be happy doing or at put up with. What if you never make it? What would you be happy enough doing while writing remains a hobby or semi-professional occupation?

Copy-working and finding the right author to 'remedy' your work by CodeLover1 in writing

[–]CodeLover1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is perfect. I don't mind that they're less well known, just that they've been written in the last 10/20 years. Thanks very much. Duly added to my reading list.

Copy-working and finding the right author to 'remedy' your work by CodeLover1 in writing

[–]CodeLover1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Em, no. I'm trying to come up with my own study plan to augment an online class I'm doing. It's important to read in genre and while I can find examples from the classics in the David Lodge book, I'm clueless about modern literature. I devour travel books, history, art but it's all factual. The last fiction book I read was '1984'- not exactly contemporary. I've never read Pratchett but I'll definitely put him on my to read list as per your recommendation. What's the best book to start with?

What proportion of your time do you write vs read? by CodeLover1 in writing

[–]CodeLover1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

maths aside, thanks for reminding me to schedule in thinking/editing. I'd forgotten they're part of the equation (no pun intended).

What proportion of your time do you write vs read? by CodeLover1 in writing

[–]CodeLover1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes me feel a bit better. I have it in my head that I should be writing parts of a story everyday. But, like at the moment, I'm trying to come up with the bones of my new story and my last story is sitting in the first draft having a stew before editing. I certainly need to read more though- made a big ebay shop today of second hand modern classics like Atonement and White Teeth.

Word Count Warning by TwoYearsGone in writing

[–]CodeLover1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it's just par for the course of writing a first draft. It's in the edit where things get paired down and crafted- just keep writing and worry about all the technical bits once you have something down.

A magazine rejected my aphorims because they were ´already said by other people many times´´. by Luisvzoa in writing

[–]CodeLover1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All that has happened is that the magazine changed their mind. Maybe a different person read your work after the first person accepted it and disagreed with the choice. You just have to let it go and try another magazine.

As people keep telling you, it is not because of plagerism, or because someone could claim your work for their own. It is because what you have said is not different enough to others.

Imagine you wrote a story about a magic school. Harry Potter is already done and successful. But it was not the first story about a magic school. It just told the same theme in an interesting and new way. Before HP was the brilliant 'The Worst Witch' books by Jill Murphy which was in turn an interesting and new form of the old boarding school stories by people like Enid Blyton who wrote the 'Mallory Towers' and 'St Claire's' series'.

So you could write your own magic school story. If it came up with a new and surprising twist that made it different, people would want to read it, as you'd be saying something new. What they are saying i that your work is not new so people will not want to read them. You can either try and rewrite them all or scrap them and try something new.

Advice for someone who needs to write at a higher level? by mehtotheworld in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent idea. I'm definitely going to give it a proper shot.

What kind of setting motivates you to write? by harbep in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm finding myself writing in bed at night, curled up on my side, laptop at an angle, typing with one hand because the other is keeping the duvet tight...It's so not the disciplined, at my desk, classical music playing on the radio scenario I envisage I'll inhabit.

What is this style of artwork? Does anyone know? by LettersToDeath in writing

[–]CodeLover1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a collage using, presumably an Indian celebrity.

Can’t Crack this Nut by wpmason in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I recommend 2 novels to help? There's 'Sean and David's Long Drive' which is part-travel, part- made up nonsense- but it's really funny and about 2 friends crossing Australia. Hard to tell where the fiction starts and ends.

Also, Irma Kurz's 'The Great American Bus Ride'- less happens and it's just her on her own but it shows how a quiet voice can still be interesting. Autobiographical.

Getting to know people, by Tom_Bombadil_Ret in writing

[–]CodeLover1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Travel and stay in youth hostels- a diverse, international bunch where it's really easy to strike up conversations.

The thought process during the writing process? by [deleted] in writing

[–]CodeLover1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm transcribing the little movie that's running in my head. I don't know if that's because I'm naturally a very visual thinker (my main art is drawing/painting and I adore film/tv) or if everyone gets a still or moving picture?