Articles from Fiction Factor

[ostarella]

From the editor at Fiction Factor (http://www.fictionfactor.com):

During the week a good friend of mine called to chat about writing. We're both freelance writers so we tend to talk for several hours at a time, brain-storming, tossing ideas about, submission issues, websites, promotional ideas, discussing writing trends and opportunities - conversation that only another writer would understand (or find interesting).

One trend we've noticed emerging is an increase in the amount of writers wanting to write but never actually sitting down to the task of writing. These people will happily describe themselves as being writers, yet they barely have time to put together a sentence.

The last time I looked, the definition of a writer is someone who writes.

Life in general is getting busier and more hectic for almost everyone. Work, kids, social life - things happen that take us away from our writing. You might think you're too busy to write, too tired after a hard day at work, the kids are demanding, there are chores to do, the dog needs to be walked, friends have invited you out, you need to answer all your emails instead... It makes no difference what the reason is - the fact remains that something else has dragged away your writing time. Something more important.

Writing is how I create my income. If I'm busy or tired or uninspired or ... whatever the excuse, that doesn't mean I can't find 10 minutes to scrawl down an idea for a new story or perhaps jot down an idea for that scene in my novel I want to write later. You can write a really snappy dialogue conversation between two characters that might get put into a future scene in just 10 minutes. It can be a huge chunk of time when you're writing down dot-points for an article you want to flesh out tomorrow when you have more time. Research future market submission options for 10 minutes so you'll have a publisher or publication ready to go when your story is complete. Give yourself permission to sit down and create words just because you want to.

Can you find 10 minutes in your day to get something down on paper if it means you're working towards doing something you really want? If you've already found 10, then perhaps you can find 20 minutes?

If you really want to write you'll need to create a little time away from the distractions and obligations of every day life. No one will hand that time to you. You'll need to create it yourself with what you have available. Set aside some time to work on writing something - anything - and you'll be surprised at how much you can get done even in small chunks of time on a regular basis.

When you've found your little chunk of time, make it a regular habit and keep that same time free. Start expanding it into slightly longer periods of time. Write. Learn. Research. Write some more. You might even find yourself enjoying it - and who knows - you might even finish that novel!

Next article from Holly Lisle

Part IV of the 8-Part BRING YOUR NOVEL TO LIFE Series - "Playing Chicken With Your Story"

http://www.fictionfactor.com/guests/chicken.html

Main points (and rather apropo to recent discussions on ateambunnies)

1) You cannot write for everyone, and you must not try to.

2) If you do not have an opinion, you do not have a story.

3) Every once in a while, people need to be offended.

And one last article, again relevant to our recent LJ discussions:

Don’t Hesitate to Offer a Critique by Terry W. Ervin II

http://www.fictionfactor.com/guests/critique.html

Enjoy :D

Comments

[beckyblack]

Good stuff. I sometimes do get tied up with trying to please too many people - especially as my stuff is sometimes a tad weird and I worry about who it will appeal to.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I think that was my biggest problem until recently ;-) I wasn't confident enough in my writing and sometimes I changed things just because other people said I should - and I didn't always like the changes. But I thought nobody would like the story if I didn't change it.

Now - well, after the issues with Covenant - I've learned to keep my *intent* in mind with all suggestions. If they fit in with that intent, I'll probably go with it. If not, then I can't. I just figure *somebody* will read it, and *somebody* will enjoy it and that's enough. And I think that's working - at least, so far. ;-)

[beckyblack]

I think with me the main bone of contention has always been OCs. I like using them, they help add something new, give me new ways to explore the canon characters. But some people just won't have any truck with them, especially female ones! I decided in the end I can't please those people, so tough. :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I decided in the end I can't please those people, so tough. :D

Exactly right! I love OCs - although I will admit when I come across a female I get a little leery. But that's because there are so many Mary Sues out there, and some readers just knee-jerk at the mere mention of including one. But my God - look at how successful your OCs have become! And look at Randy - I think I may have a closet crush on that man, and from some of the comments I've gotten, I'm not the only one! LOL

All of which just proves the point - you go with *your* story, and accept that some won't like it - but that's their loss.

[beckyblack]

Mmm... Randy. Heh, yes, I think one can definitely have a crush one one's own character. The trick then is not to over-egg them, otherwise Sue-dom beckons. :D It's hard, when they're all cool and kick ass, but gotta keep then reined in a bit!

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

Dear God... another story(ies) I need to get into - I want to meet Randy :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I don't know if anyone really "meets" Randy - more like, they collide with him. ;-) But both stories are a bit longish...like, big surprise there. :p

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I'll get there eventually and read them... I promise :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I did have a problem with that. I wanted him a certain way, but definitely not beyond belief. Which is one worry I have when (at some point) I get to the third plus stories. Definitely have to reread the first two so I get him right. What a chore LOL

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I love OCs too. They're not really a strength of mine, but how can you not have OC's? You need at least one or two to help with a story - don't you?

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

If you really want to write you'll need to create a little time away from the distractions and obligations of every day life. No one will hand that time to you. You'll need to create it yourself with what you have available. Set aside some time to work on writing something - anything - and you'll be surprised at how much you can get done even in small chunks of time on a regular basis.

I haven't had a chance to read the links, but I just want to say that those class themselves as "writers" but don't actually write... is nuts. I don't class myself as a writer, yet I easily find time in my evenings to sit and write (maybe I'm lucky...or maybe I've stopped watching the tv etc. Made some sacrifices, which I don't miss anymore... maybe reading a book I miss... but I read fiction on the net so I'm happy that I am actually reading ;o))

It's so bloody addictive... if these so called writers, don't write and can't make time to write, they can't really be addicted to it AND therefore, if it's not fun for them, they just shouldn't bother... go find something else.

I suppose it's different if you are doing it to make money, or be paid, but then, that's even easier because you leave the chores and go to *work*

Am I sounding a bit harsh here?

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

There was a quote I read years ago - "Don't tell me you want to be a writer. Tell me you want to write." I cannot for the life of me remember who said it (I *know* it was a successful author) or find it on the 'net but the author was talking about who would be successful and who wouldn't. I think it all has to do with the actual aspirations - do you want to be The Famous Author? Or do you have this nearly uncontrollable *need* to tell stories?

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I think it all has to do with the actual aspirations - do you want to be The Famous Author? Or do you have this nearly uncontrollable *need* to tell stories?

Well obviously I'd like to be a famous author - because then I'd be getting paid :D But I'm realistic - that ain't ever going to happen - so I definitely fall under the category of this uncontrollable need to tell/write stories :D