Just A Support Thread

[EmeraldKitten]

We have the threads for the contests for support... but why not one just for all the time?

Please. Come. Discuss your new stories, swap ideas, and bitch about how once a story goes up it gets ignored 'til the end of time.

I'm currently working on a story that I started last April. I wrote fast and furiously to start with, then had no idea where to take it.
(Thus the fact it's almost a year old. )
For some reason, Friday morning I opened it and had a lightbulb go off over my head.
So, I've been working on it ever since. At this point, it's almost done.
I've gotta figure out a way to end it and come up with a title. I hate titles. Bleh. lol.

Next!

 

[oggbashan]

Titles? You could read this How-To by WhisperSecret.

It might help you to start a thread with a more catchy title than "Just A Support Thread".

With the themed contest support threads I don't have to think about a title because they are an Authors' Hangout tradition. People know there will be a specific support thread and expect to see it for every themed contest, and Laurel links to it from the announcement of the contest. I have it easy.

You could look at the list of stories for the category you are writing and see which titles jump out at you. When the recent change to the urls was made, very few of my stories had duplicated existing titles. However I don't think that my titles are distinctive enough to make people read that particular story. One exception that worked was "Hedgehog Feud".

I agree that it is a good idea to have a general support thread but it depends on the members of the Authors' Hangout to decide whether they want to use it. We have had several threads in the past that had a similar intent but they faded away, often after they had become too long for their original usefulness.

Perhaps this one will work?

Og

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

I've gotta figure out a way to end it and come up with a title. I hate titles. Bleh. lol.

I've never been good with titles, either.

My advisor swears by the method of coming up with titles before writing. She'll outline a journal article first, but she claims that picking a title before transitioning to text helps set her style and tone, and provides the hooks she uses in the introduction and conclusion.

Obviously, journal articles aren't the same as erotica (sigh... an overlap would really liven up my professional life!), but there might be something to this. Maybe I'll try it.

Best of luck!

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Sorry to disappoint you with the thread title, Og. Seemed to sum it up pretty well for me!
It probably won't work for long, if at all. It just makes me warm and cozy inside knowing it's here.
I opened the story you suggested in a new tab so I can check it out. I bet I learn something.

Letters, (or was it letters? or was it Tatyana? lol.. sorry, I couldn't help it. I saw your thread the other day about your name. )
I've tried starting with a title, and I feel like it boxes me in. Sometimes once I start writing, the story turns into a total different tale than what I intended.
In fact, I have a title in mind now, but I have two ideas for it.. I don't want to be a failure and 'waste' the title on the wrong idea. Does that ever happen to anyone else?
Good luck with the overlapping, lol, and it's nice to 'meet' you!

 

[LunaEroticaMystica]

I'm in the same title-boat as you! Titles are my nemesis. Often, friends help me choose a catchy title. I really think a lot of thought should go into a title as that is the first thing to catch a reader's attention. I like for it to give an idea of what the story might be about, even if just a teasing hint.

I like the idea of a normal support thread. Sometimes we go off on tangents in the contest support threads and then people get pissy about it! The negativity can be cut with a knife. Oy! Virtual smudging helped a wee bit I think *hehe*

 

[mynameisben]

"Just a Support Thread"

I think it's an excellent title!

 

[EmeraldKitten]

I'm in the same title-boat as you! Titles are my nemesis. Often, friends help me choose a catchy title. I really think a lot of thought should go into a title as that is the first thing to catch a reader's attention. I like for it to give an idea of what the story might be about, even if just a teasing hint.

I like the idea of a normal support thread. Sometimes we go off on tangents in the contest support threads and then people get pissy about it! The negativity can be cut with a knife. Oy! Virtual smudging helped a wee bit I think *hehe*

True story about the negativity in the contest support threads. Though I haven't seen much of that lately, minus Scouries and all of those shenanigans, lol.

As far as titles go, I like them to hold a hint, or a catch phrase used in the story. I read that submission Ogg suggested, and it helped- I do all that anyway..doesn't mean it makes it easier to pick, lol.

Thanks Ben! I'm easy like that.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

I just submitted another story.. not the one I've mentioned though, lol.
I wasn't feeling that one today.. and I've learned that it's a bad idea to just finish writing because you feel you need to.
I have several that are pretty much almost done, so I opened them and for some reason it jumped out at me.
Ta-da! It's not my usual 'voice' or whatever you want to call it. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone.
I hope it's recieved well.. ya know, the whole 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' thing.
We shall see!

As a side note, not to be mean to anon. commenters, because I don't usually get a lot of negative feedback..
But it always cracks me up when they say they'd 'like to see more from this author'.
I just want to comment back and say, 'well, then, click on my list of submissions!'

Okay, that's all. I've gotta go get myself beautiful for work.

 

[The_Fool]

I just submitted another story.. not the one I've mentioned though, lol.
I wasn't feeling that one today.. and I've learned that it's a bad idea to just finish writing because you feel you need to.
I have several that are pretty much almost done, so I opened them and for some reason it jumped out at me.
Ta-da! It's not my usual 'voice' or whatever you want to call it. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone.
I hope it's recieved well.. ya know, the whole 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' thing.
We shall see!

As a side note, not to be mean to anon. commenters, because I don't usually get a lot of negative feedback..
But it always cracks me up when they say they'd 'like to see more from this author'.
I just want to comment back and say, 'well, then, click on my list of submissions!'

Okay, that's all. I've gotta go get myself beautiful for work.

More from this author equates to more skin.

Always beautiful.

 

[Ellafun]

I have been wrestling with a story for a couple of weeks now, and love the idea of having somewhere to come and say, "God damn it! I am so frustrated with this damn story!!!" I have had to backtrack, and rewrite, and have been struggling with an editor who is great at constructive criticism, and nice enough to not just say it sucks. (But I feel like he's getting reeaaallll close!) But I am still no closer to finishing than I was a week ago. ~sigh~

So...write on, Emerald Kitten. I'm hoping that at least one whole day of sunshine on my side of the world will help to scatter the cobwebs so I can at least focus on setting a goal!

 

[PennLady]

Now that I finished my Valentine's Day story, I'm not even sure what to do. Got tons of stuff sitting on the computer waiting to be addressed...

But then there is a house to deal with, kids to watch, meals to prepare and laundry...

Boy, skipping sleep would be so convenient. But I like sleep.

 

[oggbashan]

Now that I finished my Valentine's Day story, I'm not even sure what to do. Got tons of stuff sitting on the computer waiting to be addressed...

But then there is a house to deal with, kids to watch, meals to prepare and laundry...

Boy, skipping sleep would be so convenient. But I like sleep.

You might consider THINKING about the next contest which is:

Earth Day (April 22)
themes: nature appreciation, outdoors, etc.
starts: March 28
closes: April 13
winners announced: April 20

The Earth Day contest is considered to be one of the more difficult themes to deal with.

Og

 

[michchick98]

I think this thread is a good idea. While I haven't been writing anything in awhile, I do have ideas in my head. I just can't get them to 'gel' enough to get them down. I don't outline, though sometimes I probably should and oddly, I get the rough idea of an ending for a story before I ever start writing it. Of course, it changes, but having even a slight idea of how I want the story to end helps to get it written. Although right now, like I said, I have a few ideas, but nothing's ready to be written yet.

 

[RoyceConnors]

The story I'm currently writing, Blood of the Clans, started with the title, interestingly enough. It was the first solid thought that came to me when I decided to write it.

I looked at every aspect and context of what blood meant to the story and then picked the clans that were present in the area.
It's the first time I've started a story that way and found it set everything up from it. Like most writers mentioned, I would get an idea for a story and write from the start and work my way back from the ending, hoping I made the middle worth reading.

Not sure if I would do more stories this way, but this one seems to work well using that concept of starting with the title first.

Great thread idea!!!

 

[PennLady]

You might consider THINKING about the next contest which is:

Earth Day (April 22)
themes: nature appreciation, outdoors, etc.
starts: March 28
closes: April 13
winners announced: April 20

The Earth Day contest is considered to be one of the more difficult themes to deal with.

Og

Og -- I'm ahead of you with an idea for the Earth day contest. Just need to fit that in with everything else.

As for titles -- it's my least favorite part of writing. Sometimes I get the title, although I often cheat if my story is inspired by a song (like Horses in the City). Other times -- I cast about. I flail. Then I use whatever I latch on to.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Yay! The thread is getting used for a day! lol.

Sometimes I get an idea, and I start writing, then POOF. This cloud of smoke appears, and the idea fizzles out.
Now what the hell am I supposed to do with a sorta-written document?
Hmm. It generally lives on my hard drive. For as long as it takes.
Until the end of time, apparently.
Actually, no.. my current goal is to finish everything I have started. Will it ever happen? I hope.
(The unfortunate side of that, is that new ideas keep happening, and the list of unfinished stories keep growing. Bleh. )

I'm glad you guys took a minute to stop in and play. It's muchly appreciated!

 

[TE999]

Quite often a title is the first thing that pops into my head and I write a story to fit it. I know that's not in the 'How To Write A Story For Dummies' manual, but it works for me.

In fact, I have several titles I like and no stories with them...yet.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

More from this author equates to more skin.

Always beautiful.

Huh. Who knew? lol.

Always a flatterer.

Thanks for stopping in and educating me.

~

Hmm.. The Earth Day contest.. I'm not sure about that one. (The Halloween one this year was the first I'd entered.)
But maybe this year.. if I come up with a bright enough idea.. then a bright enough title...
TE, ya got any titles for sale? LOL.

 

[Zodia195]

I am trying to work on Ch. 6 of my Dragons of Fraidel and am at one of those points where I am inbetween exciting scenes so I am a bit tuck. Ug. I hate it when that happens. I actually have other stories, but one doesn't have any sexual content (just make out scenes) and the other has underage sex so you'll never see them here. I do have a completed story too but that also doesn't have any sex scenes for I felt it wouldn't fit the story. And my main char there is just too innocent (she's a unicorn hehe). There is an implied love scene at the end of the story though hehe. I have other uncompleted stories but I wanted to work on my Dragons of Fraidel more. Whenever I finish this one, I don't know exactly which one I'll work on.

I actually have over 100 stories, few which are fanfics. I first started creating actual stories in the 5th grade when I was 11 years old. I drew them out back than and the first one I did, I read to my grandmother right before she died so she was my first fan. I am now 29. I stopped creating stories for the most part when I was 22 and concentrated on more actually writing them haha. I did come up with 2 more stories though in the past few years though.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

I am trying to work on Ch. 6 of my Dragons of Fraidel and am at one of those points where I am inbetween exciting scenes so I am a bit tuck. Ug. I hate it when that happens. I actually have other stories, but one doesn't have any sexual content (just make out scenes) and the other has underage sex so you'll never see them here. I do have a completed story too but that also doesn't have any sex scenes for I felt it wouldn't fit the story. And my main char there is just too innocent (she's a unicorn hehe). There is an implied love scene at the end of the story though hehe. I have other uncompleted stories but I wanted to work on my Dragons of Fraidel more. Whenever I finish this one, I don't know exactly which one I'll work on.

I actually have over 100 stories, few which are fanfics. I first started creating actual stories in the 5th grade when I was 11 years old. I drew them out back than and the first one I did, I read to my grandmother right before she died so she was my first fan. I am now 29. I stopped creating stories for the most part when I was 22 and concentrated on more actually writing them haha. I did come up with 2 more stories though in the past few years though.

Welcome!
Whenever I get stuck at one of those mid-way points, I mark it and skip it, lol.
I can't force myself to write it when I'm not feeling it... if it's boring to me it's gonna be boring to the reader. lol.
Why don't you submit the one as a non-erotic?

 

[EmeraldKitten]

...wishing that there were more hours in the day...
...or less hours of the day that I have to work. I want to write.
I want to sit here, and be left alone, and write until my fingers fall off.
Is that so wrong? lol.

 

[Zodia195]

That never occurred to me. So I guess the non-erotic section has a big variety of genres hmm? I guess I could look at that section. The only problem is the one story would upload isn't on this laptop. I'd have to upload it from my computer and that's at my parents' place. I live in my college dorms. It's going to be another month before I go home. Than I'd have to convert that story to text format so I could upload it from my laptop because my laptop doesn't have Works.

 

[Darkniciad]

Ditto. I have tons of text files in a folder that are nothing more than titles at this point. Every once in a while I struggle with one, but most of the time, I have the title from the very beginning.

Quite often a title is the first thing that pops into my head and I write a story to fit it. I know that's not in the 'How To Write A Story For Dummies' manual, but it works for me.

In fact, I have several titles I like and no stories with them...yet.

 

[Katiecat]

I have a sequel that's been simmering on the back burner so long that the fire is out and it's gone cold I like the characters a lot, but I've unfortunately written them into a corner and don't like where they are. I think it's about time to de-construct the whole damn thing and start from scratch. I like the POV, and quite a bit of the dialog, so hopefully I can salvage some of it.

Do you ever have character stop in the middle of the scene, turn and look at you, and say, "WTF are you doing? How did we end up here?" Not so good when your characters smack you down.

I either need more caffeine or more sleep.

 

[michchick98]

I have a sequel that's been simmering on the back burner so long that the fire is out and it's gone cold I like the characters a lot, but I've unfortunately written them into a corner and don't like where they are. I think it's about time to de-construct the whole damn thing and start from scratch. I like the POV, and quite a bit of the dialog, so hopefully I can salvage some of it.

Do you ever have character stop in the middle of the scene, turn and look at you, and say, "WTF are you doing? How did we end up here?" Not so good when your characters smack you down.

I either need more caffeine or more sleep.

I have had that happen to me more than once. As a matter of fact, in the last story I wrote, which was a third story in a series of four, I set up the fourth story, but I ended up writing myself into a corner. I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the fourth story started.

Anyway, sometimes I've found writing an alternative story with the same characters and combining parts of the one you're stuck on with the one you're working on will help get the story moving again.

Good luck with your dilemma.