The Rules: I Will (writing thread)

[BlackShanglan]

All right. It's late, I'm tired, and I'm not thinking all that clearly - so what better time to start a writing thread? Here's the gist of it ...

I have a list of rules that I keep in a file on my computer. They are short, bulleted statements that each enunciate a "will do" or "won't do" that I've learned in the process of reading and writing. Some are about the act of writing itself; some are also about editing, critiquing, etc. I write them down as I learn them and I use the list as a reminder (I have a terrible memory) and a spur to my process when I am running into walls. I'd like to see what rules others have come up with, and I thought that perhaps we'd all enjoy seeing the ideas others have and applying them.

This is the "DO" thread; I'm posting a seperate "DON'T" thread as well. (Now posted here: https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?p=18030638#post18030638.)

My own most recent additions:

(1) Envision characters in terms of arcs and not static descriptions or personalities. Plan for central characters to develop, not demonstrate who they are once and then stand idle or repeat themselves for the rest of the piece. (Thanks to Colleen.)

(2) Tie every character to a specific, physically enactable/satisfiable need that impels that character through the plot - an object or event that that character needs badly. Hang the metaphysics on this physical need; basically, do symbolic interpretation backwards and find the physical manifestation of the character's emotional and personal needs. (Thanks to Malachite and Adam Sexton.)

(3) Plan the narrator's appeal to the audience - don't assume it. Know what about that character will make others want to immediately hear more. Recognize that the following types of narrators have substantial difficulties appealing to most audiences:

- Bitter, angry narrators
- Perfect narrators
- Passive narrators
- Narrators in surrender or collapse
- Whiney narrators who talk about their problems
- Overwrought narrators
- Whatever I am working on now

(Thanks to Rika, Dr. M., and innumerable others. I compiled this list by trying all of them.)

Shanglan

 

[Stella_Omega]

whaddaya tryin ta do, guilt trip us all?

I will ;

take the time to work out a complete plot arc, and make an attempt to put my reader's enjoyment of the finished product ahead of my self-indulgences.

 

[BlackShanglan]

... and make an attempt to put my reader's enjoyment of the finished product ahead of my self-indulgences.

Why does that make me want to shag you senseless?

Fabulous rule.

 

[Guest]

Why does that make me want to shag you senseless?

Fabulous rule.

Stella has that affect on everyone.

I will remember that sometimes fantasy is fantasy and I don't need to think the thing into the ground in fear that someone, somewhere, will argue with me over what I wrote. First, that is inevitable. Second, if I write with confidence and consistance, the reader will trust what I say and not worry about details. I can't spend my time defending my writing.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Why does that make me want to shag you senseless?

Fabulous rule.

Why am I suddenly blushing like a girl?

 

[Guest]

Why am I suddenly blushing like a girl?

Shang has that effect, too.

Watching the special effects is fun, tho. Like a big budget movie

 

[Stella_Omega]

those are cheap, CGI after-effects, really. Shang and I got SO bored with the green screens!

 

[neonlyte]

1) I will thoroughly research Agents and Publishers before asking them to consider my project.
2) My query letters and synopsis will be 'near as perfect' to limit rejection to my story and not the way I present myself.
3) I will set realistic targets for mailing out queries and not wait for a rejection before selecting the next agent.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I will edit- and edit- and then hand it over to an editor.

I will never forget to read for the love of reading. Every good author has a lesson to be learned.

 

[impressive]

Damn. I just realized that my rules are entirely of the "I will not..." variety. I must ponder this negative approach.

Oh, wait. There's one:

I will write some fiction every day. Every. Day. No excuses.
(Current word quota is a mere 500 words, but it's keeping me from stagnating.)



Cool threads, Shang.

 

[rgraham666]

I will: Write the best Goddamn story I can.

Err, that's it.

 

[Liar]

On my to-do list this year:

* I will try a new approach to writing method/planning/execution than the one I've grown comfortable with.

* I will try a genre I have yet to attempt.

* I will tell a story when I have one, not try to make one up because I feel I should.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I will:
Listen to my intuition and follow it
Write every day
Read every day
Tell a good story

 

[FallingToFly]

I will:

1) Have a clear and concise outline, even if it's written on a napkin from the Waffle House.

2) Listen to my characters when they start telling me I just fucked up, and
that what I just wrote is out of character for them. They know themselves better than I do.

3) Have a scheduled deadline and do my damnedest to stick to it. Even if it panicks me as it draws closer.

4) Take the rough ideas and drafts and refine them. If something is badly done, I have to accept that and rewrite it.

5) At the very least, I will rewrite or edit at least one five page section a day.

6) Do my best to write at least a page a day on SOMETHING, even if it's just a rambling SOC bit about what I want to have a chapter evoke in a reader.

7) Keep a sense of humour and perspective about my writing.

8) Stop being a twit and let people read it. I can't get opinions if I don't let anyone see it.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I will never forget to read for the love of reading. Every good author has a lesson to be learned.

Mmm. So important!

 

[BlackShanglan]

* I will tell a story when I have one, not try to make one up because I feel I should.

*laugh* I love it. It was the source of my ten-year break from writing.

 

[Guest]

I will study the craft and the art I wish to practice. I may or may not have talent -- that I can't control -- but I can have skill.

I'll read for pleasure, and I'll read to see how it's written. I can even do both.

I'll offer my knowledge, opinions, and learning about writing to others, but not as the be-all and end-all of information.

When I offer critique, I'll separate "what I would do" from "what I think is right/wrong with this".

I will give myself permission to write drek, make mistakes, stop stories that aren't going anywhere, fiddle with ideas, create crummy sentences, overuse evil adverbs, torment metaphors, and otherwise break, bend, twist and poke holes in the rules -- in the rough draft.

 

[Liar]

*laugh* I love it. It was the source of my ten-year break from writing.

Uh-oh.

 

[Unsung Muse]

I will stop feeling so damned guilty!

I will...
- remind myself how badly I want this
- that it takes patience, hard work, and perseverance
- that it's not going to happen overnight
- that it's NOT JUST OKAY, but IDEAL to love what you do
- that – to want it, to go after it, to aim to make it "REAL" – is a respectable (even, admirable) goal, rather than a selfish futile pursuit

I will write!
"That's what writers do. They write."

 

[M-Y-Erotica]

Superb rules. Some I was doing already but I didn't know why. Another rule is why an entire play of mine doesn't work, but I couldn't figure out why. Here are some things I have in my head. I'm going to try to give them names for the fun of it.

1) Librarian Rule: If I don't know, I will look it up. It's not OK to just let it go.

2) No White Room rule. I will use all five senses. So what if I love dialogue first and formost? Everything that happens can be experienced with all the senses. I will use them all from page 1. Not just in the sex scene.

3) Energizer Bunny rule. I will keep on going. I will finish the lousy first draft. I will revise the lousy second draft. I will get critical comments from my editors, get upset, and then fix the problem they so wonderfully told me of. I will discover nauseating typos five minutes before I was going to submit, and I will read the story yet again to find others. As long as I still like the story, I will keep writing it until it's worth reading.

4) Balloon Head rule. Positive comments are wonderful. They let me know someone else likes reading my stories. They do not affirm me as a person. They do not mean I am the best writer ever. They give me an extra reason to write - and nothing more. I will write for the reader, but I will not write for the review. (I really like this last sentence, but I have to think about what exactly it means. I think it means I will write to move someone else, but I will not write for their praise; i.e. I will write to be worthy of praise, but not for the praise. The former is about them; the latter is about me.)

5) Friends and Family rule. My friends and family come before my writing. This will always be true. But I will also demand that they give me enough space to do what I love.

 

[AchtungNight]

Amen to all these rules. Let me add a few of my own:

- I will keep revising a story if it seems wrong to me and/or my Ideal Reader, no matter how much it also seems right to us both.

- I will not hesitate to trash an entire story and start over if I find myself getting too personal or dealing with crap the average reader would not easily understand. I've already done it many times.

- I will use my characters, both those I created myself and those I'm borrowing from other people, in original, new, and interesting ways.

- I will continue to use celebrities who I have not yet seen great erotic stories written around and whom I think deserve the honor (I've done this in all my stories, in my X-Men story I did it by using Hugh Jackman and Ellen Page).

- I will continue to respond to all the feedback I get as best I can and remember the lessons I learn from it.

- I will continue to give my fellow writers and readers the respect they deserve.

- I will let feedback all count, but none too much.

- I will remember that for every critic, there are fans in greater number. And that both's opinions count.

- I will continue to use themes that make sense to me and are both evident to and hidden from my readers.

- I will continue to put more than just sex in my sex stories.

- I will continue to honor the stories that inspire me from fiction and real life by using them in my work.

- I will keep writing as long as I am able to do so.

- I will try my best to keep all my promises.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

I will define my own version of "cool"



I will remind myself that I can be innovative and inventive with my writing.

I will remind myself that it's okay to invent new genres.

 

[3113]

Now, see, I've got a whole other point of view on this....

I will hate and despise bad and sloppy writers, especially those that are published and who SO don't deserve it!

I will assume that I'm right and everyone else is wrong. Except when they're right and I know it, even if I don't want to admit it.

I will be miserably unhappy when I'm not writing even though I know that my brain needs rest periods to refuel. Yes, that's the way it is, but damn it! I want to be writing!

Addendum to the first rule: I will really hate and despise any readers who are making a bad and sloppy writer who-doesn't-deserve-to-be-in-print popular. It's cliché dreck with cardboard characters and nonsensical plot lines! What's the matter with you people?

Hey. I know what I'm good at

 

[artisticbiguy]

My story realities will hold true to their own laws of physics; it is contradictions and ill conceptions that destroy a fantasy reality, not the magic, the high tech, or the psychic abilities.

 

[BlackShanglan]

When I offer critique, I'll separate "what I would do" from "what I think is right/wrong with this".

That is the hardest damned thing - but vital. Great one, Malachite.