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Willie Mayes Hayes -> Writers (14/11/2012 4:14:44 PM)

I know there's a Bloggers thread, but that's primarily a link drop, so I thought I'd start a thread about the art/craft/science of writing.

Are you a professional writer? An aspiring one? Fiction? Non-fiction? Both? What are you working on? Do you have a writing routine and, if so, what is it? Any tips you want to give, books or resources you'd recommend, please mention them here. Want to discuss your work? Go on.

I blog about TV, games, basketball etc (I've just linked in the bloggers thread so I won't do again here). I'm a million miles away from being good enough to get paid for it, but I enjoy the writing process and like reading about how others go about it.

Come on, you writery types, put down that quill and say hello




jcthefirst -> RE: Writers (14/11/2012 4:50:27 PM)

Constantly trying to finish something book length. Nearly always get bored/annoyed and start over.

I try to write something every day. At least 1000 words and I'm content.



clownfoot -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 2:12:29 PM)

I currently review retro, not quite-retro and modern games at The Pixel Empire. I've also got a couple of feature articles up as well (MotorStorm RC challenge, Landmark Levels and a couple of previews for Retro City Rampage and Black Mesa). All good fun, as I've become more passionate about games since turning 30. To the extent that I brought a Gamecube and Metroid Prime off ebay for £15 the other week. All this gaming does get in the way of writing the book in my head where the hero's kill off more innocents than the evil they're attempting to prevent. My inner monologue is constantly chuckling away at that though, which is nice...

My working routine is the commute to and from work. Open the laptop and bash away for 23 minutes... [sm=augen14.gif]



homersimpson_esq -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 3:23:33 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot

I currently review retro, not quite-retro and modern games at The Pixel Empire.



So...games, then?



Rhubarb -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 3:33:14 PM)

I'm always trying to write that novel. Not that I'd have any idea what to do with it anyway.



clownfoot -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 4:03:16 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot

I currently review retro, not quite-retro and modern games at The Pixel Empire.



So...games, then?


Yeah. Retro, not quite-retro and modern games, doofus... [sm=huh.gif]



jonson -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 6:19:16 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot


My working routine is the commute to and from work. Open the laptop and bash away for 23 minutes... [sm=augen14.gif]


Too predictable.[:D]

So, this story clowny, the one where the hero kills more innocents than bad guys. Chainsaw by any chance?


You know, I've never tried, but would love to write a book.
One of my close friends is an author, he is on his 3rd book at the moment. His first one was a great story, but reading it I could pick out all things from our childhood and growing up, stories I'd heard about other people, and some close similarities with people we knew. To be honest I just thought it was a collection of memories and funny/sad incidents all mackled together to make a story.
In truth, I thought it was a cop-out. I thought I could have done it.
He asked me for an honest opinion, and guiltily I told him I'd heard it all before. I felt bad because he'd even thanked me at the front of the book for some of the inspiration. [&o]
His second book might well have been a mish mash of the same, but stories I hadn't heard before or was involved in. I loved it, without blowing anyone's trumpet it was one of the best books I had read, and written by someone completely unlike the person I knew.

Anyway, I've contributed nothing, good luck aspiring writers! [:D]



JessFranco -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 8:08:52 PM)

I write for The Guardian when I can be bothered to think of something to write about. I enjoy the act of writing and I like getting a positive response but not to a degree that particularly motivates me to much about it 99℅ of the time. I can also bash out readable copy on stuff related to my day job at a rate of about 500 words an hour.

I have been meaning to have a go at genre fiction for a while. I would like a crack at a crime or horror novel.



Sledge Hammer -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 9:06:47 PM)

If anyone wants to have their articles published on my site, please let me know.

www.v2journal.com

we are getting about 60,000 hits per month and get access to press events, so please let me know if you want to! adamd@v2journal.com



homersimpson_esq -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 9:15:01 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot


quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot

I currently review retro, not quite-retro and modern games at The Pixel Empire.



So...games, then?


Yeah. Retro, not quite-retro and modern games, doofus... [sm=huh.gif]


My point was that I was unsure what games wouldn't fit under one of those three categories, meaning that subdividing your headings was superfluous.

Doofus.



Rebel scum -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 9:23:13 PM)

I'm trying to write a book, but volunteering/job-hunting is currently getting in the way. I currently have a pretty good first chapter and bugger all else [:D]. Once I find myself with spare time, I tend to aim for 1000 words before I go on to something else.
I've also thought about a review website/blog thing, but I'm crap at HTML stuff/self-advertising, so that's just an aspiration.



DancingClown -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 9:27:55 PM)

I've written four novels. Unpublished. Came very close back in 2010.

Actually, it's technically three, as I lost a flash-drive with one of them on it. Yes, I'm that stupid.

I've got a couple of them up at jottify.com - I'd offer a link but I'm too scared.

With three young kids now the notion of writing is somewhat...on hold.



Shifty Bench -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 9:34:59 PM)

What kind of novels, Mr Clown? [:)]

Ones with words in them obviously but what genre? [:D]



adambatman82 -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 10:25:08 PM)

I've published ten ebooks that are spin-offs incorporating content from my website, with each between 6 and 10,000 words. One of them got to number 3 on the iTunes chart in the arts & entertainment category. I used to contribute to Little White Lies and a bunch of other places before my own site became popular enough to require my full attention. I'm also launching a new project with a couple of other freelancers next year too which is really exciting.

As for a routine, I've tried to enforce one, but have often struggled. I work best to a loose series of deadlines. I work from home, which means that distractions are rife: TV is banned before 5PM, and I try to sit to my desk, which is in a room separate from the living room.



DancingClown -> RE: Writers (15/11/2012 11:16:59 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Shifty Bench

What kind of novels, Mr Clown? [:)]

Ones with words in them obviously but what genre? [:D]


Well...I guess horror, but not straightforward horror. Drama, mystery, lots of character humour. Stuff that's apparently impossible to market. I have ideas for more but come the evening and I'm barely conscious enough to make a brew let alone pen a new book.

Maybe a fictional/non-fictional diary of a deranged stay-at-home dad.



jonson -> RE: Writers (16/11/2012 7:44:05 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: adambatman82

I've published ten ebooks that are spin-offs incorporating content from my website, with each between 6 and 10,000 words.



Wow! Where can I download the one with 6 words in it? You must be some fucking storyteller to get 3 parts down in 6 words. [:D]



clownfoot -> RE: Writers (16/11/2012 10:06:19 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot


quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq


quote:

ORIGINAL: clownfoot

I currently review retro, not quite-retro and modern games at The Pixel Empire.



So...games, then?


Yeah. Retro, not quite-retro and modern games, doofus... [sm=huh.gif]


My point was that I was unsure what games wouldn't fit under one of those three categories, meaning that subdividing your headings was superfluous.

Doofus.


Most would interpret 'games' to mean modern titles, so it's entirely appropriate to state that's not really the case and cover all bases.

Double doofus... [sm=tongueout.gif]



clownfoot -> RE: Writers (16/11/2012 10:11:04 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jonson

So, this story clowny, the one where the hero kills more innocents than bad guys. Chainsaw by any chance?



There are no chainsaws involved, although it is of the horror/fantasy genre. And there are two hero's not just the one doofus.



Russ Whitfield -> RE: Writers (16/11/2012 11:44:08 AM)

I've written a couple of novels about a female gladiator and I'm trying to get two films off the ground at the moment:

http://i-spimovie.com

is one (and a lesson in how not to crowdfund. And there's a comedy video of me there too).

but my pet project that we've been grinding through for nearly two years now is

http://www.soldiergirlsmovie.com

Imagine how pleased we all were when Adi Shankar announced his Carrano/Sackhoff project. And we jumped for joy when Millennium announced theirs.

Still, I console myself that - as a fanboy - it is neat to have BloodRayne as your friend of Facebook.

I want to get back to novel writing, but with a real job and (albeit not much of one) a life outside all that, novel writing is a real task.

I'd be interested in any feedback on the books if you've read 'em or the film ideas if you view the sites.

Cheers

Russ



Brooksy84 -> RE: Writers (18/11/2012 11:21:10 PM)

I knew at 15 that I wanted to be a screenwriter, and at a few weeks short of turning 28 it's still what I want to do. In the years between Iv been on and off so many times, finished scripts and never attempted a second draft, started and abandoned more projects than I can remember, and generally suffered with numerous bouts of insecurity and procrastination. I'm currently "in the mood" and working on two things, but juggling it among being a stay at home dad/part time barman is tricky. One my goals for 2013 is to at least send something off to an agent, so at the very least I can say Iv tried. Frankly I have no idea what else I want to do with my life so I'd better pull my finger out.



MOTH -> RE: Writers (19/11/2012 1:51:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Willie Mayes Hayes

I know there's a Bloggers thread, but that's primarily a link drop, so I thought I'd start a thread about the art/craft/science of writing.



Does writing of science count?
Published several articles on various scientific topics, little of it of any interest to those outside (or even inside) the field.
Also dabbled with some popular science writing and medical writing, although less of this has been published. Naturally, I've both a film screenplay and novel in my head waiting to get out.

In terms of writing process, it breaks down like this for me - same principle applies when i'm doing non-science writing (e.g. blog)

1. Thinking - mentally sift the proposed content, frame argument, layout etc.
2. First draft - put it all down, bullet points, sentences, random words, whatever, get something written. As Hemingway said, 'the first draft of everythign is shit'
3. Second draft - flesh it out,  fashion the 'narrative' - this is where the real work is done. 
4. Third draft -  polish, create the 'flow', tart it up, check spelling. 
5. Submit and await rejection
6. Snort with delighted amazement when the fools actually accept it.

Works for me.



kumar -> RE: Writers (19/11/2012 2:21:14 PM)

creative gits.


quote:

ORIGINAL: MOTH

Does writing of science count?
Published several articles on various scientific topics, little of it of any interest to those outside (or even inside) the field.



Oooh, interest is piqued! What have you written, if you dont mind me asking?



MOTH -> RE: Writers (19/11/2012 2:42:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kumar

creative gits.


quote:

ORIGINAL: MOTH

Does writing of science count?
Published several articles on various scientific topics, little of it of any interest to those outside (or even inside) the field.



Oooh, interest is piqued! What have you written, if you dont mind me asking?


Don't get too excited! this is stuff for academic journals, so no Brian Cox-esque 'fun science' allowed, sadly. Cancer-related articles mostly, some original work, some reviews, a textbook chapter, the sort of stuff that ends up in dusty libraries. I'm hoping to do a bit more popular science writing alongside this, to make it more accessible to general public.



kumar -> RE: Writers (19/11/2012 4:54:57 PM)

No thats right up my alley! While ive not specialised in cancer biology I can read a lot of that material. Are they open access or subscription only? Thats awesome btw, im hoping to get my name on a paper next year with my uni tutor, but at the moment with jobs the way they are, it seems thats as far as im going to get!



MOTH -> RE: Writers (20/11/2012 9:35:40 AM)

most recent is open access - found here. not earth-shattering stuff, but it keeps me going.



Willie Mayes Hayes -> RE: Writers (20/11/2012 3:41:29 PM)

I'm loving this thread, good to read all your replies.

@JessFranco - If you'd care to share, how did you end up writing for the Guardian?



JessFranco -> RE: Writers (20/11/2012 6:44:46 PM)

I used to comment on their online threads and they approached me to write articles for their music section.



Professor Moriarty -> RE: Writers (21/11/2012 3:32:01 PM)

I just started an on-line creative writing class for fun. The feedback from my first module was quite good. So hopefully I can learn more and keep going.



DancingClown -> RE: Writers (21/11/2012 3:38:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: JessFranco

I used to comment on their online threads and they approached me to write articles for their music section.


Holy shit.

I'm expecting a call from Empire any day now, but still nothing, the tosspots.



Professor Moriarty -> RE: Writers (21/11/2012 3:45:09 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DancingClown


quote:

ORIGINAL: JessFranco

I used to comment on their online threads and they approached me to write articles for their music section.


Holy shit.

I'm expecting a call from Empire any day now, but still nothing, the tosspots.


If 75% of the new edition is made up of people complaining about where the gun barrel scene is in Skyfall we will know that Empire do indeed recruit from these boards though [:D]



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