Just a note to let people know my occasional column, "How to Succeed As A Failing Writer," is back. The current installment is: Long Time Quiet Now: A brief break in the silence.
Oh, Pacey! You blind idiot. Can't you see she doesn't love you?
Spike ,'Help'
The Great Write Way, Chapter Two: Twice upon a time...
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
victor infante - Apr 02, 2008 4:26:16 am PDT #9974 of 10001
To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.
Amy - Apr 02, 2008 9:38:15 am PDT #9975 of 10001
Because books.
Photo drabble. This one.
She doesn’t get paid enough for this.
“No blood at least.” Marty’s shock of pewter hair falls in his eyes as he crouches over his newspaper. “Should have seen that dealer get popped.”
She rolls the cleaning cart out onto the sidewalk. Some girl took a handful pills to disappear, and once the dull roar of chaos has faded, who gets to clean up? She does, that’s who.
She tucks her hair behind her ear. At least she’s got a job, a place of her own. She does what she has to do.
She doesn’t look in the mirror, though.
SailAweigh - Apr 02, 2008 10:16:16 am PDT #9976 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb
Oooh, nice, Amy. You guys are gonna get all the good ones before I get a chance to sit down and plot.
Lee - Apr 06, 2008 10:58:18 am PDT #9977 of 10001
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.
The photo drabble challenge is now closed.
This week's challenge is center.
erikaj - Apr 07, 2008 6:23:46 am PDT #9978 of 10001
Always Anti-fascist!
How do I know if something should be a story or a book? Because I got an idea yesterday...
Susan W. - Apr 07, 2008 9:25:02 am PDT #9979 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
Write it and see how long it is when you're done?
Which sounds kinda facetious, but it's the only way I know. Not that I've ever had a short story idea in my life. With me it's stand-alone vs. series.
erikaj - Apr 07, 2008 10:50:42 am PDT #9980 of 10001
Always Anti-fascist!
But wouldn't that affect the timing? Which is something I think I have a problem with already.
Laga - Apr 07, 2008 10:52:35 am PDT #9981 of 10001
You should know I'm a big deal in the Resistance.
If it was me I'd jump right in and start writing, then see how long it was shaping up to be. Of course, I never finish anything so you probably shouldn't listen to me.
Amy - Apr 08, 2008 6:01:15 am PDT #9982 of 10001
Because books.
erika, I think you need to really consider the scope of the story. Do you have secondary characters who could be developed, provide a subplot? How complicated is the protagonist's conflict?
Also, remember that a novel can be a couple different lengths (although you should always be thinking at least 70,000 words, unless it's YA, and sometimes even then).
Plus? As hard as it can be to get a novel published, there are still a LOT more outlets for it than short stories, these days.
erikaj - Apr 08, 2008 7:58:13 am PDT #9983 of 10001
Always Anti-fascist!
I could probably come up with things; I've been thinking about some of these characters for a while.ETA: But I have thought I was going to attempt another novel before, and those efforts have failed to gel.