Writers support discussion

I need some help. I have a few problems when I write.
My main problem with writing is details. I just can't make them right.
I also have problems with the middle. I always have a beginning and an end, but no middle.
For example, in the story The Dairy of Amanda Livington, I know that she will go to California and live there, but I have troubles thinking of things she should do. I just can't think of anything. I hope some of you can help.

Like Swimmer, I sometimes am lost of what to fill in the book. Like, when I decide to write a chapter, I make a list of things that will happen, like:

-Car crash
-Funeral
-Break Down

Once the Car Crash happens, it's not like the funeral comes right after. Sometimes I have no idea how to fill in the rest. Like, it seems it would just be awkward silence.

In my wolf book, I normally fill this by hunting, but it's starting to get old. Any ideas on what wolves do? Besides romance, because that has yet to develop. *sly grin*

Fighting is off, because there is a rival pack that they encounter more than once,
Marking territory would be good. Thanks!
Explore....hrm....I could put in a long hunting trip? I'll have to think that over.

Good idea! I'll definitely work that into my next chapter!

Swimmergirl wrote: "I need some help...
When you're writing details, you don't always have to love it the first time. I've rewritten and edited paragraphs billions of times before I find something I like. Some times, to find the right details, you just have to become the main character and see through her eyes. What do you see? You can try writing exercises to get your descriptive juices flowing as well. Try describing haw you get a glass of water. Where's the cup? Do you need something to reach the shelf? It may seem tedious, but if you can describe your daily life in detail, there's nothing to stop your fiction from doing the same! I also enjoy looking up adjectives for descriptions, which can make the work more enjoyable as well as more professional.
As far as getting to a middle point, one of my good friends always writes a beginning, middle and end of each of her stories first. I have tried this, but unfortunately, it doesn't work for me. What does, though is making a small chart for the problems in the story like
this: http://my-ecoach.com/online/resources...
or this: http://199.216.237.50/SGSamples/Cours...
In both of these, the rising action points are problems on your character's path. Filling in a few of these can give you some meat for the middle of your stories you can fill out as you write. If you can't think of these, you can make a list
What could possibly go wrong? What second thoughts could my character have?
• She could loose something important to her
• She could loose her way, or find out she was going in the wrong direction
• She could meet a new friend
• She could come to an obstacle like a lake or desert
• She could meet someone who recognizes her and tries to turn her in.
Just add to the list and choose a few that you like.
Keep writing, and don't despair
-Eve

Haha I just want to help!

Thanks Eve!
• She could meet a new friend
I actually already planed for her to meet a boy and fall in love sometime.
• She could meet someone who recognizes her and tries to turn her in.
This has actually already happened.

Thanks Everyone!

As I was saying, putting in details help, details and minor events are your saviors in writing those tough joining parts. It doesn't have to be particularly interesting, just enough to keep the reader with you until the next big planned event. Meeting a new character is a good filler for these spots, one that you can let the reader love and then leave them behind to continue with the plot. Sometimes adding little clues they need to get to their goal helps too, maybe a map or a message... If you have that story up I'll read some of it and I can give you some specific ideas for fillers.
Keep writing and remember that no ideas are bad ideas
Eve

Laurwhisker (Flame) wrote: "Wow, that helps a lot. Thanks, Eve! The story is in my writing. I think you might have read it already, it's Luna's Legacy. I'm going to start editing stuff today. I already just came up with some ..."

Right, I have! I'll add more later when I have time :)

☠Loudfire♥ wrote: "Cool! I'll read it when you do! ^-^

I have a question for anyone: Do you think the book is taking too long if the main quest hasn't started in, like, 120 pages?
In my book, I'm gonna do some majo..."

It might be a little long because you want to get to the main problem fairly quickly, but you be the judge. I pass days by having the character fall asleep and then wake up, because "the next day" doesn't sound very professional...
I'll add more when I have more time!
Keep writing and enjoy the words
Eve

I shall once my brain gets over the jet-lag and school stress hump...

Swimmergirl wrote: "I need some help. I have a few problems when I write.
My main problem with writing is details. I just can't make them right.
I also have problems with the middle. I always have a beginning and an e..."

I would think about the reason she is going to California. Make sure we see that she has accomplished her goals there. Is she getting a job, meeting a love interest, things like that.

She is going, so she is farther away from home. She is a runaway.

hi! i need an interesting, but fun writing prompt for the literary magazine. I wan tit to be winter related cuz it'll be put in in december... you know? just nothing cliche...

Like loudfire was saying... what kind of thing are you looking for? Happy? Sad? Holliday related?

really anything. I don't want it to be holiday reated cuz everybody does that. But i guess winter related would be good.

hmmmm... cold. white.
no animals. but the rest yes. and yes to the poem

Just a reminder that we're here at any time to give helpful advice, so ask away. Don't be shy!

Hey, so I'm writing this new story, a romance, and I'm kinda stuck with my main female character. I want her to have a couple of interactions where the guy helps her out, but I don't want her to be uber-dependent on him. Any ideas for some interactions?

P.S. Also, something happened in their past where he saved her from an abusive step-father, but she dosen't remember because she was partially unconsious.

So, you want nothing like Twilight- Tyler loses control of his truck, Bella looks for Edward, and he saves her? OK.

In the context of everyday life - A SUPERMARKET DRAMA! :D:D
Well, no. The guy could possibly think about asking the girl about her step-father, and she could tell him, and then she gets all confused as to how she was saved etc.
Sorry, I'm no help.

Where does your story take place most of the time? Is it school? Are they next door neighbors? Do they always run into eachother at the library? What could happen there that might go wrong? Does her locker stick and he knows where to kick it to open it? Does she drop her books? Does she take some project into her backyard to work on, but has trouble? Or when washing her car, does he decide to come over and help? None of these make her dependent, and they would give them lots of time to interact and get to know eachother. It really is up to you what they do though. :D Sounds like a fun story.

Well, I don't know your characters, but I'll give you some examples and a couple ways your characters might react.

-> The male character has a part time job at the coffee shop your female character frequents. She hasn't seen him there before because normally she goes an hour and a half later when he's off. Today, she just needed to get away. There are problems she has to face, but for now she just wants to escape to her favorite hide out. Your male serves her a drink and strikes up a conversation, and eventually he's giving her a bit of advice.

• Female- She recognizes something faintly familiar about this guy. For some reason she feel's like she can trust him. By the time she leaves she's slipped him her number on a small scrap of crumpled paper or at least she's hoping to run into him again.
• Female- She's standoffish at best, giving your male character a hard time as she vents her bad day. She doesn't even know why she's telling him what she is and ends up dropping a tip and leaving.
• Female- She's afraid to tell him anything, really she'd rather just go off somewhere and cry till she felt half ok. Something about him brings back bad memories of her, his whole body radiates assertion and strength. Despite herself, she slowly spills the story to him and ends up with soothed by his problem solving.

• Male- He sees her and instantly remembers who she is. He takes his order pad and hurried to be the first to make it to her table. He's got that kind sort of face that you can't help trusting, and before long, he's got her telling him what's wrong. Secretly, he'd give anything to see her again. He wants to do anything he can to help her if she runs into more trouble. He's awkward and sweet with her, placing a cookie by her glass before hastily departing.
• Male- He's playing it cool and collected, maintaining a mysterious aura as his unreadable expression leaves your female character baffled. He listens to her story in secret sympathy before quietly departing his words of wisdom and
• Male- Oh no. Not her again. The last time he saw your female character his life was spun upside down. He can't help being her server because there's no one else around and she's been waiting for a couple of minuets already. Something about her draws him in even though he fights it. He feels the need to help her, even though he know it might just bring him more pain.

-> Your female character is at the bus stop. She's already late and she needs to go pronto. She boards the bus after an excruciating wait to realize she forgot her three dollar fare to take the express rout to her destination. Cursing silently, she debates her options when your male character stands from his seat and offers her the money she needs.

• Female- She takes it gratefully, wondering silently who her savior is. She thanks him profusely, telling him how important it is for her to make this appointment.
• Female- No, she can't take his money. He's a stranger, besides she's got a little more pride then what'll let her take charity money from some random guy on the bus. Her predicament eventually convinces her, however, so she takes it grudgingly. She owes him one.

• Male- He gives her the money, flashing her a smile and invites her to sit in the free seat next to him. He makes a couple of jokes. He can't believe his luck. He's been searching for this girl for ages. Now he just has to find a way to break the news. No, he can't bare to, he makes another cover up joke, and watches her get off at her stop without telling her what he meant to.
• Male- He doesn't realize it's her until she already has the money in her hand. When he recognizes her, he's shocked. He gives up his seat for her and takes a standing spot at the other end of the bus. He doesn't make contact until she gets off the bus.

Hope this helps!
Eve

cool thanks!

Naomi wrote: "Where does your story take place most of the time? Is it school? Are they next door neighbors? Do they always run into eachother at the library? What could happen there that might go wrong? Does he..."

It takes place at their school (they're both sixteen), and then i was going to have them kidnapped by the abusive step-father..... thanks for your suggestions!