The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword discussion

Chat about writing here:

Work through writers' block etc

I would love to get over my writers block lol

Well what usually helps me is reading and or hearing other people's stories or ideas. I can usually get over it like that but sometimes you jut have to wait

I usually slap myslef and sit myself in front a computer until I write. screaming usually help

Lol well I dont have a computer anymore and I've been reading stories, a lot lately

I like reading. Yes. That's good

I actually don't have writer's block at the moment but when I do it is very very bad.

Aw that stinks

I know right. Writer's block just plain stinks. It is a pain in the butt.

Yes. Yes it is.

Okay, this may seem stupid, BUT... Now I started to wonder what to write in chapter. Like feelings and action, or something else?

I guess it depends on your story, but I would break it up throughout

Like what?

Well, you could have an action scene, but keep slipping in references to the emotional side, like the character sees something that reminds them of something or someone from their past. That way you learn more about the character and you can do the whole 'traumatic past' thing pretty easily

So for example, this girl meets a guy and he reminds her of someone when he asks her out?

Yeah like don't just give the surface, give what's happening inside the character(s) head

Yeah, that would work. But like Charlie said, what the characters thinking is more important than what's going on for something like that

Oh, alright! Thanks!

Sure:)

Something that could help is by writing out a character write up. Give basics about how the character acts and look back on it when you arent sure about something, then you could let your mind wander and take on the character and delve deeper into his background with flashbacks and you could even foreshadow which is fun ^_^

It's so funny. Usually when I go back and look at some of my old writing I cringe and think to myself: "Oh my God! How could I have written such, well such... tripe!"
But this outline for a story I wrote for NaNoWriMo is actually readable. I think I'll go back and rewrite it.

Haha yeah.

Hey it's almost the end of the month, got any ideas for the poetry contest?

ᑕᖺᗩᖇᒪᓰᙓ ˚Gale˚ wrote: "Hey it's almost the end of the month, got any ideas for the poetry contest?"

Oh yeah, I do. However every time I sit down to write my thoughts on each, somehow something comes up for me to do (like dishes, or my computer or internet crashes, or it's dinner time. Odd). Do you mind if I PM you my thoughts after writing "reviews" of each poem in the submission thread?

Yup thanks! Just a reminder!

Are you going to set a theme next round?

I don't think so, I think it's going to be short stories but I'm not sure if I'm going to do a theme.

short stories... eugh! Can't write a poem at the moment, let alone a short story... I'll probably give that one a miss. Need to find that muse and handcuff her to the bed!

Lynxie wrote: "Need to find that muse and handcuff her to the bed!"

I have found that doing so makes them irritable and rather vindictive. The last time I tried to do that they purposefully gave me writers' block for four months. Usually the best way to get them to help is to bribe them with chocolate.

LOL! Chocolate is banned from the house at the moment. Doing a 10 week fitness challenge! Trying to lose at least 10kgs in 10weeks... maybe that's why the muse has fled. Cranky writer probably doesn't help either!! :P

Charlie this is just a suggestion but instead of a theme, maybe have a writing prompt? I am excited for this contest!!!! :)

That's a good idea! I might do that!

That's a good idea... maybe have like a line or some words that have to be in the writing? One of my other groups did that... they got some fantastic results!

You could have it have a sentence that is required to start the story that we can build off of creatively.

Yeah! Okay!

YAY! I can't wait! When are you going to post the winner of the poetry contest? And then when are you going to post the new contest? I am very excited!

Very soon. I believe we have come to a descision but I must make sure before. I post. It will probably be tomorrow, and I'll post the new one!

Yaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!

woohoo!!

What kinds of questions do you guys ask yourself when you're planning a novel? I got the basics down, and now I'm kind of stuck.

I wait for the premise to wash over me totally and once I'm totally absorbed in my characters feelings and world, it all begins to make sense.

Cool. That's really awesome. I like to get in some way "Attached" to the characters I write about. I give some of them my personality traits, and let them react in a situation like I would.

I do that a lot.
There's a small peice of me in all my characters.

I know that when I'm writing something, my main character is at least somewhat like me, he/she (usually she) thinks like I do, and I can relate to this character very easily. That makes delving into the character's thoughts and personality a lot easier.

I've noticed alot of beginner weighters give there charactars to many positve traits and strenghts. They forget to add weaknesses. Weaknesses and fears as well as making them do mistakes makes characters feel more human, It helps people to relate to them.

My character "Quinn". She strongly fears of losing friends. She fears being alone. She also has many good traits. She in a way is based of me. And in a way based of my friends.

My book that i just started, i thin Friday, is The Ritual:

Description for 'The Ritual'

Serena couldn't wait until it was her turn to do the ritual. So when her name finally appears at the opening she is ecstatic. Only if she knew that her destiny, wasn't what she that it was. She that that she would she go and do the ritual and get her wings, but no something much greater was written in the stars for Serena. Something that will test her will to live,and to be good. for the power she receives puts both her and the she loves in grave danger.

Tell me what you think of the plot, or whatever

ok i need help with thinking of a word. it's just one of those times that i can't think of the right word i want to use.

the sentence is: My tears (?????) my reflection.

she is crying and her tears are falling on the mirror, what would be a good word for there. my brain just isn't working.
Thnx

?

Distorted?
Refracted?
Caressed?

I personally quite like caressed, it sounds sensual, but isn't really.

thnx for the help