Comments on: Tip #34: Stuck? Write Something Terrible.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:33:09 +0000

I am currently feeling stuck; with every thing I’m working on. I had not considered but am increasingly convinced that it is in large part due to not really knowing Story Architecture – at least not knowing it by its various names and being able to pick out its parts in a story, or to notice they are missing.

I have a lot of learning to do.

In the past I’ve written four novel length stories (fanfiction) that were quite good, but they came to me as complete stories. I knew where they were going, I knew what challenges there would be, I knew how they would end. I’m now shifting to writing entirely original stories; mostly short stories but I have begun working on a mystery novel. I don’t know a lot of the information that is in you “45 Questions” post. The story simply has not come to me in as whole a package as my stories have in the past.

You have inspired me to ask those questions, and more, and get my story to pop.

Thank you so much for your blog!

Sandra

By: Bryce

Bryce — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:53:19 +0000

I just came across your site via your guest post on Men With Pens.

The corollary to do something that works for me is this: do something, differently. Change where I sit when I write, write pen on paper instead of the computer, put on music, stuff like that. When I really get stuck, the question that helps me most is “How will my hero NOT get himself out of this pickle?” It’s easy to write a long list of those things, and usually one of them is just crazy enough that it might work.

Anyway, Larry, thanks for taking the time to post thoughts on writing. You’ve apparently only been open for business two months, and already your blog is crammed with great info.

By: Dave Ebright

Dave Ebright — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:24:54 +0000

Story Architecture – Boy that’s a big one. With my first manuscript draft I was enamored with a particular chapter that I had inserted at the beginning. I sent the first several chapters to a well-established author friend for her comments. She loved the content but pointed out that the chapter I had added was only working as a ‘down payment’ to the reader advising them to ‘stay tuned – this gets better’. A kick in the gut – but she was right on the money. My ‘genius chapter’ effectively created a confusing start – a serious structure problem (her words). In the end – chapter 1 became chapter 25 (of 26) & made for a freaked out twist that drew lots of cool positive feedback from readers.

I agree – when you feel “stuck” write anything. Short stories (in my case – since I write for kids – I usually get away from the MG/YA genre for a change of pace) work for me. If nothing else – it results in either a good laugh or a ‘geez Dave – deep down you’re a really sick dude’ moment.