Prioritising writing is a large part of a successful writers career.
I am going to be writing every day, but not on this blog for a while.
The blog is useful, but
I want to finish my rewrite before November.
November is Nanowrimo and I have a sci-fi story to begin
On the 11th October the IOWA writing course begins.
Last year I managed to do the course and complete Nano, I hope to achieve this again, so blogging will have to wait until December.
Nanowrimo
This is a wonderful motivational tool, which encourages you to write without editing and develop the habit of writing every day.
You can become involved in the chat rooms, or just follow your charted progress.
https://nanowrimo.org
How Writers Write Fiction 2016: Storied Women!
I recommend this to anyone who is writing, they cater for beginners and more experienced writers. The videos are useful, the exercises great and the feedback system works very well.
Last year it was a general course, this year it focuses on the female character.
https://novoed.com/how-writers-write-fiction-2016
They are both a time commitment, but worth every gleaned minute.
Enjoy.
I visualise my characters, setting and stories as if I am watching them happen in front of my eyes.
Often I peruse Pinterest and an image will talk to me and the story unfolds.
Here are a few images from Pinterest to kick start sci-fi writing - with no cliche's of course!
Everyone will have a different reaction, emotion and idea from these images.
That is why writers are awesome.
Oops sorry, I have not posted for a few days- have been making the most of the Autumn sunshine.
Some people pointed out that some of the sci-fi cliches in the last post were tropes.
So I decided to narrow the field to Space opera plot cliches.
There were too many and I am getting sucked in to a black hole of despair rather than learning anything new.
So I narrowed down to space adventure as this is what I am planning to write, or is it a mystery?
There are still too many cliches or tropes to avoid my head is spinning and I am not able to list them here.
I have decided this is not helpful research as I am never going to avoid them all in my writing.
I tried a new tack - what is great space adventure writing?
There is not a huge amount of advice but it needs
Big emotions
Personal stakes
Great characters
Fantasy/ sci-fi crossover
A reason it cannot be an adventure on earth.
I also found an interesting blog by Charlie Jane Anders where she mentions not using the term 'spaceship', not using warp speed and finding other ways apart from cryo-technology to expand lifespans.
The more I read the more I think my story is a mystery adventure set in the vastness of space rather than sci-fi and that I should just get on and write it. It is definitely a fantasy / sci-fi cross over. :)
I can worry about cliches when I edit.
Started to do my research and found hundreds of cliches related to sci-fi.
I wonder why there are so many. Is sci-fi becoming boring?
Here are a few - and my comments related to the story I wish to write
Empire / Rebel Army tries to overthrow Evil Empire - Nope
Good guys travel through time to stop bad guys -Nope
Human brains connected to computers Nope
Aliens want the resources of earth Nope
Romance between human and robot / alien Nope
Android develops human emotions Nope
Worlds ruled by huge corporations Nope
Navy terminology in space - will look up and avoid.
Cops from the future Nope
Every alien race speaks English - Can you read alien? Ah need to think of a way around this problem.
Aliens use organic technology - and its sticky and smelly Nope
Aliens are bigger and stronger than humans Nope
Warp / Hyperdrives and every race uses the same type of technology - Oh no I wanted one of these!
Pulse weapons - not possible therefore should be fantasy - Could be a fantasy sci-fi crossover?
Ships that are not streamlined - I'm ok here I think.
......the list is endless, but so far my planned story is doing ok.
I may have to refine my search to specifics
I'll look at cliche plot lines tomorrow.
Yesterday I read about Chinese and Canadian scientists teleporting photons successfully, so yes sci- fi can predict the science of the future.
We still have a way to go before 'Beam me up Scotty' is for real , but it is possible.
Why do we want to write or read sci-fi?
The wonders of science.
Cautionary tales of science going horribly wrong
The challenge - a willingness to suspend belief.
Often they are stories about change, something we are scared of but desire.
The 'what if' factor
It is a reflective genre showing something about our society in a way we can't do it.
Exploration and adventure - yep that's what I want to write about.
What do we need to know to write sci-fi?
Understand current science, make sure you know what has been discovered.
Know what has been written, be original.
Know the cliches so you do not use any -Exploration and discovery, everything is new.
YA readership is not huge - this one surprised me. - but it's growing.
Fingers crossed, I will be ready to start on my Sci- fi adventure in November.
The Black Prism - Brent Weeks
Not a review but what I learnt while reading the story-
This is a wonderful example of world building, great detail and descriptions.
Sometimes I am in awe at other writer's imaginations.
It is possible to like the bad guy, who may be the good guy!
Really subtle clues to plot twist work well, keeping the reader wondering and then satisfied
It is possible to write the first book in a series as a complete book in itself
I speed read or skip long descriptive passages- will go back and read all to see how necessary these missed bits are.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story, (maybe because I skipped some?) but once there I enjoyed it immensely.
I love this type of fantasy.
One of the reasons I started this blog was to get into the habit of writing every day.
It has worked.
I miss it if I am unable to do so, due to work and family, so I try to find some time even if it is just 15 minutes.
Other good writing habits are -
Find the best time for writing for you. Many people like to write in the early morning or ate at night when distractions are at a minimum. I like to write in the afternoon or evening.
Aim to write every day - either find a set time or fir it around your life.If you do not have time to physically write, use any moment to think about your writing, where it may go next, what the character may say etc. But if you do not physically write for three days in a row the habit fades.
Set yourself deadlines- its good practise for a publishing deal in the future. I want to write the first draft of a sci- fi in November, but I am rewriting a YA. I have decided I have to finish the rewrite before November. Could be hard, but I'll do my best.
Do not expect your work to be perfect. It is important to write even when it feels wrong and boring- you can edit later.
Read. Do not feel guilty when you find time to read- reading is vital for writers.
Understand that time for writing is your reward for dealing with everything else in your life more efficiently.
After an hour of writing take a short break to do something physical.
Enjoy your writing, and soon you will miss it so much you will find the time.
