Writing

[tarotgal]

Damn you people for asking what happens next... LOL! I don't like writing sequels because of popular demand. Sequels either were meant to be written or not. And if I don't see it, I won't write it. Nothing people say changes that. At least, that's how it's supposed to work. I detest authors who do that "If you like this, I'll write more" thing. *shudders* Sign of badfic.
And, yet, I read your comments and suddenly a dozen sequel images flooded my mind, and so now I'm writing one. LOL! So thank you all :-) I hadn't intended on it... but there really needs to be more Olly cuddling, IMHO :-) So I'm not writing it for you... but because the images showed themselves to me. But thanks for helping them do so *giggle*

I have been writing a lot of short fics lately. I'm not quite sure why... I guess I like being able to write a lot and finish a lot, for a change. Unlike these great big monster fics that take so much out of me and never get finished *cough*UnderHouseArrest*cough* And instead of writing long fics, I seem to be writing short fics or short fics in series that probably SHOULD be all one story but aren't. Not sure how I feel about that. The short fics usualy have a "plot" or central themes that allows them to be on their own... but maybe they should just be parts of a whole? Not sure. Kinda fuzzy in some cases.

On another note, this Remus story that popped into my head late Tuesday night- I think I finished it. Needs some editing and adding a little here and there. It's hurt/comfort with sneezing only at the beginning but hurting throughout and angst and all that yummy stuff that results in snuggley Marauders :-) And I've brilliantly worked in little nods towards other fics I've written (especially one nonsneezefic that's still unfinished) I'm kinda proud of the story... I'll probably be terribly ashamed of the cheesy parts in a couple weeks, but right now I like it. It's the sort of thing I used to write in middle school, so I dunno. *shrug* I keep going back and forth. I either love it or hate it. It's really sappy/cheesy and overly angsty... and it's really sweet, too. Gah. I dunno. The beginning with the sneezing is yummy, though. That much I know. LOL

Comments

[vatergrrl.livejournal.com]

tg --
It was so refreshing to see this entry of yours, grousing about those "monsterfics" that never do seem to get finished, just go on for pages and ages. If you have any secrets for writing in brief chunks, can you bottle them and pass them along my way? I'm being thwacked over the head by two or three stories right now that don't want to seem to end, and have everything thrown in except the kitchen sink. Oh, no, wait, I just saw the faucet and the dispos-all fly past and splash in.

On the other hand, it seems that even the most frustrating fiction writing is miles above any form of work-related writing/editing/commenting. I'm willing to torture myself endlessly about what characters X, Y and Z should do, while my dissertation lies off to the side, calling out in a plaintive little whisper, "what about me?"

Aye, there's the rub.

--VG (who would love to read your non-sneezefic sometime, if you'd trust me with it)

[tarotgal]

First off, my thesis is an inch away, awaiting edits... and I'm doing this instead. Writing that's endless, mindless... well, maybe not mindless... you get the point. I totally understand *G*

Some stories need to be big, and need to have everything in them. There's not a lot I can suggest doing in that case. Basically because I don't know, myself. Big stories take a special sort of hold on me, so appealing with their twists and turns and deep themes and characterizations and many, many different scenes. The only way I can get through them is focus in short chunks and write it scene by scene. But then sometimes I get a stilted story made of up scenes and not a lot to tie it all together except for common characters and a light theme or two. I really don't know the best way to approach novels and long stories that makes it easier for me to get through them. I adore my characters, and love writing about them. I think somewhere I feel that if I finish, this big, giant thing I've poured my heart into will stop and I'll not be able to go back and edit or add a little more here and there when inspiration tells me to put in more. I'm not sure exactly what to tell you... except that I don't have a good solution either. I think that's what editors are supposed to tell you... when you're supposed to stop writing. But as I don't have one... and am not one... I can't offer much advice. To me, some stories just have to be long... and then longer... and then the never, ever get finished. It's torture.

But I must admit, writing timed one-shots and other small fics has helped me in my short story writing. I'm much better at understanding how to develop things in a shorter period of time. With long things, I like including every detail possible, to really make it live on every dimension. But with short things it's interesting to paint a picture the reader can feel but still advance the story in every detail with nothing hanging around just for fun.

As for my non-sneezefic works (which are much fewer because I'm much less motivated to finish some of them- LOL) I'll try to work up the courage. Send me an e-mail to remind me? (And so I can stall for time) Thanks :-)