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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by WarloK on Tue Sep 6th at 5:34pm 2005

Since we have a musicians thread i figure we may as well have a writers thread.

I like writing short stories and i am currently writing a book called THE FIRE UNDER THE ICE. Its about a guy called Ce who is an Arthean. Artheans are living gods who have become godly by perfecting their spiritual being. The main characters are Ce, Dea and Yeta. They live in this place called Nau with a few other Artheans. One day they go down to the river and when they come back to the camp later everyone has been horribly massacred. So they go to a place called Firen and a little gremlin dude tells them that the Maxxii from Texio are hunting them and will murder without question. So they meet up with Dea who escaped the massacre and fled to Firen. But then Firen gets attacked by Minotaurs who want to get the Artheans to safety to stop a war breaking out between the Artheans and the Gremlins. The Minotaurs brutally slaughter everyone in Firen but the three people escape.

This were i am so far in the story. Lets hear what the rest of you done.





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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Junkyard God on Tue Sep 6th at 7:29pm 2005

i like writing useless stuff, like general nonsense about cows who eat flesh and drink firey wood liquid that smell like strawberris and is called "vrwabas", when you drink it you could very well turn into a dog, but soemtiems you jsut don't and then you trip over a stone, nasty stone it is ,becosue itw as in the wya of your foot, it just rolled there the day before, u know i thin kthey do that on purpose, we shoudl realy BAN rocks, i mean, what are they good for, only in moovies people make weapons out of them and break coconuts on them, but , i don't even like coconuts, so ban rocks!

, that's what i like :o <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif">




Hell, is an half-filled auditorium



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Tue Sep 6th at 7:54pm 2005

Um yeah. I'm also in the process of writing a book... but it would take me hours to outline what I've done... since I don't work from an outline. In the dark past of the snarkpit I put up an early portion of it and got some good feedback, but I think that was before this version was launched and the thread has since been lost. I am not to happy with that portion of my work at this point, so I am not going to post it again.

I don't have any short stories to post either... so I guess people will have to wait a year or more until I have something I'm happy with. I'd consider sending it via email to any of those old-time pitters who may want to see where things have gone since the original thread though.

It is a historical fantasy novel set in a time period analogous to the transition between the dark ages and the Renaissance. There is very little of the magic that is so rife in most books of this genre, but the possibility of it's existence is part of the plot. In some ways it is the typical story of a young male protagonist tossed into waters far above his head... but in others I think it is distinctly unique.

I'm up to roughly 84,000 words, so the first draft is maybe a little more than half finished.




Some people are like slinkys...

They aren?t really good for anything, but you can't help but laugh when one tumbles down the stairs.



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by French Toast on Tue Sep 6th at 7:55pm 2005

I have almost got a book published.

I like writing.

That's all.




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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Madedog on Tue Sep 6th at 8:49pm 2005

I have written a book... "Programmeerimine Algajatele - Rapid'Q" would be in estonian... however, translated into english - "Programming for Beginners - Rapid-Q"... a smaller-sized programming guidebook <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> I'm writing also a novel right now... and a bit of fanfiction <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif">



HL2 tutorials 'n' stuff: http://madedog.pri.ee
217.159.236.34:27050 - CSS Server - Clean | koffer.ee



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Hugh on Wed Sep 7th at 1:33am 2005

I write all sorts of garbage, I try writing novels whenever the theme pops into my head, but usually the plot or sensible character development doesn't so I stop before they're close to done... the longest one I did was around 25 pages... I should continue it sometime. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">

Mostly I just write crappy essays or whatever for school 'cause they're required or something.





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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Gollum on Wed Sep 7th at 8:53am 2005

Well done Tracer! I'm really pleased you've continued with that book; the early version I saw had lots of potential 84,000 words is a huge achievement in itself; relative to that, I've barely started. Words have weight; my writing feels distinctly light so far.

In theory, I'm writing a novel. It's a fantasy allegory that connects with a real-world background story. The real world part details a character and some of her history, together with perspectives from the other people in her life. The fantasy story involves her in a dreamworld allegory, in which she explores a world that is generated by, and represents, her own mind. But the reader isn't supposed to know about that until near the end, so don't go telling everyone

In practice, I'm slogging through the piles of planning that I need to do before I become convinced that:

  • The story will be exciting
  • I won't end up with cardboard characters
  • The fantasy sections will be neither cliched nor zany
  • The fantasy world will be richly detailed enough to feel like a convincing, if strange, place. In particular, I need to work on the inhabitants of the fantasy world
  • And so on.....
There's a good story in there somewhere, and some killer themes, but actually turning the ideas into something I can write is proving difficult. Some of you will know that I tend to select over-ambitious and massively complicated projects, rather than nice simple ones. It's just the way I am, but it does make life difficult sometimes.

I believe Stephen King says (paraphrased):

Writing a novel is like trying to row across the Atlantic

I might prefer:

Writing a novel is like trying to row across the Atlantic, in a boat with a leak, and only a teacup for bailing





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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Wed Sep 7th at 3:36pm 2005

Thanks! I'm really glad to hear you are also still working on your book, "light" or not. Your material is distinctly heavier than my own! I had hoped this was still the reason for your absence.

I think the complexity of writing goes up with the cube of its length. I started with a very simple premise for my story, and at this point it's grown into something of almost unmanageable intricacy. I think starting with the level of complexity you have in mind will be several orders of magnitude more challenging than my own project! As an individual who cannot outline to save his soul, I doubt I will ever attempt a novel of similar depth to what you intend. My hat is off to you.

Tomorrow I pack up to move to Seattle, and graduate school starts on the 16th, so my progress on the book is about to be cut short. I had hoped to generate a full first draft in this transition between work and school, but at this point I'll be happy if I can reach the 100k benchmark! I am going to do what I can to continue while I am in school, but, from past experience, I know that will not work very well.




Some people are like slinkys...

They aren?t really good for anything, but you can't help but laugh when one tumbles down the stairs.



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Gollum on Thu Sep 8th at 10:15am 2005

Thanks for the encouragement TB

You might want to hold onto your hat until I get 10 -20,000 words of story. Until then, all the complexity in the world doesn't count for anything.

Yet I'm quietly, blindly optimistic about the project. That is, on those days when I don't panic about failing

When you reach the 100k benchmark, go out and have a party of some kind. I think c**ktails might suit. Let me know when, and I'll raise a glass to you <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">




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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Dr Brasso on Thu Sep 8th at 2:36pm 2005

damn....mikey 2 times in one week.....im impressed, o' god of boulders...(kneels before boulder, bows deeply) <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/heee.gif"> ....how the hell are ya man?....i do hope life is treating you well... <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_wink.gif">

just to stay on topic, im putting together a tech manual for cad drafters in the architectural field, mainly with housing codes for residential living, stress loads, spans, identifying weight bearing points, etc. cant get around the fact that its a "sahara desert" dry read; wordy, techy, and just basicly boring as hell.....ive never been able to figure how to make them more interesting to read, i spose its the subject matter and intent..... :/

Doc Brasso...:dodgy:





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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Pvt.Scythe on Thu Sep 8th at 6:35pm 2005

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I've been writing a novel of sorts for quite some time. My hopes are high, but the writing proceeds slowly. I recently broke the 15.000 words mark and I'm celebrating it by rewriting small parts of it and checking my spelling. I'm writing it in english as in a way it's supposed to be somekind of a training excercise.
The story tells about a man who is drafted to a war between man and the creature swarm. It's a sci-fi story and I can't tell much without ruining the upcoming parts of the plot. It started as a short story called Dark Hallways and there seems to be no end for it. Only if I'd find time to write...
As for the quality I've mostly heard praises from those twenty some people I've shown it. My weaknesses seem to be in describing and in slight repetitiveness on some parts. Once I hit the 20K mark I might consider putting it up to the public.
I must admit that Starship Troopers, Paroxysm, Doom and the Starfight series have been inspiring me on this endeavour thus some similarities might be found on close study, but I can assure thee they're made in purpose...


''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Gollum on Thu Sep 8th at 10:33pm 2005

*Dusts off boulder*

Brasso - I don't think anyone could make that subject matter exciting. And I'm not doing too badly, thank you Hope the same for you.

Scythe - don't worry about being inspired by other writers. It's a good thing. Any writer who tells you he never borrows ideas is lying. Don't become derivative, and certainly don't copy wholesale, but there's nothing wrong with emulating your favourite writers.

Oh, and don't write "thee" unless you have a very good reason




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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Nickelplate on Thu Sep 8th at 10:42pm 2005

? quoting Dr Brasso
damn....mikey 2 times in one week.....im impressed, o' god of boulders...(kneels before boulder, bows deeply) ....how the hell are ya man?....i do hope life is treating you well...

just to stay on topic, im putting together a tech manual for cad drafters in the architectural field, mainly with housing codes for residential living, stress loads, spans, identifying weight bearing points, etc. cant get around the fact that its a "sahara desert" dry read; wordy, techy, and just basicly boring as hell.....ive never been able to figure how to make them more interesting to read, i spose its the subject matter and intent..... :/

Doc Brasso...

Make jokes that only CAD ppl would get. Just like TRacer Bullet makes jokes that only nerds get!




I tried sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose.
http://www.dimebowl.com



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Dr Brasso on Fri Sep 9th at 1:14am 2005

huh??? that one went right over my head nickel....<img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_lol.gif">

Doc B...:dodgy:





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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by FatStrings on Fri Sep 9th at 1:24am 2005

? quote:
huh??? that one went right over my head nickel....

Doc B...


what he said




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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Fri Sep 9th at 2:14am 2005

Damn Scythe, I don't even want to think about trying to write a novel in a second language!

? quoting Gollum
Yet I'm quietly, blindly optimistic about the project. That is, on those days when I don't panic about failing

When you reach the 100k benchmark, go out and have a party of some kind. I think c**ktails might suit. Let me know when, and I'll raise a glass to you

I once read a very valuable bit of advice: You don't have to worry about exactly what is going to happen in your book a year from now, two weeks from now, or even tomorow. You just need to know what is going to happen today, and tomorow will take care of itself.

This may not be the way to go about generating great literature, but it is the only way I can ever make progress. If I let myself think about the whole massive task ahead, I panic, and can't write a damn thing.

If things go well, I'll reach 100k next week, just before I have to start orientation. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> If it works out I'll be sure to post it, and if nothing else I'll crack open a beer or two to celebrate!




Some people are like slinkys...

They aren?t really good for anything, but you can't help but laugh when one tumbles down the stairs.



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Cassius on Fri Sep 9th at 4:51am 2005

I'm currently translating A Simple Heart and attempting, after breaking from writing for the summer that I might be able to wholly restructure my sensibilities, to develop a style with elements of Faulkner and Flaubert. Sort of a realist-maximalist-physicalist kind of thing based around long and detailed sentences that flow well. Wish me f**king luck.



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 Re: Writers Thread
Posted by Gollum on Fri Sep 9th at 10:07am 2005

? quote:

I once read a very valuable bit of advice: You don't have to worry about exactly what is going to happen in your book a year from now, two weeks from now, or even tomorow. You just need to know what is going to happen today, and tomorow will take care of itself.

This may not be the way to go about generating great literature, but it is the only way I can ever make progress. If I let myself think about the whole massive task ahead, I panic, and can't write a damn thing.



I know the feeling. That advice is wise.

And yet, I'm not able to execute it. I hope that, some months from now, I will look back and wonder why I found it so difficult to follow such good advice.

Often it is necessary to go against good advice, before one can understand the wisdom of it.

And Cassius -- I'm not sure what all those -ists mean, but good luck restructuring your sensibilities. If you can write those sentences that flow well, it's a pretty good start.




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