Writers' Bloc - Creative Writing Off Topic Thread

Insect Overlord · 04-07-2018 12:28am

Das Kitty wrote: »

It’s one person’s opinion.

Do you workshop your poems with a group at all? A lot of the time I find a conversation with a small group very effective at getting to the heart of feedback.

Salmon would be the big poetry collection publisher in Ireland. The output is quite diverse. Would it be worthwhile dropping them a line?

A friend of mine was telling me recently that his dream is to have his debut collection published by Salmon. He's refusing to send a book to anyone else until Salmon have published him first. The problem is they have a waiting list of three and a half to four years. :pac:

I've never had the chance to properly workshop my poems before, but I was invited during the chat this morning to join a circle who meet once a month. I wasn't aware that anything like it existed. It'll be very beneficial in the long term to be part of a group like that.

I think part of my reaction today is facing the reality that I'm really still a novice in this game. I've been writing poetry for over 13 years but I haven't always been dedicating enough time or energy to it. I've a hell of a lot of reading and thinking (and then more writing) to do before I can start to be considered a writer of any kind of significance.

Das Kitty · 04-07-2018 12:38am

Insect Overlord wrote: »

A friend of mine was telling me recently that his dream is to have his debut collection published by Salmon. He's refusing to send a book to anyone else until Salmon have published him first. The problem is they have a waiting list of three and a half to four years. :pac:

I've never had the chance to properly workshop my poems before, but I was invited during the chat this morning to join a circle who meet once a month. I wasn't aware that anything like it existed. It'll be very beneficial in the long term to be part of a group like that.

I think part of my reaction today is facing the reality that I'm really still a novice in this game. I've been writing poetry for over 13 years but I haven't always been dedicating enough time or energy to it. I've a hell of a lot of reading and thinking (and then more writing) to do before I can start to be considered a writer of any kind of significance.

Don't worry about how you're considered, let the poems speak for themselves. The circle will really help, believe me. It's going to be tough at first but it'll start to really fire you up. There is nothing more valuable to me than my writing circle.

As for the waiting list for Salmon, it definitely depends who you know.

Das Kitty · 09-07-2018 3:16pm

If anyone is looking for a full bed and board writing retreat that doesn't require you to be published first (like many), I've found The River Mill in Downpatrick. https://www.the-river-mill.co.uk/

I think I'll treat myself. Doesn't cost the earth either.

Insect Overlord · 18-07-2018 1:49am

Another little update.

I've completed another revision of the script. Hopefully I'll be able to print it in the morning and drop it off for another review.

The poems are divided into sections now. 6 poems have undergone major re-writes. 3 have been cut altogether. I added 5 others that I think fit in better. The collection now has a working title which those new poems reflect in their own different ways. I've re-named 3 other poems, in the hope that (with 2 of them at least) the new titles will clarify the effect that I was aiming to achieve. There was a certain ambiguity about one of them in particular that I hope I've been able to resolve without having to re-write the poem itself.

I think I've made a few big steps towards my goal. There's probably still some work to do, beyond the suggestions made in the initial review. Hopefully the editor/reviewer/expert will appreciate the approach I've taken to their early advice, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else I might be able to learn from him.

I've been writing some new poems over the last few weeks as well. It'll be nice to be able to focus on re-drafting those now that I can take a break from the big project for a few days.

Rubecula · 18-07-2018 3:02am

speaking of a script I was seriously thinking of doing one but I need a template to work from any ideas would be most helpful (I was thinking of a movie script)

hcass · 19-07-2018 1:18pm

I did an advanced scriptwriting module in my uni course. What exactly you looking for? There is a free programme you can use and I can send you one if my scripts so you can see how it's done. I'll just send you a really short one, don't worry!

hcass · 19-07-2018 1:22pm

https://www.celtx.com/index.html this is the software we used in uni. It was free to download back then. Hopefully it still is. Very easy to use.

Rubecula · 20-07-2018 12:44am

hcass wrote: »

I did an advanced scriptwriting module in my uni course. What exactly you looking for? There is a free programme you can use and I can send you one if my scripts so you can see how it's done. I'll just send you a really short one, don't worry!

that is brilliant of you my friend and very much appreciated

Das Kitty · 24-07-2018 2:41pm

You can look at screenplays of existing films to see how things are done.

Here's an example, but if you google you can find a lot.

https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/best-screenplays-to-read/

pixelburp · 24-07-2018 2:46pm

Started writing again for the first time in what must be a couple of years: just putting some concepts down on 'paper'.

Anyone else find after protracted inactivity, half the battle is remembering simple mechanics? Like, how one should format & write dialogue, that sort of thing? Already feeling demotivated at the ease with which the basics slipped my mind

Das Kitty · 24-07-2018 3:12pm

pixelburp wrote: »

Started writing again for the first time in what must be a couple of years: just putting some concepts down on 'paper'.

Anyone else find after protracted inactivity, half the battle is remembering simple mechanics? Like, how one should format & write dialogue, that sort of thing? Already feeling demotivated at the ease with which the basics slipped my mind

Yep. Had a big struggle when I was trying to get back into writing every day after a while of no writing. The only way to do it is to go easy on yourself, accept that it's going to take time and practice.

Someone once said that it will take you a day for every day you haven't written. I personally don't think it takes nearly that long. A week and you'll be back going.

km85264 · 25-07-2018 9:16am

The main thing is write every day; even if you only write ten words, do it every single day. Get it back into your blood. The how-to will come in its own time once you are writing regularly.

pixelburp · 25-07-2018 9:25am

Looking at my Big Book of Scribbles I hadn't written in about 2 years :eek: so been trying to write a little bit here and there each day(ish), teasing out some form of coherence

hcass · 25-07-2018 8:36pm

I've been using the Writing Prompts thread on subreddit for inspiration. It's very sci-fi/fantasy themed though which is not my forte. But it still got me writing - I wrote five stories this week - I think that was a record. None of them are particularly great but it's five more stories than I've written in a year and it' really helping me get the fire lit so I can actually get something decent written.

pixelburp · 06-02-2019 6:54pm

Given the time of year, are people experiencing any appropriate bump in enthusiasm for writing at all? Actually finding myself scribbling a bit more lately, via the smart-phone of all things; a larger screen makes it easier to type (tap?) down brain farts and ideas as they come, as opposed to waiting until I'm in front of a computer.

Insect Overlord · 06-02-2019 11:41pm

I haven't written a single thing since I started my new job. That was the last week of August. Managed to do a small bit of editing at some stage in September, but nothing at all since.

pixelburp · 07-02-2019 4:56pm

That's a shame InsectOverlord; I'm doing my best to 'just write', and damn perfection. Has been something of a failing with me that I have fretted too much over every line.

pixelburp · 01-03-2019 10:25am

Have hit just under 15,000 words, which is a record for me; delighted with this new approach, even though writing as a 'stream of consciousness' will probably leave me with a lot of continuity work to do later. I've set myself a 20,000 word goal: if I reach that, I'll stop, go back and try and massage what's there.

pixelburp · 20-03-2019 11:07pm

And 20,000 hit, after a spot of manflu and other distractions. Delighted with myself lol.

First time I managed to apply the "just write" philosophy and disengage from obsessing over every line and action. Definitely liberating, and hit the milestone with a narrative hook I can easily backfill when I go back and start splitting / expanding out sections.

Das Kitty · 21-03-2019 10:26pm

pixelburp wrote: »

And 20,000 hit, after a spot of manflu and other distractions. Delighted with myself lol.

First time I managed to apply the "just write" philosophy and disengage from obsessing over every line and action. Definitely liberating, and hit the milestone with a narrative hook I can easily backfill when I go back and start splitting / expanding out sections.

I lost the knack myself in the past year. I've had to start handwriting my rubbish draft to get over it!

BTW, I'm up for the Hennessy this night next week. Send me good vibes for I think I might implode due to imposter-syndrome.

echo beach · 22-03-2019 12:18am

Das Kitty wrote: »

BTW, I'm up for the Hennessy this night next week. Send me good vibes for I think I might implode due to imposter-syndrome.

Well done. Mega respect. That is the big time.
Forget about imposter syndrome. You are there on merit. Enjoy your night and we will have fingers crossed and the candles lit.

pixelburp · 22-03-2019 9:58am

Das Kitty wrote: »

I lost the knack myself in the past year. I've had to start handwriting my rubbish draft to get over it!

BTW, I'm up for the Hennessy this night next week. Send me good vibes for I think I might implode due to imposter-syndrome.

Congrats Kitty, well done

And g'way with any notions of imposter syndrome, you earned your spot

As for the knack, or lack thereof, I have to say it might be worth giving your smartphone a go (assuming you have one?). It's always on your person and has been great for just scribbling; I doubt I'd have hit my 20k mark if I had to force myself to use the laptop.

pixelburp · 31-03-2020 12:54pm

So, with the lockdown have folks used it as an excuse to dust off their bits n' pieces? Pull some work out of the (digital) cupboard and give it another go? Have been doing as much myself, on and off, though the absence of any external stimuli & inspiration has made it hard to maintain focus.

Insect Overlord · 31-03-2020 4:17pm

I've been working on the manuscript for my first collection of poetry for nearly two years now. I'm pretty happy with it already (I'm onto the 3rd draft, and obviously each poem went through multiple re-writes as they were individually written) but most of the poems are old now. Some of them first came into existence when I was still a teenager! :P It's hard to work on them now though, with everything else that's going on. They just don't feel very relevant at the moment.

Das Kitty · 06-04-2020 12:58pm

Finding it extremely difficult to write. Delighted for anyone who can.

Insect Overlord · 06-04-2020 1:24pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

Finding it extremely difficult to write. Delighted for anyone who can.

I've been immersing myself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the last week. Great way to forget about creating anything new myself!

pixelburp · 06-04-2020 1:43pm

I randomly found a piece I submitted to a Short Story competition back in '13; I never remembered writing it! Glanced over it and some came back to me.

In theory all this indoors time should encourage ones hobbies, but the lethargy and somnambulant routine kills my energy.

Das Kitty · 06-04-2020 2:08pm

pixelburp wrote: »

In theory all this indoors time should encourage ones hobbies, but the lethargy and somnambulant routine kills my energy.

It's the anxiety with me. I can't write when anxious at all. Feeling a bit calmer this week though, so you never know.
The Francis McManus is coming up so I might put something together for that.

Let me know if you want feedback on your story pixel. That I can still do.

Arghus · 06-04-2020 4:26pm

Das Kitty wrote: »

Finding it extremely difficult to write. Delighted for anyone who can.

Finding it difficult to concentrate on anything that requires too much mental effort.

Watching a lot of pointless YouTube videos or shyte on Netflix that I'm not really that bothered about. While I watch things it pains me to see people on screen doing normal everyday things. Imagine that you could meet someone on the street and shake their hand...

I have tried to read a bit over the last few weeks, but I found it pretty useless. It was particularly bad at around the time about three weeks ago when things started to alter swiftly and stunningly and it felt like reality was warping minute by minute hour by hour. Books were like a thing of the old world, what could they have to tell me about this genuinely unprecedented new world?

I've gotten a bit of grip since then. It's amazing how quickly the mind partially even adjusts to a new reality of boarded up shops and empty streets.

km85264 · 07-04-2020 10:15am

The best approach is set a small but very achievable target, say 250 words a day, or keep a Covid virus to write up your experience later, anything just to get a small step forward each and every day, something you know you can do if you set 5-10 minutes aside. Don't add to the Covid misery by setting yourself unachievable targets and then feeling guilty. Get a good, comfortable, easy writing habit, you'll thank yourself in years to come.
Kieran

Das Kitty · 07-04-2020 11:53am

km85264 wrote: »

The best approach is set a small but very achievable target, say 250 words a day, or keep a Covid virus to write up your experience later, anything just to get a small step forward each and every day, something you know you can do if you set 5-10 minutes aside. Don't add to the Covid misery by setting yourself unachievable targets and then feeling guilty. Get a good, comfortable, easy writing habit, you'll thank yourself in years to come.
Kieran

My target is to cry no more than once a day at the moment, and I'm on a 5 day streak. :pac:

I think being gentle with ourselves is very important. The words will return in their own time.

IspeakcozIcan · 09-04-2020 9:27am

Das Kitty wrote: »

It's the anxiety with me. I can't write when anxious at all. Feeling a bit calmer this week though, so you never know.
The Francis McManus is coming up so I might put something together for that.

Let me know if you want feedback on your story pixel. That I can still do.

Putting something together for the Francis MacManus as well.
Was working on a story yesterday, but just felt it isn't relevant anymore.

It's hard to work on anything that isn't Covid-related at the moment.

Still plan on finishing the story, but it feels a bit meaningless in comparison to five weeks ago when I thought it had good potential.

km85264 · 09-04-2020 10:44am

Das Kitty wrote: »

My target is to cry no more than once a day at the moment, and I'm on a 5 day streak. :pac:

I think being gentle with ourselves is very important. The words will return in their own time.

That sounds like a good plan. Be gentle!

nigeldaniel · 13-04-2020 12:00pm

I followed a handy online writer's form for a while. One tip was to write for 20 minutes a day or many be 2-3 A4 pages. Works for me. Although I am stuck now on short story 8 of a volume of 12. Not saying I will ever get them published but still, I might if I think they are good enough.

pixelburp · 16-04-2020 10:20am

I'm trying to keep to something resembling a daily (or close to) routine, scribbling for 20 minutes on anything that comes to mind. Any scene, no matter how trivial, mundane or the opposite. No more than physical exercise, repetition will keep the "skill" sharp. Often only comes to a measly 400, 500 words but some nice ideas have popped in.

pixelburp · 16-04-2020 10:23am

On another note and am dead curious: has anyone ever indulged in any "Fan Fiction"? Could be tricky to get an honest answer - given it can be something of a guilty / secret pleasure - but lately, in the absence of substantial ideas I've wondered if I might dabble myself. I'd have readymade characters, situations and tone all there - something I often struggle with - and could be an interesting exercise to write outside of a conventional comfort zone.

Mr E · 16-04-2020 10:45am

I'm going to write something for the Francis McManus short story competition.

Details and rules here:
https://www.rte.ie/radio1/francis-macmanus-short-story/

Has to be between 1800 and 2000 words, submission by May 8th (3 weeks from tomorrow).

You can also submit online.

pixelburp · 16-04-2020 4:21pm

Screw it, not like I'm doing anything else with my spare time ATM. I can manage that word count and already have a scene in mind.

nigeldaniel · 17-04-2020 6:42am

Yes, I did send in a story to the RTE competition myself on Tuesday. I will see how it goes.

Livvie · 18-04-2020 10:50am

pixelburp wrote: »

On another note and am dead curious: has anyone ever indulged in any "Fan Fiction"? Could be tricky to get an honest answer - given it can be something of a guilty / secret pleasure - but lately, in the absence of substantial ideas I've wondered if I might dabble myself. I'd have readymade characters, situations and tone all there - something I often struggle with - and could be an interesting exercise to write outside of a conventional comfort zone.

I cut my teeth at www.fanfiction.net Had the best time with my favourite characters, and learned a lot from other writers there and from the reviews. Was subsequently published (obviously with original characters/story) but still go back and read the fanfic.

km85264 · 18-04-2020 11:26am

Mr E wrote: »

I'm going to write something for the Francis McManus short story competition.

Details and rules here:
https://www.rte.ie/radio1/francis-macmanus-short-story/

Has to be between 1800 and 2000 words, submission by May 8th (3 weeks from tomorrow).

You can also submit online.

Thanks for pointing this out, Mr E. I had a story ready to go but was feeling lazy about the whole printing/posting thing. Submittable is so much better. My story is in. I've applied about ten times now without so much as a sniff of a long listing, but you gotta keep going. Don't know if anybody saw the article with Danielle McLoughlin in this month's Writers' Forum magazine, great advice about just keep your stories moving on, keep submitting. Very inspiring.

FunLover18 · 21-04-2020 8:49pm

pixelburp wrote: »

On another note and am dead curious: has anyone ever indulged in any "Fan Fiction"? Could be tricky to get an honest answer - given it can be something of a guilty / secret pleasure - but lately, in the absence of substantial ideas I've wondered if I might dabble myself. I'd have readymade characters, situations and tone all there - something I often struggle with - and could be an interesting exercise to write outside of a conventional comfort zone.

This is something that been at the back of my mind and since you've asked it's come forward and I've doing some research on the thing I'd like to write fanfiction about. I dabbled with a blog previously and I enjoyed not having a plan going in, just letting it all flow so I'm hoping this might provide the same experience. I'll report back.

pixelburp · 23-04-2020 9:34am

1,400 written for the RTE short story. Going to scribble those last 600 words as I have an idea of how to end it, then go back and tighten / expand where necessary. I'll be submitting the first draft but don't care, would really like to get it submitted.

FunLover18 wrote: »

This is something that been at the back of my mind and since you've asked it's come forward and I've doing some research on the thing I'd like to write fanfiction about. I dabbled with a blog previously and I enjoyed not having a plan going in, just letting it all flow so I'm hoping this might provide the same experience. I'll report back.

That's interesting: I'll be interested to know how you get on so! I've always got the sense that fan-fiction has something of a bad rep, though probably thanks to "slash" fiction and 50 Shades... being the most famous piece of fan-fiction done good.

Livvie · 23-04-2020 11:18am

Which fan fiction would everyone indulge in? Mine was Lord of the Rings.

pixelburp · 28-04-2020 8:05pm

2052 words after a couple of drafts. So close, but I think I can find 52+ words to excise. Overall happy enough with the shape, has come out better than I initially thought. Think the main character's motivation is kinda ropey, so may do a final tweak to the characters' voices.

Livvie wrote: »

Which fan fiction would everyone indulge in? Mine was Lord of the Rings.

My moderator status might give a clue: I like Dr. Who so been thinking of something from that universe. What I particularly like is how as a franchise it has no specific or constrained sense of theme or tone. It can be horror; farce; satire; melodrama etc. that's a nice bit of creative wriggle room.

Scuid Mhór · 29-04-2020 12:54am

Hello all. I've never posted here before but I've had fiction, poetry and non-fiction published here and there. I'm currently 800 words into an attempt for the RTE short story prize after abandoning my initial effort.

Mr E · 01-05-2020 11:49am

Mr E wrote: »

I'm going to write something for the Francis McManus short story competition.

Details and rules here:
https://www.rte.ie/radio1/francis-macmanus-short-story/

Has to be between 1800 and 2000 words, submission by May 8th (3 weeks from tomorrow).

You can also submit online.

Reminder: 1 week left.

pixelburp · 01-05-2020 2:03pm

For some reason, I thought the deadline was Tuesday; excellent, a smidge of extra.

Scuid Mhór · 02-05-2020 1:40pm

2900 words with the first draft completed, so need to cut down the word count by 33%. Having a week to edit seems like a lot of time.

pixelburp · 02-05-2020 5:43pm

~1990 words and needing a title now. Last line needs a little work so that final 1% may yet kill me mind you

Writers' Bloc - Creative Writing Off Topic Thread

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