I'm really enjoying the first round of revisions on Revelations of Tomorrow. Yes, I know I still have the last few scenes to complete, but now that I've read it through and completed my initial research, the ending I envisioned might not be correct. So, I'm putting it on hold.
My first revision's focus is to integrate the various cultures and back stories of the characters. My goal is to flesh out the reason each ones makes the decisions they make and to highlight the weight of each revelation throughout the story.
There's something about a first draft, but I have to say even though it can be frustrating, I love the challenge of the revision phases.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Research
My first draft is almost done. I completed a couple more scenes, but found myself a little drained. To take a break, I started preparing for my next "layer" in the story writing process...in depth research.
Research. It can (is) daunting, especially when there are so many details to research and outline in science fiction.
This is where my project management hat comes in handy. I first break every subject and subtopic into categories, partial example (it's currently scribbled in, bubbled out, and smudged across white paper):
Society
Economic Status, diversity ratio, social hierarchy & roles, institutions, educational structure, etc.
Culture
Heritage, traditions, art & philosophical themes, dress, speech, protocols, etc.
Technology
Household, transportation (on planet/off planet, short distance/long distance), fuel sources (see transportation for subgroups), weapons, healthcare, etc.
My first step is to choose a main category and flit around my resources sites and books getting a broad scope of the subject. As I do this I highlight/tag those subtopics as they appear, sometimes jotting notes.
Once I've gotten at least a half dozen starter sources for my subtopics I'll delve into each topic in turn, fleshing out the concepts on a separate sheet. (Fleshing out includes jotting notes, exploring themes, and sketching out drawings based on ideas.)
The result will be an almost booklet thick folder that contains everything I need to reference when I go through my revisions/editing phases.
Sometimes I do this in depth research before I start the story, but usually the story is hitting me right in the face and I don't have time. It is one reason why I am a layering writer, because my primary objective when a story comes is to just get the basic idea/plot down so I don't loose bits and pieces.
Research. It can (is) daunting, especially when there are so many details to research and outline in science fiction.
This is where my project management hat comes in handy. I first break every subject and subtopic into categories, partial example (it's currently scribbled in, bubbled out, and smudged across white paper):
Society
Economic Status, diversity ratio, social hierarchy & roles, institutions, educational structure, etc.
Culture
Heritage, traditions, art & philosophical themes, dress, speech, protocols, etc.
Technology
Household, transportation (on planet/off planet, short distance/long distance), fuel sources (see transportation for subgroups), weapons, healthcare, etc.
My first step is to choose a main category and flit around my resources sites and books getting a broad scope of the subject. As I do this I highlight/tag those subtopics as they appear, sometimes jotting notes.
Once I've gotten at least a half dozen starter sources for my subtopics I'll delve into each topic in turn, fleshing out the concepts on a separate sheet. (Fleshing out includes jotting notes, exploring themes, and sketching out drawings based on ideas.)
The result will be an almost booklet thick folder that contains everything I need to reference when I go through my revisions/editing phases.
Sometimes I do this in depth research before I start the story, but usually the story is hitting me right in the face and I don't have time. It is one reason why I am a layering writer, because my primary objective when a story comes is to just get the basic idea/plot down so I don't loose bits and pieces.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Writing a Better Story
Yesterday L.J. Sellers offered a great article listing 10 Steps to a Better Story on the The Blood-Red Pencil. It was a very informative, so I wanted to share it with my blogger buddies here. The list is not preachy or overly subjective to personal taste (as all us writers know "expert lists" can be). Check it out if you have a chance.
Good writing all!
Good writing all!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Build or Layer
This weekend was another push to complete the first draft of Revelations of Tomorrow. I have 6 planned scenes remaining, which in reality will probably end up being 8 or 9 (I usually find I've missed a few gaps along the way).
I know I've talked - er, written - about my writing method before, but I thought with the timing it would be appropriate to again. There are two types of writer methods in my thoughts. (I know there are probably more detailed versions, but my mind always groups them into two broad categories.) Those who build from the ground up and those who layer.
(A note before I go into this. Either group can have a developed plot line or not.)
Okay.
The Ground Up folks work each scene to its fullest potential at the moment it comes down on paper, then move on to the next.
The Layering group (aka Bakers) write out the basic concept and plot line of the story. Then they flesh out details, layer by layer.
I'm more of the Layering type. Some scenes capture my attention enough that I flesh them out on the first draft, but for the most part, it's rather minimal. The next layers, usually, are the emotional and cultural scenes (as the culture usually dictates part of the emotional reaction). Then I have layers for scenery, scene transitioning, technical consistency. After all those layers, I take a couple weeks breather and then return to see how everything meshed together.
So that's my writing method and my thoughts on the two main types of writer methods.
Good writing all! (What kind of writing method do you all use?)
I know I've talked - er, written - about my writing method before, but I thought with the timing it would be appropriate to again. There are two types of writer methods in my thoughts. (I know there are probably more detailed versions, but my mind always groups them into two broad categories.) Those who build from the ground up and those who layer.
(A note before I go into this. Either group can have a developed plot line or not.)
Okay.
The Ground Up folks work each scene to its fullest potential at the moment it comes down on paper, then move on to the next.
The Layering group (aka Bakers) write out the basic concept and plot line of the story. Then they flesh out details, layer by layer.
I'm more of the Layering type. Some scenes capture my attention enough that I flesh them out on the first draft, but for the most part, it's rather minimal. The next layers, usually, are the emotional and cultural scenes (as the culture usually dictates part of the emotional reaction). Then I have layers for scenery, scene transitioning, technical consistency. After all those layers, I take a couple weeks breather and then return to see how everything meshed together.
So that's my writing method and my thoughts on the two main types of writer methods.
Good writing all! (What kind of writing method do you all use?)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
And....I Have a Title
Oh thank goodness! It was a sticking point for me. Thursday night while writing, the working title for my sci-fi epic came to me. And drum roll please.....
Revelations of Tomorrow
You all probably already know, but I usually start my works with a title in mind. This epic, however, has been elusive. I think the reasons is because I'm doing some major layering of themes with this one. I had to wait and see what the dominate message was going to be...and then there it was shining right in my face and blinding my eyeballs.
Revelations, of both internal and external sources. Each character has some life altering revelation they are either suppressing, hiding, or don't even know about that comes out through the course of the story.
Revelations of Tomorrow
You all probably already know, but I usually start my works with a title in mind. This epic, however, has been elusive. I think the reasons is because I'm doing some major layering of themes with this one. I had to wait and see what the dominate message was going to be...and then there it was shining right in my face and blinding my eyeballs.
Revelations, of both internal and external sources. Each character has some life altering revelation they are either suppressing, hiding, or don't even know about that comes out through the course of the story.
Good writing all! (What are some of your titles and what makes them perfect for your work?)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Chill Out
Okay, this might be driven a little by the Obsessive Introversion I'm hitting right now, but I have to say it...chill out.
Most of the time I don't mind the overly serious nature some writers take on their business, craft, art, or whatever other title they're giving their writing. I am usually impressed by those writers who delve into the framework of every friggin' aspect of the writing world...but geez.
Chill out.
The more you talk about writing, the more you talk about talking about writing, and the more you talk about those others who are talking about talking about writing (see the trend growing here?)...the less you're actually writing.
Just write. Write however you like to write. Research how you like to research. Friggin' spell it alright or all right...just string sentences together until you're done. If you don't have an idea...write incoherent thoughts until it starts to make sense.
Phew! My rants draining and I'm feeling much better, thank you.
That is all. Good writing all! (Writing, not talking about writing.)
Most of the time I don't mind the overly serious nature some writers take on their business, craft, art, or whatever other title they're giving their writing. I am usually impressed by those writers who delve into the framework of every friggin' aspect of the writing world...but geez.
Chill out.
The more you talk about writing, the more you talk about talking about writing, and the more you talk about those others who are talking about talking about writing (see the trend growing here?)...the less you're actually writing.
Just write. Write however you like to write. Research how you like to research. Friggin' spell it alright or all right...just string sentences together until you're done. If you don't have an idea...write incoherent thoughts until it starts to make sense.
Phew! My rants draining and I'm feeling much better, thank you.
That is all. Good writing all! (Writing, not talking about writing.)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Hitting That Point
Okay, I'm hitting that point. The point I forgot about since the last time I wrote a novel.
Obsessive Introversion.
My social life outside family is the beginning. The phone becomes the enemy and email, its sidekick. My laptop is out to get me, starting with torture of slowness. It doesn't matter just days ago I was fine with its speed.
Meals? Breaks? Why do I need these things? Are they vital to my survival?...Prove it!
No, no. The only thing that can keep me company happily right now is my novel. Thank goodness I have an understanding and independent family. Plus, they know when to tie me up, strip me of my laptop, and sit me at the table for dinner and family time afterwards. To ensure I stay, they usually pick a sci-fi flick or science documentary.
Good writing all!
Obsessive Introversion.
My social life outside family is the beginning. The phone becomes the enemy and email, its sidekick. My laptop is out to get me, starting with torture of slowness. It doesn't matter just days ago I was fine with its speed.
Meals? Breaks? Why do I need these things? Are they vital to my survival?...Prove it!
No, no. The only thing that can keep me company happily right now is my novel. Thank goodness I have an understanding and independent family. Plus, they know when to tie me up, strip me of my laptop, and sit me at the table for dinner and family time afterwards. To ensure I stay, they usually pick a sci-fi flick or science documentary.
Good writing all!
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