My First Novel, and the Pain of Exposure

Wryter ABC · Apr 26, 2007

Heh. I've started my first "wing-it" novel. No outline, no snowflakes or charts...nothing. It is actually quite liberating.
See, I started with just a name for my MC--Amos--and just went from there. Suddenly, Amos Wrenshall was walking about and interacting with--and introducing me to--completely new characters. It was an interesting experience.
Anyways, I'm a bit afraid to post any story elements, from fear that my cliches will be ripped to shreds while I watch (there are elves. *Cries*).
So...can anyone just SAY something? I'm new, and I never post in newbie forums...unless I'm granting newbies.

Siddow · Apr 26, 2007

Have fun! I love following characters around.

Just use the boards for fun while you write the story, and when you're done with a few drafts, this is a great place for feedback.

Shady Lane · Apr 26, 2007

Welcome!

Writing is playing around. Just have fun with it.

I always start with names, too.

Zoombie · Apr 26, 2007

Hey, my current WIP started with a name and the bare bones of a setting. Run with it.

Ken Schneider · Apr 26, 2007

Develope your characters and they'll write the book for you.

You'll just be along for the ride.

Be well, and welcome,
Ken

Wryter ABC · Apr 26, 2007

Thanks. I have a lot more experience editing than with writing, but every time I try to edit my own, the universe threatens to implode around me. That would be bad.
So, I've been showing it to the only person who

is honest
has editing skill and good taste
is nice enough not to tear it to shreds,

and so far he's been enjoying it (of course, it gives him something to read during 2nd block, so...).
My only problem has been avoiding Paolini Pitfalls. I have trouble putting the accent on cliches (there you go), so I call them Paolini Pitfalls. Star Wars and LotR-esque plot elements had entwined themselves into my story, so I ferociously edited them out myself. My MC's father is alive now, and my elves are just people who can use magic. No pointy ears for me.
Thanks for posting! I'm totally new at this (foruming, I mean; though I'm not a very experienced writer either).

Novelhistorian · Apr 26, 2007

Hey, don't worry. I'm starting a new novel tomorrow, and all I know is the name of the main character, and that somebody gets arrested.

Enjoy the ride!

Zoombie · Apr 26, 2007

Heh...I like that. Paolini Pitfalls.

Wryter ABC · Apr 26, 2007

*Paolini-Hate-Rant-Ness Overloads Server, Wryter ABC cries a single, diamond-like tear*

The Lady · Apr 26, 2007

Even the ad for Eragorn makes me cringe. It's not real Fantasy, I cry to the people I've promoted Fantasy to all my life.

Shady Lane · Apr 26, 2007

Paolini gives young writers a bad, bad name. I tell people my book's getting published and they say, "Oh, like Eragon!"

Yeah, except I made up a plot myself, my parents didn't publish it for me, and, oh yeah, I actually went to school while I was writing.

Crazy kid.

Wryter ABC · Apr 26, 2007

Eragon: Hey, mysterious villain guy! I'm going to defeat you!
Murtagh/Morzan/Darth Vader: No you're not, because I AM YOUR brother/father/father figure!
Eragon: (Cries a single tear) NO! NOOOOO!
Sapphira: It's okay, babie!

<3
Arya/Elf Chick from LotR: And I don't find you even remotely attractive!
Eragon: Noooooo! (Unsheaths sword, prepares to fall on it)
Arya/Elf Chick from LotR/Leia: ! Um...no, I mean, I'm your sister! Our love is forbidden!
Eragon: Oh, okay (secretly still likes her). Well, I guess I'm okay now...(remembers that Murtagh/Morzan/Darth Vader is his brother/father/father figure)...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Sassee · Apr 26, 2007

I love pulling things out of my arse to write

It's quite interesting to see where your characters take you... i've been suprised a few times myself!

johnrobison · Apr 26, 2007

Welcome.

I don't write novels; I write non-fiction. But I sort of do the same thing you describe. I just start at some point and let the story flow. I don't use an outline except in the most general sense.

People do it both ways. Some have really careful outlines.

swvaughn · Apr 26, 2007

Wryter ABC said:
*Paolini-Hate-Rant-Ness Overloads Server, Wryter ABC cries a single, diamond-like tear*

Wryter ABC must have visited Anti-Shurtagal at some point.

Welcome to the forums! Look around, have fun, and stay away from...

(oh, never mind. I won't warn you; Dawno will lock your thread.

)

And happy pantser writing!

The Grift · Apr 27, 2007

Tom Robbins would write an entire book based on a finely crafted first sentence. He had no outline, no plot, and no idea what the next sentence would be.

Of course, he also wrote 8 hours a day 5 days a week (no writing on weekends) and would spend hours and hours devoted to each sentence. So I dont know if you could call that freewheeling.

The point is that many great novels have been written with nothing more than a character and a first sentence.

Namatu · Apr 27, 2007

I started my WIP with the names of three characters, no plot or purpose. It's had a lot of... issues, but it's pulling together into something I never expected and it's all been fun.

Welcome, Wryter ABC!

job · Apr 27, 2007

If you're more used to editing than to writing,
and if your inner editor already gives you problems ...
it sounds like you don't need more 'advice'.

You're already giving yourself lots of advice.

What you're looking for -- very possibly -- is reassurance that you're doing a lot of things right. Your inner critic makes it hard to keep slogging on.
.
Unfortunately, you may not get the kind of reassurance you need when you post snippets and ask for comments.
The very act of asking for critique will lead to helpful and thoughtful comments that reinforce every uncertainty in your wallet.

A writer who is his own most severe critic
-- is that you? --
will doubtless weed out cliche and hackneyed thought without anyone else urging him to do so.

kristie911 · Apr 27, 2007

I think half the fun of writing is letting your characters do whatever they want. I bring them back on course when they start to wander but remember, if they wander too much, you can fix it in edits!

Good luck!

My First Novel, and the Pain of Exposure

Wryter ABC

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Ken Schneider

Absolute sagebrush

Wryter ABC

Novelhistorian

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Wryter ABC

The Lady

Critical Member

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Wryter ABC

Sassee

Momma Wolf

johnrobison

A Free Range Aspergian

swvaughn

adrift

The Grift

Tom Swiftly's Favorite Adverb

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

kristie911

Happy to be here