Advice from other writers Please

Townsley · 13th January 2006, 7:36pm

i am making an attempt at writing my first story but the one problem i seem to be having is naming places and countys without them sounding plagurised from other books that i have read.

also any advice on how to pad a story out i have a set way im going through the book i know the joueney will take and how hell get there it jus the bits to fill it out i cant fathom out

any advice?

darth_haggis · 13th January 2006, 7:38pm

My dad's first book was around Dunoon ...not many people have used there, Im sure

Seriously, if it is non-fiction then it couldnt be a problem ...unless your story is part/plaguerised?

**PapaZeb** · 13th January 2006, 7:48pm

I highly suggest reading the Rivan Codex (given your username, I'm sure you've no difficulty figuring out the author)

It tells how David and Leigh started writing by form - step1 do this, step 2 do that, etc and provides a decent formula base for writing easily read, wonderfully storied books (that a lot of people find well...yawnworthy, but the general public just snaps 'em up. I personally think that their character dynamics are quite lovely and sweet)

Townsley · 13th January 2006, 7:54pm

ive read the rivan codex, then attempted to write but i found i was starting to write the belgariad again, alas that old be is now in the bin and i dont have that story anymore to work off of

**PapaZeb** · 13th January 2006, 8:14pm

It's simply enough to rewrite the Belgariad - I mean the Mallorean and then the Sparhawk series were just rewrites ultimately of the original 5 books of the Belgariad - to the point of some characters being entirely interchangeable

But from what I recall of the codex, it wasn't a bad place to begin looking for some ideas on good structuring policies and ultimately what people want to read

breaklikeagirl · 15th January 2006, 9:30pm

Are you creating a fictional place? Because if not, its fine to use known place names, don't worry about other people having used them first.

As an aside, I'm jealous you're writing your own book. I'd love to, but while I'm ok at writing I can never seem to find a story to tell...or the time to tell it!

Bettie Posh Pants · 20th January 2006, 10:15pm

yeah i would just use local places. gives a lot of readers something to identify with.
as for beefying up your story i like to do a story board type thing. write down your major events in to book then do differnt story lines that leads each character to that point.
i would do ALOT of planning before you try writing a book or short story or anything. i like to have an idea of how the story will start and how it will finish up. otherwise you tend to ramble

Pean · 24th January 2006, 1:22pm

The dictonary of phrase and fable is always a good place for names. Also keep a pad and pen with you at all times you would be surprised when an idea comes to you. Normally when I'm doing my dishes do I think of things. Write about what you know and maybe add to your story some of your own experiences and funny things that have happened in your life. Have a clear begining middle and end to your story because as GirlBruise said you will ramble on. Dont fill your story with gumph just take your time and remember quality is better than quantity.

*Charlie Parker* · 24th January 2006, 1:34pm

I don't agree with the idea of writing what you know, let your imgination run free

Pean · 24th January 2006, 4:20pm

I also agree with letting your imagination run free but if you know what your going on about it makes it a bit easier. I get some good ideas when my mind wanders, bit of a day dreamer me.

UncleDave · 24th January 2006, 5:02pm

An idea of setting might be nice before we go giving advice on names. For instance, setting your story in "Blood-axe gorge" might not go down well if it's a period piece about the forbidden romance between an upper class English woman and a wandering Irish scoundrel. Meanwhile, having an epic battle between a barbarian prince and an evil sorcoress might not sound particularly engaging if it happened in "Sleepy Juniper Valley".

As for padding, I hate it and try to avoid it. Maybe you won't make a mint out of writing if you're forced to actually fill your writing with ideas and plot development rather than pad it out over a string of novels, but it's still a crappy thing to do. More than once I've read a novel and refused to buy any more of the series because they're like eight books of crap wrapped around one short-story's worth of plot.

Having said all that, bear in mind I've never had any fictional writing published.

Cheers!

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