Date: Jan 20, 2015 08:24 pm Title: The Basics
I agree with Tut and Brandy about the leading ladies. I'm guilty of just sticking a bunch of models or stars in my stories, however I think Min Ae was pretty average looking.
And speaking of old fanfics. I used to write fics on some Backstreet Boy forum that went under and I was soooo devastated. I didn't write for the longest I was only 13 back then. What I wouldn't GIVE to be able to read those fics again and laugh at myself. I can't even imagine my attempt at a sex scene because I was no where near experienced.
And Redone, you're catching my drift pacing is a big thing. But I'm not saying that 'love at first sight' fics are all bad because if you make it believable, for example if there's an actual aspect that they just REALLY connect on off the bat it's more believable than 'You're beautiful oh your name is ... that's beautiful! I just have to see you again.' #s exchanged. First date they're practically a married couple next day she's meeting the kids. I have kids and a rule of thumb for me is like about a months worth of dating (depending of if the guys a total stranger or we have mutual friends) before any dude gets near my angels. I would think Michael would be just as protective. Just scenarios like that kind of make me less likely to review or follow the story beyond the first couple of chapters. You know what I'm sayin'
Author's Response:
Min Ae has been my favorite.
Which BSB forum?
Girl, you just wrote my thoughts about the Speed dating version of fan fics. I think Michael was just as, if not more protective. I believe he avoided introducing a woman as his gf to his kids....
[Report This]Date: Jan 20, 2015 09:07 am Title: The Basics
Do you think it would make a difference if I changed Michael's age from 19 to 17? It just bugs me because I have long parts written down. I can't change the storyline because I have everything planned. But I can change Michael's age back to 17, which by the way was his priginal age, and I can change small details throughout the story to make everything fit?...
Author's Response:
No, it'd still be statuatory rape.
[Report This]Date: Jan 20, 2015 08:50 am Title: The Basics
I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I'm just confused and I'm distraught. I never really thought of this. And I certaintly never meant to offend anyone or break any rules I just never even cincidered that there might be a problem. Now I really don't know what to do because I've spend sooo much time on that story and changing it would take forever. If I offended you or anyone else then I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. Feel free to give suggestions because I feel like I'm drowning right now...
Author's Response:
You don't need to change what's written. What about separating them for a few years? Her having to go to boarding school, her parents forcing them to move back home and raise her like a typical adolescent? Or business separating the two (e.g. she gets a standard gig in NY and they lose contact)?
I think the main things you have to remember are that you are getting reads, which means that despite the huge moral/legal issues around their ages (e.g. she's not of legal age to consent to sex), your writing is good enough for a lot of people to keep following. Where you go from here is your choice.
[Report This]Date: Jan 20, 2015 06:50 am Title: The Basics
Yes I was talking about that one. I didn't know people were so up tight about that. I know that some people aren't too happy about it but honestly... I won't change anything. Changing ages or the story line would ruin everything for me. Then I really rather delete the whole thing. I guess some people would concider it inappropriate but I honestly don't feel like that's the case.
Anyway, I don't know what to do about it. Either people will have to live with it or I will have to delete it...
Author's Response:
Uptight? If this were taking place where you have it taking place and sex does happen, that is statuatory rape. You are a great writer, at the same time, that would get Michael put in jail. If that's me being uptight, I'll own up to it. However, okaying it would mean compromising my beliefs and values.
Date: Jan 20, 2015 06:01 am Title: The Basics
These are really useful! Especially for those like me who just started writing, bascially my main creative outlet is drawing. Sometimes I want to put my brushed to rest and type my ideas away, but I just keep stumble on problems that I could hardly elaborate things in words because I get so used to describing things by drawing them out. You could say that my english skills are not that much advance.
Author's Response:
I'm glad that you find them useful! Please let me know if you have any questions that I might address in subsequent chapters
[Report This]Date: Jan 19, 2015 03:48 pm Title: The Basics
I am awful with grammar. Always have been and probably always will be.
What I do struggle with, even more than grammar, is the way my sentences run on. Since the first chapter I ever posted, I've found that I've been taking longer and longer to post. For one, life happens, and then there's whether I feel the writing is adequate or not.
If I feel that the chapter isn't pleasing to me, I have trouble posting it. This post is most helpful.
Author's Response:
I'm glad it is. On a side note, I always love your updates :)
Date: Jan 19, 2015 03:42 pm Title: The Basics
bad spelling, not today Satan!
Date: Jan 19, 2015 11:02 am Title: The Basics
This could help writers a lot. I try my best to apply all you've mentioned here. When I first started writing as a whole my chapters were real puny but the more experienced authors gave me that same advice you detailed which helped my skills to grow over a period of time. As far as word count per chapter goes I usually go for over 3000 but really I end a chapter once it covers whatever I want it to and the length can vary..sometimes my chapters can be 4000+ to 6000, sometimes 7000+. There are rare occasions I can be content with over 3000 words or just under that. For the first time (in one of my non-MJ stuff) I recently wrote a chapter that was well over 9000 words.another 300+ and it would have been 10,000..man was I beat afterwards.
Oh, and research is also essential for a fic too..
Author's Response:
This is a great example of how content really determines the length of a chapter. The one downside to going very long is that you're likely to feel as though you aren't getting as many comments as you are putting in effort. In such instances, it might be better to do a two-parter, and simply post the second half of the chapter the following day. That way it feels as though you are writing more frequently to the reader. Then again, a 9,000 word chapter can be a great gift to readers ;)
Research- great point!