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Reviewer: wonderfultonight Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 09, 2015 09:02 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

ALSO, do you write any stories?? 



Author's Response:

I haven't written any stories/fanfics since I was a kid. I know, I suck. I do have an outline I made 6 months ago, but in the words of Brandy, almost doesn't count

Reviewer: wonderfultonight Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 09, 2015 08:52 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

(responding to your request for a few tips on the last points from this chapter)

So, I'm huge into outlines. HUGE. I have outlines for the story as a whole, subplots, character development, etc... I can't write a chapter without having pretty detailed outlines of the next three or four chapters to come at least.

Knowing what's going on in your own story is not only fun as hell, but really helps the thought process and keeps the story cohesive. How can you know where Michael and your OG is are going if you don't have it all plotted out ahead of time?

I'm pretty lame and like to make numbered lists at the start of each chapter that just give me all the different sections and plot points. This is also a great way to combat writer's block because if you can't seem to crank out the next chronological part of the story, you can skip ahead and know that you can come back to it later. 

Also, outlines are a really good visual that can help out wittle down your plots, if that makes sense. You can look at something and ask yourself, "What's the point of this? Where is it going? What does it add to the story? Is it for plot movement, character development, or is it just something fun?" If you can't think of a good reason to add something, take it out. If you realize you need more support to make it a valid point, that'll be easier to identify.

BTW I legitimately lol'd at the 'stop the glorification' point. PLS PEOPLE. 

I'll be interested to see what you say about writing sex. I'm horrible at it. I think it stems from the fact that sex in real life is never as totally glamorous and instantly incredible as fanfics make it to be, so I'm always hesitant to write a more realistic sex scene for fear that people would be like wtf was that?! 

Awesome work here, keep it up! Really interesting stuff!



Author's Response:

I live with outlines (as these segments can attest to). That's a good idea for a segment, thank you Ann :)

What timing - I just posted the sex segment along with some links. Realistic sex trumps romance novel sex, any day IMO.

 

Reviewer: RavenFeather Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 09, 2015 07:52 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

I just read through all of this and let me tell you one thing....

I wish this had been around before I started my story! You have a lot of great advice and tidbits! Love it! I'll definitely use some of your tips going forward! 



Author's Response:

*blushes* Thank you :) I just uploaded another chapter. Hope you like it!

Reviewer: TutThreeSevens Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 07:10 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

 

These are the most popular that I've seen being used (This one in particular might be the one on the site you mentioned) This is Elena Romanenkova.

This one I've seen here quie a few times.  I'm not sure of this person's name.

Thought of another topic.  How to approach writing genre's. and making them feel authentic.  Romance, Suspense, Comedy etc.



Author's Response:

Yes, the top one is the one I was talking about. I vaguely remember this bottom one. Definitely NOT Michael. SMH. I have the same issue when people put MJ's head on another person's naked body. It isn't him. I don't care how hard you squint, it's as fake as the tabloid pieces.

Damn, girl, you are full of great ideas!

Reviewer: 2DreamFire Signed starstarstarstarstar [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 03:19 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

I hate it when stories portray Michael as this perfect saint that can do no wrong, but I hate it just as much when the writer goes the other direction and makes him completely unlikeable and highlights every single flaw that he might have had and maybe adds some that are completely contrary to what we knew of Michael's real life personality. I also believe the author is treading some fine waters when they make Michael fall in love with an OG who is underage.



Author's Response:

Amen. It's not exactly a fine balance, so I'm rather surprised when some people go all the way to one end or the other.

Re: Underage. Definitely. There is a way to carry it off, but it has to be done with extreme caution.

Reviewer: loyalpyt Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 12:54 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

how about slash stories. Those seem to scare me

Author's Response:

Hmm. I don't know how I would address that one to be honest. I get why some people like them and I don't think they are a travesty to FF. I think the same rules apply to them as to straight fic. At the same time, they are not my cup of tea.

Reviewer: TutThreeSevens Signed starstarstarstarstar [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 12:52 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

Ahhh pet peeves. This doesn't pertain to writing lol but it still bothers me a bit. Whenever the banner contains a picture that's supposed to be Michael but is an impersonator. There is one in particular I keep seeing lol. I never even look into those stories on that alone. Also another is when Michael is portrayed as completely helpless. I know Michael was a very sensitive person but he was incredibly strong as well. Stronger than most to be honest with what he had to deal with. But when he's constantly falling apart and being a complete diva about it. Eg. "Why are you staring at me?  Omg you don't like how I look." *falls apart and locks self in bathroom for days* That kind of gets to me. 

Working through writers block is a good one. 

Here is a topic that hasn't been done ---Sex scenes. How to write a good one without being contrite. . I know it's not your favorite part of the story to engage in but it can make a good topic maybe?

I'll come back if I think of anything else. <333



Author's Response:

I want to know the name. I know a forum that uses a heading with a fake MJ pic. It would get to me more if they didn't have some great stories on there.

Ok, helpless Michael. I agree with you regarding his strength. He had his weak moments where he shattered glass and hid out, but those weren't his norm. Subtopic noted :)

Ooh. How do I keep forgetting sex scenes? That's a huge issue. I do enjoy sex scenes and all of my favorite stories have them.  I also think that they need to be carefully addressed. E.g not a story of simply sex scenes, don't skirt around the language, dont' rely on them to establish a connection between Michael and the OG, etc.

Thanks, girl :)

Reviewer: KerenOlivero Anonymous [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 12:07 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

With Michael's character, basically knowing which line to cross when someone is writing an AU, AR, or just a regular fic that doesn't change anything but expands on something that wasn't fully addressed like what tends to be in poetry..as far as OOC goes for me it depends on in what way he is out of character if it's something I thought it would be funny for him to do I wouldn't mind it..my pet peeves are bashing fics as well as regular Michael doing things that was totally against his character in real life for no logical reason (when I say reason I mean what made him that way..you know, part of the character development process)and no disclaimer added such as parody, spoof fic, AU or if it is inspired by a short film. Also dislike the lack of research where people would get certain details about Michael wrong that could easily be looked up

Writer's block what I basically do is take a break from it for a bit and reread to try and wake up my muse..

but you pretty much covered what to discuss



Author's Response:

Hmm. Okay, I'm starting to see a way to narrow this down (thank you).

-OOC and AU (subheadings pertaining to: readers' limits on going OOC, keeping it consistent, power of disclaimers....)

-Canon and w/in character (subheadings pertaining to: know the man, know what you don't know, stop the glorification....)

Reviewer: HoneyToTheBee Signed starstarstarstarstar [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 12:02 pm Title: Topic Ideas?

Writing Michael's character is a good one but a broad one too. My only pet peeve, well its not really a pet peeve its just I see it sooo much is the perfect walking talking sex god Michael. Give him flaws he can't possibly be perfect in every aspect. Give him problems to face, etc...

Another one... I'm not sure if you touched on this already, I don't remember but FORMATTING!! I know we talked about spelling, grammar, word count, etc... but formatting... If I open a story and its one big block of words. I stop right there. It doesn't matter if its good quality writing or whatever... I can't.



Author's Response:

The eff.. how did I miss that?! You are so right about formatting. My other pet peeve is when more than half of the text is on the left side of the page. Yes, a lot of times people say short lines of back and forth, but if most of the dialogue is like that, it's because the exchanges are superficial (and possibly, artificial).

 

Yeah, Michael's character is a broad topic. I really want to narrow that topic down.

Reviewer: loyalpyt Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 08, 2015 11:39 am Title: Topic Ideas?

WRITER'S BLOCK PLEASE!!!!!

Author's Response:

LOL 'k

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