19 réponses à ce sujet

[KSuri]

Okay so I'm new at writing fanfiction but am working pretty religously on a story right now. The first couple of chapters were pretty on target but I was just writing the next installment when I realized....I'm BUNNYTRAILING! I got stuck with how I wanted to handle an element of the story so chose to go a more indirect route. That left me with a chapter of events setting up for something down the line and to illustrate just how ridiculously awesome my Warden is. The problem came with  trying to get back on target. I just realized I've now got two chapters of "filler" working up to what should be discussed in the next installment.

How does this happen? How did I lose focus? What is up with this story and its moments of telling itself?

I'm ranting and asking if this has happend to anyone else and how you got things back on track.

[Raonar]

Hmm, well, it did happen to me that I was going towards a certain event, but then I saw the need to get some things covered first, and it took about two chapters (read: about 20,000+ words).



Basically, as long as the chapters have purpose and are written well, write them and then move on to what you are shaping up. Still , I am hardly the best person to answer this. Wait for some of the more established authors here to give their 2C as well.



I can say, however, that I keep going through mild episodes of writer's block because some of the more critical, future chapters keep occupying my thoughts and making it hard to focus on the ones I'm at right now.



Sigh...

[FutileSine]

Haha. Amazing how a story can get away from you, ehh?



Nothing wrong with "filler" - most novels are chock-full of it. I think its a great way to add background information to a story. I know I might not find it the most interesting to write because I *know* what the interesting parts are coming ahead, but readers may appreciate it because it gives good background information on characters- it gives them a way to form a bond more with them. Especially with your story when you are taking us to places not included in DA:O or in Awakenings, filler would be great so us readers fully understand what is going on- to ensure we understand fully what is going on in your version of Thedas.



I always feel bad when I have filler in my story because I am usually going over something that occurs in game that everyone already knows about, yet I have to include it because...well, its integral to the story.



Soooo...no real advice on how to get back on track (just really commiserating with you, honestly)...I think bunnytrailing is just part of the art of fiction writing, I suppose!

[Addai]

KSuri wrote...

Okay so I'm new at writing fanfiction but am working pretty religously on a story right now. The first couple of chapters were pretty on target but I was just writing the next installment when I realized....I'm BUNNYTRAILING! I got stuck with how I wanted to handle an element of the story so chose to go a more indirect route. That left me with a chapter of events setting up for something down the line and to illustrate just how ridiculously awesome my Warden is. The problem came with  trying to get back on target. I just realized I've now got two chapters of "filler" working up to what should be discussed in the next installment.

How does this happen? How did I lose focus? What is up with this story and its moments of telling itself?

I'm ranting and asking if this has happend to anyone else and how you got things back on track.

(Husband posting)

Are you sure getting off topic is bad?    As a person that once studied psychology, counseling etc.   I tend to see it as a good thing rather then a bad thing.

I say "go where you think the energy is", follow your unconcious intuitions, your gut so to speak.   And the twists and turns a story takes actually will add certain amount of spice and suprise to the story.   One of the worst things people can do is to try to force a preconceived notion when all their instincts are telling them not to.    Anyway going full circle to arrive at your destination can be more satisfying than getting their using a  straight line.

Modifié par Addai67, 28 août 2010 - 02:49 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Addai67 wrote...

(Husband posting)

Are you sure getting off topic is bad?    As a person that once studied psychology, counseling etc.   I tend to see it as a good thing rather then a bad thing.

I say "go where you think the energy is", follow your unconcious intuitions, your gut so to speak.   And the twists and turns a story takes actually will add certain amount of spice and suprise to the story.   One of the worst things people can do is to try to force a preconceived notion when all their instincts are telling them not to.    Anyway going full circle to arrive at your destination can be more satisfying than getting their using a  straight line.

Quoted for truth.

I well know that The Hunt only went in a straight line *geographically*. XD "Find Alistair" seems like a pretty straightforward plot, doesn't it? As Hubby-of-Addai67 said, it's the twists and turns along the way to the destination that adds the flavour and keeps people guessing.

Get back on course when you can if you're worried about deviating too far, but don't be afraid of going off the beaten track. Side-quests are fun and can lead to more character development and awesomeness than you yourself might have been expecting.

[KSuri]

I have to give thanks for the kind words. It seems my bunny trailing actually led to some good things. It allowed me to add some humor and illustrate the kind of relationship my Warden has with Zevran, got the two of them in the rack (finally) and allowed an opening to talk about the contract for Alistair and the motivation behind it and her psuedo-drug problem.



I was starting to worry that I was taking away from where I wanted the story to go but it looks like it might be alright in the end. Provided people don't go WTH....Warden's are supposed to be supermen! lol

[TanithAeyrs]

KSuri wrote...

I have to give thanks for the kind words. It seems my bunny trailing actually led to some good things. It allowed me to add some humor and illustrate the kind of relationship my Warden has with Zevran, got the two of them in the rack (finally) and allowed an opening to talk about the contract for Alistair and the motivation behind it and her psuedo-drug problem.

I was starting to worry that I was taking away from where I wanted the story to go but it looks like it might be alright in the end. Provided people don't go WTH....Warden's are supposed to be supermen! lol

I agree bunny trails are often integral to character development.  I had a similar experience when I started my fic and sent my Warden and Zev off toward Orlais,  they DID NOT WANT TO GO, I couldn't make myself write them there so I ended up with something like seven chapters of bunny trail that developed my characters, added new elements to their relationship, introduced a major plot point in a different way and added a character that I will use in my sequel.

[DreGregoire]

I can relate because I keep trying to have Zev and Aonghas leave Denerim behind but they keep getting dragged back for one reason or another. What is up with that? LOL. Yay we left...what going back ack... yay left again... nooooo we are going back again? LOL. I might actually get to send them adventuring some day. My plan was to have them go off on there own before the awakening events but so far all they've done is end up back in Denerim for one reason or another.



So hang in there I'm sure you'll get to where you want to be and I always try to follow where a story leads me because I feel it's more natural that way

[KSuri]

DreGregoire wrote...

I can relate because I keep trying to have Zev and Aonghas leave Denerim behind but they keep getting dragged back for one reason or another. What is up with that? LOL. Yay we left...what going back ack... yay left again... nooooo we are going back again? LOL. I might actually get to send them adventuring some day. My plan was to have them go off on there own before the awakening events but so far all they've done is end up back in Denerim for one reason or another.

So hang in there I'm sure you'll get to where you want to be and I always try to follow where a story leads me because I feel it's more natural that way

I've read about your Aonghas and that poor bastard can't catch a break to save his soul! 

I agree with the natural flow thing. I'm finding that when I try to force something I just keep running against a wall and nothing will come to me. >.<

[DreGregoire]

DreGregoire wrote...

I can relate because I keep trying to have Zev and Aonghas leave Denerim behind but they keep getting dragged back for one reason or another. What is up with that? LOL. Yay we left...what going back ack... yay left again... nooooo we are going back again? LOL. I might actually get to send them adventuring some day. My plan was to have them go off on there own before the awakening events but so far all they've done is end up back in Denerim for one reason or another.

So hang in there I'm sure you'll get to where you want to be and I always try to follow where a story leads me because I feel it's more natural that way

I also find that stories take on a life of their own, for me anyways. For instant I did initially plan to pair up Zevran and Aonghas but that's not how it happened. The more I thought about it the more I realized what was needed from Zevran was that he be a friend to Aonghas. So even if your bunny trail takes you into a slightly different path I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. I think it makes it more of your story than just a forced plan for a story.

[Maria13]

Bunny trails are the muse tugging at your sleeve... Ignore them at your peril. I'm up to my neck in a bunny trail as we speak.

[DreGregoire]

KSuri wrote...

I've read about your Aonghas and that poor bastard can't catch a break to save his soul! 

LOL I am so mean to my main character. I almost got into a fight with one of my best friends over doing that, she's like leave him alone already. But I can't help myself.

[TanithAeyrs]

DreGregoire wrote...

KSuri wrote...

I've read about your Aonghas and that poor bastard can't catch a break to save his soul! 

LOL I am so mean to my main character. I almost got into a fight with one of my best friends over doing that, she's like leave him alone already. But I can't help myself.

But it's so much fun to torture your characters.  I'm not nice to mine either.  Thedas is not a place of rainbows and flowers and writing it as such wouldn't fit.

[KSuri]

That's kind of my take on the place. Life was gritty, hard and short. Anyone who does the things our Wardens do can't be all sweetness and light. At best, they are more nuetral good or nuetral evil. At least that's my take.

[TanithAeyrs]

KSuri wrote...

That's kind of my take on the place. Life was gritty, hard and short. Anyone who does the things our Wardens do can't be all sweetness and light. At best, they are more nuetral good or nuetral evil. At least that's my take.

Agreed.  Even a truly good character isn't always going to be able to have things come out right all the time.   Much of my fic involves my Warden's conflict between what she has always believed was the honorable course and what she ends up doing in the name of the greater good.   Being a Warden, even a reluctant one, means that your hands will get bloody sometimes.

[DreGregoire]

TanithAeyrs wrote...

KSuri wrote...

That's kind of my take on the place. Life was gritty, hard and short. Anyone who does the things our Wardens do can't be all sweetness and light. At best, they are more nuetral good or nuetral evil. At least that's my take.

Agreed.  Even a truly good character isn't always going to be able to have things come out right all the time.   Much of my fic involves my Warden's conflict between what she has always believed was the honorable course and what she ends up doing in the name of the greater good.   Being a Warden, even a reluctant one, means that your hands will get bloody sometimes.

Yeah and Alistair and Fergus are both duty bound muscle heads! Oh I didn't write this it was Aonghas hahah j/k *giggles*

[KSuri]

Did you just update? Torturing Aonghas some more? lol



I haven't even started chapter 8 yet. At least I have an idea of what I want to put in it. Had a most excellent brain storming session over beer with my spouse last night. Now to get that schtuff on paper!

[DreGregoire]

KSuri wrote...

Did you just update? Torturing Aonghas some more? lol

I haven't even started chapter 8 yet. At least I have an idea of what I want to put in it. Had a most excellent brain storming session over beer with my spouse last night. Now to get that schtuff on paper!

I completed chapter 4 of "...the Hero of Ferelden" a few days ago and realized I had made an error so I had to retype the last part minus Iona. I'm writing four different playthroughs at the same time so I'll have to be more careful. Heh. Fortunately it was only a few lines I had to change

Hehe that's the hardest part for me; getting the brain storm on paper to my satisfaction.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 29 août 2010 - 07:32 .

[KSuri]

Argh, that's the pits. I was afraid I was going to have to retcon the first two chapters the other night then realized I could still make it work without it. But for a little while I was thinking, "Oh crap!! Didn't think that one out very well!" LOL

[Corker]

I think it's good to see where inspiration goes.



I think it's also good to go back with a critical eye and check to see that it went someplace interesting. If it did, awesome! If it didn't, edit.