9962 réponses à ce sujet

[MacNasty]

hot_heart wrote...

Ha, this is going to sound weird (all my questions probably do) but can anyone identify any of the flora on the Presidium Commons? (Not 'dialogue trees'!)

It's all stuff native to Earth. Some look like birch trees, but I'm not too sure. You guys are always good for that sort of stuff.

Reference.

Birch Tree's doesn't sound right to me. Granted I may be wrong... It seems whenever I need to remember something I convienently forget it. But I'm fairly sure Birch is the white bark tree's... There's a lot of those where I live, and none of those look birch. Pine seems to be closer, but without a good look at the leaves, I can't be sure. And whoever said the thing about the lost love of Mass Effect, I know the feeling. I'm finding it rather hard to write, and I likely will start a new playthrough just to get the feeling back.

[hot_heart]

MacNasty wrote...
Birch Tree's doesn't sound right to me. Granted I may be wrong... It seems whenever I need to remember something I convienently forget it. But I'm fairly sure Birch is the white bark tree's... There's a lot of those where I live, and none of those look birch. Pine seems to be closer, but without a good look at the leaves, I can't be sure.

Yeah, something looked off for birch. Not too sure about pine either. Right now I just have 'some kind of fern bush'.

Cheers for the help though.

[MacNasty]

hot_heart wrote...

MacNasty wrote...
Birch Tree's doesn't sound right to me. Granted I may be wrong... It seems whenever I need to remember something I convienently forget it. But I'm fairly sure Birch is the white bark tree's... There's a lot of those where I live, and none of those look birch. Pine seems to be closer, but without a good look at the leaves, I can't be sure.

Yeah, something looked off for birch. Not too sure about pine either. Right now I just have 'some kind of fern bush'.

Cheers for the help though.

Well, I'm procrastinating right now, so i'll help out. They have leaves by the looks of it, so they could be maple, oak, poplar, and beach trees. all I can htin of now.

[hot_heart]

MacNasty wrote...
Well, I'm procrastinating right now, so i'll help out. They have leaves by the looks of it, so they could be maple, oak, poplar, and beach trees. all I can htin of now.

Oh, hadn't thought of poplar. And that looks to be a good call. Thanks!

[Tyrannosaurus Rex]

Seracen wrote...

Lizardviking wrote...

So I am writing my own fanfic right now I am finally done with chapter 1.

Usually I have a test reader to go through my unedited story, but he is currently offline.

So. Anybody willing to dare risk reading the first chapter of my fanfic? And provide feedback to it?

I head a read, and enjoyed it very much.  Barring a few grammatical errors, I only have one suggestion:

The sequence where TIM tells Shepard that he was lying, I personally might rephrase it, as TIM wouldn't really admit that he had completely lied to Shepard, especially if Shep were having doubts.

"Perhaps it was, but simply a lie of omission...we simply don't know what Dr. Tsoni's full involvement IS with the Shadow Broker.  Without that knowledge, I didn't want to send you into what may possibly be a trap.  However, it seems now that we don't have a choice..."

Sorry if I'm being too forward, I just wanted to tell you how I'd approcah it.  Take or leave the suggestion as you wish!

My favorite part of the chapter is how it explains the emotions behind what the characters are saying.  I'd not considered that Shep may be putting forth a facade to TIM, hiding what he was truly thinking.

EDIT: also, thanks guys for the feedback on my idea so far.  I think I'll just continue to write the chapters as they come, as I don't really deal with the romance aspect that often.  If my beta reader's aren't feeling it, I'll probably turn the polyamorous relationship into a love triangle instead...maybe I'll actually have them face off...then just different endings for the LI's...

@ TheMarshall: thanks for the reference!  Yeah, upon reading it, I see what you mean.  There was a bit of a hurdle before my mind was able to accept the scenario, although I enjoyed the story overall.

The reason I have to disagree with the Illusive man trying to snake his way around it is because. He can't snake his way around it, Shepard is not stupid enough to buy any excuse about him not knowing the full extent of Liara's involvement with the SB network, so if TIM claimed that "I did not know!" Shepard would simply later down the line call him out on his BS.

Thats just my own take on the situation.

Modifié par Lizardviking, 23 juillet 2012 - 11:31 .

[Seracen]

hot_heart wrote...

MacNasty wrote...
Well, I'm procrastinating right now, so i'll help out. They have leaves by the looks of it, so they could be maple, oak, poplar, and beach trees. all I can htin of now.

Oh, hadn't thought of poplar. And that looks to be a good call. Thanks!

I'm currently writing my Citadel Council scene.  Shepard remarks on how the trees look like cherry blossoms from Japan, though they are clearly larger than anything Earth produced from that species of flora.

@ Lizardviking : cool, just figured I'd put in my two cents.  I can totally respect that Shepard is the one person TIM wouldn't BS, and that wording was the only part that felt off to me.  To be fair, TIM did say earlier that she MAY have been working with SB, so I could see him as trying to honestly present the "ignorance" gambit.

Question to the group: do you find the first paragraph to be the hardest part of writing chapters?  I swear, once I've gotten past that bit, the chapters just flow out of me.

Sometimes, I'll write out the middle and end of a chapter, and save the beginning for last.  I hate doing this, as the scene progression isn't as natural, and my writing becomes noticeably disjointed.

Modifié par Seracen, 24 juillet 2012 - 12:58 .

[Bahoogasmif]

for all those who are having trouble being creative, i feel i should share this with my fellow writers.

[Drussius]

I am having a very bad day, so a rant is incoming. However, I will preface it with a question, so if you have no interest in reading my irritated ramblings, you can stop reading after the following question and give me your thoughts. Or just ignore me altogether. I wouldn't blame you. So, the question:

Assuming you hold yourself to some sort of deadline, how do you keep yourself motivated to write?


I mentioned before that my internet will be gone soon, and I am not likely to get it back for some time. As a result, I've been trying hard to get my story finished before I go offline, because I've looked into my options, and once I have to cancel my internet, there is zero chance that I will be able to get online, even just for a day, to update any further until my budget allows me to resume my internet service on an ongoing basis. I may be able to extend my access by a month, but it's doubtful. Time is winding down, and at this point I have my doubts that I'll get the whole story done in time.

To top it off, I'm in the middle of the worst day I've had in quite some time... events totally unrelated to writing or budget issues have me so angry at present that I can't even think about writing. And I find my current anger about other issues compounded by the fact that it keeps popping into my head that this is a wasted day I could have spent writing if other issues hadn't come up.

I'm fully aware that things will always come up. It's not always in my control, and it's not possible for us writers to be on our game all the time. But I hate leaving things unfinished, and as time gets shorter, the amount of work I need to put into the story per day to finish on time increases. At this point (assuming my Chapters stay roughly the same length), I need to write about 5,000 words a day to have a hope of finishing my story. A few more wasted days like this, and it will become a chapter a day instead... Which just isn't possible for me.

My frustration is turning into a vicious cycle. The more frustrated I get that I can't focus enough on my writing, the less I can focus. The less I focus, the more frustrated I get.

I apologize for dumping this rant here, but the last thing my kids need to hear is me ranting to a friend on the phone about stuff like this... I really don't want my budgetary concerns to worry them. I promise I will keep this stuff out of this thread in the future.

End of rant.

[Mr.BlazenGlazen]

Drussius wrote...


Assuming you hold yourself to some sort of deadline, how do you keep yourself motivated to write?


 

A better question to ask yourself is "how do I keep myself motivated to do anything?" Something that my boss always tells me that the reason why so many people aren't able to accomplish their goals is because they make up excuses to prevent themselves from acheiving them.

I agree to an extent. But what causes excuses to pop up? Self-doubt. There are outside and internal influences that cause self-doubt. It really is a silent killer when you think about it. You try one thing, and then when things don't work out immediately you come up with an excuse on why you shouldn't pursue it. Then you try out something else, and the same thing happens. It's a vicious cycle, and eventually you'll end up where I am now thinking that you are not good at anything. Then you begin to have a pessimistic outlook on life. 

It's really not a good feeling to have. I've pretty much been raised doubting myself since I was a kid, and now I'm at a point where I'm not really sure what to do with myself. Really, it is nice when you get some support from the outside. Whether it's just random people or someone you know. But in the end, you have to tell your mind to shut up and keep pushing forward.

If you give up on one thing, you are going to eventually give up on something else, and then you'll give up on something else and etc. It's like tipping over dominoes. So just keep pushing yourself forward and achieve what you want to achieve, no matter what you or someone else says. 

Modifié par Mr.BlazenGlazen, 24 juillet 2012 - 01:42 .

[Seracen]

Drussius wrote...

I am having a very bad day, so a rant is incoming. However, I will preface it with a question, so if you have no interest in reading my irritated ramblings, you can stop reading after the following question and give me your thoughts. Or just ignore me altogether. I wouldn't blame you. So, the question:

Assuming you hold yourself to some sort of deadline, how do you keep yourself motivated to write?

...

My frustration is turning into a vicious cycle. The more frustrated I get that I can't focus enough on my writing, the less I can focus. The less I focus, the more frustrated I get.

I apologize for dumping this rant here, but the last thing my kids need to hear is me ranting to a friend on the phone about stuff like this... I really don't want my budgetary concerns to worry them. I promise I will keep this stuff out of this thread in the future.

End of rant.

Firstly, let me start by saying I hope your situation improves. We've all been in our slumps, here's hopeing your day at least gets better.

On the subject of your writing, I'd say to take your time.  Even if it means it may be months, or even a year, I think it would be worth it, if you could truly craft something you were pleased with.  How many times have we seen things rushed out the door, when a few months of polish would have improved it (ME3, I'm looking at you!!!).

Moreover, I feel as if writing is a respite for me in times of grief, so too I think it could be a boon to you during your troubles.  Take your time, let the writing flow as it will.  The posts and the story will be there when you get back.

Best of luck!

[Bahoogasmif]

to add to glazens bit, i find that as soon as you write enough that you feel either bored, or not so interested in the story as you were, you immerse yourself completely in something else. you distance your mind as far as you can fro the topic of frustration until you no longer feel that what your doing is tedious.
Once again, i must point back to my previous post. it will make you laugh if nothing else, as it's a seminar held by John Cleese.

[Mr.BlazenGlazen]

I'm not sure which video I heard this in, but John Cleese said that people shouldn't take their lives so seriously or it would inevitably make them miserable. Or something along those lines.

It was in an interview, I think one that was shot about a couple years ago. I forgot the name of the video.

[JadeDragonMTR]

 Horribly busy Monday in real life. Bah!

Here is the chapter I asked all your help for on the "mind rape" issue. I think I got the balance between the seriousness of the act and the subtlety of mentioning it down. If you have better suggestions, I'm open to all. The hardest part for this chapter is if I can justify its existence. I plan on having a complete different battle on Noveria where nobody from the Normany will kill Benezia, and I need some set up to get to that point. Anyway, any feedback would be much appreciated.

Re-edit the link back in for your convenience: http://www.fanfictio...In_Love_and_War

Modifié par JadeDragonMTR, 24 juillet 2012 - 02:39 .

[JadeDragonMTR]

Drussius wrote...

I mentioned before that my internet will be gone soon, and I am not likely to get it back for some time. As a result, I've been trying hard to get my story finished before I go offline, because I've looked into my options, and once I have to cancel my internet, there is zero chance that I will be able to get online, even just for a day, to update any further until my budget allows me to resume my internet service on an ongoing basis. I may be able to extend my access by a month, but it's doubtful. Time is winding down, and at this point I have my doubts that I'll get the whole story done in time.


End of rant.

If you have a phone, you can send email with an attachment. If you missed posting a chapter or two, I'm happy to help you post them. PM me to work out the details if you'd like either here or ffn.

Modifié par JadeDragonMTR, 24 juillet 2012 - 02:19 .

[MacNasty]

 Got to say, love that John Cleese video. It made me laugh quite a bit, and also gave me some ideas, as well as showing me a point. 

In answer to the previous question; I sometimes have trouble getting myself motivated. The aforementioned video speaks on the subject of creativity and made me realize something. Trying to do things while very stressed isn't good, trying to force creativity is rather unlikely to work as well. So to me it seems it's not a matter of keeping myself motivated, but making sure I work at the time I am motivated, because it will come out the best at those moments.

[Icyflare]

Bahoogasmif wrote...

for all those who are having trouble being creative, i feel i should share this with my fellow writers.

I love John Cleese. Thanks for the video.

@Drussius: I'm sorry to hear about your frustration. The John Cleese video was suspiciously well-timed for your rant, and to summarize what he says, you can't use your creativity when you're in a closed mode, or a mode where you're focused on solving problems. If possible, try and find a way to lessen the stress of what's bothering you. Writing when you're angry, unless it's a rant, probably won't help.

Also, because I did not understand what you were mad about the first time around, apparently, your story will be unfinished when your internet service stops but it'll still be there when you come back. The no internet time could be used positively for writing without distraction and rewriting until it's completely polished. Then you can come back in a few months and upload 16 chapters at a time of pure, edited beauty.

Modifié par Icyflare, 24 juillet 2012 - 02:53 .

[JadeDragonMTR]

lillitheris wrote...

This isn’t really an issue yet, but I want to make sure it won’t become one: I don’t want to see advertisements for everyone’s every chapter here.

Occasionally is fine, and of course if you’re starting/finishing a story, coming back from a longer hiatus, things like that. Input on excerpts and so on is fine.

My recommendation is to start a thread (which you can also mention, though I suspect most of us view the forum often anyway), and post updates there for the most part.

I didn't see this before I posted my link. I will take it off.

[Drussius]

Icyflare wrote...

Bahoogasmif wrote...

for all those who are having trouble being creative, i feel i should share this with my fellow writers.

I love John Cleese. Thanks for the video.

@Drussius: I'm sorry to hear about your frustration. The John Cleese video was suspiciously well-timed for your rant, and to summarize what he says, you can't use your creativity when you're in a closed mode, or a mode where you're focused on solving problems. If possible, try and find a way to lessen the stress of what's bothering you. Writing when you're angry, unless it's a rant, probably won't help.

Also, because I did not understand what you were mad about the first time around, apparently, your story will be unfinished when your internet service stops but it'll still be there when you come back. The no internet time could be used positively for writing without distraction and rewriting until it's completely polished. Then you can come back in a few months and upload 16 chapters at a time of pure, edited beauty.

I know that the story will still be there when I come back. The problem is that if I have things budgeted out right, I won't be able to get my internet back for something like 9-12 months. In that time, anyone who is actually following my story will give up on it.

And to Jade, I appreciate the offer, but when I say I'll have no internet, I mean it. Everything non-essential needs to be trimmed from my spending. Including internet, cell phones, and everything but the most basic satellite package possible. And if you've ever tried telling a teenage daughter you have to cancel her cell phone.... well, let's just say it's a conversation I never want to repeat. My youngest was sweet about it though, so thank god for that.

Thankfully, earlier frustrations have fallen to the wayside. I don't think I'll be doing any writing today, but at least I don't feel like hitting something anymore, since I already did that. (and to anyone who has anger issues like me, I recommend getting a punching bag... if you have somewhere to hang it. An hour of beating on something like that will do wonders for your mood )

[JamieCOTC]

Mass Effect: Incarceration is now open for judging! The prompt challenged authors to tell the story of their Shepard between the events of Mass Effect: Arrival and Mass Effect 3. The fiction also had to include at least one squademate from any of the three games. Please come by and read the entries. Thanks!

[Icyflare]

Perhaps, if you had a USB, you could transfer files from your computer to a library/facility that'll allow you to upload your chapters to the internet. Alternatively, maybe you can borrow a good friend's laptop to upload stories every once in a while.

[lillitheris]

Internet access in the States is stupidly expensive for what it is, that’s one part I don’t miss.

But, hell, I think AOL is still sending out their discs, and small local ISPs often still offer basic dial-up access for a couple dollars a month. You may have exhausted those options, but if not, it’s worth looking into.

…

Just to clarify my earlier statement: it’s perfectly OK to post a link to a chapter every now and then, especially if you’re looking for specific input.

I just don’t want to see everyone’s every single chapter!

[lillitheris]

Semi-random question: how many of you/how often do you go back to read previous chapters in fics, ones you’ve already read before?

[fluffywalrus]

lillitheris wrote...

Semi-random question: how many of you/how often do you go back to read previous chapters in fics, ones you’ve already read before?

Whenever I feel like reading and have no new chapters to read, or when I feel like going through a story again...or if I feel that it's been too long for me to recall the entire story, so I read it to catch up again.

But, uh, fairly often I guess. I've read yours nearly twice over, and a few others twice over. I hink PMC's story and tayg's Uncommon bonds are the only ones to hit the 3x mark for me, though. I'm not including one-shots, because they don't count

[Seracen]

lillitheris wrote...

Semi-random question: how many of you/how often do you go back to read previous chapters in fics, ones you’ve already read before?

All the time.  I will have a hankering for a particular scene I liked.  I do this in movies and books constantly.

It's almost like playing your favorite level of a video game.

[Icyflare]

lillitheris wrote...

Semi-random question: how many of you/how often do you go back to read previous chapters in fics, ones you’ve already read before?

Often. If I like the chapter or if it's left me in suspense, I'll read it multiple times as if I'll somehow understand more of it that way

Modifié par Icyflare, 24 juillet 2012 - 07:19 .