9962 réponses à ce sujet

[Ursakar]

Icyflare wrote...

But yeah, I can't objectively evaluate my story when I'm in the middle of writing it. All I see when I look at it sometimes is "Dammit, I wrote that clumsily. How can I make it better?"

Believe me, you're not alone in this regard. In my last chapter I was certain that I wrote the Separd/Liara reunion very badly, therefore I've spent a lot of time rewriting it, and when I finished it I still wasn't very satisfied with it. But once I posted it, no one seemed to mind it and some people even liked the scene.

Also, a random thought: if I could compile my last history of Google searches it would consist of rather unmanly things like the women clothes and footwear. And big cats. Ah, the things I have to study in order to make my story believable.

[MrStoob]

Like you guys, I'm sometimes unsatisfied with some sections of my stories. But as I've found with other creative forms, if you re-write, re-write, re-write, striving for perfection, you'll never release anything. When I'm recording lead parts for my music, I can sit there playing the same section over and over and over, hoping for perfection, but you're always going to concentrate on the duff bit that no-one will ever notice but you. Of course, we should aim to write the best we can, but getting OCD about it is, IMHO, counter-productive.

[Spiritwolf1]

Icyflare wrote...

Hey guys, it's been a while. Life's been keeping me busy. Also, doing the National November Writing Month Challenge. Still not sure why I thought this would be a good idea.

Anyways, is it bad if I honestly don't care about the amount of favourites/followers that I get anymore? I've already received way more than I ever expected, and I assume there'd be a saturation rate somewhere in the 100+. Probably. Most likely. Not sure why I have so many for the small amount of chapters in my story.

I am actually happy when I get new followers or favorites more so then the posting stats things. I always make a point of thanking people who favorite the story  for taking time to read it and put it there. NOw there are some who look like they put every story on their list but you know what, they took the time to look at mine so, that must mean something, and it is better then nothing. I am grateful to every person who has taken time on my story, all those that review especially but also those that have taken the time to read it and place it in favorited or follows.

[Icyflare]

I totally agree. It always feels flattering to learn that someone out there liked your story enough to put it on their following/favourite list. Getting on any list is definitely better than getting on none.

Google has the right demographic groups for me except for languages. For some reason, they think I speak Romanian and Spanish just because I've listened to ONE song in each. Sheesh.

[MrStoob]

Icyflare wrote...

I totally agree. It always feels flattering to learn that someone out there liked your story enough to put it on their following/favourite list. Getting on any list is definitely better than getting on none.

Google has the right demographic groups for me except for languages. For some reason, they think I speak Romanian and Spanish just because I've listened to ONE song in each. Sheesh.

Haha, my YouTube adverts took a funny turn recently because I watched a few Korean Pop vids.  I had this insane Korean ad for some kind of chocolate, all in Korean.  Hadn't a clue what was going on, but it was humorously mad.

[Drussius]

Ah, the woes of second-guessing oneself. I'm still a ways off from finishing my story, but with every Chapter I finish to get closer to the end of the story, the more I worry that the point where I planned to end it will be disappointing to my few loyal readers. Of course, I have plans that I hope will bring the story to a great climax and I have plans for some stuff afterward to wrap everything up... But I hope I can live up to the interest I've managed to earn in my story. After the whole debacle with the end of ME3, I find myself worrying about building a satisfying ending properly. The last thing Mass Effect fans need are more unsatisfying endings...

[Spiritwolf1]

I have complete faith in you Dru. You are a most amazing writer

[Drussius]

Thanks Spirit! I wish I had your confidence. But of course you know I plan to do my best.

[fluffywalrus]

Drussius, I'm certain I'll enjoy your fic however you decide to end it, even if it doesn't include a dance party. :3

[Drussius]

But it might include a dance party! I was thinking Harbinger could do the worm while some brutes tango in the foreground!

[Spiritwolf1]

you can do it gundam style

[ElectricZ]

Nice to see this place is still open... So did I miss anything exciting? Other than Illitheris getting banned... And the character and romance boards are shut down. Hmmm... Been some turbulence on the BSN...

Drussius wrote...

Ah, the woes of second-guessing oneself. I'm still a ways off from finishing my story, but with every Chapter I finish to get closer to the end of the story, the more I worry that the point where I planned to end it will be disappointing to my few loyal readers. Of course, I have plans that I hope will bring the story to a great climax and I have plans for some stuff afterward to wrap everything up... But I hope I can live up to the interest I've managed to earn in my story. After the whole debacle with the end of ME3, I find myself worrying about building a satisfying ending properly. The last thing Mass Effect fans need are more unsatisfying endings...

It's a pat answer but the best thing you can do is drive on and finish it. If you've got loyal readers, they obviously like your stuff and want to see how it ends. The nice thing about being the author is that if you don't like how it turned out, you can always change it after getting some feedback or doing some more soul searching. Or, go all out and write alternate endings. After a recent example of an ending that did NOT please a large segment of the fanbase (not naming any names but it rhymes with Bass Affect Tree) your readers might actually appreciate having the choice...

But still, write it first, worry about it when it's done.

Modifié par ElectricZ, 13 novembre 2012 - 10:08 .

[Spiritwolf1]

Or you know, you don't have to end it, you can just keep going with with it cause your characters are absolutely amazing and well I'd read it forever

[AustereLemur799]

I know I'm popping in randomly again.  

Well, my mum wanted me to learn not to take certain things for granted when I moved out of home and country. I have to say that I have now learned that lesson - or lessons, in my case. It's the small things you take for granted - like internet connection, central heating, electricity...

I also have a tip to share for all my fellow writers. Wherever your preferred niche for writing is, it should be comfortable and warm. Ironically I was complaining in the summer that all my technology was overheating from the, well, heat. Now I have to wear four layers of clothes just to be able to fall asleep.

With the electricity down and a storm, I've now set myself up in a public bar. A few drinks make everything seem better - until the petrol in your car runs out.

Anyways, Drussius, I haven't caught the whole convo but it sounds like a blast and something I would read. And I whole-heartedly agree with the others - you are an awesome writer.

See you guys when I see you.

[Spiritwolf1]

Has anyone discovered this little fun game:



I killed myself laughing when I did this the first time

[Drussius]

ElectricZ wrote...

Drussius wrote...

Ah, the woes of second-guessing oneself. I'm still a ways off from finishing my story, but with every Chapter I finish to get closer to the end of the story, the more I worry that the point where I planned to end it will be disappointing to my few loyal readers. Of course, I have plans that I hope will bring the story to a great climax and I have plans for some stuff afterward to wrap everything up... But I hope I can live up to the interest I've managed to earn in my story. After the whole debacle with the end of ME3, I find myself worrying about building a satisfying ending properly. The last thing Mass Effect fans need are more unsatisfying endings...

It's a pat answer but the best thing you can do is drive on and finish it. If you've got loyal readers, they obviously like your stuff and want to see how it ends. The nice thing about being the author is that if you don't like how it turned out, you can always change it after getting some feedback or doing some more soul searching. Or, go all out and write alternate endings. After a recent example of an ending that did NOT please a large segment of the fanbase (not naming any names but it rhymes with Bass Affect Tree) your readers might actually appreciate having the choice...

But still, write it first, worry about it when it's done.

Thank you to everyone who responded with encouragement. Of course my intention is to finish no matter what. I'm still writing at a good pace. I can't mention my specific worries without spoilers, but I just had a vision for how to end my story, and I don't think it is in the place people might expect (don't worry, to anyone who is reading it, I don't plan some stupid cliffhanger ending for the story or anything). But I'm sure one way or the other, I'll be happy with it. I would never publish anything I'm not satisfied with.

And on the subject of cliffhangers: I know they can be overdone, and some people don't like them, but there's nothing wrong with an occasional cliffhanger ending for a Chapter, is there? I try not to make it a habit, but certain Chapters just seem to need to end on an OMG note...

[MrStoob]

Looking for people's opinions on something I'm working on.

Would it be credible that a Normandy crew member could get PTSD counselling as an out patient at a Citadel hospital while continuing to work on the ship?

[Drussius]

MrStoob wrote...

Looking for people's opinions on something I'm working on.

Would it be credible that a Normandy crew member could get PTSD counselling as an out patient at a Citadel hospital while continuing to work on the ship?

Ordinarily, military and law enforcement personnel who are suffering (or showing signs of) PTSD are placed on leave until a doctor pronounces them fit for duty, because of effects such as irritability, panic attacks, and erratic behavior that can stem from the trauma. So I'd say if it is known to others, probably not.

If they were seeking counseling secretly and hiding the disorder from their superiors? Possibly, as long as they did a good job of hiding that there was something wrong.

[MrStoob]

Drussius wrote...

MrStoob wrote...

Looking for people's opinions on something I'm working on.

Would it be credible that a Normandy crew member could get PTSD counselling as an out patient at a Citadel hospital while continuing to work on the ship?

Ordinarily, military and law enforcement personnel who are suffering (or showing signs of) PTSD are placed on leave until a doctor pronounces them fit for duty, because of effects such as irritability, panic attacks, and erratic behavior that can stem from the trauma. So I'd say if it is known to others, probably not.

If they were seeking counseling secretly and hiding the disorder from their superiors? Possibly, as long as they did a good job of hiding that there was something wrong.

I was thinking that because of the seriousness of the Reaper situation, it might be a case of 'needs must' to keep an important crew member in the field.  Particularly if supported (and possibly kept hush hush) by their superior?

Edit: I suppose they could be put onto 'light duties' and remain aboard?

Modifié par MrStoob, 14 novembre 2012 - 12:58 .

[Drussius]

^ I just PMed you about the situation and my thoughts. But as I said there, I see the potential in the idea, and I'm sure you could manage to work it into a believable scenario. With the support of friends and some careful supervision... especially if removing them from duty isn't an option for whatever reason... I doubt there are many people who would nitpick about it unless they have my kind of experience. And even in my case, I can usually suspend disbelief for a good story.

[Spiritwolf1]

Drussius wrote...

MrStoob wrote...

Looking for people's opinions on something I'm working on.

Would it be credible that a Normandy crew member could get PTSD counselling as an out patient at a Citadel hospital while continuing to work on the ship?

Ordinarily, military and law enforcement personnel who are suffering (or showing signs of) PTSD are placed on leave until a doctor pronounces them fit for duty, because of effects such as irritability, panic attacks, and erratic behavior that can stem from the trauma. So I'd say if it is known to others, probably not.

If they were seeking counseling secretly and hiding the disorder from their superiors? Possibly, as long as they did a good job of hiding that there was something wrong.

I would like to agree with you in a perfect world, however, from personal experience I can say this does not always happen. I find that the agencies (Law enforcement , dont know about military)  usually wait for the subject to seek aid on their own and rarely reach out on the level they should. Many, many people are lost in the shuffle cause of the degrees people suffer in PTSD. Some people are just never aware they have it. law enforcement is also generally a profession where officers think they can handle everything on their own and to they all think to say they have PTSD will show they have a weakness. In the law Enforcement job, at least up here in Canada most officers do not trust the counselors provided and after a high stress incident are pretty much shoved in a room to wait for a lawyer, sent home for a day, put on trial and raped over the coals by the media. If they advise the counselors they are ok that is the end (Which is usually a phone call, cause heaven forbid we have to get them out of bed)  never any follow up. That is for big incidents like injury or death, for the smaller ones, like constantly dealing with death and some pretty gruesome senrios, officer are still expected to just let it wash off their backs.

If the symptoms are sever and highly noteable then yes they might (and I mean might like maybe 1%) be forced to light dutys or even forced on IOD leave, but not everyone shows the signs to that level.

Again I dont know about the military but I know it is still a stigma in law enforcement here that no one deals with.

So I guess what I am saying, is yes I could see, and yes it's plausable,

Modifié par Spiritwolf1, 14 novembre 2012 - 03:08 .

[Drussius]

The military treats it a little more seriously, I guess. My ex served in the middle east and was diagnosed there with PTSD. They sent her home, got her into counseling, and eventually granted a medical discharge from the service. She is still dealing with the disorder to this day, but they took the matter very, very seriously. Unfortunately, PTSD itself is not easily shaken off. The effects linger.

[Spiritwolf1]

Yes and sometimes one never is able to rid themselves of it, however if they have a good counselor then coping mechinisms are put in place. I am glad the military treats it seriously, maybe some day law enforcement will as well, but I am afraid that day is very far away.

[MrStoob]

Test.

Wasn't able to post in another area that isn't locked, just testing my ability to post.

Edit: hm.  That seems okay.  Odd.

Edit edit: Ah.  I see now.  They fiddled with the support threads.  Move along.  Nothing to see here... 

Modifié par MrStoob, 14 novembre 2012 - 05:06 .

[hot_heart]

I'm not sure how relevant it is to your story, but a certain recent film includes a superior lying about their operative's wellbeing because they want/need them out on the field.

It would probably depend on the relationship between the characters. Whether they're trying to fool themselves or one another, perhaps.