10369 réponses à ce sujet

[Sandtigress]

I should really respond to reviewers more often. >.> I'm bad about that. I thank them in person if they're on twitter with me, or comment back if it's in my BSN thread, but it feels kind of awkward replying over ff.net for some reason unless they bring up a specific point that should be replied to. *shrugs* I'm just weird...I appreciate the praise or whatever, the good reviews but I kind of don't know what to do with them. :-P

[Sandtigress]

Heh, double-post AND ToP...I am in full form today!

So here's a question that I threw out to the twitter crew - these letters are remarkably easy to write compared to full-out stories, so I've nailed out five for this week already.  Do people tend to find daily updates of short pieces (1000 words or less) overwhelming, or is that okay?  Would readers be happier with a MWF schedule, do you think, or should I just keep going with daily?

Modifié par Sandtigress, 02 août 2010 - 04:29 .

[Sarah1281]

Sandtigress wrote...

Heh, double-post AND ToP...I am in full form today!

So here's a question that I threw out to the twitter crew - these letters are remarkably easy to write compared to full-out stories, so I've nailed out five for this week already.  Do people tend to find daily updates of short pieces (1000 words or less) overwhelming, or is that okay?  Would readers be happier with a MWF schedule, do you think, or should I just keep going with daily?

If you have it done you might as well update otherwise you're likely to start stockpiling a ton of chapters. If someone doesn't have time to read a letter every day they could just read two or three when they do have the time so I think what you're doing is fine.

OT: I really hate writing angst. Everything just always seems so melodramatic.

[Corker]

Limyaael on Angst vs. Tragedy.

Love Limyaael.  Used to read her when she was updating regularly in 2004 or so.  I'm sure I must have disagreed with some of her analysis but darned if I can think of a specific instance.

ETA: Not knowing what you're currently writing, Sarah, I'm not trying to imply anything.  More suggesting that reframing the scene as tragedy, if possible, or maybe as grief (if that's more appropriate) might help strike a more understated but resonant tone.  Also, Handling Angst, in case that might be helpful.

Modifié par Corker, 02 août 2010 - 04:59 .

[Sarah1281]

I have a rather different working definition of angst and tragedy than the ones she uses. For me, tragedy usually involves the death of the main character at the end or someone really important to them or the world becoming/remaining a Crapsack World despite the heroes best efforts. Angst is just 'writing about the characters having negative emotions' not necessarily obsessing about them or going on and on forever about trivialities. Since I'm not much for dwelling on bad things IRL, having to do so in fiction (and you can't avoid it sometimes or it's horribly unrealistic) or reading about it always strikes me as kind of melodramatic even if it's completely situation-appropriate.

[Maria13]

I always tend to respond to reviewers especially when they bring up some helpful points. I also enjoy it. Writing can get a little lonely sometimes so it's good to have something to share with someone even if it's just over the net.

[mousestalker]

Please keep the tips for responding to reviewers coming! I just yielded to temptation and posted my first fanfic to ff.net. I've been thanking each reviewer. Is that over the top or excessive? I am grateful for an actual response, so it seems appropriate.

[Sandtigress]

mousestalker wrote...

Please keep the tips for responding to reviewers coming! I just yielded to temptation and posted my first fanfic to ff.net. I've been thanking each reviewer. Is that over the top or excessive? I am grateful for an actual response, so it seems appropriate.

I don't think it's over the top - I can see where a reviewer would appreciate that their reading efforts are appreciated.  I haven't yet had the time to read anything other than friends' fics, so it makes sense to me when they respond to my reviews (not always through ff.net) personally, but I think if you want to, then respond!

I don't mostly because I'm kind of uncomfortable with the praise...with friends I can just pretend that they're being friends and being nice.    But thinking of myself as a decent writer is kind of weird, since I'm usually critical of my dialog especially, and how awkward it feels.  So when people are "Wow, that was great" I'm usually more "Really?  I'm not really sure what to say to that but thanks!"

[maxernst]

I think I'm closer to Sarah on angst vs tragedy...to me, angst has to do with the character's state of mind, tragedy has to do with the storyline and especially its outcome. It seems to me what Limyael is talking about is more tragedy vs melodrama, both of which may or may not be written from the point of view of angst-ridden characters



Besides, if a character obsesses over trivialities while the fate of the world is at stake, and that leads to catastrophe, that seems to me it would fall into the category of true tragedy...lack of perspective seems to me as valid a tragic character flaw as any.



Oh well, I'm afraid my DA:O fanfic is always going to tend toward the angsty (the nature of the storyline). I guess Limyael will just have to avoid reading it.

[Merilsell]

SurelyForth wrote...

I'm The Rambly One- 6k + seems to be my thing these days. Much past 8k and I'll halve it.

Heh, same here. I just can't shut up xD  Usually my chaps are at 6000-7500 words, if it goes higher I split it in two. 3000+ chaps are rather the exception for me. *cough*

Edit: Fist bump for de-lurking and first post here, w00t *waves in the round*

Modifié par Merilsell, 02 août 2010 - 11:30 .

[jenncgf]

Merilsell wrote...

SurelyForth wrote...

I'm The Rambly One- 6k + seems to be my thing these days. Much past 8k and I'll halve it.

Heh, same here. I just can't shut up xD  Usually my chaps are at 6000-7500 words, if it goes higher I split it in two. 3000+ chaps are rather the exception for me. *cough*

Edit: Fist bump for de-lurking and first post here, w00t *waves in the round*

Hi Merilsell! 

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Merilsell wrote...

SurelyForth wrote...

I'm The Rambly One- 6k + seems to be my thing these days. Much past 8k and I'll halve it.

Heh, same here. I just can't shut up xD  Usually my chaps are at 6000-7500 words, if it goes higher I split it in two. 3000+ chaps are rather the exception for me. *cough*

Edit: Fist bump for de-lurking and first post here, w00t *waves in the round*

Hellooo!

And I reach 4k and wonder if I should split chapters in half. o_O But usually I just try to keep a story relatively constant where chapter lengths are concerned. Sometimes length is more a style issue than for reasons of wordcount.

re: angst vs tragedy, my take has been angst = introspection (stress, worry, regret, etc), while tragedy is based on more immediate situations of loss, in the heat of the moment so to speak.

[Snafu1000]

I generally aim for 4,000, but on Moments In Time, the chapter length ranges from just under 2000 to over 11,000 (just once, when I could NOT find a good breaking point).



As long as the writing is flowing, I just let it go.

[Sialater]

Angst is not necessarily introspection. It can be dialogue between two estranged lovers, or unrequited lovers. Angst is longing, sorrow, pain, helplessness.



It's not standing around wailing about the characters' lot in life.

[Merilsell]

Hello to everyone back ^^

I think my shortest chapter within 'Of elves and humans' is 2400-ish but only because it fitted well as a standalone chapter. Otherwise I simply need the space and words to properly write and develop the story. And as it had been wonderfully said here before, as long the writing flows, I let it go as well.

Oh, I love to write angst, or anything dealing with emotions, really. To venture in ones character's soul is what makes my inner author squeeing with joy. In contrary to that, I really, REALLY loathe to describe scenery. Death material is so not mine ... I rather deal with the characters.

Modifié par Merilsell, 03 août 2010 - 02:18 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Angst is good, so is humor. I try to balance mine out. After all, life itself is not all angst or humor and fun all the time. I have read some angst that just kept being nothing but angst. There is such a thing as too much angst (not tragedy which is the storyline). I have had to stop reading some really great writing because they just shot the angst to the nth degree. Like an anti-Mary Sue.

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Sialater wrote...

Angst is not necessarily introspection. It can be dialogue between two estranged lovers, or unrequited lovers. Angst is longing, sorrow, pain, helplessness.

It's not standing around wailing about the characters' lot in life.

Yeah, you're right there.

I think I suck at categorising things.

[Gilgamesh1138]

Sia I like your categories.

[Sarah1281]

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

Sialater wrote...

Angst is not necessarily introspection. It can be dialogue between two estranged lovers, or unrequited lovers. Angst is longing, sorrow, pain, helplessness.

It's not standing around wailing about the characters' lot in life.

Yeah, you're right there.

I think I suck at categorising things.

I don't think so. You have nice, simple, workable definitions.

[Raonar]

I really wonder how people will react to when I finally get in the middle of the Orzamar things.

The point is that the three Aeducan princes (Yes, Trian is still alive right now, though Bhelen has no idea) will be involved in something really complicated and my main character (Raonar Aeducan) as well as Faren Brosca will go through a rather nasty period. The story willl suddenly turn very dark and stay like that for a while. I wonder how people will respond to that considering that I kept a sort of balance betwen humor and everything else so far... At least I think I did...

[Sarah1281]

Raonar wrote...

I really wonder how people will react to when I finally get in the middle of the Orzamar things.

The point is that the three Aeducan princes (Yes, Trian is still alive right now, though Bhelen has no idea) will be involved in something really complicated and my main character (Raonar Aeducan) as well as Faren Brosca will go through a rather nasty period. The story willl suddenly turn very dark and stay like that for a while. I wonder how people will respond to that considering that I kept a sort of balance betwen humor and everything else so far... At least I think I did...

You could always hurry up and get there so you can find out.

[Raonar]

Hey, I AM hurrying up....

[Sarah1281]

Raonar wrote...

Hey, I AM hurrying up....

It's like how I'm hurrying and am still only roughly halfway done at 153K.

[Firky]

Hi all.

Been lurking a little. (But do have 3 short stories around here somewhere too.)

Seeing as how you lot are the DA lore experts, does anyone know anything about what The Rite of Tranquility consists of? I can't find any real info on the wikis etc.

Any ideas?

PS 153K wow.

Modifié par Firky, 03 août 2010 - 07:21 .

[Meyne]

Firky wrote...

Hi all.

Been lurking a little. (But do have 3 short stories around here somewhere too.)

Seeing as how you lot are the DA lore experts, does anyone know anything about what The Rite of Tranquility consists of? I can't find any real info on the wikis etc.

Any ideas?

PS 153K wow.

Beyond branding the Tranquil-to-be's forehead with a rune made of Lyrium, not really.  It obviously is not a perminant mark, just lyrium drawn on to facilitate the ritual, but beyond that it sorta hangs open - if an Entropy spell is used or what.  Or if the state of lyrium is very pure and the mere touch like that, in that pattern, just happens to fry the part of the brain you want to fry quickly.  I think it is left to be sorta mystical to make you wonder how it can rob you of the emotions that we find defines us as humans (or elves, or whatever).