Hi, quite some time since I wandered around here. Lately, given the current situation with quarantine and such, I have put some effort in trying to get my writing mojo back. That didn't work I have like six or seven unpublished story embryos that I really can't develop like I would sitting in my personal tab. Some are a bit older, some of them are probably lost, but generally speaking I still like them. Problem is, I always get stuck with over detailed premises, while for what I've learned so far, good stories need an "open" start where you add details only little by little. So sit and start writing and before I know I'm lost wrinting about a character grand-grand parents and how it all began... Does it happen to you too? Any advices?
I was actually thinking about this very thing yesterday. I think I see many types of stories on CHYOA and they each have their charms, utilizing very different types of openings! You have the "hop on in" types of stories where the introduction is really more of a writing prompt and a call to action, where the writer suggests the sorts of things others may write about rather than doing a lot of build up there. They want other writers to get straight into the action. Then you have the stories that have a lot of build up at the front end. These are often less communal because they are harder to jump into, but sometimes, the payoff is more. After all, the more here, the easier to flesh out what kind of stories you want, and also stand out from the pack. It sounds like you've got a lot of the latter, but my advice would be to remember that both ways have good points. Just because a story is hard for others to contribute to doesn't mean it's bad. As an example, two of my favorites: one is an ENF collection that opens up immediately, letting writers contribute for any character. Another is a game type story that would be extremely difficult for anyone to contribute to thanks to all the variables and things at play. Both are valid forms of stories in my opinion, but both very different from a standpoint of others contributions. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck.
When that happens... I write it down but don't use it most of the time. Having backstory and motivations is good, but for me, I prefer exposition dumps to be limited as they almost always take you right out of the story, unless I want to know more about this character. Which means... letting the mystery sit for a while, I find. Also, if you don't do an exposition dump, you can change your mind if you get a better idea while you're writing. Which happens to me more often than I will EVER admit, because I spent way too long planning out my current one. ;P Jumping right back into writing isn't easy, but there are things you can do to help. First off, turn off your tv. Music is fine, but start watching webshows, etc... and you'll be right back to seven hours going by and you still convinced you can't write. I find for me, having a set time to write helps immeasurably, and I try to make it a good couple hours in the morning, right after I wake up. Coffee and breakfast, then keyboard. Helps me percolate the ideas from the night before a bit. (Helps a lot if you remember dreams. Not always helpful, but good for inspiration, if nothing else.) Second, READ your own work. Kinda like chefs have to taste their own food, you have to read your own work. Helps if you have somebody to read it to, who will give you an honest opinion. (Yes, reading out loud helps, believe it or not. Lets you feel if the story flows, etc. To quote Harrison Ford, "George, You can type this shit, but you can't say it.") And finally, don't worry about what other people want to read, worry about what YOU want to read. If you don't feel joy at the thought of reading your own story, it's not really what you wanted to write. If you want to read overly complicated stories of who begat who... I mean, most bestselling book in history is that, right? (Bible)
I think that those ones work when the content is essentially vanilla-ish. The more they steer from common kinks and situation, the more they become ermetic. Besides, I for one have hard time reading stories that have huge "exposition dumps", as brevdravis says it, at the start. There's usually something that puts me off: the girl has short hair, the guy is a macho, the kink is too particular, etc... On the contrary, with those where the character and situation are just "sketched", my own immagination fill the gaps, turn the story exactly how I like it, or make me want to contribute. I should try that. Problem is, I always feel the need to explain things further. More than a few of the stories I liked best on this site have very childish premises, with a lot of loose ends and unmatching details. I have a pretty similar routine, except for the fact that I don't have a routine at all, if you know what I mean This. Most of the time I got stuck on my own overly-restictive premises. It just kills the buzz when you want to write
Hm, this is useful because I was just pondering a new story that may begin in a more open fashion than my usual to encourage others to jump in... Makes me reconsider some things. I love writing and reading characters and dialogue more than anything personally so if I start off and it's mostly about the gimmick, I turn off. I guess this is different strokes, different folks in action. If it helps, I can tell you that when I feel like I'm getting stranded in my own stories and sort of running in a hamster wheel, it helps me to find a really open ended one and just write some easy stories. My go-to are anime and video game based ENF, ha ha, I'll just find a character I like and plop down some chapters. Not a bad way to take a break from yourself, kinda.
And whichever author you're supporting gets some fun stuff for their story! Win/Win, all around. Of course creativity in math and writing are very similar, and if you get lost you can use similar tactics:
I think that pretty much everyone who dabbles with writing loves to create characters and worlds. Things for me turn the other way around when I'm reading. That is when I'm reading erotica. May sound silly, or elitist, but for me it's entirely different if I'm reading a novel. This is very sensible. I'll be sure to try it. A few hours ago, again, I dumped this vague idea winding through my brain into a new story. It turned out into a straigh sex chapter I've got rid of some rust for sure, but the story is still long from being there... My brain does that on autopilot, I don't even have to try
So this is just for my own tastes, but I like to skip to the sexy stuff as quick as I can and let the world building form around it. The easiest cheat for this is the "fish out of water". Put some nubile naif as the main character and it fits that they have to learn the rules as they go, often to their decadently delightful disadvantage. Again this is a personal preference, and it also makes for getting to the sticky situations before you have to write an Illiad's worth of boat names.
I'm writing something. Have no idea if I'll ever be able to reach a poit where it would be worth publishing, but at least I've got the engine going.
Whenever I can't think of things to write, usually I workout or daydream a lot at work. You can sit an hour on a typewriter and think of nothing, it's a waste of time. Of course, every writer has their own process. Don't be afraid to kill your darlings, sometimes you have let go of a dozen ideas just to get one out.
AAAARGH!!!!! I think this needs to be the official "I can't Write Today" thread. Because... dammit, I can't write today. Getting so many mixed signals in response and trying to please everybody at once has made my brain go... BLURP... and now... ugh... nada. Worst possible time for this to happen. I was doing so good...
I love that movie. By the way, I got stuck in writing things I utimately don't like very much and don't feel like posting anymore...
