The Writers - The First Meeting

[Warluster]

The Writers
The First Meeting


Hi all,

This is the first meeting for the Writing Group 'The Writers'. This meeting is to get us off the ground and find out the writing style of eachother.

First off, a list of signed Members:


WarMaster Horus
Orb
Garcilaso de la Vega el Inca
Stephen Asen
master of the puppets
Zaknafien
The Stranger
Julian the apostate
LegioXXXUlpiaVictrix


Now, to start off.

First off all, a qustion. What is the biggest book you have wrote? And what is your favourite. And in what way do you think you can improve?


This week I have a assignment for everyone.

Task: A small story about Mythical Creatures
Page Limit: Minumim is 1000 words, max is 3000.
Due:In at least 1 week.

When you have wrote your story, please post it in the 'THe Writers - Story Submission Thread'

So, are you having any trouble? Any problems? A writers block perhaps? Then post here and discuss.
Before this meeting is over, a promised list of some helpful websites.

Using the PC to Improve your writing (http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/computer.html)

Wordiness:Danger Signals and ways to React (http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/wordines.html)

Way, get writing!

[Warmaster Horus]

Ah, great, finally!


First off all, a qustion. What is the biggest book you have wrote? And what is your favourite. And in what way do you think you can improve?

Here (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2968577/1/The_Journal_of_Theodosius_Flavius_Dawn) is a link to the one story I was serious about - and that I abandonned after a few months from lack of motivation.

My favourite book? That's difficult to say. I like plenty of books (that's to say a lot - I've got over 50 books in my library I like to read again and again).
Unless you meant the favourite thing I wrote? Well, that story up there is. And I don't appreciate it much.

I think I can improve by finding a way to "focus" on an idea, bring it to "life", and by actually finishing to write a book. I've written plenty of one-shots, but most of them were for school, and are therefore mostly boring texts.

[The Stranger]

i signed in too...

[master of the puppets]

as previously stated my books reached about 170 (12 times new roman) pages before i simply stopped writing. (2 longest being a sci-fi and the other a fantasy)

i could never choose a favorite book, my favorite author is micheal crichton (grr i can never get his name right, i'll edit later)

i need to improve my story lines, most of my inspiration comes in bits and pieces. i need good solid storylines.

p.s. they say most stories are based on seven basic themes, can someone post what these are? ty

[Prince Cobra]

:bow: Just to put that in. I will be busy until 14th of September at latest. I will try to finish it earlier but it is not very sure. I beg to be excused for the delayal. :shame: (is it a problem? )

As for writing a book, no I have not yet. Actually, I have started a large story in the Mead hall... so if you call this book, OK.

[Orb]

OK, I'm on it.

My longest steadyish effort is Yom Kippur (on display in a shiny new thread, now finished, though not quite to my satisfaction). I have written several significantly longer pieces (one about fifty pages A4), but none near the same quality, imho. I am a short story writer/poet, as I lack the stamina for a longer work.

George RR Martin definitely holds the top place among authors, though I also swear by Mario Puzo's excellent Godfather. That said, I have a lot of favourite authors. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and the original Mortal Engines book (number 2 was also good, three was appalling, four was a return to form, though not near the first two) are among my favourites. Arthur C. Clarke's Athe City and the Stars and H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds (beats the film hands down) are probably my favourite two (admittedly from a tiny knowledge of the genre) science fiction books.

Edit: Done, but there wasn't a post. Currently I've opened a thread for the story, but I'll add it to the submissions thread when it's up.

Anyway, head on over to read The Rain, A Fire and Two Children. I'm looking forwards to the rest of your writing. I really should edit it before posting, but I don't have the sense.

[Caius]

When is the timelimit?

[Julian the apostate]

can i join this?

[Warluster]

Yes, you may.

btw, Orb, good story. I ain't commenting, but I hope others do. Could you please repost it into the submission thread?

[Orb]

Done. All comments welcome

:bow:

[Moros]

I'm learning for an exam so, I had no time. I'll try to get the next taks done though.

[Warluster]

Okay, thats fine. If anyone is in a similar situation, please just post here or PM me.

[The Stranger]

hmm must it be about a mythical beast... im not so fond of fairy tales... :P

[Warmaster Horus]

Did you read Orb's piece? That was no fairy tale.

[Orb]

I prefer to think of it as a fairy tale which has been brutalised a few times.

Edit: Also, I don't actually think the assignment is that limiting. About the only genres that couldn't be done are historical fiction and non-fiction :p. Just from the top of my head: Horror, Fantasy (high or gritty), Sci-Fi, Hybrid (as mine), 'Fairy Tale', 'Fish-out-of-water' (monster surviving in an everyday setting) and even a crime thriller could be done.

[Warluster]

There is only a stroy in from Orb. I am also under the illusion only some others are writing it up. Those who have not submitted a story, are being contacted. We shall be starting with the next meeting, today, unless a Writer requests more time.

Garcilaso de la Vega el Inca, please clear your PM box. It has exceded space and I wish to send you a PM.

Anything else, please post in Second Meeting Thread. Moderator, may you please close this thread?

[Rodion Romanovich]

Hi, I'd like to be part of "The writers" if possible!

"What is the biggest book you have wrote?"
I've never written a complete book. I've twice written about 100 pages into what was planned to become a 300+ page novel, but later thrown away most of the work. I've also written plenty of short beginnings (<10 pages) to other stories, and plenty of unfinished short stories, all were abandoned before being finished and most have been thrown away too. Basically I think it's time I write something to the end!

"And what is your favourite."
Difficult to find a favorite. Among the most recently read, I'd say "The Possessed" by Dostoevsky, for its deep characters, good dialogue, and the ability to connect the late 19th century realism literary style with the exciting, gripping style that is otherwise seldom present in books from this literary period.

"And in what way do you think you can improve?"
When I want to write a longer story I tend to write too long narrative passages. I wouldn't say I'm worse than the average writer at writing those, but I need to learn how to write non-narrative parts, and build up suspense with dialogue and more "action" like scenes. I also tend to write too predictable stories, and have difficulties actually adding any interesting plot twists. Basically - when you read something I write - you will probably fall asleep since it's written like a formal document or history book but without being true. I've experimented a bit with different ways of writing, but not really found a style I like. I also tend to be bad at dramaturgy: I keep writing as intense and exaggerated as I can throughout the book, I think it would be good to find ways of sometimes decreasing the intension - otherwise the intense parts don't sound impressive or realistic, but rather end up sounding ridiculous, according to many who have read fiction excerpts that I have written. I think "The writers" will be a good excuse to experiment a lot with smaller writing projects until I can find an interesting style and learn to know when I reveal too much details, and when I write too incomprehensible.

[Orb]

Anything I write is CC 5 (except when mentioned otherwise, usually for things I have written in the past), just for future reference (and to answer Legio).

What do I think I can improve (didn't see it first time)?
In order of significance:
Stamina - I have an issue with writing long (or even short) pieces where I have little clear idea of what to do with the plot, or, alternatively, pieces written over a reasonable period of time rarely end with a style similar to that they began with.
Action - I find it sometimes very difficult to write protracted 'action' scenes. Usually this means that I skip over them. That said, I'm not particularly worried about this, because I don't like protracted action scenes, where a short one can get the point across.
Speech - sometimes I worry that my speech is too staccato and needlessly elaborate. I fear that this gets conveyed horribly in some of the things I write, particularly if I've been writing for a while already. I'm trying to fix this with editing.

@Legio and TS. I'm just heading to read your stories. Feedback will be forthcoming soon.

[Orb]

On TS's story:

The atmosphere was excellent, sustained by the metaphors/similes/notquitesurewhattocallit ('Never to hear the beautiful sound of a lioness at sunrise' is particularly haunting and moving). The story was interesting, though the arrangement of the last section (I think) could have been better done to improve the impact of the final lines.

There are a few 'translation' issues, where words have connotations in English different to those intended (e.g. sweets, which brings something like these (http://www.sugarfreesweets.co.uk/images/structure/decor_sweets.gif) to mind). Additionally, the occasional grammatical error (e.g. 'did not saw') ruins otherwise good use of words.

Another thing (one which I'm also guilty of too often, but with more commas) is that some sentences are drawn out too much (e.g It was if heaven read his mind... and While every other sane person...)

Overall, I thought it was good, but needed to be edited for grammar/spelling/word order in a few places and rearranged more strenuously in others

:balloon:

--

Legio, I loved it, slightly reminiscent of the Hitch-hiker's guide to the Galaxy series. There are occasional moments which are a bit confusing ('the sound of slimy membranes towards each other') or needing clarification and a couple of spelling mistakes ('beatiful', 'soar'). Reordering 'her bottomless four front eyes' to 'her four bottomless front eyes' would give it a more natural sound.

Overall a very smooth, stylish and amusing story :thumbsup:

[The Stranger]

yeah i know what you mean, thanx for the feedback, its helpful

[Caius]

"What is the biggest book you have wrote?"
I didn't make any book. I just want to have a "kick up" to have better writting skills.

I had an upgrade to my PM box, Warluster, feel free to send me messages when you want.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Anything I write is CC 5 (except when mentioned otherwise, usually for things I have written in the past), just for future reference (and to answer Legio).

Ok!

@Orb: I found the dialogue quite good, it felt natural and realistic, and the language of the passages between the dialogue was also smooth, and all events were connected in a good way. The only flaw I can think of is that of how the expectations of the reader are handled (first the universe is undefined, then goes medieval, then goes medieval/fantasy, in my perception). I think some small introductory paragraph of 1-5 sentences, that immediately (explicitly or implicitly) sets the expectations on what universe the reader is in, would make the rest feel more believable and immersive (three switches in perception is one or two too many). With this addition, I think it would be a great story! :2thumbsup:

======

@The Stranger: I liked the story a lot. The first paragraph sets the expectations right (a dark, eerie atmosphere were something supernatural would dwell) without revealing everyting. It was also quite poetic and varied - which was an extra bonus. The suspense is built up in a good way: it starts with an introduction which sets the expectations right but explains the danger in a distanced, unpersonal way and doesn't reveal everything, then the amount of danger decreases, but the suspense is instead increased by replacing the narrative style with getting to follow a character in a more personal perspective, where the danger gradually increases back to the level described in the introduction, but a whole lot more intense and personal. The end has two nice plot twists, and they both feel believable - the distance between the first and second plot twist is very well chosen: had it been longer, we would perhaps not have been convinced of the second twist, had it been shorter, we would have had two plot twists too close, and the second twist would not have been interesting. There are some spelling mistakes here and there, but not many or serious ones, I think most have been pointed out above. Perhaps also the least eventful part of the middle section could also have been shortened by about 1 paragraph to keep the suspense curve perfect, but that's not really necessary. :2thumbsup:

[Rodion Romanovich]

Legio, I loved it, slightly reminiscent of the Hitch-hiker's guide to the Galaxy series. There are occasional moments which are a bit confusing ('the sound of slimy membranes towards each other') or needing clarification and a couple of spelling mistakes ('beatiful', 'soar'). Reordering 'her bottomless four front eyes' to 'her four bottomless front eyes' would give it a more natural sound.

Overall a very smooth, stylish and amusing story :thumbsup:
Thanks for the feedback!

[Zaknafien]

Hey mates, sorry I missed on this, I was away in the field training throughout the month of August (I am an officer in the military).

Anyhoo, biggest I have ever written was probably around 500 pages worth though it never finished. (in college)

Favorite authors? George R R Martin ranks up there, but mostly influenced by the historical fiction gurus like Colleen McCullough, Bernard Cornwell, etc.

How could I improve? There are countless ways, I am sure!

[The Stranger]

thanx legio, im going to read both your stories now... but i dont think i have time to feedback them immediatly.

[Orb]

@Legio

The developing atmosphere was a deliberate choice: I wanted the world to be slowly defined as it led up to the conclusion. I'd intended for them to be clarifications rather than complete changes in setting. I'll bear your thoughts in mind when I go over it. Thanks for the feedback :thumbsup:

Warluster, when are we heading for meeting two?

[Rodion Romanovich]

Warluster, when are we heading for meeting two?

Seconded!

===

I found these helpful:
http://www.fictionfactor.com/basics.html
http://www.fictionfactor.com/bolts.html
http://www.fictionfactor.com/characters.html

Basically what I've based most my improvements in writing the last month, and most of my constructive criticism, on.