Fic frustrations...

[agilebrit]

Heh. Considering these discussions/flamewars going on at fanficrants, maybe I shouldn't say this, but...

I'm starting to hate my Muse.

Constantly whispering in my ear. What if Spike's corporeality in "Destiny" was only temporary? What would happen if Illyria got hit with Mohra blood? Thankfully, not for the same fic. *wipes brow* But after she whispers these things, she runs away, giggling madly, and goes on extended vacations. She gives me no follow-through. So, I write myself into these corners and stare in frustration for days and weeks and months on end and wonder what am I supposed to do with this?

It's possible (even probable) that the way I write is responsible for this. I don't outline. I write by the seat of my pants. I keep notes about plot points I want to incorporate, lines I want characters to say, etc, but other than that it's pretty free-form writing. Which is fine for something short, but I have things turning into plot monsters that weren't supposed to do that, dammit. At this rate, my Spillyria Christmas fic will be done sometime in July. The "Spike's corporeality is only temporary" fic? Started out as a followup to "Reflections" and a simple conversation that Spike was having with Fred after "Destiny." And I may have started that thing about a year ago. Again I say "Argh."

Anyway. I suppose that instead of whining about my writing problems, I should just sit down and write the damb things. You can't edit words that aren't there. Yeah.

*goes back to staring at WIPs*

Comments

[highlander_ii]

You just described my writing style.

No, really. I write that way. I'm horrible - I should outline and I know I should, but I don't, so it takes me FOREVER. Then, one day, I've written about 3/4 of what I wanna write, and finally, write up an outline and finish a fic in about a day or three. then *headdeskdammit* b/c I should've outlined back when I started.

Then again, sometimes I outline and it still takes me forever. Go figure.


basically - I feel your pain... *sigh*

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Well, part of my problem is, I start out with what I think is a *little* idea...and then my brain takes off with it. "Soulless, Evil Things" wasn't supposed to be ten thousand words. "Mustard Seed" certainly was never meant to be almost novel-length. And often, something will hit me in the middle of what I'm writing and I'll go "Ooo! I'll do that!" Like the Mohra blood thing for the Spillyria Christmas fic.

*headdesk*

But at least I got a page or so done today. Yay, me!

[highlander_ii]

Oh, I've done that too - I get all these little 'what if...?' ideas and some get started, some never do, and some evolve into the worlds largest fic-WIP-thing.

"Take Care" - which may actually be almost finished, wasn't supposed to be more than just one story as a secret santa bit for someone, but I was having so much fun with it, that it's developed into a 'follow Spike and Xander through the rest of canon!'

[illmantrim.livejournal.com]

I do both writing by the seat of my pants and also outlined stuff for forced writing times... sometiems you have tyo make yourself write to get something out!

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

That's basically what I've done today. Just sat down and wrote. And I think I may almost be done with it. Amazingly enough...

[alliterator.livejournal.com]

See, my writing style is also Seat Of Your Pants. I usually get a really cool idea and then say, "Hey! That's cool! I should write that!" And then I wait a month. And then I start on the first chapter. And then I realize that I can't possibly write it because I'm a crap writer. And then I write and finish the first chapter. Repeat the last four sentences, only replance 'first' with 'second' and 'third' and...

You get the idea. And A Mirror of Being? Used to be only four parts. Now, I have no clue how long it's going to be.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

LOL I do the same thing, only I start scribbling on it right away, write myself into a corner, and scream in despair at the hole I've dug for myself. Part of what I wrote yesterday? Isn't going to be scrapped per se, but I think I'm going to have to move it to a later part of the story. But at least I've got words, and they're in some semblance of order, and they make a little sense. Go, me.

And, dude, you are NOT a crap writer. When you get published, I'll buy anything you write. Really. I wish I had half the gift you have.

[alliterator.livejournal.com]

Thanks. And vice versa.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

*blush*

Speaking of "Mirror"...if you want to get together now and beta it, I'm here and I've got the doc open.

[alliterator.livejournal.com]

Ah. Got to get to class. I'll be back tonight, though. I can IM you.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

'Kay! :-)