Pick a Plot

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping for some advice. I've started and discarded four plots now. It's getting downright silly. Last year I wrote most of the fic before deciding I hated it with a passion and scrapped it completely. I really don't want to do that again. This year I can't seem to pick one idea and stick with it. What's your advice for picking a plot and sticking to it?

Comments

[magical24.livejournal.com]

Why did you abort the story attempts? Did you get stuck at some point? Did you feel you had become overly ambitious with your ideas?

The best way I've found to pick a plot and stick with it is to write for myself. If I'm really taken with an idea and plot it well, chances are my readers will like it too.

My advice to you when plotting your fic is to give yourself a goal.

Before you even start, conjure up a midpoint and an end to your story. Let those be your guideposts. Having a clear picture of where you want your story to end up might keep your interest from flagging and help you want to finish what you start.

And don't forget to relax and enjoy the writing process. It's supposed to be fun.

Good luck!

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

I aborted it because I thought the plot had turned disgustingly trite. I'll try doing a clear plot and see if that helps. Thank you.

[bell]

I read this quote today, and maybe it'll help you?

"First you have to know and understand intellectually what you want to do-- then you have to sleep-walk a little to reach it. The real obstacle is oneself. I believe that artists are composed of vanity, indolence and self-regard. Work-blocks are caused by the swelling-up of the ego on one or all of these fronts. You get a bit scared about the imaginary importance of what you are doing! Mirror-worship. My solution would be to a slap a poultice on the inflamed parts-- tell your ego to go to hell and not make a misery of what should be esesntially joy, fun."

Along those lines, magical24 has good advice-- write for yourself. And the moment you start to think your story is stupid, just... ignore those thoughts and keep on writing. That's what I do. It's a matter of determination. And rereading your favorite passages, or imagining what scenes you're *really* looking forward to writing helps. :)

[kirili.livejournal.com]

Ah that quote really helps, thank you.

[bell]

Hahah, funny that you commented on this, since I gave the same quote to another person starting H_BB. I know it's a bit repetitive, but it's one of the best quotes I've found on the same subject!

I was glad to see you signed up. Let's write some great stories, yeah? *rolls up sleeves*

[rosenskimmer.livejournal.com]

My personal choice is to never, ever scrap a first draft. No matter what. As an author, often I'm so close to the work that I have no idea what's good and what's shit. A first draft is the party draft...don't worry about what's good or bad, just get it out. There's always going to be ups and downs during writing, especially in a longer work.

Stick with it, even if you're not having fun. Make a wild plot change if you have to--during a first draft, you should tell the story you want. Get it out, then let it sit for a while. Do something else, if you can. Only then can you judge your work with an objective eye.

Did you completely delete your old story? How many words have you gotten out? If you're over ten thousand, I'd say see it through to the end. Then, only when you're ready, let someone whose judgment you trust read your work and find the holes for you.

Good luck! Don't give up. I'm certain you're being super hard on yourself--writers usually are.

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I never completely delete anything so no problem there but even with it at about the 12k mark when I reread it I still think is horrible. I know I've had other stories where I've thought they were terrible but once I finished them out they've been alright. This doesn't have that feel... I don't know to explain that better.