Writing Discussion Thread

[Legion350]

I think I’ve come up with a decent way to summarize my story. I’ve been calling it Star Wars meets Avatar [not literally] for a bit to explain it. The Star Wars part comes from the setting, while Avatar describes the lore and characters a bit better.

 

[ZoroNotZolo]

I think I’ve come up with a decent way to summarize my story. I’ve been calling it Star Wars meets Avatar [not literally] for a bit to explain it. The Star Wars part comes from the setting, while Avatar describes the lore and characters a bit better.

Which Avatar? Cameron or TLA?

 

[Legion350]

TLA, the mc is an Avatar like being.

 

[ZoroNotZolo]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

 

[Ailamiona]

writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write?

The will manifests at night. I just think a lot more about my verses later in the day than I do in the morning. Then when it manifests I kinda just write, nothing more

 

[EnderLord8]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

In my case, it's another problem that manifests itself like this: The inspiration to write comes when I don't have time to write or I have something more important to do, but from the moment I sit down at the computer I feel like doing everything, but for writing is a big no.

At least this was my problem before, now my problem is that I just keep getting inspiration after inspiration and with that I must have about ten...

 

[TartaChocholate]

I'm still new to writting myself so I can't say I have a surefire method per se, but every day after work I try to sit down and (with a cup of tea, milk or anything nice to drink) try to write at least 3 pages of the story. Doesn't matter if they aren't good or the best, just move things forward a bit, later on they can be corrected or rewriten. I also listen to music for inspiration, especially tracks I have tied to particular scenes in my head.

 

[EnderLord8]

I'm still new to writting myself so I can't say I have a surefire method per se, but every day after work I try to sit down and (with a cup of tea, milk or anything nice to drink) try to write at least 3 pages of the story. Doesn't matter if they aren't good or the best, just move things forward a bit, later on they can be corrected or rewriten. I also listen to music for inspiration, especially tracks I have tied to particular scenes in my head.

Music also helps me a lot. Another thing that also helps stimulate the imagination is walking, whenever I'm moving my head works much harder and inspiration comes much easier (The problem for me is that this happens even when I drive, which which forces me to pay much more attention to my surroundings than would normally be necessary)

 

[Legion350]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

For me it’s a combination of having constant inspiration for writing and years of discipline.

 

[Arnoldstone18]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

In addition to all what we have said above.

Watch Youtube videos related to your story. My story is set a thousand years into the future so I am researching innovations today, watching youtube vids like Vsauce and so on then manifesting them into the future that is my story.

 

[TartaChocholate]

Music also helps me a lot. Another thing that also helps stimulate the imagination is walking, whenever I'm moving my head works much harder and inspiration comes much easier (The problem for me is that this happens even when I drive, which which forces me to pay much more attention to my surroundings than would normally be necessary)

Happens to you too? I thought walking to get my imagination going was some sort of odd gimick I had, lol. I also tend to take a walk or walk around (even in my own home, lol) when I need to really focus or come up with ideas, usually while listening to music. It sort of helps to concentrate for some reason. Also I have kind of developed some sort of sense to avoid crashing into things and not getting run over on the street =P

 

[Peppersalt43]

Happens to you too? I thought walking to get my imagination going was some sort of odd gimick I had, lol. I also tend to take a walk or walk around (even in my own home, lol) when I need to really focus or come up with ideas, usually while listening to music. It sort of helps to concentrate for some reason.

Hey, same. Though for me it usually comes with random bursts of energy when I'm thinking about my plans

 

[Mad_Dog_of_Fujiwara]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

Nothing. I very occasionally get the will to write a couple hundred words and then I hibernate for another 3 months. On that ADHD grindset.

 

[Deidalius]

Neat!

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

Nothing. Only sudden bursts of creativity but then I give up before finishing it and I then spend my day being lazy and playing video games. I don't have any discipline, don't be like me.

 

[CloverDragon03]

I'm still trying to find motivation myself, honestly. Literally my biggest struggle when it comes to the things I write nowadays

 

[StorytellingDemonKing]

My biggest issue when it comes to writing is that I can't come up with good names for characters. I always feel like something is wrong about them, maybe I should reconsider and etc. Even worse when it comes to trying to name characters from other countries.

Also, I despise how I always know what I want the endings to be, but I can never reach it satisfactory. This leads me to never finishing my stories because you can't have an ending if you can't properly reach it.

 

[azontr]

how do you motivate yourselves to write

I don't.

 

[TartaChocholate]

My biggest issue when it comes to writing is that I can't come up with good names for characters. I always feel like something is wrong about them, maybe I should reconsider and etc. Even worse when it comes to trying to name characters from other countries.

Also, I despise how I always know what I want the endings to be, but I can never reach it satisfactory. This leads me to never finishing my stories because you can't have an ending if you can't properly reach it.

Names are a tricky issue, beyond just making them sound good or cool or anything. What I try to do is look up for names whose meanings fit the character, usually in folklore for fantasy stories or stuff like pages with name meanings for more mundane names.

Though when writting, if I don't find a name quickly for a character I use a placeholder name to not get stuck and I take my time later to look up for something fitting and change it.

 

[Peppersalt43]

Names are a tricky issue, beyond just making them sound good or cool or anything. What I try to do is look up for names whose meanings fit the character, usually in folklore for fantasy stories or stuff like pages with name meanings for more mundane names.

Meanwhile I just go Random Name Generator and use their search function to see if the name I'm going for actually exists

Also to find some unique surnames. I have two OCs whose surnames are Finnish

 

[H3110l12345I20]

Also, writing question for you guys: how do you motivate yourselves to write? Or more effectively, what things have you used to build the discipline to write?

Commitment.

You can always try to set aside time in your day (like 30 mins or an hour) at a specific time and build a habit off of that. And give yourself a realistic deadline, but not too far ahead that you'll just procastinate.

And speaking of procastinating, I'll quote shia labeouf: "Just do it." If you don't have initial motivation to write at first, then devote yourself 5 mins to the writing at full focus, passionate interest, no distractions. Then continue until the desired time you want to do the writing. This is part of how to get into the flow state, though for further info, look up the flow state.

Part of discipline is doing long-term gratification things and not doing instant gratification things, and habits.

If the story in-question you want to communicate with the world has been stuck on your mind for the past weeks or months, that's a good indicator of a story that you should write.

Have some passion in your work. Even from me (a guy some experience in writing), I've seen other artists/contents creators show/state the passion and love for working in a job can reduce the chances of burn out and can carry you a long way even if writing turns into a job.

If you're still demotivated and have a deadline, then make the best out of your situation, or in other words, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

 

[ZoroNotZolo]

Commitment.

You can always try to set aside time in your day (like 30 mins or an hour) at a specific time and build a habit off of that. And give yourself a realistic deadline, but not too far ahead that you'll just procastinate.

And speaking of procastinating, I'll quote shia labeouf: "Just do it." If you don't have initial motivation to write at first, then devote yourself 5 mins to the writing at full focus, passionate interest, no distractions. Then continue until the desired time you want to do the writing. This is part of how to get into the flow state, though for further info, look up the flow state.

Part of discipline is doing long-term gratification things and not doing instant gratification things, and habits.

If the story in-question you want to communicate with the world has been stuck on your mind for the past weeks or months, that's a good indicator of a story that you should write.

Have some passion in your work. Even from me (a guy some experience in writing), I've seen other artists/contents creators show/state the passion and love for working in a job can reduce the chances of burn out and can carry you a long way even if writing turns into a job.

If you're still demotivated and have a deadline, then make the best out of your situation, or in other words, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

I just instinctively heard phonk music in the background of reading this post. I'ma hit the gym, go home and shower, and get to writing then!

 

[TartaChocholate]

Meanwhile I just go Random Name Generator and use their search function to see if the name I'm going for actually exists

Also to find some unique surnames. I have two OCs whose surnames are Finnish

Lol, I legitimately didn't know Random Name Generators existed. I honestly say this is pretty useful.

 

[Peppersalt43]

Lol, I legitimately didn't know Random Name Generators existed. I honestly say this is pretty useful.

Here's my favorite one to use

Random Name Generator

This random name generator can suggest names for babies, characters, or anything else that needs naming.

www.behindthename.com

 

[ElajRuengies]

Writing names is also a struggle for me. I sometimes spend hours just trying to think of what would be the best name for a character or concept in my stories.

That and I want my characters to have unique names that aren't extremely long and forgettable but also aren't the names of real people so that if I'm ever famous their names don't get related to real people.

Except if I am giving my characters the name of a person I hate. I have never seen a person named Angra that is a good person so I want them to be associated with my characters to their detriment. Screw all Angras.

Not just real people, but popular fictional characters too. The One Mario Limit is a thing for a reason.

 

[Peppersalt43]

Screw all Angras.

So funny shit, apparently there's a Zoroastrian god of darkness, death and destruction named Angra

Meaning, origin and history of the name Angra Mainyu

The meaning, origin and history of the given name Angra Mainyu

www.behindthename.com

 

[Peppersalt43]

So I recall some complaints about names which is a common problem. Now, allow me to raise another question:

How do you all come up with magic spells? Not like the effects but just the words the characters say to cast said spells

 

[azontr]

I write whatever sounds cool in my head

 

[ElajRuengies]

So I recall some complaints about names which is a common problem. Now, allow me to raise another question:

How do you all come up with magic spells? Not like the effects but just the words the characters say to cast said spells

Technique/Weapon/Armor Names fall into 4 overlapping categories for me:

• Puns
• Short Descriptions
• Vaguely Related Cool Words

An example of all 3 would be "Dark Soles", my max enchanted Netherite Boots. (Thorns III, Unbreaking III, Protection IV, Mending, Feather Falling IV, Soul Speed III, Depth Strider III- you have to add enchanted books in a very specific order or else it becomes too expensive for the anvil)

It's black footwear, sounds cool, and a play on Dark Souls, due to how damn difficult it was to make them.

 

[Rutæhh]

i have difficulties describing places. In my head i have a clear idea but on paper its sounds very vague.
any suggestions on how to tackle this problem

 

[azontr]

any suggestions on how to tackle this problem

Go look at how other stories describe environments and use what you think would work the best as reference for your own writing. Using other works as reference and taking the elements you think would mesh well with your own story is a general technique you could use for things that just don't click in your head.

 

[DaReaperMan]

i have difficulties describing places. In my head i have a clear idea but on paper its sounds very vague.
any suggestions on how to tackle this problem

You could also look to works like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but it's hard to balance putting a stupid amount of details into it and still make the story enjoyable to read.

 

[ElajRuengies]

You could also look to works like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but it's hard to balance putting a stupid amount of details into it and still make the story enjoyable to read.

"You went too deep, Professor Tweed-pants! We don't need the backstory, on every f*ckin' tree-branch!" - George R. R. Martin, Epic Rap Battles of History

 

[Peppersalt43]

any suggestions on how to tackle this problem

You can try making a floor plan of the area. If I recall correctly, GMs usually do that in certain role-play games. If you do it well enough, you can even include it in your writing or just in the extras section

 

[TartaChocholate]

Soooo, anyone has ever had a story that ended up discarding for one reason or another? Be it because you no longer liked it, thought it was bad with time, simply thought of a better one, etc. But there was one aspect or element of said story that you really liked and tried to keep in later ones? Or worse, wanted to keep but could not due to how different newer stories were?

For example, long time ago I had a story that ended up discarding because it just wasn't good, but I really liked how the main character turned out. They weren't exceptionally well written or anything, but liked how the pieces fit together, from their backstory, to their relationships, to their objectives and porpuse on the story with their likes and dislikes, etc. But it was so specific to that story that I could never reuse them again in a newer one without it feeling forced or having to bend some aspects of the new one, so I had to left them aside in the end.

 

[DaReaperMan]

How do y'all decide on how to name terms and characters in your story? I can't decide. I spend hours just trying to think of how to name things and characters rather than writing.

I sit there, and if I can't think of one I start using them until my brain slaps down a name for me

Thats why a lot of my 2020-2021 female OCs have "aria" at the end lol

 

[Rakih_Elyan]

How do y'all decide on how to name terms and characters in your story? I can't decide. I spend hours just trying to think of how to name things and characters rather than writing.

Terms is easy, just use real life mythological and esoteric term. Examples Qi, Omega, Astra, Chakra, Sefirah, etc.

Names? I use Chinese lol.

 

[Rakih_Elyan]

Fair enough, though I don't want to misuse real terms. If I use Qi, I'd try to make it as accurate to how Qi is used in real life for example

Don't limit yourself to real life examples, use it as interesting as you want.

Ah, makes sense. I am unsure about using names from other languages. It might sound very silly if you understand what it means in that language.

Choose the theme for your character (Ex's: Cheerful, Brave, Tree, Tranquil, etc) and use another language to fit with that theme (German, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese or just use english lol.)

 

[Rutæhh]

How do y'all decide on how to name terms and characters in your story? I can't decide. I spend hours just trying to think of how to name things and characters rather than writing.

i lowkey make random syllables up until it sounds kinda like a word. then add like a silent h or sum.

 

[Rutæhh]

Is that how you came up with your username?

 

[H3110l12345I20]

One of the reasons why I take so much time with naming characters is that I avoid using names that might be used by real people. I try to use weird names no one has. Or even made up names.

If that's a problem. Just make a disclaimer that all names of stuff in your verse is fictional, and that any coincidental or similar names used in IRL is coincidental.

Is anyone going to make a fuss if a character is named after an average person? Unless your doing something like naming an OC girl Stalin, this shouldn't be too much of a concern.

I tend to name my OCs symbolically by choosing a meaning I want their name to represent, then look up a name that means that exact meaning.