Introductory Post

[asecretchord]

Hi, I'm Alex.

I'm not sure how I found this comm, but after scrolling through a few pages of posts, I'm glad I did. I'm a quasi-beginning fanfic writer, which means I have a lot more written than I've ever posted. I'm also very wordy and think in long, drawn-out plots.

Right now, I play exclusively in the Harry Potter fandom (I'm a Snarry girl) and have a novel half-written. For this work, I've broken my long-standing rule of 'write first, post when completed' and actually have a genuine WIP that I'm desperate to finish.

I need help and motivation, which is why I'm here. My writing sounds too clinical and horribly juvenile, so anything that will help me improve is welcome. I'm far too late to join this month's challenge, but I'm eagerly awaiting the next one.

Comments

[insignia]

Hi Alex, and good luck with your story! :)

[asecretchord]

Thank you!

[fuzzy_paint]

Hi Alex!

I have the problem with thinking my writing is clinical too! It usually works for me, but when I reread what I've written, I try to force myself to read it (in my head or out loud) in a tone of voice that conveys what I want the emotional response of the character and/or reader to be. So, I guess the easiest way to think about this is: imagine if your writing had an audiobook - what would that sound like? (It's usually a British accent for me) Who would be reading it? Imagine them getting really into it!

I find that when I don't actively do this, I reread it in a dry, dusty, mostly bored sort of voice. I think that I pick up on that subconsciously and it negatively affects the way I look at the story.

I wish you luck with your wip!

[asecretchord]

What a great idea! When I'm writing dialog, I feel like I'm doing a decent job of it when I can hear the character's voice in my head. Such a horrible thing to imagine Alan Rickman saying my lines. :) I should try it for the rest of the story as well.

[lacygrey]

Hi and welcome.

I have a lot more written than I've ever posted

Me too!
I think its good to experiment though - those extra words are not necessarily wasted.

[asecretchord]

I was going through one of the folders of fanfic I have on my hard drive looking for something to read and found a file with an unfamiliar name. I started reading it and wondered where it came from since it was obviously unfinished. It was one of mine. *facepalms*

[eve_doodle]

Whenever I read over my work and think it sounds too boring or dry, then it probably means there's not enough concrete details (things that can be perceived by the senses) in it and I'm doing too much telling and not enough showing.

What makes reading interesting, I think, is the specific details. Harry Potter was a great read because it has fantastic bits that makes the reader invested in the story. In the very first chapter, the reader is introduced to Dumbledore, whose traits are emphasized: crooked nose, weird astronomical watch, Put-Oter, long flowing white hair, purple wizard robes.

I also found that dialogue helps livens things up (too much, in my case *g*) and changing out verbs for more specific ones. Did he walk or slither across the room? Did she run or bound across the room? All of these things might seem small, but they add up and make for a piece that feels more dynamic.

I hope this helps a little and I wish you the best of luck with you WIP!