07-07-2012, 06:43 AM | #31 | |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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P.S. I've always thought the overlap is creativity. Many don't see/think of that in the software world, but it is very much true. And there are some similarities in writing software and writing in creating the piece-parts that fit together and support the overall objective of the story or program. Last edited by kennyc; 07-07-2012 at 06:46 AM. |
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07-07-2012, 07:07 AM | #32 | |
cacoethes scribendi
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07-07-2012, 07:08 AM | #33 | |
Writer guy
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Now, with planning a "must do" I can write a well structured and (hopefully) engaging page-turning in anywhere from 6 to 9 months. So, yeah, whatever works for you, but in my case (a middle-aged guy just starting, and trying t make up for lost time), the faster the better. |
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07-07-2012, 07:11 AM | #34 | |
Wizard
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07-07-2012, 07:12 AM | #35 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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The bartender doesn't have a clear shot due to panicking patrons, spoiling his aim; he uses a shotgun, but forgot to reload a chamber after discharging it, so his first trigger-pull has no result; the barhop is knocked over by a running patron, and so doesn't see what happens; and Billy Bob has time to dive through the plate glass window before being perforated. OR: Because of panicking patrons, Billy Bob and an innocent bystander get shot by the not-too-particular bartender; the bartender tells the bellhop to call for an ambulance, not the cops; then the bartender swears because everyone else has run off without paying their bills. In both cases, the characters can act true-to-form, but circumstances around them still dictate their specific reactions. If you pick the right circumstances, it can help to bring out the aspects of the character that you want to highlight, such as a panicky bar forcing the otherwise-nasty bartender to hold his fire for fear of hitting an innocent patron... or showing his callousness by shooting through them. |
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07-07-2012, 07:25 AM | #36 | |
Wizard
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So, not sure how anyone else works. But I start with some major general goal in mind, then put my characters in their places and the story starts to grow out of that. I write iteratively, which is that i write a few chapters, then I go back to the beginning of the book and rewrite. Then I write some new chapters and then I go back to the beginning and rewrite. Would an outline save me work? No, not even close because I just do not think in outlines. I think in pictures. Just not wired for outlining. I am in grad school, so when I have to submit an out line, I write the paper first, then go back and create the outline. |
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07-07-2012, 08:11 AM | #37 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Well, with an outline I don't have to rewrite from the beginning every time I finish a chapter or two; so I'd have to say GODS, YES! it would save you work. But if planning in advance and writing linearly removes your creativity or impetus, by all means, do whatever turns you on.
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07-07-2012, 08:23 AM | #38 | ||
Wizard
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That process is also iterative... Research - taking notes in outline format Read over out line a few times to seat facts Research - dif source materiel, and re work outline with new data Read over outline a few times to seat facts Repeat until done Then I set aside the outline and write out a message as if I was speaking it. Using conversational language and tone fitting the audience. I iteratively right that paragraph by paragraph. Then when it it time to speak, I bring my outline just in case I forget a fact, or quote but almost never look at it during my talk. By then I know what I want to say and I let the emotion of the audience help steer specifics. I do not always follow the outline in order, just depends how I feel things are going. Speaking live is more dynamic then writing. IMO So would an outline save me work in a story? Nope, it is just not the way I think. So in summary: The outline is useful for storing researched facts, not for making stuff up. At least not to me. |
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07-07-2012, 08:41 AM | #39 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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Gawd NO! Not POWERPOINT!!!!
(this makes me think of that over-hyped book by A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan where chapter 12 is a Power Point presentation) |
07-07-2012, 08:43 AM | #40 |
Wizard
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07-07-2012, 08:47 AM | #41 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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07-07-2012, 08:50 AM | #42 | |
Wizard
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However I DO heavily use my whiteboard when teaching, and I DO use power point when doing public speaking. Gotta be adaptable. |
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07-07-2012, 10:16 AM | #43 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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Yes, but how much of it is FICTION!
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07-07-2012, 11:06 AM | #44 |
Sci-Fi Author
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I'm a developer. I started out in Basic in the late 80's, then went to C/C++, a little Fortran (not a fun language), and then migrated to Perl, and eventually PHP when the web came about. I find web programming to be a lot more fun than desktop development.
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07-07-2012, 11:22 AM | #45 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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I started with basic as well, but earlier than you young whippersnappers. Early 70's on a minicomputer of some kind that had several teletype terminals attached. Lots of Intel Machine language early and most recently as a SW Architect on Java-based Cable/Satellite TV billing system..... All great training for Novel Writing!
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