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Topic: Writer's Lament (Read 159 times) |
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Bronze, John
Renowned Explorer
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Writer's Lament
« Thread started on: Jul 22nd, 2009, 1:14pm » |
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I've been RPing for many years, a lot of people, including some on this site, have expressed a liking for my style of short, to the point, rping. But I kind of feel that because I don't write walls of text, that my threads will forever seem short or like a diversion to works which are more "epic" in terms of size.
So...any tips on how to write a lot in a single post? Or should I just try to write stories that take up more posts to provide for more action?
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Savery P. Heron
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Re: Writer's Lament
« Reply #1 on: Jul 22nd, 2009, 7:07pm » |
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I say if you don't feel it needed more don't add it. Just like cooking adding more of the same when you can't find the right ingredient just increases the bland.
My posts are long, but mainly because I try to do a more 'dynamic' writing. A lot of thought and speech, it breaks up the paragraphs a lot and then I can sprinkle the descriptions I might have piled into one block throughout. But there's plenty of times I could just shorten it all(I actually find myself shortening what I'm doing here). As for solo adventures, I say the best way for me personally is I picture my adventure as it was happening in my own little show/anime.
I end a post where in my head I'd do the little middle commercial/break or end the episode. This at many times ends up expanding what I wanted to do in that post alot(I've had what could have been a 2 page post into 5 at other places), and leaves me focusing more on how I flesh out the interval in the story I wanna do in this block, instead of trying to make the block itself. Also I read everything once before I post it, sometimes I find myself feeling like a little something needs placed in, or I even re-arrange something a little. After all we are our own editors and writers here, we do two man jobs.. and for free haha.
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Cross Leon
Ace of Justice
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Re: Writer's Lament
« Reply #2 on: Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:35am » |
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I would recommend not trying to write longer just to appear more epic or like everyone else mostly because attempting to imitate a style you're not comfortable with usually leads to poor results, and length =/= quality.
I am someone who writes a lot. With most of my characters I usually use on average about 60 - 70% of the character limit on each post, but I'll be the first to tell you that it's not all necessary. I used to actually write very short paragraphs and used long back and forth dialouge to carry my length. After years of writing I just naturally got more wordy and started to imitate my real life exposition (i.e. I can talk for a long time), but I've always longed for the days where I can shorten what I say and make it concise. If anything, I assume length works against you since you'll find yourself repeating words and becoming redundant, and I feel a long wall of text turns people off--or at least the casual.
Already I feel like I'm typing too much. If you are interested in writing more, I'd recommend trying to describe every action a character is doing down to picayune details. If you run out of things to say about a character, I'd suggest trying to have them move more so you can have more to say.
Of course I'm instantly reminded of the quote that's something like "[The fool says nothing with a lot of words; but the wise man says a lot with few]" I completely butchered that proverb, but just because someone writes a lot, doesn't mean it's better that way. Stick to the style you like.
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Tendou Souji
The Sun Warrior
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Using the Sun as your starting point, walk your own path.
 
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Re: Writer's Lament
« Reply #3 on: Jul 23rd, 2009, 11:00am » |
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I keep saying since I've been administrating for almost a decade now, quality does not count to quantity. Sure all of the staff any our myriad of characters write paragraphs and paragraphs, it's not a standard though, just our collective quirks.
For me personally, I'm very nonchalant with my thirst for epic, i just write what comes to mind and let the quality be judged by those who choose to read my stories, or obligated to in the moderating sense. After I proof read I touch up parts or reduce them. My aim isn't length, be it short or long, rather a consistent flowing story with elegant prose, witty metaphors and lone hundred percent my style.
Though I will admit, I'm some what contrasting to your needs Bronze. I like to aim for hitting the Post Count Spot on with as little length as possible, yet I do hit droves and droves of text, just because, like Cross, in real life I'm a wind bag of words.
However, you asked specifically for tips to top off your role playing, I only read your first bit all the way to the end so it's all i'm going off on. Add descriptions to things you want to stand out, things you want to increase the sense of environment and even things that are unpleasant but are part of the story. Most importantly, describe the main points in the tory and stick to it. Also add characters. Not just nameless faceless stand ins that say one thing, characterize your characters. But nameless faceless stand ins make good for the general populace in a city. Dialogue helps too, just avoid advancing the story on solely dialogue, it's a problem with a lot of writers who enjoy script. (Used to be guilty)
Hope that helps.
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McAllen Creek
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Re: Writer's Lament
« Reply #4 on: Jul 24th, 2009, 4:35pm » |
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Well since this thread is already here I'll put my own lament, sorry if it bothers, well since my last adventure I've notice I tend to make thing ratter long, for example I start writing and then I notice I’m in the post number 30 then I don’t know what to do, if close the thread or keep writing.
Like in Jouki, I made 3 threads for one arc but if I had made all that in one thread it would have been a 90 posts thread and I noticed doing the first you lose characterization and readers lose the tread of the story so...any advice you could give me?
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Tendou Souji
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Re: Writer's Lament
« Reply #5 on: Jul 25th, 2009, 11:50am » |
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No clue, you could reread your work and summarize it. Quality in story does not relate to quantity of text.
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