24 Mar 05
Hello to all. I want to try and write a fantasy novel, but although I have the story line, I have no idea how to go about writing the story. Is there a set formular that writers use and does anyone know of any websites that may help me start on the correct footing?
Thanks for your time
Kerrin
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by MesmirisI'm sure there is but I recommend picking up the audiobook by Stephen King called "On Writing" that he discusses what he does.
Hello to all. I want to try and write a fantasy novel, but although I have the story line, I have no idea how to go about writing the story. Is there a set formular that writers use and does anyone know of any websites that may help me start on the correct footing?
Thanks for your time
Kerrin
I think the key is to just write and plan on many, many, many rewrites. Try not to second guess yourself initially and just write whatever comes to you. Get through your very first rough draft and repeat and repeat and repeat until you are satisfied.
Good luck
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by Joe FistThanks. I appreciate that.
I'm sure there is but I recommend picking up the audiobook by Stephen King called "On Writing" that he discusses what he does.
I think the key is to just write and plan on many, many, many rewrites. Try not to second guess yourself initially and just write whatever comes to you. Get through your very first rough draft and repeat and repeat and repeat until you are satisfied.
Good luck
24 Mar 05
Best advice I can give is that far too many people think they can just write a book, and they're right.
But to write a good book is a lot harder... so write, write, write and read, read, read and then do some more. Ask everyone and anyone who will give it, for criticism and don't take it to heart, just analyse it and see how you can improve your writing with it. Then write more, read more, write some more and then read some more and when you've done all that, start again. Never stop writing or reading.
Eventually you'll have something you can be really proud of.
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by VargI am lucky that I have a number of very reliable close friends who will be honest with me.
I would say go for it but, as Starrman says, listen to the critics and try and filter out the nasty ones from the genuine, constructive ones.
I have been thinking about this particular question for some time now and I was wondering what you folks thought. With the obvious success of the three Lord of the Rings films, do you think that this success has been detrimental to the future of similar fantasy novels? Maybe it is just me, but I have noticed a massive reduction in the number of quality fantasy novels in the major bookshops in US since the films were screened.
24 Mar 05
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I enjoy the fantasy genre. I've just finished reading the 10th bloody book by Robert Jordan in his Wheel Of Time series. Not as good as Feist, but pretty decent.
Now the secret (for me) to fantasy, must be the milieu you sketch. Your character development doesn't have to be as good as in other genres, but you must paint a really good picture to the reader.
A few really hardcore heroes who die brutal, but heroic deaths doesn't hurt either...
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by MesmirisWell I am really not qualified to answer this question because I am not a big LOTR guy. The movies were cool visually but I never read the books (I know I should be stoned for that, right?). I think success in any genre has had pros & cons to whatever industry they are in. I think it isn't a good idea to really be that concerned with it because what's the point? You can't control that some stuff will be garbage and others won't.
I am lucky that I have a number of very reliable close friends who will be honest with me.
I have been thinking about this particular question for some time now and I was wondering what you folks thought. With the obvious success of the three Lord of the Rings films, do you think that this success has been detrimental to the future of similar fantasy nov ...[text shortened]... the number of quality fantasy novels in the major bookshops in US since the films were screened.
I guess it comes down to this: Are you wanting to write a fantasy novel because:
A. You believe you have this great concept that would be really interesting to read.
B. You hope it makes you a lot of money
C. Both
Most of us would probably answer C but I think your heart has to really be in the answer A. For me trying to write when I do is for A and I strive to write hopefully something that hasn't been done before or a completely different spin on something previously done.
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by MesmirisI think it's farily obvious that there will never be a better written series of fantasy books than Lord of The Rings. They were written very early in the genre and set the standard for every book in the genre since. Not only was the story so far reaching, Tolkein devoted his life to them, he created the history, culture, demography and magic that surrounded the books in such detail that few fantasy authors have come close.
I am lucky that I have a number of very reliable close friends who will be honest with me.
I have been thinking about this particular question for some time now and I was wondering what you folks thought. With the obvious success of the three Lord of the Rings films, do you think that this success has been detrimental to the future of similar fantasy nov ...[text shortened]... the number of quality fantasy novels in the major bookshops in US since the films were screened.
So originality is tricky in fantasy writing, I can't count the number of fantasy books that have the same formula: unknown youngster/orphan/outcast gets caught up in factors beyond his control, but somehow becomes pivotal to the events. He/she usually goes on a long quest picking up members who are loyal and brave, the story will also have some pledging of undying allegiance and betrayal. A moment of bleakness where all hope is lost before either the fulfilling some prophecy or averting the destruction of the land.
So originality is pretty hard to come by it seems. Not to say there aren't authors who have managed it, but fantasy is particularly hard to make fresh and new. Lets not forget that Tolkein brought terms like Orc and Elf into the popular aren, where few had ever heard these words. Today we take them for granted and their names appear in all sorts of stories, games etc.
If I were writing another book, fantasy would be my last choice of genre.
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by StarrmanI think the only real reason why I wish to write a fantasy noval is because I don't wish to leave this world wondering whether I could do it or not. My friends and I have been playing various fantasy roleplaying games for over 20 years now and I intend to base a set of stories around the various characters that we have played. We have a wealth of totally original story-lines and also some very deeply developed characters. It may fail, but at the very least I want a book, which is hopefully well written that my friends can read.
I think it's farily obvious that there will never be a better written series of fantasy books than Lord of The Rings. They were written very early in the genre and set the standard for every book in the genre since. Not only was the story so far reaching, Tolkein devoted his life to them, he created the history, culture, demography and magic that surroun ...[text shortened]... stories, games etc.
If I were writing another book, fantasy would be my last choice of genre.
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by MesmirisWell good luck to ya 🙂
I think the only real reason why I wish to write a fantasy noval is because I don't wish to leave this world wondering whether I could do it or not. My friends and I have been playing various fantasy roleplaying games for over 20 years now and I intend to base a set of stories around the various characters that we have played. We have a wealth of totally o ...[text shortened]... but at the very least I want a book, which is hopefully well written that my friends can read.
24 Mar 05
Originally posted by Joe FistThe books are even more boring than the films were if that is possible. Which it isn't.
Well I am really not qualified to answer this question because I am not a big LOTR guy. The movies were cool visually but I never read the books (I know I should be stoned for that, right?).
25 Mar 05
Originally posted by MesmirisThere are a lot of sites and books out there which can help you to write a story.
Hello to all. I want to try and write a fantasy novel, but although I have the story line, I have no idea how to go about writing the story. Is there a set formular that writers use and does anyone know of any websites that may help me start on the correct footing?
Thanks for your time
Kerrin
Stephen King is a crap writer, but a great story teller. Read his book on writing, I'm sure you'll pick up a few hints.
Someone else already said it, but I'll repeat it, because it is so true: READ! Read as much as possible. See how people write a novel.
If you want to do something really amusing: Read "The davinci code" and then read: "The cider house rules"
You'll notice that the Davinci code is easier to read, faster, and keeps you wanting to read the next chapter (the written version of a 24..the TV series, basically...same methods), but then when you read the Cider house rules, you suddenly become aware of character creation and how to have characters progress through-out a story.
What you basically want to do is:
1. Think of a plot.
This is the basic line upon which you're going to base your story.
The start, the middle section and how it ends.
2. Imagine which evolution the main characters are going to make in the story.
3. Base your writing on the medium you're writing for (for example, if it's an essay on the internet, you'll have to use a whole other forumula than if you're writing a 20 page story, which people will read on paper)
4. Be prepared to change, change and change again. Re-writing is an occupational hazzard...