Shonna’s answer to “Hi! I'd love to read your books but I wasn't able so far, because they are not sold in my country. …” > Likes and Comments
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Yes! A friend of mine recommended me The Book Depository, and I order one book to try the system, and it arrived safely at home, so I'm seriously considering starting to order, gradually, all my to-read list (I don't like reading digitally). By the way, I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina, did you ever come here? About writer's block, yeah, you're right, "block" it's a harsh term, but I haven't been able to write in a long, long time. I started with the "just write and the ideas will come" thing, but I reached page 14 in a short story, to discover I don't have a conflict, or a plot, at all... This starting to frustrate me seriously...
I've never been to Argentina, but I've seen beautiful pictures! As for your writer's block, it sounds like you are also editing as you go. Save that for later! The hardest part of writing (I think) is getting that first draft down. Once you have words/ideas etc you can go back in and fix the broken pieces. Don't overthink it...just imagine. Your story might not start until page 20 and then you can go back and delete the first few pages that weren't working for you. (I know it's hard to delete all that work!--just save it in another file and you'll feel better.) Ha! Happy writing. Let me know how it goes.
I know, I know, I have to write all I have, and then edit... But I have nothing to keep going, nor I can start in another genre, because it's BLANK. There's NOTHING to write about, and it's killing me... I tried with fanfiction as a tip to overcome the block, but it's not working...
Hi Cintia,
Sorry to interrupt! I have an idea that might help you with your writer’s block. Try picking one element to focus on and write about that. It can be a person, place, or thing, but just focus on that one element don’t worry about plot, character development, or the story for that matter. For example, focus on an object like a photo graph or an article of clothing, and describe it in detail (it doesn’t even half to go with your story at all)… You could write about the metallic warping of soda pop tab for all that matters. That’ll lead you into asking questions like “What soda flavor, brand, color, etc? Who is drinking the soda, and why? Setting… Is it a hot, sticky summer day or is it a gathering of friends for a football game? Shonna Slayton’s book, Cinderella’s Dress is filled with fun details like, “The faint scent of old pine forest wafted up as the amber warmed to her skin.” Most people wouldn’t associate a scent with jewelry, but Shonna does a wonderful job of making it magical… Or… “Kate sat beside a brunette wearing a flowered drawstring dress from Altman’s.” You can almost picture this 40’s flower print dress on a small plain-faced brunette girl. I really hope this helps! Again, sorry to interrupt!
Hi, Steph, no problem, you're not interrupting! That's a good idea, I've seen it in many sites with tips about overcoming writer's block, but I never tried it. I just tried the one with writing fanfiction, and I did it with my favorite tv serie, Once Upon a Time... As you said, I took a moment, and twisted it according what I'd like to have seen... Is that valid?
Yes, that counts! That is exactly what you should do with fanfiction, and it can really help get the creative juices flowing! However, try the other technique as well. If you get stuck when writing your own story it's good to start with something really small, and build from there or write about something completely different for a few minutes. For example, you are writing a story about the great mystery detective Fluffy Buttersnickers, and you can’t decide where to go after your 12th chapter. Take a break and write about a fun summer memory or some other memory from your past. You already have the story, the people, places, and things, but now you might be able to describe a new detail. Let’s say that you went on a boat trip with your family. You could describe the way your sunscreen melted like butter or how your skin stuck to the leather interior of your boat. Write about things you already know, and make it fun. Then, go back to your story and try again.
Yes, I know what you mean, and I'll give it a try, once I have time. I used to have a lot of ideas, I don't know where they went... Would you like to read one of my fics? I could use an opinion
Also, you could try asking your characters questions... I know that sounds weird, but when we create new characters in our heads sometimes we forget to give them well defined personalities. Get to know your characters. What kind of ice cream do they like? Do they prefer digital clocks or normal face-time clocks? How do they feel about the different consistencies and textures of a chicken stir-fry? Do they believe in any superstitions… Like step on a crack, break your mother’s back… Do they write their cross-word puzzles in pen or pencil?
What would they do if they were suddenly thrust into a horror story? Run away or fight the villain?
Well, in that case, it could some problems, because my characters are historical, or from a fantasy world. But yeah, I know what you mean, characters are people in some way, and we need to get to know them as we meet a normal friend in real life... I'll definitely try
Steph, thanks for chiming in! Lots of good ideas here.
Would like to see my style? I wrote 4 fanfictions about Once Upon a Time, my favorite show. In case you want to, here you can find them: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/6524772/...
Did you read? Really? Oh, my... *hyperventilating*
Haha. Cintia, I feel the same way when people tell me they're reading my book! What we do is so private...and then it's not :)
You let people read, and you are showing them your heart. A writer reveals more of himself/herself in the writing that he/she realises... Thanks for reading. I think that my little fics may sound silly for someone like you, a published author, but still, it means a lot that you read them! Thanks! I look forward to read your books! Love the covers, by the way!
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Cintia
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Aug 29, 2015 07:56AM
Yes! A friend of mine recommended me The Book Depository, and I order one book to try the system, and it arrived safely at home, so I'm seriously considering starting to order, gradually, all my to-read list (I don't like reading digitally). By the way, I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina, did you ever come here? About writer's block, yeah, you're right, "block" it's a harsh term, but I haven't been able to write in a long, long time. I started with the "just write and the ideas will come" thing, but I reached page 14 in a short story, to discover I don't have a conflict, or a plot, at all... This starting to frustrate me seriously...
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I've never been to Argentina, but I've seen beautiful pictures! As for your writer's block, it sounds like you are also editing as you go. Save that for later! The hardest part of writing (I think) is getting that first draft down. Once you have words/ideas etc you can go back in and fix the broken pieces. Don't overthink it...just imagine. Your story might not start until page 20 and then you can go back and delete the first few pages that weren't working for you. (I know it's hard to delete all that work!--just save it in another file and you'll feel better.) Ha! Happy writing. Let me know how it goes.
I know, I know, I have to write all I have, and then edit... But I have nothing to keep going, nor I can start in another genre, because it's BLANK. There's NOTHING to write about, and it's killing me... I tried with fanfiction as a tip to overcome the block, but it's not working...
Hi Cintia, Sorry to interrupt! I have an idea that might help you with your writer’s block. Try picking one element to focus on and write about that. It can be a person, place, or thing, but just focus on that one element don’t worry about plot, character development, or the story for that matter. For example, focus on an object like a photo graph or an article of clothing, and describe it in detail (it doesn’t even half to go with your story at all)… You could write about the metallic warping of soda pop tab for all that matters. That’ll lead you into asking questions like “What soda flavor, brand, color, etc? Who is drinking the soda, and why? Setting… Is it a hot, sticky summer day or is it a gathering of friends for a football game? Shonna Slayton’s book, Cinderella’s Dress is filled with fun details like, “The faint scent of old pine forest wafted up as the amber warmed to her skin.” Most people wouldn’t associate a scent with jewelry, but Shonna does a wonderful job of making it magical… Or… “Kate sat beside a brunette wearing a flowered drawstring dress from Altman’s.” You can almost picture this 40’s flower print dress on a small plain-faced brunette girl. I really hope this helps! Again, sorry to interrupt!
Hi, Steph, no problem, you're not interrupting! That's a good idea, I've seen it in many sites with tips about overcoming writer's block, but I never tried it. I just tried the one with writing fanfiction, and I did it with my favorite tv serie, Once Upon a Time... As you said, I took a moment, and twisted it according what I'd like to have seen... Is that valid?
Yes, that counts! That is exactly what you should do with fanfiction, and it can really help get the creative juices flowing! However, try the other technique as well. If you get stuck when writing your own story it's good to start with something really small, and build from there or write about something completely different for a few minutes. For example, you are writing a story about the great mystery detective Fluffy Buttersnickers, and you can’t decide where to go after your 12th chapter. Take a break and write about a fun summer memory or some other memory from your past. You already have the story, the people, places, and things, but now you might be able to describe a new detail. Let’s say that you went on a boat trip with your family. You could describe the way your sunscreen melted like butter or how your skin stuck to the leather interior of your boat. Write about things you already know, and make it fun. Then, go back to your story and try again.
Yes, I know what you mean, and I'll give it a try, once I have time. I used to have a lot of ideas, I don't know where they went... Would you like to read one of my fics? I could use an opinion
Also, you could try asking your characters questions... I know that sounds weird, but when we create new characters in our heads sometimes we forget to give them well defined personalities. Get to know your characters. What kind of ice cream do they like? Do they prefer digital clocks or normal face-time clocks? How do they feel about the different consistencies and textures of a chicken stir-fry? Do they believe in any superstitions… Like step on a crack, break your mother’s back… Do they write their cross-word puzzles in pen or pencil?
What would they do if they were suddenly thrust into a horror story? Run away or fight the villain?
Well, in that case, it could some problems, because my characters are historical, or from a fantasy world. But yeah, I know what you mean, characters are people in some way, and we need to get to know them as we meet a normal friend in real life... I'll definitely try
Steph, thanks for chiming in! Lots of good ideas here.
Would like to see my style? I wrote 4 fanfictions about Once Upon a Time, my favorite show. In case you want to, here you can find them: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/6524772/...
Did you read? Really? Oh, my... *hyperventilating*
Haha. Cintia, I feel the same way when people tell me they're reading my book! What we do is so private...and then it's not :)
You let people read, and you are showing them your heart. A writer reveals more of himself/herself in the writing that he/she realises... Thanks for reading. I think that my little fics may sound silly for someone like you, a published author, but still, it means a lot that you read them! Thanks! I look forward to read your books! Love the covers, by the way!
