Very good advice, Silver. I've spent all summer re-writing the first chapters of my story, a chapter I wrote the first draft of years ago. I'm not in any rush to finish it, but I do think I might either just write the whole story through without major editing, or skip ahead for awhile and come back to it. I'm sure the words will eventually come. I've written this story many times, and I'm not finishing until I get it completely right.

I've finally finished rewriting the beginning of Elwen for the third time. Beginnings are always my weak point. I had to rewrite the beginning of The Black Galloper at least three or four times to make Estam stop acting like an idiot. Now I just have to finish writing about the fire on the ship.
I've also started a story about a magician with broken fingers, in a world where their power is inherent in their perfect hands. I plan to work the crow idea into that story. I think the hero will have a talking crow or something like that. Other than that, I'm trying to write without an outline here, and just write whatever I think of.

andrew, I strongly recommened finishing it before trying to perfect it. If you try to perfect it before finishing, it's not going to happen. Very often you will have to re-write scenes no matter what you do, but so often stories will take turns on you, which may force you to re-write what you already did. You can always go back and polish a product that has its ending set. My novel started at 250 pages (Word, single spaced), then a re-write sent it back down to 200 pages, and after editing and more re-writing it has stabalized to between 225-230 pages. And I am still re-writing as when I changed my baddie descriptions, I needed to change my battle scenes as well. So keep at it and don't quit.

If you are a 'edge-of-your-seat' writer that makes up the story as you go, then skipping a scene you can't figure out doesn't work. But if you do have an outline and you just can't figure out how to get from point A to point B, you can start at point B because you know where point B needs to be and what your characters need. Just be sure to put a big note somewhere that says go back to it later. I've discovered that sometimes once you start at point B, the path backwards to point A becomes evident. It' sa challenge but worthwhile to overcome.

As for me, I am waiting for some last minute feedback and for my semester opening activities with my Intervarsity Christian Fellowship chapter to finish to get started on the 2nd half of my final editing phase. I know what needs to be done, but I still have just a couple things to figure out (like what my baddies' uniform is going to look like). Then once I do that, I need to finalize my novel and chapter summaries and then submit to Lighthouse Christian Publishing. It's in God's hands from there.

Gonna pop in here.

I found this on a site: http://forum.deviantart.com/community/projects/913493/

It's a challenge to write on the given 100 themes. It's just a fun challenge, not like you need to race to be the first to finish.

Thought you guys might like it.

I've been thinking about the traveling advice, as it applies to the sea voyage in my book. Right now I've made a fire be on board, but that doesn't have very much impact on the story, so I'm thinking about cutting it totally. I've been working on it for weeks, I can't seem to get it right, so I think I'll just cut it and move on to the more interesting things. (The other major happenings on the voyage are a storm and an encounter with some enchanted islands. They have more impact on the story than the fire, though. The storm shipwrecks a major character in the right place so he can travel inland and meet the people of a new nation, the enchanted islands provide a continuation of the conflict between two other characters.)

In what style do you guys like to write? 19th Century? 20th Century? 21st Century?
And do you prefer 1st or 3rd person?

I usually write 19th century 3rd peson.

I prefer 1st person. It's easier for my to write I think. I tried 3rd person for school, but it wasn't that good. As in the century, I don't really have a preference.

I did cut the fire. Now on through the storm and the enchanted islands! And more with my soon-to-be broken-fingered magician!
I wouldn't know what century I'm in, except that I don't ramble nearly as much as most 19th century authors I've read. Its a fantasy world, but they don't talk 'old time' like, though I try not to have them use modern slang. I always do third person. If I did do first person it would feel like it was all happening to me--and I wouldn't want any of it to actually happen to anybody real. Now, I do know some good fantasies written in first person, (Ella Enchanted, Fairest, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, the Percy Jackson books), but I feel more comfortable with third person.

Personally, I go through phases. Right now I'm in a first-person phase. But I like both of them, and use them as seems fit for whatever story I'm working on.

It depends. Sometimes I get a voice in my head and it's very strong and it deserves to be written in 1st person. It belongs to a character. Other times, a character isn't as strong and then I use 3rd person.

Sounds like you're being productive, Lady Haleth - awesome!

Eustace+Jill I actually had to look up what you meant by writing in "centuries" because I'd never heard of that before! I guess I would call my writing style "semi-old-fashioned". My story is a medieval fantasy set in another world, so I try to be conscious of what words I'm using. Definitely no modern slang. (I had someone tell me the phrase "young lady" was too modern for such a book - what do you guys think?) But at the same time, my voice and rhythm are probably 21st century since that's just how I think.

As for point of view, I really don't have a preference. My story is set in 3rd person point of view, but I want the reader to connect to my main character easily. I'm always jumping into his head and putting his thoughts in italics like this. Even if not in direct thoughts, I like letting my reader know how my MC is feeling. So, although the story is in 3rd person, it's all told from his point of view. (Except for the occasional jump to another character's point of view - but that only happens rarely and when my MC isn't present at the scene.)

I have an idea for NaNoWriMo (this year will be my first time) where the story would be told in 1st person. I haven't done much with first person, but I'd really like to try.

Thanks for all the advice, guys! Between you, other friends, and my brain, we might solve this problem yet!

Oh question that I've been meaning to ask but forgot and then now I remember So how's your writing style? Do you write in chronological order so that you finish up for the night and the next morning start where you left off? Or do you write like in pieces? For example do you finish up for the night and in the morning instead of start where you left off you write a completely different scene and then piece everything together when you have enough? Does the rambling make sense?

Yeah, your rambling makes sense! I'm just not sure if my answer will make sense.

I guess you'd call mine "in pieces", but I'm not certain of that. How to explain... I guess that before I explain my style, I'd have to tell you what I write in. (or maybe that will help explain it. who knows?!)

I have this binder. Well, actually that binder is my travel copy. For my original copy, I have one binder for my first book... and another for "the sequels" (that might change, but for now, that's the system)

Anyway, regardless of which copy we're speaking of, the set-up is basically the same. And that is like this:

In my travel binder, it's divided up in sections. And if you opened it up, you would see the following-
1) PK5-my boys (holds a page or more of info on each of the five boys)
2) People they know (divided up between siblings, and cousins)
3) Stolwood (that's their town. and it is divided between general info, and sports teams, I believe. included in general info are other people from the town)
4) Ideas for "Scrape" (nickname for the whole title)
5) Book One
6) Ideas for Book Two
7) Book Two
8) Ideas for Books 3-?
There are also spots in the outside pocket for other info... that I won't go into now.

Back to answering you. I usually just hear conversations. So, once I know which part of the timeline it's from, I put it under ideas for whichever book it was. And later, once I get to the book and chapter it's from, I will add them in the correct place. Make sense?

Though, when I'm working on the chapters, themselves... it kinda happens all in one sitting, unless I get stuck. And then, I just come back to it, whenever I get "unstuck".

As for how and when the information comes at me:
At any time that I'm awake. Though, I've found that the times they want me to listen in on their conversations (especially the really LONG and detailed ones), I'm in the middle of something. Say, in the shower... or unloading and reloading the dishwasher. Or some such thing. So, what I do, is just try and remember as much of it as I can, til I can get to paper. Or, the times it comes when I'm about to fall asleep, and don't wanna crawl out of bed to get my binder? I just record the conversation on my phone. (or, at least enough of it to jog a memory)

I hope that answered your question, sillygoose!

In what style do you guys like to write? 19th Century? 20th Century? 21st Century?
And do you prefer 1st or 3rd person?

It was interesting to get this question, I don't really think about it all that much. I just write what comes to me. Usually it ends up being from a time I was alive during, though. (for instance, like I said a page ago... my book, at least the first one, is set in the summer of 1989. so, I woulda been about five or six, then) But I wouldn't turn away any time period that chooses to pop into my head.

As for which "voice" I write in, I agree with Kate...

It depends. Sometimes I get a voice in my head and it's very strong and it deserves to be written in 1st person. It belongs to a character. Other times, a character isn't as strong and then I use 3rd person.

But I think I generally use both. Although, I have to say... most of my stuff has ended up being in 1st person. (if I had to guess, that is)

Here's a question for you all:
Do you think of your characters as "characters"? or as real people? Mine haven't really seemed like characters to me, for some time now. It's only occasionally that I remember "Oh, they're just pretend"

Oh, sheesh! Now, one of them is all indignant because I called them "pretend". Another time he got mad because I called him a character.

^That's funny because that's exactly how I think of mine! I have to remind myself they aren't real. Last night I was in my room alone and sort of 'interviewed' them, imagining what they would say. One of the interviews is written down. But its hilarious! I imagined one character complaining that his life was awful and asking for a more glorious death, while I shocked two avowed enemies by telling them their children would marry each other. This is weird.

Thank you Princess Anna and Silver the Wanderer for pointing me over here! I had loved following the Writer's World threads on the old Narniaweb, but for some reason I hadn't found it yet on the new forum! Possibly because it used to be a sticky. Or maybe I just need glasses.

One of the goals I set on my birthday last week (I like to set goals, because then I feel obligated to accomplish them or else be very annoyed with myself ) was to seriously start working on one of my novels this year. I haven't actually written anything original in earnest for a long while—mostly just scribbles here and there, and some fanfics along the way. Plenty has been bouncing around my head for years, growing and gaining detail, but writing hasn't been able to be a priority for most of my teenage years. Things are finally starting to settle down a little, though, so I feel like I can start taking up some of the old dreams again.

Anyway! My plan thus far is to take my favorite Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and turn it into long, elaborated fantasy novel. So it won't be a true original story, but people probably won't be able to recognize it by the time I'm done with it anyway. And I'm hoping it'll be a good stepping stone, a way to ease back into writing a real novel. Plus, I've always loved taking something rather simple and seeing how far I can go with it. (I made a stick horse out of nothing but poster board, balled up kleenex, a little velveted paper, tape and paint once when I was a child. ) I still want to keep the same elements as the fairytale, though, and for it to have the same atmosphere and feel that I loved so much when I first read it. And I'd hate to disappoint Mr. Andersen!

Oh question that I've been meaning to ask but forgot and then now I remember So how's your writing style? Do you write in chronological order so that you finish up for the night and the next morning start where you left off? Or do you write like in pieces? For example do you finish up for the night and in the morning instead of start where you left off you write a completely different scene and then piece everything together when you have enough? Does the rambling make sense?

I usually write chronologically, although sometimes if I'm not sure about a scene and I badly want to get to the next one before I forget an idea, I'll just jot down some rough ideas and fill it out later. Sort of like how an artist would do a quick sketch, then come back and tweak it, emphasize the lines, do shading and such. And if I get an idea for a scene much farther into the story and I'm still plodding around the beginning, I'll make a note of it; usually just a handful of sentences for jogging my memory, but occasionally I'll write it out completely, if it's already that clear in my head.

In what style do you guys like to write? 19th Century? 20th Century? 21st Century?

Hmm, I have absolutely no idea! All my stories take place in alternate worlds, so I'm not really sure which century I would compare them with. All I can say for sure is that it's definitely old-fashioned; I was really influenced by classic children's literature when I first started writing around age ten, especially by the likes of Louisa May Alcott, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Elizabeth Goudge.

And do you prefer 1st or 3rd person?

I've always written in third person. I don't dislike first person—I've read plenty of books written in it, and loved several of them—but I've always had difficult writing it myself. Not really sure why.

Here's a question for you all:
Do you think of your characters as "characters"? or as real people?

A large part of me insists that somehow, somewhere, my characters are real and living out their lives in a universe outside of time. Frankly, I often feel closer to them than most of the "real" people I know. Heehee, I have conversations with my characters, too, especially when I'm alone in the house! Sometimes I'll pretend to be one of them and test out different scenes, and other times I'm just the mysterious authoress whom they're all pretty wary of.

Here's a question for you all: Do you think of your characters as "characters"? or as real people?

A large part of me insists that somehow, somewhere, my characters are real and living out their lives in a universe outside of time. Frankly, I often feel closer to them than most of the "real" people I know. Heehee, I have conversations with my characters, too, especially when I'm alone in the house! Sometimes I'll pretend to be one of them and test out different scenes, and other times I'm just the mysterious authoress whom they're all pretty wary of.

Hahaha, that last bit made me grin! Because it sounds very familiar. There are times I am one of them. (but which one switches, depending on what's going on, or who is the focus) There are many, many times I'm just observing. And most of them don't mind, it's like I'm a silent "unoffical member" of the gang. But yes, one of them is VERY wary of me. It's rather funny, actually! It usually goes like this:

I'll be talking of writing it or something, and he'll get this look on his face. Or the others will be referring to me, and he'd get the same look. Both ways, it ends up with him looking over at me with this very distinctive, wary and harsh look. And he'll pipe up: "Don't know why she's always saying how she's writing it. Tony wrote it. Don't even know how she found it"

A lot of times, I just overhear things they say to each other. Other times, I'll be, say, talking with someone on YIM or AIM... and one or more of them will poke me, or tap me on the shoulder. "We need to speak with you..." "Can't it wait, guys? I'm in the middle of something" "NO IT CAN NOT!" "She's right next to us, Charlie... you don't hafta scream at her!"

Or I'll hear one screaming, "Get him OFF OF ME!!!" (usually it's Matt talking of Charlie, though sometimes it's the other way 'round) "Charlie, get off your cousin's back, please" "Why should I?" "Because if you don't, I'll get your brothers in here." "I ain't scared of them." "Oh? Let's find out. Ohhh, Raaaanndddyy!!!!!!" "OK, I'm offa him! Ya happy??"

I'm glad I'm not the only one that experiences such things. It's weird, non-writer's seem to think it's me doing this. I'll be laughing about how, "the boys said this..." and people from church will go, "Gosh, you have a great imagination!!" or "It's you, you just have a wonderfully large imagination" And I insist that it's NOT me doing this, that I have little to no say in the matter. That I'm just along for the ride!!

(and yes, a lot of the conversations happen when others aren't around. but not always!)
..............
Anyway, welcome! I'm so glad you came in here!
And I like the sound of your idea. Are you willing to say which fairy tale?
*loves Lousia May Alcott and Frances Hodgson Burnett's books*