I like working outside as well, when weather permits it Ryadian, I can get distracted by the birds flying ahead, so maybe I just have to lock myself inside an empty room to avoid distractions

How is your dialogue scene going Valiant Nymph?

That's funny, JillPoleFriend! It is going well! I'm about half way done and enjoying it!

And yes, Ryadian, sometimes I get distracted writing in public places too
I also agree that it is hard to stick with one idea and keep at it; so many shiny, new things to distract you!

Hope this is the right place to post this, need some help with a writer-related problem. A few weeks ago, I was reading a fanfic that at first I liked, then I realized I didn't, and in PMs, the author wanted to know what happened, and I replied that while the writing was good, the story just wasn't my thing, and I was about to tell them that I might change my mind at some point in the future but for now it's just not for me, when they fired back with a bunch of angry PMs ranting at me, coming off like they were trying to tell me I had no right to my own opinion about their story, and my first thought was "Woooooooooooow! You just BLEW it with me.", but I didn't say anything and have just never replied to them, but it's been weeks and it's still bothering me, and I'm not sure why, so I'm wondering if there's any point in trying to suggest to them that demanding your readers automatically like your stuff isn't the best way to treat them, or should I just keep ignoring them?

From what you've said, if I were in your situation I wouldn't contact them. I'm not sure they would accept your advice about how to treat their readers if they didn't accept what you said about their story. If they contact you again, more calmly I hope, you might want to reconsider. But for now I think it's okay to leave it as is.

On writing, it's been a long time but I've been typing up a short story over the last few days! It's one that's been building up in my head for a while, but I was nervous to pin it down for fear it would lose what I meant it to be. However, in writing it out I've discovered far more about the story and characters. It's basically the same, but there's much more depth to it! There's still a lot to write, though, so I suppose it could all change ...

Excuse my adding a bit, but I agree not to contact her again.

Don't forget that she is writing something using another writer's characters, setting, etc, and making them act the way she wants them to - so in some ways she could be seen to be breaching the copyright of the original writer.

I myself am currently at the 'it's partly in my head, partly in notes before I write, and I need to get material from where I am because it is set here' stage, with a story I want to write. The tricky bit is that it is a sequel to a book I was going to write years ago, and this is now the next generation! I still want to write the original book, and so I have to have a decent outline of what happens etc before I begin the outline for this one!

I have to get out and about, take photos and write descriptions and information, and talk to locals about the last 30+ years.
Motivation needed to get moving!

Thanks to both of you and good luck on your stories. As mentioned, it's what they want to do with the characters, so I don't get why they'd expect everyone else to like what they do. Oh well. I want to get more writing done, but there's too many distractions, but not all are bad, house/yard work does need to get done when it has to, except when my body is busy, I feel like my muses are evil and have no shame because my brain wanders and I get ideas for more stories when I haven't even finished the ones I started years ago...

Valiant_Nymph, that library sounds lovely! Definitely perfect for writing.

I mainly just write in my room. I've written outside occasionally, but I haven't found a really good place for writing yet. Personally, I find it hard to write around other people, so anywhere crowded is a no for me! Since I have yet to find a good place, I will sometimes listen to ambient soundtracks that help me get into the setting of my story. It's not quite the same, but it can be nice sometimes.

Kalta79, I have those same problems! Currently, I keep on finding technically old story ideas that I never did much with and wanting to work on them instead of my current writing projects. I have yet to find a good solution for how to balance getting new ideas with the old ones I'm working on....

Summersnow: yes, I used to find it very hard to write with other people around as well. I find it is still hard if I'm doing something very intensive -- I need my own private space to be able to concentrate and cry in frustration
But if I'm writing something that is more fun or lighthearted or purely administrative, I find having company can help. Or even if it isn't 'company,' just being in the presence of other people. That's why I like cafes

Also, I think that wanting to work on projects other than the one at hand is very tempting! I suppose it isn't bad or wrong, as long as we can stay somewhat disciplined and actually get something done!

Valiant_Nymph, I hadn't thought about it being helpful to be around others when you're writing something lighthearted. I think I'd like to try writing in a cafe sometime and see how it turns out!

That's where the problem is for me! I've been trying to limit myself to a select number of stories -- I can work on any of them at any time, but I'm not allowed to start a new project. We'll see how long it lasts!

On another note, is anyone planning on doing Camp NaNo? I was surprised to discover it's in July this year, since I thought they usually tried to keep it in a month with 30 days.

I write for a website called Rambling Ever On. (The link is in my signature.) I have written a few different Narnia related articles over the years. I figured I would share them here with likeminded folks. I hope the will be meaningful to others. Thanks.

Aslan Is On the Move

Excellent article! I love the constant parallels you drew between our world and Narnia. Very evocatively written! Thanks for sharing that!

Excellent article! I love the constant parallels you drew between our world and Narnia. Very evocatively written! Thanks for sharing that!

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. My most recent reading of the books really brought home that phrase. The idea that "Aslan is on the move." It is so evocative. It is mysterious yet still conveys a sense of power and excitement. The first time we read that phrase, we have no idea who Aslan even is, yet we feel He can fix things.

I think that parallels quite beautifully with our own world.

Wrote a little this morning, and when I had one character notice another character's expression on their face, I started wondering why it sometimes feels necessary to specify that it's a facial expression. I mean where else would the expression be? On their kneecap?

when I had one character notice another character's expression on their face, I started wondering why it sometimes feels necessary to specify that it's a facial expression. I mean where else would the expression be? On their kneecap?

Well, I guess it's possible to emote with your hands, either by gesturing or just fidgeting worriedly. But most people will probably get it (imo) if you just say a "a horrified/elated/amused expression."

I have something like 6 or seven novels "in progress" at the moment... which means that I actually write stuff in the first draft for one about once a week, scribble down some ideas for the other now and then, and occasionally think about how I really should be getting back to the other 4 or 5.
And I haven't published anything yet, so we'll see how this goes!
Here's something my own writing has made me wonder: how do you make characters realistic when they're just talking comfortably with another character about things that aren't vital to the plot? How do you keep that from sounding forced and un-relatable?

I've learned quite well that characters have a nasty habit of doing whatever they want even if it's not what you intended for them, and to me it only seems forced if you try and stop them. I write pretty much for a hobby, and the main couple in my story had a major fight about 5 chapters in, and 10+ chapters later, I'm like Come on you guys, you've had more than enough time to be stupidly stubborn, just kiss and make up so I can get on with the story!, but they didn't want to listen...