Charcoal Box - Writing Post

[heavensqueen]

Peer pressure or cheerleading?

This is the post for all of you who write better if they don't feel alone.

Comments

Re: December 23rd!

[(Anonymous)]

Can I join in? I have three treats I'm still working on. God knows if I'll get them done in time. I had surprise!house-hunting and then tonsillitis while I was meant to be doing my Yuletide stories, and I only just got my assignment done before the deadline, never mind any treats. But they're all ideas that have really grabbed me and I'm more than halfway done on all of them, and tonight is clear and some of tomorrow is clear, so maybe with a following wind I can get at least some of them finished by Christmas. They've all got problems, though.

- one I've got a mostly-complete first draft handwritten that I need to type up, but that one's a really tricky, atmospheric story about a sensitive subject that will need a lot of editing
- one involves a sex scene and writing sex scenes is like pulling teeth for me. But it's for someone who was on the pinch hit list at the last minute, so I'd particularly like to finish this one
- one is a crossover (for someone who really wants this particular crossover) and the problem is that the focus is too much on one fandom and not enough on the other - it would be a great fic to read if you like fandom A, but if you're in it for fandom B there's not much going on in terms of character arcs. I'm considering splitting off the fandom A story into a separate fic and writing a different crossover, but realistically speaking that's probably not going to happen in the time, so the other option is to add an interesting character arc for fandom B. I've got a vague idea, but how to turn that into a proper idea and some additional scenes...

So those are my Yuletide Treat problems. Ideas, encouragement or whatever, all welcome :)
- sleepy

Re: December 23rd!

[(Anonymous)]

Hey, sleepy!! Of course you can join in! Phew, that sounds like you've got a tough two days ahead of you, but at least you've gotten going with all your treats. If you have a beta you'd trust with story A, maybe focus on finishing that one up and letting them have the first pass on your editing if it'll need a lot of work. The earlier in the editing process you have major feedback, the better!

What in particular tends to trouble you with sex scenes? Is there a way you can focus on what you're good at-- ie, more snappy dialogue or focus on intimacy if the physical part gets to you, or vice versa?

I wish you lots of luck with today and tomorrow, happy writing!

Re: December 23rd!

[(Anonymous)]

I think typing up story A is the way to go this evening, once I've got the kids in bed at least...

With the sex scene, it's hard because it's secretly-likes-it dubcon for a character with a distinctive narrative voice who makes cultural references I don't know. Plus, slash - I'm way better at writing het than slash. So it's a challenge, to say the least. I've got some bits written and we'll see how far I get.

Re: December 23rd!

[(Anonymous)]

Hey, sleepy! Sounds like you've got your plate full. Personally, I'm avoiding the treat I really want to get done because it's the most involved, and I'm not sure if I've got enough brain power left to figure it out.

Sounds like you should just pick one and start working. At least get the draft typed up, maybe? You can't start editing unless you've got something to edit, after all.

Whatever way you go, though, good luck!

-sq

Re: December 23rd!

[(Anonymous)]

I think I'm going to push hard with the mostly-finished one tonight and see if I can't get a complete draft done. I've done so much research for this one, it would be a shame not to get it done.