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Post by limebirdsophie on Feb 8, 2012 19:27:44 GMT
Hi all,
As some of you may know I'm attempting to write a comic but I've hit a road block before I've even started and I think it's mainly to do with being nervous as it is my first proper attempt at writing anything. So my problem is I don't know where to start because I don't know how the story will end. I have written my first few pages quite happily but i realised I have no idea what I want to ultimately happen throughout the story. My question is ... Is it normal not to know the outcome of the story when you start a story or should I have lots of main events planned in a timeline then work towards each of those? Any help/advice/tips would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks
Sophie
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Post by limebirdwriters on Feb 8, 2012 19:57:06 GMT
Sophie, firstly calmmm, you got this. It's up to you how you want to write it. Don't forget this is a first draft for a reason. Write how it takes you, storylines and plot twists will come along the way. I don't think you necessarily have to know exactly what your ending has to be. You might have one in mind, then change it half way through, it happens! It might be easier to have a rough plan in mind, but don't let it hold you back! You can do it!  |
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Post by limebirdsophie on Feb 8, 2012 20:00:39 GMT
Thanks buddy! I knew I kept you as a friend all these years for a reason  I think your right and I'm just worrying over nothing, I'm just gonna put pen to paper and see what happens . Love you!! Xx |
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Post by dennismlane on Feb 9, 2012 5:08:09 GMT
Some people like to plan everything down to the last beat. However, that isn't necessary and it depends on how you write. If you are not going the fully planned route then it might be an idea to write about a paragraph explaining what the story is about; who are the main characters, what is the situation that they are in and where you want them to be at the end of the story. It isn't set in stone but it might help in your decision-making as you go along. (Is it a story where the character learns and grows? Then give them opportunities to do so. Is it a cautionary tale? Then bring in plenty of serious consequences. etc.)
Good luck, and don't hesitate to come back here if you 'lose your way'!
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Post by 4amWriter on Feb 9, 2012 9:48:58 GMT
Dennis and Beth are right--there is no wrong or right way to go about this. Sometimes structures and outlines help, sometimes not. Just write and see what happens. Ideas will come to you as you go, especially if you remain open to all possibilities.
Good luck!
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Post by loupy on Feb 10, 2012 0:57:18 GMT
Just write it how you feel your flow The entire time I did NaNo I never knew what i wanted to write when I sat down to start it, and as I began writing I had no idea how I wanted it to end , until things started popping up more and more here and there and my story began to take a clear path. So if you don't have an ending in mind right now don't sweat it, it will come to you :-) |
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Post by limebirdwriters on Feb 10, 2012 15:58:27 GMT
Thanks buddy! I knew I kept you as a friend all these years for a reason I think your right and I'm just worrying over nothing, I'm just gonna put pen to paper and see what happens . Love you!! Xx haha! Is that all I'm good for? Yes, you got this. Let me know how it goes! |
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Post by limebirdsophie on Feb 10, 2012 17:39:15 GMT
Thanks so much guys and gals, you people really are amazing. My plans tonight include a long destressing bath and then a duvet writing session so thanks again everyone and I will definately be back if (when) I get lost!
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Post by ottabelle on Feb 11, 2012 0:13:38 GMT
Good luck! I agree with others, write and let the story take shape. You'd be surprised what can pop out!
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Post by mlfbarclay on Feb 12, 2012 14:24:27 GMT
My feelings on endings, for what they're worth, is that I always try to have an ending planned. (Obviously this is a personal preference as the previous contributers have already said) But I thought it might be helpful to explain why I chose to do this.
Essentially it's all Stephen King's fault.
Whatever the critics say he's very, very good at getting the reader to keep turning the pages and I admire this ability of his. Having said that, I always find his endings weak. I gather that he tends to write by making a start and then following his plot to see where it goes.Obviously he must revise and rewrite extensively, but I suspect that this method of writing may contribute to his tendency to have, what I feel are disappointing endings. That's why I like to have an ending worked out in advance and then work towards it.
Having said this, the fact that I have an ending worked out, does not mean that it's set in concrete. As other contributors have said, youre always free to change whatever you like at a later stage.
Obviously this is just my personal opinion and it's certainly not intended as a rule to follow, just something to react to, or against depending on your own experience.
Best of luck with the comic.
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Post by yrdeni on Oct 4, 2012 21:53:53 GMT
Hi all, As some of you may know I'm attempting to write a comic but I've hit a road block before I've even started and I think it's mainly to do with being nervous as it is my first proper attempt at writing anything. So my problem is I don't know where to start because I don't know how the story will end. I have written my first few pages quite happily but i realised I have no idea what I want to ultimately happen throughout the story. My question is ... Is it normal not to know the outcome of the story when you start a story or should I have lots of main events planned in a timeline then work towards each of those? Any help/advice/tips would be hugely appreciated. Thanks Sophie Hey, Sophie, how did it go? I hope you managed to get your comic to a point at which you're happy with it. I have the exact same problem with regards to endings. From my point of view, I think it's a problem if I don't know how it's going to end (but as others have said, it depends on how you write). I've never finished a story longer than about 2000 words, and that's solely down to one reason: I had an awesome idea but I didn't know where to end it.  I'm hoping this NaNoWriMo will be different because I plan on planning both the beginning and the end (the middle can pants its way to 50,000 words for all I care!). |
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Post by ottabelle on Oct 5, 2012 17:18:04 GMT
Write different endings if youre having trouble. You may find one you like.
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Post by yrdeni on Oct 6, 2012 1:04:34 GMT
Write different endings if youre having trouble. You may find one you like. Hey Amber, that's some good advice there, I think I definitely need to practice my planning! |
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Post by ottabelle on Oct 7, 2012 6:02:30 GMT
Planning shanning. Pansting all the way.
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Post by limebirdwriters on Oct 8, 2012 8:39:14 GMT
I'll have to get Sophie on over to the forum, not sure she's been here in a while.
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