Questions for experienced writers

[Superman]

Hi, as I've said before on this forum, it is my ultimate ambition to one day be a writer of childrens fiction or maybe both childrens and adult fiction. However, I'm still learning very much and I'm nowhere near as good as I would need to be to consider approaching an agent or publisher.

If there are any experienced writers out there, could you please answer the following questions as best as you can? I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who has won writing awards, whether they be at school or elsewhere, and those who have had work published whether that be in a book or a magazine or comic?


Here's the questions. I know it's a lot to ask but any help would be appreciated from anyone who can.

1.) When choosing names for characters, is there any method to learn which particular names are more likely to appeal to would be readers?

2.) Is there a particular method of making sure you have enough story ideas in your head to last a lifetime?

3.) Should I use a pen name? If so, why?

4.) Are there any techniques for dealing with writers block?

Thank you.

[Voy_Girl]

I don't know if I can call myself an experienced writer, but for #1 I have to say that you should choose the name that suits the character the best.
You could also try to put some work behind finding a name, for example a name that means something in another language; names meaning "star" and such are actually quite common.

The name, at least for the main character, shouldn't be too long or hard to pronounce, unless it fits the personality of the character. (For example Hermione from the Harry Potter-universe. I couldn't pronounce hr name until I saw the movie... )

[Superman]

Thanks for your thoughts, Voy_Girl.

[Sarah Connor]

1.) As Voy_Girl said, the name has to fit the character and personality, I suggest googling a baby book or something to fit it.

2.) I'm not really sure what you mean, but just go along with it, but make sure you don't skimmer off into another universe

3.) If you use a pen name its for your own protection, its your choice.

4.) When you start a story write down a few main details, if you have writers block go back and make sure you have all those details in the story, if you do then think of something exciting to happen, like a new plot added on?

Hope I helped!

[Tiberius]

[Superman]

Thank you very much, everyone for your help. Some of the ideas mentioned hadn't crossed my mind.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[Arellia]

[Tiberius]

[Superman]

Once again, thanks for the advice, folks. I have printed everything off and there have been some GREAT pointers.

Here's hoping I get my children's fiction published one day.

[Tiberius]

One extra little pointer for consideration, about children's fiction in general. Don't dumb down the language. Children can tell when you are patronizing them, so you can't make it extremely simple. granted they wouldn't get the lastest Michael Crichton novel, but use words that will challenge them occasionally. Never having written anything designed for children, I can't say how relelvant it is, but certainly worth considering. I'd say the best thing to do would be to let a kid read it and watch their reactions. Don't ask, cause they'll just say they loved it, but watch, or ask their parents to watch. if the kid is bored with it, it'll show, just as it will show if they absolutely love the story. But writting for kids is definately NOT easier than writting for adults. As always, though, only experience can tell for sure.

[Superman]

Thanks, Tiberius, good advice there.

From the research I've done, I know how different kids tastes are now. Like anything, people's tastes are constantly changing.

At one time, a lot of kids fiction seemed simplistic. Talking vehicles, haunted houses and the like. Those things may still have a place but as you correctly said, don't dumb down. I guess it's a question of balance.

[Sam Kenobi]

1) there's lots of name generators online. if you just search for "name generators" a bunch will pop up. Fantasy name generators, regular name gerators. I've kidnd of started using those, but not for any serious work. Names I use in main stories come from real names just because... they sound more real. go through a yearbook and pick out first names you like and match them with last names you like. use middle names of you friends. there's the always popular "soap opera" name... that's taking your middle name as the first name and the name of the street you live on as the last name (my friend's name is R. Andrew M. and he lives on Banner, so his soap opera name is Andrew Banner. they always sound kind of British, but they're kind of fun.) Fantasy and sci-fi names can also be found from mixing up the letters from real names.

But remember, Jungians would say that it's the character that picks the writer, not the other way around. Don't try too hard to develop a character, when he or she will develop on his or her own.

2) My story ideas alwas come up in the middle of the night when I'm jsut laying there. IMO, the best thing to do is to take that idea and put it in a file on the computer entitled "ideas". That way you have all your old ideas plus a clean slate for new ones. Let your imagination fly, write from your dreams, watch plently of movies, read plenty of books and try to go on plenty of adventures yourself. That will all help you with a constant flow of ideas. Need help with a certain scene in a story? Act it out yourself while you're home alone, or ask a friend to pretend they're another character so you can get a fresh idea for dialogue... it's a plus if you or your friends are actors... dialogue is always better in a story if it sounds real. it'll sound real if it comes from a real person.

3) If you're writing fanfic that you're posting on the internet, then yeah, use a pen name. People from the internet will remember you better if you have something catchy. If you're thinking about going for the real thing, I would suggest using a real name. but try to decide what mix yof your name sounds best (Samuel Dannon, Sam Dannon, Samuel C.Dannon, S. Caleb Dannon, S.C Dannon, etc)

4) I have never found a cure for writers bock and have gone... nearly a year with it. It stinks, really wanting to write but not being able to get it out. BUt yeah, I still find the best way is to act the scenes out, that way when you actually get to the pen and paper, you know what you want to write, you know exactly what you want your characters to do/ say, etc. Just let it come and like Tiberius says, just keep writing. You'll get out what you want eventually

And just some regular advice, it's the character that makes a true story. To write such a character, the author must know this character as much as the character knows himself, while at the same time knowing the character as much as other interacting characters and more than the character knows himself. So, it's all rather paradoxical, but the main thing is, you as the author must be able to put yourself into any situation or mindset your character is in. It's not about writing someone, it's about being them and showing that you can be any one of your characters. so in a way, writing is a lot like acting. if it all makes sense. you have to be completely open.

[Tiberius]

That's a great tip, Triam, that last thing you said. I've often found that if you're stuck on what to do with a character, making up a biography, a history for a character can be very helpful. Even if nothing from the biography makes it into your story, the character itself will be more believable because YOU believe it.

Of course, if you're writting an action adventure story, then you can get by very well with characters that have no depth at all, because such a story is not about the characters, it's about the close shaves and all that. Think Indiana Jones. But just remember, no story will suffer if you put characterisation into it. it won't ruin an action/adventure.

[Superman]

I must thank again everyone who has contributed. The advice has been GREAT, and the advice has included stuff I would never have guessed.

I hope I can get published one day. In case you're interested (maybe you're not), my proposed story sees a 48 year old Royal Marines veteran teaming up with a 23 year old college kid to take on a criminal gang in a fictional British city. If that plot has been used before in another story, then I don't know about it. This plot came out of my head.

[Voy_Girl]

^
Sounds like an intriguing story. One can draw some parallells to "The Bone Collector".

[Superman]

[Voy_Girl]

[Superman]

Oh, I see, Voy_Girl. It sounds like a good film.

My story is going well. It's fun to write dialogue between a 48 year old former military man and a naive 23 year old college kid. All the advice given here (for free) has been great!

[Cathexis]

Hey SD! I'm not sure if I qualify; but I've been writing for my entire life, and by that I mean stories and poems, so I guess I can warrant advice and call myself "experienced."




1.) When choosing names for characters, is there any method to learn which particular names are more likely to appeal to would be readers?

Not really, just make sure your readers can PRONOUNCE the names. It would be wise, also, if you're going to write a book that is set in the past, to keep names within the continuity of the era and vice versa for futuristic books. Now, for children's fiction, the names just need to be pronounce-able and simplistic. NOTE: If you INSIST on complicated names, please add an index page or some sort of place where there are pronunciations of the names in the story. But be aware: not many people enjoy flip-flopping around in a novel just trying to figure out how to PRONOUNCE the names! Not only does it interrupt the reader's concentration, it's just plain annoying.

2.) Is there a particular method of making sure you have enough story ideas in your head to last a lifetime?

LOL! That's an interesting question...erm...lemme see...as long as you have "imagination", you'll never run out of story ideas. And as long as you are zealous in your literary endeavors, there is nothing that can stop your mind from being creative. I mean, hey! you're a writer and if in the morning, when you wake up and you can't think of anything else BUT writing, then you are destined to be a writer.

3.) Should I use a pen name? If so, why?

Many people believe that pen names "mask" an author from his/her readers, thus hiding away from criticism, rather than facing them and hearing what they have to say or even accepting good advice and/or compliments. I would not condone a pen name, however, sometimes, a pen name helps a writer "get into the story" better, in order to really be able to write a good story, especially if the story is about a space adventure or a fantasy (like LOTR or HP). So really, it's up to you! I use pen names, but for more simplistic books, like Children's literature, I use my real, full name.

4.) Are there any techniques for dealing with writers block?

Contrary to popular belief, writer's block is not a bad thing. Sometimes, it is necessary to step away from the written word and face reality. If, at any time, you begin to "break down" and shut out literature, it is because your mind is asking for a break itself! Writing can be quite stressful, or it can be exciting and "fun". However, if you begin writing every which way constantly, you become that lady on tv, whom many people suspect to be insane BECAUSE of her compulsive writing behavior. So, please, if you develop "Writer's Block", don't panic! Let your mind relax and take a rest from writing-BELIEVE ME, YOU NEED IT! On the other hand, if you're stubborn as hell, close your eyes and let your mind's eye SEE the emptiness. If you can SEE nothing inside your mind, then you'll never write a "good" story again. But if you see something, a spark even, of a story, you are truly a writer, in the flesh and in the soul!

_____________________________________________________________

I truly hope that my advice has had some influence and that all goes well with you in all your ventures

Warmest Regards,

Katharine R. A. King

[Superman]

Thank you very much for the advice, Solscape. Particularly regarding writer's block, that was an interesting perspective you gave.

[Spiletta42]

Hi,

Some books that I found most helpful are:

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block
(advice on every topic)

Twenty Master Plots by Ronald B. Tobias
(THE cure for writer's block, and much more)

and Dynamic Characters by Nancy Kress
(includes a whole chapter on names)

All are found here:

http://sky.prohosting.com/spiletta/bookswrite.html

My editing method:

http://sky.prohosting.com/spiletta/markers.html

</shameless self promotion><crawl under rock>

[Superman]

Thank you, Spiletta42.

[CaptianCircuitGod]

writing aint that hard. dont try to force yourself out of writers block it will come to you naturally. as for the names dont worry about pleasin your readers with easy names look at the star wars characters most people can't say most of those names.

[Cathexis]

[Tiberius]