Revoltingly OT: Size of your colon

Hunpecked · #1 December 2nd, 2005, 06:13 PM

A humongous solar flare would be a slightly more plausible (and survivable) menace than a nova/supernova. Larry Niven used this device in his story "Inconstant Moon".

AgentZero · #2 December 2nd, 2005, 07:09 PM

Yes, well I'm thinking it'll probably end up being something similar, since all these 'disaster movie' writers seem obsessed with happy endings, the concept of having the sun going blooie and killing everyone likely wasn't on their list of possible endings. But I'll probably end up watching the second part to it, if only to assure myself that if talentless hacks like them can get work, then there's still hope for me.

By the way, if anyone has any ideas on getting around writer's block, I and the fans of Hell is for Heroes would much appreciate your sharing. So far I've tried excersize, drink, banging my head against a wall, and a little wink wink nudge nudge. All to no avail. And those are the only cures I know.

narf poit chez BOOM · #3 December 2nd, 2005, 07:43 PM

Mmm...Just start writing?

Suicide Junkie · #4 December 2nd, 2005, 08:11 PM

Play some SE4? Maybe some P&N as a pirate for that small scale focus.

Baron Munchausen · #5 December 2nd, 2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

AgentZero said:
Yes, well I'm thinking it'll probably end up being something similar, since all these 'disaster movie' writers seem obsessed with happy endings, the concept of having the sun going blooie and killing everyone likely wasn't on their list of possible endings. But I'll probably end up watching the second part to it, if only to assure myself that if talentless hacks like them can get work, then there's still hope for me.

By the way, if anyone has any ideas on getting around writer's block, I and the fans of Hell is for Heroes would much appreciate your sharing. So far I've tried excersize, drink, banging my head against a wall, and a little wink wink nudge nudge. All to no avail. And those are the only cures I know.

The thing is, not only is the sun not large enough to go 'nova' but it wouldn't happen on anything like the time scale that we of the "quarterly balance statement culture" can comprehend. It would take billions more years for the sun to build up enough 'ash' (heavier elements than hydrogen and helium) in its core to become unstable.

Re: writer's block

Write something else for a while.

Although I also like the idea of playing a game of SE4, or SE5 if you happen to be a beta tester.

This also exercises your mind in new ways and will help to change those ruts you've fallen into.

Hunpecked · #6 December 2nd, 2005, 10:25 PM

What's the nature of the writer's block?

A. I know what needs to happen, but I don't know how I want to write it, i.e. plot is clear but implementation is hazy.

B. I don't know what I want to happen next, i.e. I'm stuck for a plot.

C. ??

AgentZero · #7 December 3rd, 2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Hunpecked said:
What's the nature of the writer's block?

A. I know what needs to happen, but I don't know how I want to write it, i.e. plot is clear but implementation is hazy.

B. I don't know what I want to happen next, i.e. I'm stuck for a plot.

C. ??

C, I guess. I know what needs to happen, and how I want to write it, but when I sit down to write, I just blank. Normally when I write, it just sort of flows, and I usually have a hard time typing fast enough to keep up with my train of thought, but lately, when I try to write, it just feels forced, laboured and just not natural, and I kinda feel like the writing reflects that. Which isn't good.

dogscoff · #8 December 5th, 2005, 09:57 AM

Quote:

C, I guess. I know what needs to happen, and how I want to write it, but when I sit down to write, I just blank. Normally when I write, it just sort of flows, and I usually have a hard time typing fast enough to keep up with my train of thought, but lately, when I try to write, it just feels forced, laboured and just not natural, and I kinda feel like the writing reflects that. Which isn't good.

There's nothing wrong with 'forced' writing. You can go back and tweak it and improve it and smooth it out. That can work, so just write and don't worry if what comes out is utter crap. Then, you can go back to whatever you've written but didn't like and improve it.

If necessary, write down the necessary events as a simple list, or in screenplay format, or write it backwards (start with end events, work towards the beginning) or in some crazy *** style that you wouldn't normally even think about using. Hell, draw a storyboard if you like. Sooner or later you'll come up with something- a line of dialogue, a particularly vivid phrase or image or theme- and then you can build on that, and hopefully you'll find your normal style starts flowing again.

Alternatively, if you know what's going to happen that far in advance, skip a chapter, write the next bit and then come back to this one. I used to do that a lot with O&C. It's one of the advantages to writing a multi-threaded story, so use it.

Hunpecked · #9 December 5th, 2005, 06:14 PM

I agree with Dogscoff. If it's just a matter of translating your vision into words, I've found it helps to put down something, even if it's awkward, crude, and dull. It's generally easier to improve something once it's on paper and you can view the scene as a whole.

Suicide Junkie · #10 December 6th, 2005, 01:22 AM

The out of context award!

Subject: Re: Revoltingly OT: Size of your colon
Dogscoff: "There's nothing wrong with 'forced'"