http://www.writingforums.org A writing forum, dedicated to creative writing, where writers can post short stories and poetry, enter writing contests, read author interviews, and discuss writing. en Tue, 13 May 2008 18:07:11 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.writingforums.org/images/wf/misc/rss.jpg http://www.writingforums.org http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10284&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 13:16:49 GMT The title says it all, maybe someone could help me make a name for a girl character? She's Calm, and Kind. She has Red hair, her eyes are a shade of gray, maybe someone could suggest a name? Thanks to anyone that helps!

I've tried tons of names, but they just don't fit her description! ]]> Character Development NaZ http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10284 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10283&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 11:58:47 GMT I'm becoming a bit worried that I never really explain why my main character is the man to defeat the villain.

His name is Michael, he becomes embroiled in the fight by accident (his sister "happens" to be the dead spit of the villains dead lover, and he's basically hoping to do a swap) he has no special powers, reasonable fighting skills and he's thick as two short planks. The only explanation that is ever offered for "Why him?" is this: "you have the necessary qualities of stubborn blood mindedness, absolute self righteousness and pig headedness that this battle requires; otherwise known as indomitability, conviction and a refusal to bow to pressure. In short you're exactly who I need." is this a good enough explanation or does he need to have something more? ]]> Character Development Smithy http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10283 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10282&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 11:42:48 GMT In this game, you write TPBM and then something about them. Of course you don't know who it is yet, but when someone else posts, they say if it's true or not. Then they do the same.

TPBM likes squirrels. ]]> Word Games Kylo http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10282 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10281&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 11:40:21 GMT Anybody know any good ones? I'm checking out lulu.com, but I'm sure there's better ones out there. Although I do like lulu.com because it reminds my of Printfection. Still, any suggestions?

By they way, I've never published a book before, just so you know. ]]> Publishers Kylo http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10281 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10280&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 11:37:51 GMT OK, so let's get this whole introduction thing overwith and done.

The name's Kylontario, but I go by Kylo for short. I'm obviously a writer, but I'm also an artist and a programmer.

Currently I'm working on the Midi the Squirrel book series, and I'm making some pretty good progress on it. It has a videogame to go with it, too.

Other than that, I don't know what I should say about myself. I'm a Nintendo junkie, I like online roleplaying games, I really like squirrels, and I like being silly.

Yeah, I think that's it. ]]> New Member Introductions Kylo http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10280 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10279&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:47 GMT Is it better that any revelation should come completely out of the blue and hit the reader with an OMFG reaction, or should it be more of a sort... Is it better that any revelation should come completely out of the blue and hit the reader with an OMFG reaction, or should it be more of a sort "hmm, yes I thought that might be it," thing where if you look you can follow the trail and work it out before the characters do?

At moment I tend more to the latter side, does anyone agree with me and who prefers their revelations to be more unexpected. ]]> General Writing Smithy http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10279 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10278&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 10:51:30 GMT Yup, the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy fanatic has arrived.

Well, a little about me... I'm known as Mad Madam Mimm, or (deep breath)

Mimmi Gigi MacVittieBikkie Yakko Stitch Warner the Odd.

I have strange friends who feel the need to give long nicknames. But most everyone knows me as Mimm.

I'm in 6th form college at the moment, and I've been writing stories for as long as i can remember. This looks like the place to be for developing skills properly, though (since most of my teachers have seen creative writing as "a waste of time" :mad:) so it looks like i'll be sticking around. As you've probably gathered I'm a bit of a nut and I love my cartoons, especially ones from the 90s. Thats pretty much it, but if you'd like to know anything, please dont hesitate to ask (whilst baring in mind I may hesitate to answer) ]]> New Member Introductions Mad Madam Mimm http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10278 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10276&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 09:01:58 GMT A cliche, I know, but still fun... If a movie was made of your life, who would play you? :D A cliche, I know, but still fun...

If a movie was made of your life, who would play you? :D ]]> The Lounge MJB66 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10276 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10274&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 06:58:09 GMT Never actually written a romace/angst sort of story, and never dived into this area of cliche's. But heres the idea =

Starts off in the 20th century, bunch of year 8's in maths, bord sh!tless as you can imagine. Smoke, lights and mirrors, a wizard/evil character sha'bangs his way into the 20th century, in their class. (Not by some random chance) He walkes around, going from kid to kid...well early teen to early teen (Have had too many 13 year olds tell me their not kids anymore...) Looking/Searching their souls/hearts and he names a breed of dog &/or a doggei ancestor. (Dingo, wolf, fox)

Sp he says a few rymhing words, peom and riddle. And each teen in the class black's out; the teacher through this can either be killed, or too afraid to move. When they wake, the breed of dog he named is what they become, and their in the tolkien setting. The strongest kid in the class, she puts them in their right minds. Has alot of knowledge about animals, reads fantasy and living in the bush inst a new thing to her.
(Ill get to why she's the one to step forward)

They eventully split off into 3 packs, live for seven years in this style(Their humans trapped in dogs bodies, human souls last longer) The girl who orginaly took charge, was killed or taken away by hunters/traders. Returns one night when two of her former mates are attacked by a bear/cougar. Beats the cougar/bear, but is badly torn, cut, bashed, broken boned, dying state.

WHY ITS THE GIRL = She's broad shouldered but not the skinny hot type, not the muscle type, got a bit of a gut and is a good fighter because she learnt how to throw her weight around without falling. Living out of town on a truck station, she calls fun this - 'Theres nothing betetr than grabben' the dogs and running off into the bush to chase down some cows, tease em' enough until they charge! Hell good, ay!' Also has fun in chasing and picking up snakes, chasing lizards, sleeping under a tree on a cool afternoon, going for a bush walkes bare-footed through spinifex and is more or less a tom boy. Not stubborn and couldnt care less what others thought of her, people would joke about her being heavy (She tall so its not the 'I cant put a shirt on without lossing it somehwere in my fat roles' type. - (No offense to anyone)

The two saved ones, take her back to their now grown out pack. One, however, stays at her side, hardly eating, for the entire time she heals. (Yeah, its a guy who stays)

BUT the end, seems a bit too...not dramatic end...to suttle. The orginal end wa, she healed, and the guy dog and her feel in love. (Yes, dogs i know, but human souls)

I have a few options...

#1 = They do fall in love eventurly, but the wizard/evil character comes back and threatens to kill the guy, girl full on tries to take him, but dies.

...OK, I got nothing else at the moment...

So, my real question; besides how to end it with angst, is, is it too cliche? ]]> Plot Creation Ramblling http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10274 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10273&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 04:12:20 GMT In my novel, the antagonists are a group of evil warlocks who worship an evil God, however I need a name for this evil cult. Help with it! Oh, and by... In my novel, the antagonists are a group of evil warlocks who worship an evil God, however I need a name for this evil cult. Help with it! Oh, and by the way, what makes something sound evil? ]]> General Writing Marcelo http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10273 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10268&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 02:46:02 GMT For the newbies and uninformed, this account may seem exaggerated at best. But ask anyone who has experienced their own version of dissertation... For the newbies and uninformed, this account may seem exaggerated at best. But ask anyone who has experienced their own version of dissertation writing, and worse horror stories may just pour out. Indeed, from the conceptualization to actual presentation, varying thesis problems seem to be just waiting in the wings to ambush the unaware. It is no wonder then that the mere mention of a dissertation work can strike dread and wretched memories among those who went through the same ordeal.

Nevertheless, as difficult as it may appear, dissertation writing need not be as draining and mind-numbing. The best way to go about the process is to observe the mistakes of the past and learn from them. In this way, the earlier thesis problems can be prevented, with the writer reserving sufficient energy on other unforeseen roadblocks.

There are arguably four main dissertation problems that can be nipped in the bud before they can escalate to serious headaches. One pertains to choosing the right topic, and choosing it early. This is a very crucial beginning for writers, but many still gets hopelessly ensnared with poor choices. Looking back, a number of student writers have been known to pick themes that are a bit far from their own interests, and thus found themselves losing steam midway of the dissertation process. Lesson Learned: the writer should choose a topic that strongly appeals to his interest. Better yet, use this question during those fateful days of topic searching: What particular subject will be interesting enough to write about for an entire year?

Another thesis problem that can be avoided refers to having an incompatible mentor. It is never a good thing if a mentor and writer are worlds apart in terms of interests, work practice, and writing styles. With such a combination, both parties may just end up butting heads all throughout the dissertation process. Clearly, the writer stands to lose more, what with the dissertation hanging in the balance of two opposing forces. Lesson Learned: the writer should never underestimate the value of a great mentor. The chosen mentor should have a profound interest and knowledge on the thesis topic, have an efficient organizational skills that can complement the writer's own work schedule, as well as possess that fervent commitment in guiding the thesis work until the end.

The third preventable dissertation problem pertains to the habit of procrastination, and all the resulting conflicts that arises because of such a sin. Some writers have this notion that a year seems so far away, thus delaying all the work. But therein lies the trap. As the writer procrastinates on thesis duties, time is moving steadily towards the deadline.
And before the writer can so much as blink, piles and piles of research, writing, additional research, and drafting are all waiting to be accomplished. Lesson Learned: Time flies fast for dissertation duty, so maximize every opportunity to work on the material. Research early and write on a consistent schedule.

With these usual problems out of the way, a heavy load of work, not to mention stress, will definitely be lifted from the writer. Indeed, it pays to remember that dissertation writing is difficult and demanding enough. It is then best not to make it more complicated than it already is. ]]> General Writing abigail08 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10268 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10265&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 02:17:37 GMT Does anyone else on here usually take character traits from someone you know personally and use them characteristics in their stories? Most of the... Does anyone else on here usually take character traits from someone you know personally and use them characteristics in their stories?

Most of the time lately when I'm out with friends or family, the time has been spent less listening and more figuring out what that person is all about and actually seeing how I'd write about those traits in a story. In the end, it helps with my writing IMO. ]]> General Writing Mordecai http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10265 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10264&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 01:58:50 GMT I think we can all agree that procrastination, at least on some level, is universal.

I'm curious to see how everyone else procrastinates. Do you procrastinate only on certain things (and as a result are more productive on other things), or is it just an overall procrastination?

For example, if I have to do something for someone else, I'm far more likely to be motivated to work on my own projects. If I have no deadlines coming up, I actually am less motivated to work on random project. Not a very helpful habit.

The internet doesn't help.

Heh, I flowcharted the process awhile back:


(click to enlarge)

So... How do you (or how do you not) procrastinate? ]]> The Lounge Ehdom http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10264 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10263&goto=newpost Tue, 13 May 2008 01:29:15 GMT Well, I just answered that for myself. I'm now a Senior member. ]]> Suggestions and Feedback Kratos http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10263 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10262&goto=newpost Mon, 12 May 2008 23:58:35 GMT Hey everyone,

I'm Vertz. I live in New Mexico, and I'm going to college at Guilford in North Carolina. Both places are pretty cool, even though there's less to do in NM (where I am now >_>).

I love to write sci-fi, fantasy, and personal narratives. I won the "first year writing contest" at college this semester for a personal narrative. I basically jumped out of my chair when I found out. Most of my teachers have said I write well, but I've never been recognized in a school-wide manner. (I'm trying not to let it go to my head; I have a policy of life-long learning, which includes learning how to write better).

I'm looking forward to being on this forum. A lot of folks at the last forum I joined didn't treat anyone well -- way too much hate going on there. So far, I like the look of this place, and I hope to contribute as much as I can. ]]> New Member Introductions Vertz http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=10262