Discussion: Q1 Volume 38

[pdblake]

Submitted yesterday.

Sweet!
Two months early. Nice.

I'm stuck "working" from home. Leaves a lot of gardening and writing time.

[Reuben]

I can't get past my third scene. I've written it five times now, each time anew, but it's never memorable or original enough for me. It just ends up as cliche dialog to me that works to move on with the story. Oh well.

[RSchibler]

Dave had a newsletter this past week with some really great ways to strengthen a scene. Might be worth checking out!

[Dustin Adams]

I can't get past my third scene. I've written it five times now, each time anew, but it's never memorable or original enough for me. It just ends up as cliche dialog to me that works to move on with the story. Oh well.

Reuben,

E-mail me. Tell me the set up of the scene, then attach it. I know it's not the whole story, but maybe I can help get you unstuck. Worst that happens is I can't.

There's a particular how-to I read frequently. It says, "stuck? It's probably this." I'm paraphrasing. But each time I smack my forehead, fix, and move on.

Although we mostly deal with openings in the 450 forum, I will post my non-specific thoughts there and maybe together we'll figure it out!

[Dustin Adams]

We are at the 1/2 way point for the quarter.

6 weeks to polish your draft.
Or
6 weeks to draft!

[IStanhope]

What's the general impression on nonlinear storytelling? I'm almost finished with my Q1 story, but now I'm thinking...what if I rearrange the scenes a little? I think it will generate more tension, but I wonder if it will come across as gimmicky.

[Reuben]

I'm doing it for mine, partially. I've heard that "Dave prefers linear storytelling, but he's open to new ideas."

Among the volumes I've read during is tenure, V33 has two nonlinear stories, V35 definitely has at least one. I can't remember others, although I know that Kary English's finalist (hhttps://grantvillegazette.com/article/publish-587 ) is nonlinear--the whole thing is told as a flashback.

[IStanhope]

I'm doing it for mine, partially. I've heard that "Dave prefers linear storytelling, but he's open to new ideas."

Among the volumes I've read during is tenure, V33 has two nonlinear stories, V35 definitely has at least one. I can't remember others, although I know that Kary English's finalist (hhttps://grantvillegazette.com/article/publish-587 ) is nonlinear--the whole thing is told as a flashback.

Thank you! I'll keep that in mind. Also, thanks for the link. I really enjoyed reading that.

[AlexH]

I finally feel I'm making headway on my entry. I was working on two other stories but hardly getting anywhere (or nowhere in the case of one of them). So I've returned to one of the first stories I wrote, over 10 years ago! I always liked the idea, and it's been bubbling over in my head on and off for a couple of years. It was a 700-word-flash back then, and I've already passed that in my first scene and a half.

I hope everyone is doing okay. Every quarter seems to get tougher for me in the past year or so, so here's some encouragement from my way. :-)

[TimE]

Plenty of humour in mine, so i know i've no chance. But I'm enjoying writing it.