On Writing - Tumblr Posts

Sometimes I feel like a turtle.

Slow, nothing done, taking so long...

Then suddenly I'm at the end wondering how the hell I got there.

Spent 24 hours not writing to cleanse the brain and take a break.

I hated it.

Writing my first fantasy piece and I'm five seconds away from sticking an extra vowel in a normal name so it sounds slightly different and I can stop overthinking this.

Elenor? No, Elenoor.

I just scrapped my entire outline (granted I didn't really like it anyways) because I worked out a whole new one IN THE SHOWER.

SHOWERS ARE ORACLES AND WATER IS MAGIC

My characters: so what's the lore? What's our backstory?

Me: great question you see --

*sprints away*

Going on a trip and spent a good twenty minutes debating which notebook to bring (since I'm not taking my laptop) and weighing the pros and cons of size, binding, and page count.

Will I write a novel or nothing over the 14 days? Who knows.

I remember when I wrote 60+ page fanfics in tiny font so people couldn't read it over my shoulder after school and thought it wasn't enough and I should probably do a sequel to it.

Now I'm like words?

Not doing any writing today cause I get to quite literally touch grass at a music festival!

As someone who wants to be a tv screenwriter, I write pilots. This means I don't necessarily need to have an ending in mind. I normally know where it should go, but it's never set in stone.

Trying to write a novel is just spinning my head in all directions since it means I need to actually have an ending that is complete, done, and dusted.

That's wild.

No wonder people get so many ideas on a train!

I'm so close to finishing this outline for my novel but just realized I've forgotten what happened at the beginning so now I'm like wait where should these characters end up (and my handwriting is abysmal so oops).

Y'all I actually wrote some more of this outline! Finally onto the final part which means I need to settle whether or not I want this story to be a tragedy

I'm back home and wow, did not do nearly as much writing as I thought I would. HOWEVER, I think I decided on making this story learn more towards tragedy. Am I surprised? No.

How is writing a simple outline harder and more exhausting than writing a 60-page script????? Save me from my own brain

New AO3 Tag Wrangling Policy and the Transformers Fandom

(This is a long one, folks, but I think it's important.)

A new tag-wrangling policy on AO3 has the potential to create some massive confusion and chaos in the Transformers fanfic community, with regards to fandom tags. There is a Reddit post about it here with a focus on anime fandoms, but I want to give some concrete examples for the Transformers fandom on why we DO NOT WANT this, and why I think it's a horrible idea.

The Problem

Basically, AO3 is looking to get rid of the "All Media Types" fandom tag across the board, either by dismantling them or just not maintaining them. The Transformers - All Media Types tag has been an all-purpose tag that you could select when your story doesn't fall into any one specific continuity. Additionally, all most (see below) TF continuities on AO3 are considered a subtag of the Transformers - All Media Types tag. For example, if you look at the link above for all works in the All Media Types tag, you will see fics that are also tagged ONLY with Transformers: Animated, because it falls under the All Media Types tag.

One exception: With the upcoming Transformers: One movie coming out imminently, there will likely be a big influx of stories tagged with Transformers: One. In fact, there are several already. However, it hasn't been linked to the larger Transformers - All Media Types tag yet. I wasn't worrying about it though, because I know these things can take time.

With information about this new tagging policy, however, I'm now wondering whether it'll EVER get linked to the All Media Types tag. If that happens, and when more continuities are developed in the coming years (since you know Hasbro loves creating new universes) this has the potential to cause massive confusion when looking for stories to read.

Searching for Stories with the New Tagging System

So let's say the All Media Types fandom tag isn't accurate anymore, because it no longer includes ALL of the continuities (such as TF:One). You will need to include ALL the Transformers continuities when browsing for TF fics.

How many tags is that? Well, here are all of the tags currently listed under the Transformers - All Media Types tag:

Note that this doesn't include Transformers: One since it hasn't been categorized yet.

You will potentially have to have 40 or more different fandom tags in your search, just in case the author tagged their story with something you weren't expecting.

This massively decreases the findability of a story.

Tagging with the New System

The email response from the Tag Wrangling group (see the linked Reddit post above) seems to be a bit flip in the response to the user's concern. "...encourages creators to tag with the media they intend."

While I appreciate what they are attempting to do, this policy change feels like a solution in search of a problem, especially in larger fandoms with multiple continuities, versions, and media types that are all cross-pollinated in both canon and fanon. While I'm focusing on Transformers fandom, imagine a creator in the DC comic universe writing a story that incorporates bits and pieces from a dozen different reboots.

For example, let's say that I am writing a fic about Ratchet. I am using the setting of the original G1 episodes, but I also am using the characterization of him as a bit of an old man grump. That characterization originated in the Animated continuity, but I want to incorporate bits of pieces of his other characterizations as well (old friend of Optimus from TFP, Ratchet ran a faction-free clinic like he did in the War for Cybertron series, he's got a Decepticon boyfriend like in IDW1 - or maybe even Cyberverse, etc.)

With this new tagging structure, I might potentially have to tag the story with ALL of those continuities. So instead of just slapping down the "All Media Types" tag (and maybe one other fandom tag that matches the characters as best I can), I'll have to analyze my story and try to figure out how best to tag for the characters I used.

And what if you're doing a completely AU version of the story? For example, a humanformers story, or merformers? Using the All Media Types tag along with a Alternate Universe - Human or Alternate Universe - Mermaid tag worked perfectly, since you weren't writing the story to fit into one specific continuity. But now, that might not be an option.

What To Do??

The first thing I would suggest is to contact AO3 (using the Feedback and Support page) and let them know (nicely) that you think this is a horrible idea. Give them some examples on how you use the All Media Types tag to find stories to read, or to help you tag a story. People outside of the Transformers fandom don't always appreciate how absolutely tangled the continuities can be with each other, and providing examples might help them see why this would be a really messy change.

Readers: Be aware that when you are looking in the All Media Types tag, it will no longer show newer continuities. And if AO3 starts dismantling that tag like they suggested they are doing, be aware that some stories won't show up in that tag like they used to. You can also create and then bookmark a custom search page that includes all 40+ continuities. REALLY annoying, but it's a workaround.

Writers: Until they start dismantling the All Media Types tag, ALWAYS ALWAYS tag your stories using Transformers - All Media Types... Especially for newer continuities. This will be especially important if you are writing a Transformers: One story. Right now, anyone who is only browsing the All Media Types tag will not see a story tagged only with Transformers: One. Make sure you're aware of how tags work and how they can affect the visibility and findability of your story.

Epilogue

Ugh. That's a lot of words for a long-weekend Saturday. And maybe I'm overreacting a tiny bit. But my work involves information architecture, and this change just absolutely baffles me. It's almost as though they want to make it harder to find stories. Considering that AO3 won a Hugo partially because of its fantastic tagging system, this change seems like AO3 is doing its best to shoot itself in the foot.

When you have a square hole, a round hole, and a rectangular hole… Yeah, you DO want each peg to go in the "right" hole. But if all of the pegs fit in the square hole, who cares? You got the job done.

I love you @ao3org, but please reconsider this change... Especially for IPs that are as old and are as varied as Transformers.

Spring Reading Reviews '16

This spring's list: NK Jemison, Rainbow Rowell, Stephen King, & Agatha Christie #amreading

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything here.  I’ve been hard at work at my new novel, so apologies for my absences but really Sorry, Not Sorry. I have been reading though, and here are my thoughts on what I read this spring (March-May).  Minor spoilers (nothing plot related) below for The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemison, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, The Future of Life by Edward…

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Overanalyzing my OCs' relationship at 2AM just because I can

I know no one you'll read this but I wanted so bad to make a character analysis of the characters of my latest book series, so I'll just do it and leave it here for anyone who might be interested,

So, one of the things I love about Khaos and Amalie's dynamics (and something that is vital to understand about their relationship) is that they don't fall in love with each other until the third book because the romance is not what their stories are about.

Of course, they feel attracted to each other but they really, really don't like each other in the first two books. The thing about Khaos and Amalie's relationship in the first book (Prison of Darkness) is that they are learning to trust each other as people who can do the job they are assigned to in their mission - the one thing they do share and are obliged to in the story, the thing that brings them together.

The first book (for them) is about establishing Amalie's trust in Khaos' ability to lead and to actually respect those who are below him in this group's hierarchy, and about Khaos' ability to actually trust that Amalie will go through with her promises and stay by their side even when she has such a strong set of morals. Once they recognize that the other has the capacity to be and do what they need them to be or do, they realize they can trust each other to be a reliable part of the same team.

That's the point of the first book in regards to their relationship - to establish trust, not between romantic partners, but as part of the same team.

Then, by the first book, once Khaos is forced to confront the worst demons of his childhood, Amalie is forced to see the humanity of Khaos. And it's in this context the base of their romantic feelings will be set later on in the third book, but I digress: the point of the second book is that Khaos is not a good person and that's not supposed to be ignored by the readers - Khaos is not a good person and he isn't a good person by choice.

Amalie sees that, and she despises him for it, and she is right to do so because Khaos is aware of the pain and suffering his actions as well as his inaction put people through, and he still chooses it every time. And unlike some dark romances would make us believe, it's not actually sexy, healthy, or even healing to not give a damn because of trauma. It's actually the opposite of it.

Of course, Khaos has his reasons, he has deep-rooted trauma to overcome on the path to becoming a better person than he chooses to be but what Amalie is forced to see in the second book (Crown of Death) is that, deep down, he's not cruel or vindictive or insensitive for the sake of it. What she is forced to recognize and accept throughout the second book is that Khaos is very much human just like she is, and he has the same complexity she has.

It happens with Amalie's perception of other characters as well but especially when talking about Khaos, the second book forces her to see him in a new light so that the pot twist in the ending lands more heavily on her. The story of the second book will reveal to Amalie that even through his cruelty, Khaos is capable of not only caring but also capable of choosing better options, choosing to do better by himself and the people around him.

And for Khaos, the second book is about showing him that he can do better without losing himself like he fears will happen because of his trauma. It's about his understanding that change can happen and as such, forcing him to recognize that his perception of Amalie is jaded, is tainted by his trauma's lenses. For him, the development of his character gives Khaos the chance to look at Amalie as someone who can not only rival his intelligence but also push him in the direction he not only needs to be pushed but also wants to be pushed to, just by her personality alone.

It's about him understanding that Amalie was right, and being humbled by it, and accepting that he was wrong in his choices - albeit justified - and thus opening a path for him to change in the ways he needs to.

And that's the point where we reach the third book (Treason of Blood) and I absolutely love that Amalie and Khaos just start to sincerely love each other in the last book because it's only then they actually become the people they would fall in love with.

I could never have written Amalie falling in love with Khaos before because I could never fathom loving a person who thinks so little of my principles and morals, so little of my capacity to understand the world around me, like Khaos does for her. And for Khaos, I could never convincingly write someone falling in love with a person who thinks so little of me, of the person I am, who judges me even though she knows nothing of my struggles or my past or the things I've been through.

So the third book is about change, it's about becoming better versions of ourselves, and more than that: doing right by the rest of the world because of it. The third book is about forgiving bad deeds but demanding change for them, accepting traumas but also holding themselves and others accountable for their own choices (even when guided by these same traumas), it's about falling in love with a person because they're trying to do better (not for you but just because they realized they had a shitty attitude) and falling in love because of their capacity to forgive, to be kind and amorous even when we can't forgive ourselves.

I just love their dynamic so much, I wish more people knew about them.

The best stories aren’t perfect. They’re raw, messy, and real. Don’t hold back, write what feels true, even if it scares you.

Creative Writing

Creative Writing. Creating worlds with our fingers and bringing characters to life with just our imagination.

However, creative writing it’s not a term everyone is familiarized with—so let’s see what this is about. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of Creative Writing is:

“The activity of writing stories, poetry, etc., or the stories, poems, etc. that are written.”

Now, how does creative writing differ from other types of writing?

The most remarkable difference lies in the content.

Creative writing could also be broadly defined as the pursuit of artistic ends through the written word—like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, prose poem and memoir. However, it does not include any writing that goes inside the bounds of a normal professional writing like academic, journalistic or technical forms of literature.

In other words, this is the kind of writing that explores the imagination and creativity of a writer. But creative writing is so much more than we may actually think.

The possibilities for the form that a writing and its message may take are infinite. And so can be your writing. As a creative writer, it’s important to develop your own toolbox of strategies, skills and styles that are going to define your writing and make it stand out.

However, learning to write is not formulaic, like Larry Brooks establishes in the first pages of his book Story Engineering, and so is the process of writing in general. It’s not like learning how to build a machine or how to use a specific tool like a screwdriver. There are many books that explain and help you to write a book, for example, Stephen King’s On Writing or Lisa Cron’s Story Genius, but this is a process that’s learnt through practice, success and failure.

An analogy for this process can be learning how to cook. When you learn for the first time how to cook, it could have been through three possible ways: you were taught by someone else, learnt it from a book recipe or just mixed the ingredients together in an attempt to make something from memory. Your first tries aren’t going to be the best ones (unless you’re really lucky or meticulous) and that’s something to be expected, but with practice you can make it taste fine! But then, there’s a phase when you try to make it taste different, you experiment with other ingredients and have your own homemade recipe.

Creative writing is to show emotions, to show emotions or to tell a story. Citing again the Cambridge Dictionary, a story is defined as: “a description, either true or imagined, of a connected series of events.”

But there are vast ways to define what is a story.

“Story is character. Story is conflict.Story is narrative tension. Story is thematic resonance. Story is plot.” (Larry Books, Story Engineering)

“A story is first of all a chain of events that begins at one place and ends at another “without any essential interruption.” (Randall Jarrell)

Writing is not an easy task that’s done in a day or in a few weeks. It takes dedication and effort. But it’s something everyone can do if they propose it to themselves. The reasons to write are so diverse; they go from simple enjoyment to do it for money! But it’s important to know what you are doing.

The most important things you could take into account if you are going to start creative writing are:

Motivation (or why)

Why do you want to write? For fun? To put into words the dream you had last night? Or do you want to make money with your creativity?

Of course there can be so much into motivation, but the thing lies in knowing the reason why you want to do it. Writing is a way to convey or feelings and dreams, it’s a place where we have total control on, but think it thoroughly. 

Literary Genre(s) (or what)

Do you want to write a novel, a poem, or a memoir? Romance, drama or historical fiction? 

There are so many things you could write about. This point is closely related to the previous one, and it’s important to have it clear as day, because both will motivate you to write!

Visualize yourself (imagine)

Do you see yourself writing? Sitting in front of a desk or laying in your bed with the computer? Visualizing yourself it’s part of the process; imagining yourself doing it before actually doing it. 

It’s never too early nor too late to start learning and writing! Its always up to you when or how to begin.

A/N: I hope this post helped you! Please, reblog, kudo or comment if you can! It motivates me to keep writing articles. Thank you! (❁´◡`❁)

If I am not, my characters must be. Someone must always be.

"Why is ur writing so sad all the time-??" I am constantly in anguish