Approachable Authors
Lord Ginsu
I've been reading XF fanfic for about 2 years now and I must say that I
have enjoyed almost everything that I have read(mostly MSR and Humor).I
have quite a collection(about 150 megs worth) and access to a very fast
printer at work, So I have almost all of that in print.
In all that time I have never had the urge to write any(prose and
creative writing were never my forte, besides, I don't think I would
portray the charachters correctly). However, I've recently had some
ideas about story lines that I would love to see written.
I figured that if I am incapable of doing it, maybe I could contact one
of the more prolific authors and see if they like the idea. I understand
that I could also issue a challenge, but I figured if I did that, I
would just get 10 or so stories that weren't quite what I had in mind.
Besides which, most of my ideas wouldn't lend themselves to a
challenge(as they would most likely be novel length and Mytharc to
boot).
So I'm asking who I should approach?
In order to cut down on the suggestions, I'll list some of the story
conditions:
1. They'll be MSR(that should cut my list in half)
2. They'll have some Mytharc spoilers and plotline(around Season 7)
3. No M/O, No S/O, and I don't care what Skinner or the Gunman do, but
no Slash(it skeeves me)
4. NC-17 (sorta intergral to the storyline, and no I'm not just a
pervert, oops, I mean I'm not a pervert)
5. I expect that they'll each be about 200k or longer.(different
storylines, and they don't go together, each story is seperate)
please don't suggest anyone who isn't writing anymore or already has 4
WIPs pending, I really don't want to Piss anybody off.
Thanks
--
Lord Ginsu Lord...@my-deja.com
"I hate a man who laughs at his own jokes."
-Deslok of Gamillon
"So what are you going to do Molari, blow up the island?"
-Mr. Morden
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
DBKate
>that I could also issue a challenge, but I figured if I did that, I
>would just get 10 or so stories that weren't quite what I had in mind.
>Besides which, most of my ideas wouldn't lend themselves to a
>challenge(as they would most likely be novel length and Mytharc to
>boot).
Let me get this straight. You want someone to write four custom-made novels
for you, for free?
Wow. If you ever find this suc ... er, artist, please let me know. In the
meantime, I honestly think it would be *much* better if you got either
co-author or a very involved editor and just write them yourself.
Because no author, not even the most accomodating one, is ever going to create
your vision exactly the way you see it, with the nuances and atmosphere you
crave.
Besides, plot is the hard part -- prose, for the most part can be learned (and
corrected.) Like I said, get a beta and grab the pen instead. You'll be
happier in the end, trust me.
~*~*~*~*~*~
VOTE ZOOT:
http://www.geocities.com/cassandraxf/index.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
the slash of dbkate
http://www.geocities.com/dbkate/index.html
bugs
dbk...@aol.commiefreak (DBKate) wrote:
[snipping some good advice to our budding author.]
But this part actually made me burst out laughing, so I had to respond:
> Besides, plot is the hard part -- prose, for the most part can be
learned (and
> corrected.)
I don't agree at all. I see the ability to write compelling prose to be
the true gift in writing. IMO, prose *cannot* be taught, or (as a beta
for many newbies, I can swear this to you) cannot be corrected into
something page scrolling. It can be refined, but I'd say a writer had to
have a gift from the beginning.
No, I do not want to read yet another 30K vignette with imagery of
drifting clouds and shifting moonbeams symbolizing Scully's longing as
she rubs her belly. But I'll read Toni Morrison over John Grisham any
day, thanks.
That said, plot-driven stories are enjoyable and successful. Lord Ginsu
was literate. His post was clean and well put together. I'm sure he can
put together 800K worth of fic in no time. (That's where the true
writer is revealed. The most successful writer is the one who
finishes)-- bugs, stunned that a topic about writing has appeared.
DBKate
>the true gift in writing.
Maybe I should clarify. I was speaking of competent prose, not Steinbeck. As
someone who learned how to write a readable paragraph practically from scratch
while scribbling fanfic, I still maintain that prose can be learned through
work and editing, especially in this medium.
Will it be beautiful, breathtaking prose that forges new paths in the art of
writing? No, but a very well-edited piece of even the most stilted prose will
eventually end up being like 99.9% of all fanfic (and 99% of pro-fic as well)
-- a good, simple read about characters we like.
And I'll even go a step further and say that good writers are made, not born,
since the only way to learn how to write *is* to write. No one comes out of
the womb with the "gift" for beautiful writing -- it's an art that's learned
and practiced and perfected through the careful input of editors, friends,
teachers and readers and by writing until your fingers feel like they're going
to fall off.
You know ... 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration? Just MHO, of course, but I'll
bet even Morrison has some shitty first drafts laying around her house
somewhere. Of course the quality of her shit versus the quality of someone
else's best effort can be debated, but being a writer isn't about being the
next Shakespeare ... it's about enjoying the noble pursuit of creation, which
is good enough in itself.
syn_...@yahoo.com
this place in a loooooong time. Lord Ginsu, you
would be a wise nobleman to write these novels
yourself; I can't think of anyone who would enjoy
taking an 800K dictation.
Then there was this argument:
From Kate:
< Besides, plot is the hard part -- prose, for the most
part can be learned (and corrected.)>
From bugs:
< I don't agree at all. I see the ability to write
compelling prose to be the true gift in writing. IMO,
prose *cannot* be taught, or (as a beta for many
newbies, I can swear this to you) cannot be
corrected into something page scrolling. It can be
refined, but I'd say a writer had to have a gift from
the beginning.>
From me:
I agree with both of you and neither of you. While it
is totally possbile to teach somone how to construct
a coherent sentence, interesting *storytelling*
depends on the writer's ability to convey
information in a compelling manner, be that through
pretty words and images or through a suspenseful
plot. It's much harder to teach the latter than the
former, and I agree with bugs that most of our
beloved writers (XF and otherwise) were born with
a gift. But everyone can improve. That's why we
have writing groups, writing classes, beta readers
and feedback.
now comes the mini-rant:
I resent the oft-stated opinion that somehow plot is
the easy part of the writing, that any old idiot could
construct a good plot, but it takes a genius to write a
story chock full of terrifc imagery. Plot is HARD.
It takes work to be able to place all those puzzle
pieces together in such a way that it all fits into a
single picture at the end. It requires knowledge of
pacing. It demands long-range thinking.
And it's not any easier than coming up with a
brilliant new metaphor for Scully's eyes.
I'd take Morrison over Grisham, too, (though the
man clearly is doing something right -- look at all
those millions of books sold!) but that's not because
I think all plot-driven books are stupid, lazy or easy
to write. It's because Morrison does BOTH things
well -- she combines great plots with wonderful
prose.
Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just don't like to see
either part of writing (plot or prose) dismissed as
trivial, or given less importance than the other.
Both are necessary to tell a good story, IMHO.
Both are hard to teach, but possible to improve.
Both are a gift.
Cheers, syntax6
bugs
In article <9161ko$137$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
syn_...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Oy, but this was the funniest thing I've seen around
> this place in a loooooong time. Lord Ginsu, you
> would be a wise nobleman to write these novels
> yourself; I can't think of anyone who would enjoy
> taking an 800K dictation.
Actually, I occasionally see variations on this post, and have received
just such a plot outline for me to write the fic. The outline was longer
than most of my fics, so the author proved he could write a story!
>
[snipping, syntax then mini-ranted]
> now comes the mini-rant:
>
> I resent the oft-stated opinion that somehow plot is
> the easy part of the writing, that any old idiot could
> construct a good plot, but it takes a genius to write a
> story chock full of terrifc imagery. Plot is HARD.
> It takes work to be able to place all those puzzle
> pieces together in such a way that it all fits into a
> single picture at the end. It requires knowledge of
> pacing. It demands long-range thinking.
I'd like to point out at this moment that syntax does her amazing plots
in her *head*. Her post might lead you to infer that she's slaving
away with some large outlines/charts/files from which she constructs her
stories. No. She was someone who was born with the gift for plotting,
god bless her. (or curse her, I may say in the dark of night, as I
wonder how to get that damn vampire bat to attack Mulder.) Another smart
move in writing is finding your strength, showcase it, and avoid
anything you don't do well. Avoid the facination with the difficult.
-- bugs, scuttling off as fast as her six legs will carry her, sure she
can outrun a woman riding a slug, no matter how hard she whips him.
syn_...@yahoo.com
:::shakes tail-end of lab coat until bug falls on the
floor:::
Better hope I watch where I'm walkin' <g>
>
> Actually, I occasionally see variations on this post, and have received just such a plot outline for me to write the fic. The outline was longer than most of my fics, so the author proved he could write a story!
I have to say again, bugs, it amazes me that you
hear from authors in the "he" category. I think I've
heard from a grand total of three males over the
past 20 months. I was beginning to doubt they
existed! ;-)
(by the way, I didn't know you were accepting
outlines!!! I'll just send along my detailed outline of
that XF/Gone With the Wind crossover I have, and
you get those leetle legs atypin'!!)
> I'd like to point out at this moment that syntax does her amazing plots in her *head*.
*squish*
pay no attention to that smudge in the corner.
It's work, I tell you, WORK! <g>
<<Another smart move in writing is finding your
strength, showcase it, and avoid anything you don't
do well. >>
Now this, my dear bugs, may be the true gift of
writing.
<<bugs, scuttling off as fast as her six legs will carry
her, sure she can outrun a woman riding a slug, no
matter how hard she whips him.>>
oooo...slug whipping! now that sounds like fun!
syn, off to go do just that.
Nicola Simpson
> Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just don't like to see either part of
> writing (plot or prose) dismissed as trivial, or given less importance
> than the other. Both are necessary to tell a good story, IMHO. Both
> are hard to teach, but possible to improve. Both are a gift.
And now you're going to write an article for Working Stiffs on this, right
syn? <g>
Anyone else want to volunteer to write an article on the importance of
plotting vs. the importance of prose?
Nicola Simpson (workin...@hotmail.com)
Working Stiffs: A Resource for X-Files Fan Fiction Writers
http://www.geocities.com/workingstiffsfanfic/
bugs
dbk...@aol.commiefreak (DBKate) wrote:
> >I don't agree at all. I see the ability to write compelling prose to
be
> >the true gift in writing.
>
> Maybe I should clarify. I was speaking of competent prose, not
Steinbeck. As
> someone who learned how to write a readable paragraph practically from
scratch
> while scribbling fanfic, I still maintain that prose can be learned
through
> work and editing, especially in this medium.
Perhaps the word 'prose' tripped me up. It's a word that tends to be
used by those souls who appreciate good prose. And I think you
underestimate yourself. I would reckon you had a gift for prose before
fanfic, but were willing to be a conscious writer and try to improve it.
If you're afraid my response will lead to bad fanfic coming down the
pike, let me clarify. Everyone can improve. Everyone should try to
improve. Getting 387 feedback letters saying that you're the best thing
since sliced white bread is no reason to write the same thing over and
over again.
>
> Will it be beautiful, breathtaking prose that forges new paths in the
art of
> writing? No,
Again, I would have to disagree. Hemingway's 'In Our Time' changed
literature, forged those paths. Steinbeck did change literature.
Morrison has changed the way people read and write. In fanfic, 'Iokulus'
changed the way people read and write fanfic.
but a very well-edited piece of even the most stilted
prose will
> eventually end up being like 99.9% of all fanfic (and 99% of pro-fic
as well)
> -- a good, simple read about characters we like.
I expect all fanfic writers to try their best and put some sweat into
it. I know it's a touchy subject, but when a gifted writer tries her
best, we're going to be knocked on our ass. Another writer, less gifted,
will get a pat on the back for all her hard work.
>
> And I'll even go a step further and say that good writers are made,
not born,
> since the only way to learn how to write *is* to write. No one comes
out of
> the womb with the "gift" for beautiful writing -- it's an art that's
learned
> and practiced and perfected through the careful input of editors,
friends,
> teachers and readers and by writing until your fingers feel like
they're going
> to fall off.
I think it comes down to what a writer wants out of the experience. If
it seemed as though I'm saying grifted writers don't need to work, I
don't believe that's true. But I also don't believe that a hard working
gifted writer and a hard working journeyman writer are going to have
equal stories in the end. (By equal, I mean, a gifted writer is one who
produces a *gasp* in me. I know that sounds obscure, but it's the only
thing I can say that describes what good writing does for me. Competent
writing is a 'that was nice,' hitting the X in the corner, and promptly
forgetting it.)
And I have higher expectations for myself then a '-- a good, simple read
about characters we like'. But that's just me. I don't expect that
attitude from everyone.
I've been working on a RL novel for 5 years. When I started, I literally
had no idea how to write. I just started page 1, word 1. Now, in
rewriting, I go back to those first chapters and am horrified at the
technical errors that fanfic has taught me to right. But, the voice is
the same. It's me. I'm very happy with an occasional phrase, imagery,
theme that I had happened to get right in all my bumbling. Yes, I now
have a firmer command on that voice, god bless fanfic. Writing is
simplier. I can speak with that voice more clearly. But it was always
there.
Same with my fanfic. I look at older stories, and there's slight
tweekings I'd do differently, but the voice of bugs is a voice I enjoy.
(yet another bugs' rule of writing. Enjoy your own stuff.)
-- bugs, who has to tear down her 'puter to take it to the shop, so if
she doesn't reply, she's not abandoned the discussion. She's just been
crippled by technology.
bugs
In article <9164lb$3p0$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
syn_...@yahoo.com wrote:
> In article <9163du$2m1$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
> bugs <bugs...@my-deja.com> wrote:
> ...cause it's always fun to yank a slugkiller's labcoat...
>
> :::shakes tail-end of lab coat until bug falls on the
> floor:::
>
> Better hope I watch where I'm walkin' <g>
As long as you're not wearing clunky heels, I think I can zig when you
zag....
>
> >
> > Actually, I occasionally see variations on this post, and have
received just such a plot outline for me to write the fic. The outline
was longer than most of my fics, so the author proved he could write a
story!
>
> I have to say again, bugs, it amazes me that you
> hear from authors in the "he" category. I think I've
> heard from a grand total of three males over the
> past 20 months. I was beginning to doubt they
> existed! ;-)
I think the men are shy. But they are out there! Behind the blue
curtain...Perhaps I remind them of their beloved ant farm from their
boyhood. but women who kill slugs...I dunno...perhaps the symbolism in
'Invocation' was just what the critics were saying it was.
>
> (by the way, I didn't know you were accepting
> outlines!!! I'll just send along my detailed outline of
> that XF/Gone With the Wind crossover I have, and
> you get those leetle legs atypin'!!)
EEPPP! Hmmm....While, investigating a haunted antebellum mansion, Scully
and Doggett fall down a well, and when they wake up, they're at Tara.
Scully meets a tall, dark, brooding man who looks suspiciously like
Mulder although he goes by the name of Rhett. Is it a delusion? Is this
where the spaceship took Mulder? Can Scully make him see that Scarlett
is no good, and she's the one and only true love for him? How good will
Doggett look dressed as Ashley?
>
> > I'd like to point out at this moment that syntax does her amazing
plots in her *head*.
>
> *squish*
>
> pay no attention to that smudge in the corner.
>
> It's work, I tell you, WORK! <g>
*gurgle, gasp, pant* Liar!
> <<bugs, scuttling off as fast as her six legs will carry
> her, sure she can outrun a woman riding a slug, no
> matter how hard she whips him.>>
>
> oooo...slug whipping! now that sounds like fun!
>
> syn, off to go do just that.
*small voice* Me scared.
-- bugs