tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post5199324106745818306..comments2023-08-14T10:44:59.007-04:00Comments on Novel Spaces: The Genesis of an IdeaKeVin K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14792797517571690942noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-67598107975605937902012-01-18T09:08:21.659-05:002012-01-18T09:08:21.659-05:00Joanne, something freeing about carrying out a mun...Joanne, something freeing about carrying out a mundane task that lets your mind flow.<br /><br />Jess, thanks, I'm glad you found it useful. I'm glad I can do it that way because otherwise I'd feel like I was wasting too much time on my commute.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-38195441775100020822012-01-15T23:22:17.757-05:002012-01-15T23:22:17.757-05:00Wonderful advice. I feel like I'm most creativ...Wonderful advice. I feel like I'm most creative when I'm driving a long distance. I work out a lot of writing problems. I'm terrible with setting but your advice goes along with a book I'm reading now; I've been trying to concentrate more on setting and let my characters develop from it. Really, really good post, Charles; I needed this. Thanks!Jessica Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320362797117599955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-46913202101343070322012-01-12T16:21:59.150-05:002012-01-12T16:21:59.150-05:00Good tips. And some of my best ideas have hit whil...Good tips. And some of my best ideas have hit while driving.Joannehttp://www.jhohadli.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-5355306501288758112012-01-12T09:49:59.697-05:002012-01-12T09:49:59.697-05:00Laughingwolf, yes, it works. the unconscious is a ...Laughingwolf, yes, it works. the unconscious is a powerful force for that.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-68608578846775126392012-01-11T20:05:44.557-05:002012-01-11T20:05:44.557-05:00good ways to tackle a tale...
non-writers snicke...good ways to tackle a tale... <br /><br />non-writers snicker at the idea of 'letting characters do the talking', i think they can supply solutions to many stumbling blocks, even tell you to allow them more time to supply input :)laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-3825836046948362772012-01-11T18:28:00.227-05:002012-01-11T18:28:00.227-05:00Steve malley. still rough drafted at the moment, b...Steve malley. still rough drafted at the moment, but it will be done!Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-86992820552871575592012-01-11T16:06:05.481-05:002012-01-11T16:06:05.481-05:00Hell with the process, I want to read the story! ;...Hell with the process, I want to read the story! ;)Steve Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561234111786788616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-785747458160142632012-01-11T11:46:00.078-05:002012-01-11T11:46:00.078-05:00Carole, and it's a lot of fun, too!Carole, and it's a lot of fun, too!Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-47161641536063295292012-01-11T11:37:17.335-05:002012-01-11T11:37:17.335-05:00I think these ideas are great. Especially taking ...I think these ideas are great. Especially taking the time without all the daily distractions to let your mind wander freely. Good Stuff.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828426520214270655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-35154485133225769532012-01-11T08:32:48.211-05:002012-01-11T08:32:48.211-05:00Sean, I got my recorder at Best Buy. I think they ...Sean, I got my recorder at Best Buy. I think they have them for 20 or 30 bucks now. It's handy.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-8014191125173361002012-01-10T21:12:20.132-05:002012-01-10T21:12:20.132-05:00Excellent post, Charles. I also do some of my best...Excellent post, Charles. I also do some of my best thinking during the commute. I like the idea of a recorder, I usually write small notes, or leave myself a voicemail. One thing I know is I cannot force inspiration or ideas. Sometimes, something as simple as a song that comes on or a news story, can get things going. Your story sounds very good alreadySean Patrick Reardonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051252366031997054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-70890318832450331152012-01-10T19:50:10.389-05:002012-01-10T19:50:10.389-05:00Erik, I like it because I rather hate wasting time...Erik, I like it because I rather hate wasting time, unless I've actually decided to waste time in playing.<br /><br />Ty, I sometimes put my characters into conversations that have nothing to do with the story itself just to learn about them.<br /><br />G., when we disengage our minds from conscious thinking the good stuff seems to come.<br /><br />Golden Eagle, I think that brings the consciousness in when you hammer, and that may be slowing things down.<br /><br />SQT, I have a hard time with dialogue outside of setting. It seems like talking heads to me too often.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-50707237470640151772012-01-10T19:18:41.471-05:002012-01-10T19:18:41.471-05:00I like the idea of using the scenery as a means to...I like the idea of using the scenery as a means to work through a plot block. I find that dialog flows but action can stump me occasionally. So a break to work on scenery, and maybe find a new avenue, is a good idea.SQThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251030404220909306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-71434794530016513012012-01-10T18:54:14.600-05:002012-01-10T18:54:14.600-05:00I usually go through a similar process--though I t...I usually go through a similar process--though I tend to get hung up on plot blocks. I'll hammer away at them and lose the overall picture.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-66389581217254257512012-01-10T18:38:15.728-05:002012-01-10T18:38:15.728-05:00Number 4 worked the best for me this past weekend....Number 4 worked the best for me this past weekend. Got completely stuck on how to write a particular fight scene, so I switched over to thinking about how to end the story (this was done in the shower, where some of my strangest ideas and strangest solutions take shape).<br /><br />Lo and behold, not only did I came up with a very doable ending but I came up with good solution to my fight scene.G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-43797769563619835282012-01-10T18:05:39.686-05:002012-01-10T18:05:39.686-05:00Great use of your time, Charles, that drive.
I wo...Great use of your time, Charles, that drive.<br /><br />I work somewhat like you, though I usually don't focus on the setting as a way to get my mental juices flowing. It's an idea, though, one I'll have to try. Most times I start thinking about my characters, and sometimes I'll through in an odd or new one just to see how it will affect a situation.<br /><br />As for plot blocks, I usually ask myself, "What would be the most logical thing for the character(s) to do next?" I realize this sounds kind of trite, but it always works for me. Whatever the situation, when I come to a point in which I can't decide what happens next, I turn to my characters' motivations and personalities.Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09192814826756623212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-83127995446899533012012-01-10T15:56:56.516-05:002012-01-10T15:56:56.516-05:00#s 1-5: great! I love it ~ and yes, carving out me...#s 1-5: great! I love it ~ and yes, carving out mental space and time bubbles is a must for any deep thinking. The fact that in this case it's also commute time makes it double duty.<br /><br />Superb.Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-42697991923721780182012-01-10T15:49:02.888-05:002012-01-10T15:49:02.888-05:00David J., I will eventually find the story for &qu...David J., I will eventually find the story for "Long Dead Woman in a Black Dress." I've often in my life come up with titles long before the final story coalesced.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-37731562633795755732012-01-10T15:25:26.930-05:002012-01-10T15:25:26.930-05:00I still loke that first title too.
I used to do t...I still loke that first title too.<br /><br />I used to do the same when I had such a long commute-now I don't and I have wondered if I have had to sit at the computer (full of distractions) and actually take a little longer by being "IN" the office.<br /><br />Double edged swords.<br /><br />I look forward to the tale.nephite blood spartan hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092519999184585295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-68216701585395310752012-01-10T13:11:24.673-05:002012-01-10T13:11:24.673-05:00Lynn, I'm glad if anything clicked. I apprecia...Lynn, I'm glad if anything clicked. I appreciate the kind words.<br /><br />Eric1313, I find that too. It's very very rare for me to get the perfect ending first and have to write my way toward it. Usually the end is refined as the beginning is.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-35935580525598369472012-01-10T12:37:10.687-05:002012-01-10T12:37:10.687-05:00and if an ending comes, it is usually not going to...and if an ending comes, it is usually not going to be very good until that refined new beginning takes shape.eric1313https://www.blogger.com/profile/13807078704660045859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-65013056418072589852012-01-10T12:35:08.490-05:002012-01-10T12:35:08.490-05:00Nice description of internal process. It truly is...Nice description of internal process. It truly is like lightning bolts... these ideas and the way they come. Then you set it down, things get stale... I go back to the intro and think and stare and put in commas that i take out later and stuff lol... that's when the new beginning often occurs. Just like that. Refining the setting, dropping in little details like bread crumbs.eric1313https://www.blogger.com/profile/13807078704660045859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-42013296564483728382012-01-10T10:42:26.194-05:002012-01-10T10:42:26.194-05:00I use some of these tips, but learned some useful ...I use some of these tips, but learned some useful info per usual. More tools for the old toolkit. Thanks.Lynn Emeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10428256353142864469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-51423546940408006082012-01-10T10:34:35.847-05:002012-01-10T10:34:35.847-05:00Jewel, the treadmill would be a great double dip f...Jewel, the treadmill would be a great double dip for this kind of thing. I get a lot of ideas while walking the blocks around my houseCharles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-44585382720250337102012-01-10T10:32:31.553-05:002012-01-10T10:32:31.553-05:00Your method is as close as I get to a detailed out...Your method is as close as I get to a detailed outline (except for the children's books). Mentally plotting a story makes my 4 to 6 miles on the threadmill go by more quickly, and reduces the occurrence writer's block when I get to the computer.Jewel Amethysthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14813773386476356666noreply@blogger.com