I'm about half way through my novel, so it's going to have to be a short story.
Once it's done I will launch into another that has a lot more plot potential.
Sam
----------
SamH
Canberra Australia
| SamHow | Weeeeeell it turns out to be a short story :) |
    9,736 / 50,000 Joined: Sep 16, 2009
Location: Canberra Australia Posts:
15
Posted on:
Nov 2, 2009 - 02 48 |
I'm about half way through my novel, so it's going to have to be a short story. Once it's done I will launch into another that has a lot more plot potential. Sam |
Home :: About :: Search :: My NaNoWriMo :: FAQs :: Fun Stuff :: Donation/Store :: Forums :: More from OLL
Privacy Policy :: Terms and Conditions :: Codes of Conduct :: Returns Policy
Copyright © 2009 The Office of Letters and Light :: All posted novel excerpts remain copyright their authors.
Powered by Drupal
4,001 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 03 31
Or you could make it the prologue! *rofl*
23,899 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 03 35
Always plenty of lee-way for an oversized prequel too |D
6,398 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 19
Good lordie, Sam, I've got the exact same problem! I even changed plots completely, thinking the new plot would actually be longer, but it's not! I'm lucky if I'll hit 20 000 words! *bawls eyes out* Maybe I'll just do a collection of stories...
9,736 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 33
Yes a collection of short stories might be the way I think. I'm not going to try an pad my current story.
Although I have come across a useful device...
My main character has opened a carboard box full of photo albums and started leafing through them....
Ta Da... cue an unlimited number of flash backs and his entire life story..... There's pages in them there hills!
----------SamH
Canberra Australia
27,578 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 49
The trick I'm using right now to pad out wordcount is to send my MC on a holiday. It's totally irrelevant to the plot, really, but I just needed a couple of days for things to change back home, so I'm sending her away and describing her holiday in great detail! Oh, and when she gets home of course she'll have to tell her friends all about it - seperately, no doubt ;)
----------Stace
4,001 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 18 41
Ah, he's got the black and white fever.
31,061 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 08
Or you could make it your back story. Use it to create your world and the history of your MC/s. I was taught a meditation technique a few years ago in bible study (long story) and I try to apply it to my writing. Basically, you ask yourself a series of questions.
1. What is the world like (ie normalicy for want of a better word)?
2. What shifts or changes?
3. What causes the shift or change?
4. What must be done to restore the balance?
5. How can that be achieved?
6. Will it be achieved?
All stories are about the journeys of the character/s.
Here's an example, Tolkein's "The Lord Of The Rings"
1. Frodo's world is a peaceful village
2. It has become dangerous for him to stay there
3. An evil ring came into his possesion
4. The ring must be destroyed
5. It must be taken to the volcano where it was forged and thrown in
6. Yes, but with great sacrifice
It's an oversimplification of the plot to answer all of these questions with one sentence, my answers are meant as a starting point only. Tolkein spent years creating his world, he wrote back stories for each of the races, made languages and general physical and personality characteristics, and showed how each interacted. The LOTR was in fact the second major war with evil, the first one having set up the specifics. If you feel you can't stretch your story any further, then use it as an exercise to define who your MC/s are and set them a new challenge.
I hope this helps,
----------Angie
xoxo
2009: The Blood Of The Dragon
0 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 27
Speaking of lord of the rings. Anyone seen this yet? http://xkcd.com/657/large/
27,578 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 29
Yes, I loved it! XKCD = favourite webcomic ever :)
----------In fact, I'm currently wearing their anti-velociraptor t-shirt :)
Stace
16,744 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 29
Holy hell. That is the coolest, geekiest thing ever. *saves*
----------2007: A History of Wings
2008: Elemental Brats
2009: The Un-Super Heroes
4,001 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 34
*rofl* That's hilarious. I love XKCD. And Primer made no sense.
4,001 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 21 35
Yeah, Joseph Campbell ends up everywhere, apparently even bible study :)
0 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 22 14
So I'm guessing you've seen the movie referenced in the punchline. Is it that bad? I'm extremely curious now...
46,538 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2009 - 20 28
Turns out that, while my novel isn't exactly *short*, it is about 8000 words shorter than it ought to be.
Bugger.
What do I do now?
L
----------Title: Undecided
Plot: Undecided
Main Character: Undecided
Ending: Undecided
Ah hell ... I have no idea what I'm doing except holding on for the ride.
Read along on my blog
51,687 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2009 - 01 10
Go back to Scene 2. Reiterate the challenge in Scene 1 in your MC's mind and use flashbacks to emphasise what the MC will be sacrificing to follow the challenge laid down by the plot.
Or it's time for the zombie nazis from outer space. Your choice. :-)
43,626 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2009 - 01 28
OR put a sex scene with an inappropriate partner in, and then relate how that effects the inner learning journey of both charcters...
or mutant vampire eels, either way...
46,538 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2009 - 01 33
All wonderful suggestions. I'm considering mutant zombie Nazi eels now ...
Actually, in all seriousness, I'm going back through the entire thing, writing extra scenes to flesh out the story a bit, extending scenes that already exist. It's working so far! 6.5k to go ...
L
----------Title: Undecided
Plot: Undecided
Main Character: Undecided
Ending: Undecided
Ah hell ... I have no idea what I'm doing except holding on for the ride.
Read along on my blog