charlesjamessfauth.bsky.social
Writer. Medical Physicist. Professor. Dad. Husband. Judoka.
Not always in that order.
Check out my novel First Command:
http://amazon.com/dp/B096BFLHB3
Author Website: charlesjamessfauthor.com
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I try to plot.
I really do.
I have files full of brainstormed ideas, beat sheets, plot skeletons, character sketches, and various other structure templates.
But the moment I start writing, the work takes on a life of its own. For the most part, I'm just hanging on and screaming "aahh!"
#pretendpanel
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I have a file that I label "proto-stories."
Once I have a kernel of an idea, I start playing with it. I write out an opening, maybe a few scenes... to see if I can make it work. If it's good, I keep going with it. If it's not, it goes into the protoplasm of undeveloped ideas for later.
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If you find yourself surrounded by idiots.
Remember... they're the idiots.
So that's on you.
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I like the idea of a character desperately seeking to uncover an external truth, while at the same time struggling to maintain their own dark secrets.
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Don't avoid it at all in the first draft. Lay it all out. (I find writers are often too conservative with blubs, which can leave readers with no idea what kind of story they're looking at.)
Refine in subsequent drafts.
And remember the point is draw the reader in, not give a synopsis of the plot.
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And it has robots, rail guns, and predatory alien monsters!
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First Command and its sequel Fractured Command are ultimately stories about leadership and perseverance in the face of overwhelming catastrophes.
Lots of people have those days where it just seems like life itself is overwhelming and I personally find comfort in stories of such odds are overcome.
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That totally makes sense.
But of course I had to go and name the guy "Red."
Now the sun sets in a "Leopold" sky, and main character has "Leopold" hair.
*Facepalm*
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One of my writing hacks is to write "100 words first" - before I open an internet browser, check email, etc... just open up Scrivener and get 100 words down.
Some days it launches me into a productive spree.