@quicksilverwyvern
Active 5 hours, 11 minutes ago- Rank: Wise Jester
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Just ordered the book. Hopefully it arrives soon! I’ll be able to binge through it once I have it–I’m a fast reader. Once again thanks for organizing this.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Hello! It’s nice to meet you. My name is QuicksilverWyvern (though you can just call me Quicksilver or Wyvern, I don’t mind) and I like to write mostly epic fantasy with hints of other genres. I also have a ridiculous amount of other hobbies, though I’m definitely not equally great at all of them, lol! My dream job is to be an author and eventually a business-owner.
Now some questions for you:
1. Describe the type of Christian LitRPGs you write.
2. Do you prefer to be called Keziah or Maiden Moonlight?
3. What (in your opinion) is the best line you’ve ever written?
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Sounds like a great premise! I love the take of a knight of the Catholic faith having to realize what he’s been fighting for his whole life has been unnecessary. I can see it leading to some really great character arcs. Sounds awesome.
Hello, by the way. Let me introduce myself. My name is QuicksilverWyvern (though you can just call me Quicksilver or Wyvern, I don’t mind) and I like to write mostly epic fantasy with hints of other genres. I also have a ridiculous amount of other hobbies, though I’m definitely not equally great at all of them, lol! My dream job is to be an author and eventually a business-owner.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
My dad got me a digital art program called “Clip Studio” when we got a new tablet. It’s a pretty advanced program with a bunch of features, and I really like it, but it is $25 a year. There are other programs such as Krita and ProCreate. I’m not entirely sure how much those ones cost, but I want to say the basic version of ProCreate is free.
My tips for a beginning digital artist are 1. play around with the different tools early so you know what is at your disposal to use and 2. read lots of tutorials. My art program, ClipStudio has a huge library of tutorials. You might even be able to access them without the program. I’m not sure. But finding a good tutorial for whatever you are specifically trying to draw can teach you awesome digital tips, tricks, and time-savers. Other than those two tips, I’d say just go for it and draw! The more you do digital art, the more you’ll get used to it and know how to implement it well.
I mostly compose orchestral music for my video games, though right now I am working on a song inspired by one of my book characters. It’s a slow work in progress, but I’m hoping maybe this holiday I’ll finish it.
My current videogame is a Metroidvania platformer that takes place in a Limbo between life and death. I’ve only really gotten the walls, floors, and player controls done so far, but hope to work on it more when I have the time.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
I really liked this piece of writing! The characters came across as realistic and I felt sympathy for Taylor. I especially liked how you handled the worldbuilding of the powers Taylor has–you allowed the reader to pull on the context to grasp the full extent of what was going on so that is wasn’t at all info-dumpy. Your prose were well done; there were some excellent word choices. In agreement with Loopy, the beginning description was especially descriptive and really set the scene for the reader.
As far as the grammar, I didn’t really catch anything big. There were a few typos, I thought, but those can be fixed on a quick read-through of the manuscript.
Anyway, good job! Keep your writing up. It’s going great!
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
That sounds like a great plan! Hoping it goes well and praying you get motivation to stick with it!
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Hmm. Yeah, I had a similar thing going on for a bit. Your response, here are a few things I’d suggest:
First of all, I second (third? fourth?) what everyone else has been saying about finding your own process style. Once you know what to expect from yourself on the first draft, a lot of pressure can be taken away. For example, when I finish a draft, I expect I’ll have to go back over the manuscript and add a bunch of scenes that tie the story together more tightly, because my weakspot in writing is plot. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Recognizing that enables me to write freely without worry, because I expect that, yes, indeed I will have to go back and change a bunch of stuff.
Secondly, I’d like to say that needing to do a little bit of reworking in a novel doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad story or you’d be better off writing a story “without” those flaws. In my current book, I’m completely changing the personality of my character during draft two. For a much older project, I’ve done three different attempts to get it right, and when I ever pick it back up, I’ll be on my fourth.
You’d be surprised to find out how much even published authors change between their drafts. I’d recommend going to an author website you know, and looking at the initial draft or outline (if you can) for a book you know. Every author changes things during the later drafts, and just because you’re already recognizing what needs changing in your own book doesn’t mean you should stop writing it. As someone once said, “you can’t edit a blank page.”
On that note, I think you’re expecting just a tad too much of yourself. Not that expecting great things of yourself or setting goals is bad, but no one’s novel is a masterpiece on first try, and certainly the prose aren’t. Sincerely, don’t worry at all about the prose on the first draft. My mom always says, “the first time you write a story, you’re telling it to yourself.” Getting the story down on the page is more important than it sounding nice on the first try because you can fix it later.
I know having to fix things in regard to character and plot can be extremely discouraging, and once you realize what needs to be fixed, it can take a lot of the joy out of it. The exact same thing you’re describing with the thriller you told me about happened to me. I wrote a chapter I really liked (it was the third chapter, twenty-ish pages into the story), gave it to my mom to read (she’s a creative writing teacher by the way, for context) and she pointed out an error that would require me to not only take out my favorite scene in that chapter, but completely rework the ideas I had for the story. (I was, and still am, writing this particular story more panster, so it was less about practicular plot points than ideas.) I was completely discouraged about having to fix the project, and was ready to give the whole story up. My mom, when I told her I was thinking about just dropping it, wouldn’t have it. And I’m so glad she told me to keep writing it. Once I fixed what needed to be fixed (and that process wasn’t exactly the most fun), the story was a lot better. Not only that, but my excitement for that story came back, and now that project is one of my favorite to work on! Sometimes, it just takes forcing yourself to fix what you need to in the beginning to get back to enjoying write it again.
Now here’s something that might be comforting in regards to what you’re current process for plot sounds like: my stories start as just vibes too. In my current writing process, I’ll write 1-6 chapters and then consider an outline. What I mean by consider, is that I always end up veering from my outline, but trying to think of things that could happen gives me more direction. Panster or outliner is more of a personal style choice, however, and I know many pansters loose all motivation once they outline, so if that’s you, I wouldn’t recommend outlining. I can’t give an abundance of advice for pansters, being an outliner, except saying play to your strengths and see if you can find panster authors online who give great advice.
Also know everyone has a different mix of plotter and panster. I always say my employees in the writing office of my brain are plotters, but the panster is the executive CEO. The plotters follow the outline till the executive panster says “You know what? The story would be much more interesting if we burned the palace down.” (True story.) Most people aren’t completely one or the other, and there’s no need to try to be completely one or the other.
Another thing to recognize is that there are even more styles of writing than outlining and pansting. Some people like to write individual scenes out of chronological order, then string them together. Some like to world build copious amounts before they start. Everyone’s process is different, and that’s okay.
The last thing I have to say is that unless your goal is to be a full-time, putting out a book every five months, author, there’s not really any pressure to finish. If writing is more of a hobby that you enjoy, or maybe you just want to get a few books published someday but not do it full time, you don’t have to push yourself so hard. Not to say that finishing isn’t valuable or a worthy goal, but it shouldn’t take your enjoyment out of writing.
Now don’t be discouraged if you are planning to be a full-time author and haven’t finished anything in a while. If you really want to go full time, and want to finish, here’s what I would suggest you do:
Look at the six projects you dropped. Pick your favorite. Fix the fundamental issues it has (POVs, starting place) and write from there. I know this can be hard, so maybe just aim for a set amount of time for writing per day. Set a timer for thiry minutes to an hour, and just write however much you can on that story within that time frame. Don’t be discouraged if it isn’t a lot; the important part about that exercise is that you are making progress, not the amount of progress you’re making. And importantly, if you begin to feel that excitement rush and are really into the story again, write for however long you want. Sometimes a thirty-minute timer is all it takes to get your brain back into the story. I’ve used this technique several times (again, credit to my mom.)
Lastly, see if you can find out what different writing processes look like for your favorite authors. Yours won’t be exactly like anyone else’s, but one part of another person’s process may just be a good thing to incorporate into yours, or something you’d like to try.
I know this was a long response, but I hope it helps. If you want any clarification on anything I said, I’d be happy to give some. I wholeheartedly believe that you can finish and find that spark for writing again.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
I’ve never met another person who’s read that series. That’s awesome. The Legos sound like the sort of thing me and my sister would do.
Also, yes, can we please burn all the gross fanfiction on the internet so that good writers who are actually dedicated to the fandom and honoring the characters can write in peace. I’m a clean fanfiction writer as well. Someone really needs to start a website for clean fanfics where gross stuff is taken down.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
@writingwren you are well read. Consider me impressed, new friend. Unfortunately, that means I’ve run out if recommendations.
From what you said about outlining not working really, my only piece of advice left is that you may be more of a panster, which is totally fine! However, you did mention that just writing the projects doesn’t work either. Would you mind maybe giving me a summary of a project you tried and more detail about what or where exactly the lack of excitement for the project began? Trying to help best I can here.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Yeah, finding good books to read is tough. If you aren’t reading regularly though, it could be the problem. Here is a list of clean books I’ve read, and you’ve probably read some of them, but I just thought it might be helpful.
-“A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket. A dark satire for elementary to middle grade, it’s funny, mysterious, and ponders some of the deeper in question in life. There are 13 books in the original series. There is also a prequel series with 4 books that is amazing and you should totally read after the original series if you like it.
-“Fablehaven” by Brandon Mull. A fantasy series for middle grade to YA about two siblings who find out their grandpa owns a wildlife sanctuary for magical creatures, and must fight against the darkest of vile creatures and demons to save the world from chaos if such creatures should break loose. Great series with an excellent balance of light and intense moments and sibling dynamics. There is a sequel series “Dragonwatch.” I haven’t completed all the books to that series, but the four I read were really good and I intend to finish the series when I have time.
-“Warrior Cats: The Prophecies Begin,” by Erin Hunter. It’s about a house cat who finds his way into the wild and joins clans of wild cats who are fighting over territory. There are great character dynamics and surprisingly deep themes for a middle grade. The first series is great, the rest (in my opinion, no offense to anyone who likes them) turn into a cat soap opera, so just read the first one.
-“Prince Warriors,” by Priscilla Shrier. A Christian middle grade about kids who are transported to a world controlled by an evil presence they must defeat, picking up literal pieces of the Armor along the way.
-“The Secret Zoo,” by Brandon Chick. An elementary to middle grade about a group of kids who end up in their local zoo’s secret sectors, where animals are smarter and have special abilities.
-“The Candy Shop War,” by Brandon Mull. I haven’t finished the series because the books weren’t all out when I read the first, but the one I read was really good. It’s about candy that gives kids magical powers.
-“The Orphan Train Quartet.” A historical fiction for kids about a family of children who get separated when they find new homes on the orphan train and must find their way back together. Haven’t read all four, but intend to finish them. The first two were really intriguing.
-“The Giver Quadrant.” Great books! Dystopian books about different societies by a Christian author. Each book has it’s own distinct world, and it’s own deeper meaning.
-“The Cooper Kids’ Adventures,” by Frank Peretti. A sort of Christian thriller Indiana Jones about two kids and their archeologist dad who go on adventures. Exciting and short enough for a great day read, and so suspenseful. The writing is also really good.
-“The Myst Series.” Based off the video game “Myst,” but all you really need to know is that in the world people can write books that transport them to other world. The books aren’t a direct series, but simply in the same universe as each other.
-“Anne of Green Gables.” I don’t typically read cozy types of books, but the book was genuinely funny and won me over in the end.
-“Murder on the Orient Express,” and “And Then There Were None,” by Agatha Christie. Great mysteries, and if you like those she has dozens more.
-Sherlock Holmes original books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Great mysteries. Need to finish reading all of them.
Anyway, I hope you can find a book to read that inspires your energy. I also second what Power said about finding something writing adjacent. I’m currently working on writing a D&D campaign, comic script, and a video game story line. They all use writing in different ways.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
This is a hard question. I don’t know if I have any answers that will fit you, but I will try.
The first thing I would ask is where you’re dropping these six projects you’ve tried to start. If you’re dropping these in the first few chapters, for me personally, that usually indicates there’s something wrong the premise. For me at least, when that happens I’ll look for any characters or plots that are too cliche, or any writing “rules” I’m breaking. Sometimes it may even be I put the wrong character as my protagonist. I’ve done this sort of revision with several stories.
If you are dropping them near the middle of the book, however, I have a different piece of advice. Most authors loose passion in the middle of the project. Myself included. On the first draft of the book I completed this summer, I can tell you once I breached the middle point, every chapter I wrote became tedious. If you’re dropping near the middle and this seems to be what you’re experiencing, I would say just press through. Since you’ve gone through a writing curriculum that has forced you to finish, I can imagine you already have some experience doing this. And you don’t even have to force yourself to write on it a lot every day. Maybe all you can manage in that story for the day is a paragraph or page; that’s fine. Sometimes getting over the middle hump of the story takes that kind of patience.
In essence what I’m saying about loosing passion for the project in the middle, is that it is common and there’s nothing wrong with you or the project. In fact, with most projects it’s to be expected.
Now, my final piece of advice is if all you’ve been doing creatively for the past three months is writing, is that you may have burned yourself out. Whenever I have writing burn out, I can’t care about any of projects, no matter how gripping they are or how excited they usually make me. If you think you may be experiencing burnout, my recommendation is to find a creative hobby that is not writing and do that for a bit. Normally within a few days to a couple weeks doing something that isn’t writing will resolve burnout for me, and I’ll be able to become excited about my projects again.
Another thing I would ask is if you’re reading regularly. I find if I don’t read, my writing becomes worse and I can’t really summon much passion for it.
Anyway, again I don’t know if any of this is what you’re looking for or experiencing, but I just thought I’d give the advice. I know this sort of problem can be extremely discouraging when writing is a thing you love, and nothing seems to be able to currently bring back that joy you once experienced from it, but I promise it is possible to find that again. It just may take some revision, determination, and/or rest. If you would like anymore advice or specifics on the tips I recommended, I would love to help you out more.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
That sounds hilarious! I would pick up a book like that. I hope you get back to writing it someday.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
The flashbacks in the book are primarily going to be used to show who the characters he keeps mentioning were in life, and to explain the complicated situations that arose out of past politics between countries. My current plan for draft two is that the MC is “talking” to his dead friends, and appears a bit crazy–though to be clear, he doesn’t really believe they are there, it’s just a way to comfort himself. (He’s been in almost complete isolation for forty-two years, though he can’t tell how much time has really elapsed.)
The flashbacks I plan on sharing are more informative to the reader, so it won’t really be a mental trigger response to anything traumatic. If it was, I’ve experienced a minor bit of PTSD in the past (for nothing too serious, don’t worry), and know a little bit of what that is like, in my case at least. Was not fun. Do not recommend. But, hey, as me and one of my friends always say when anything bad happens “it’s writing experience.”
Anyway, yes, thanks for the advice. That helps!
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Thanks for the advice! I think finding the specific scenes I want before the flashbacks as you mentioned will really help. I really like the different varieties of flashbacks you mentioned. I believe most of the memories will be normal-er ones. The really traumatic scene happens at the very beginning of the book, so the readers have already seen it. There should only be a few really serious ones, so hopefully that will help.
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
Hello, Lucy! My name is QuicksilverWyvern (though you can just call me Quicksilver or Wyvern, I don’t mind) and I like to write mostly epic fantasy with hints of other genres. I also have a ridiculous amount of other hobbies, though I’m definitely not equally great at all of them, lol! My dream job is to be an author and eventually a business-owner.
Your story premises sound really interesting. I love all your ideas! I can tell the books you would right would be very complex with heavy themes. I’d totally pick up a book like that.
Now, here are some questions:
1. What is your dream fantasy-style home? Not necessarily from a specific book or movie, but just in general, like a palace, cave, secret bunker, or something like that. Feel free to go into detail!
2. What is your favorite vibe for a book to be? Like, the general feeling the environment and story gives you. Whimsical, epic, dystopian, regal, etc.
3. What (in your opinion) is the best line you have ever written?
There once was a snail who was depressed and would do anything for his girlfriend. Didn't end well.
