Open Thread: Oracle Hotline

[mithen]

--Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?

I use a timeline program for longer stories, but other than that, not much! My "outlines" are generally just scribbled notes on pieces of paper I am bound to lose later.

This week I have crept up to the precipice of writing a big emotionally-fraught scene and haven't been able to nerve myself up to take the plunge yet--let's hope there's time for it this weekend! How about you?

Comments

[me_ya_ri]

Nope. The most I'll do is scribble down a few notes haphazardly if I'm on a particularly significant scene. I do have a list of the names in the story at the every end so it's always there when I'm writing. Makes it much easier to remember how X character's name was spelled and what their relationship was. I'll include things like looks if I'm worried I'll forget.

I finished the book! *Cheers* Now I just have the contact the cover artist and cross my fingers that she'll be able to get something to me before next year. Not too hopeful on that, frankly. Christmas and all. But I'll try. Still haven't gotten to the edits on one of the previously finished books (my hubby read one and he's sick right now) and the other beta reader hasn't gotten back to me yet. That's three books backed up. *rueful groan*

Plus I'm taking a new online class, this time on writing short stories. And wouldn't you know it? We have to write short stories. My first one is due Sunday and I'm trying not to freak out about it. The teachers are both 35+ year professionals who've written and edited professionally, including for major SF magazines. @__@

But I should learn a lot, right? *bites nails*

And with that I need to go finish the short story for this week (SF, 3000-6000 words, must have 1) an alien and 2) a pet--I have a sorta alien young man who grew up on a space station and a maine coon cat who adopts him as her rather clueless human kitten). Good luck with your big scene!

[mithen]

Makes it much easier to remember how X character's name was spelled and what their relationship was. I'll include things like looks if I'm worried I'll forget.

Oh God, I never realized what a problem this was until I started writing longer stories with recurring OCs and new place names and realized abruptly that Shaynsar had become Saynshar at some point and other spellings fluctuate...I started to feel a bit sympathetic for Conan Doyle forgetting what Watson's first name was. :P

UGH for having three books done and hung up in "post production"! I hope they get unjammed soon...

MAINE COON CAT IN SPACE! I'm from Maine, and I had for many years an adorable Maine Coon Cat, so I am charmed immediately.

[prince0froses]

Sorry, late to the party!

Scrivener has sooooooo many useful tools...that I do not use. >.< its a problem of organization: if I had been using it from the beginning, I would find it easier to integrate the tool use into my writing process, but I came to it late and now have to backtrack

[mithen]

I hear you! I have exactly the same problem, I am set in my ways and it's just...really hard to retroactively do things. I really have to start using it right from the beginning of a large project, I'll try to remember that.