New Podfic: Edge of Snow is up! +blather on writing

[arrow00]

Eee! nos4a2no9 has gone and done recorded Edge of Snow as a fantastic podfic.

Her voice is perfect for reading Fraser 1st person, and for that I am so grateful, because Fraser is a tough nut to crack and it's not an easy story. Be sure to visit her LJ and give her fb because we just don't have enough people willing to record podfics. It's a long and difficult labor.

On another topic, I got an email from a writer friend of mine asking me how I got the idea to have Fraser make a pillow fort and what is it with making POV and themes work and stuff, which got me to thinking about writing, so I am offering some notes on my writing process, not that I really have a formal one or even know what the heck I'm doing.

But I'm hoping some kind writer will read it and tell me how she does it. Please to spread the meme?


Writing Blather Meme

Ideas. Where the hell do they come from? Can you make those little fuckers show up?
The pillow fort happened because I sat in front of my computer before I had my first cup of coffee, contrary to prescribed custom. Often even a small, silly idea can be nurtured into a larger, fully-fleshed one. In order for that to happen, I let myself inhabit the idea, think about it, daydream a little. Do a little research on the Internets. I don't try to sit down and just write it unless it's one of those:

Wild horse-bunnies. Different from a seeded idea. Do you get them?
They're what another friend of mine calls cosmic dictation. That's when a story just gets born in my brain already fleshed out, and it kind of tears out of my head and grabs me by the throat and starts running away. I do not try to interfere with its dastardly plans. I just let it take me wherever until it reaches the end or it gets exhausted and falls over, panting. That's usually (almost always) right at the climactic scene that was my primary impetus for writing the damned thing in the first place, but unfortunately, I sometimes get:

Writer's block. Have you been scourged?
Yes, I think it exists, but I don't think of it the way most people do. Or, at least, the way I did back before I started writing three years ago. It's not a state of being unable to write at all. It's more of a state of being incapable of writing anything but utter crap. And I hate writing crap, so I stop writing the story. But I think the reason I so often get stuck right at the climax is because it is the most fucking important scene in the story, and I'm just terrified I'll fuck it up and ruin what could possibly shape up to be something really good. So, call it writer's choke instead. I'm afraid to go for the three point shot.

If I do get stuck there, I just put the story away and work on a seed idea, or something short will just come to me and I'll write it quick, like a lube-job warm-up. Then I go back to the climactic scene, and usually, with a little distance (and after re-reading the original bits) I get the momentum to complete the story. Then it's a matter of:

Clean up duty. Do you like editing?
This is either my favorite part of writing, or the part I hate the most. It depends on whether I've screwed up enough. If, in re-reading the story, I find the characters emotions don't arc believably, or the pacing is off, then I have a tough time doing the fix, because my scenes tend to be very tightly woven and it's hard to stick new stuff in there. If I'm lucky, the problems aren't insurmountable and I clean up all the iffy grammar and word repetition and delete the thousands of extra commas that have snuck in there (or insert the ones that mysteriously never appeared.) And then, finally, I work on:

The ending. Is it hard for you to find the ending?
God, this is the most important part of the story next to the beginning, and I never, ever write the denouement until everything else is tied up tight. I am always searching for the perfect way to end it, and don't usually find it. But when I do, I'm so freakin' happy. Endings are powerful things. Which reminds me of:

The title. Where do you get yours? Do you have yours when you start the story?
I usually know the title before I begin, except when I don't. But normally I do, because the title is also tied up with the theme, which gets worked into the whole story. I just can't write without a theme, even if I haven't articulated it fully in my head. So title-less stories don't stay title-less for long.

It's a good sign when I have one when I start, though. Or else I kind of ramble during the:

Plot. If you plot out your stories first, raise your hand.
I'm sorry to say I can't seem to. I think it would pretty much kill the point of writing them for me, because it's almost like I get to learn the story as I'm writing. However, I'm pretty sure that's why I haven't written anything of really serious length. So, a limitation. I do have it as a goal to write a novel this year. The only problem is I'll have to branch out and write from more than one:

POV. How do you choose your POV for a scene? For a story?
I like to stick to one POV per story unless it's a longer one, and even then two at most. And I prefer one. I think it makes for a better (deeper, more involved) reading experience if the reader doesn't have to jump from one brain to another. It gives the reader a chance to relax into the character and feel safe.

I also think it helps build mystery to only know what one character is thinking. Also, it forces me, as the writer, to work hard to make the non-POV character's motivations understood through the perception of the POV character, which is a fun:

Challenge. Do you like them? Do they inspire you?
I set myself my own challenges, but do not articulate them to the reader. This, I think, warps the stories a little, maybe gives them more depth. I might say to myself: only one line of dialog in this story. Or, don't use one of the character's names. Or, e.g., for the dS hat challenge I told myself I wasn't allowed to use the words "hat" or "Stetson" even though that was what I was writing about.

Challenges and exercises act as a framework for me. The limitations force me to be more creative than my lazy self wants to be. Otherwise, I would just sit around all day writing:

Sex. Do you like writing sex?
One of the specific questions my friend asked me was how do I write sex scenes. I'll be perfectly frank and TMI on your ass: I go to my bunk, I fantasize the scene, and I write down what gets me off. I can't imagine writing sex scenes any other way; I'm very curious to know how other writers do it if their process differs.

Thoughts? Sick suggestions? I'm up for it. Here's the meme for your copy/pasting pleasure:

Writing Blather Meme

Ideas. Where the hell do they come from? Can you make those little fuckers show up?
Wild horse-bunnies. When a story just gets pulled right out of you. Do you get them?
Writer's block. Have you been scourged?
Clean up duty. Do you like editing?
The ending. Is it hard for you to find the ending?
The title. Where do you get yours? Do you have yours when you start the story?
Plot. If you plot out your stories first, raise your hand.
POV. How do you choose your POV for a scene? For a story?
Challenge. Do you like them? Do they inspire you?
Sex. Do you like writing sex?

Comments

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

I lvoe these sort of discussions because the writing process for each writer is COMPLETELY different. I mean, we are all struggling to put down the same basic elements, love, loss, fear, anger, joy, etc. and how we get there is an individual as our DNA. Might have to do this one.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Oh, please, please do. I find it so fascinating how other people write because, like you said: we all have the same raw materials but the way we put them together, the processes we use, are all so utterly different.

And I want to learn tricks other people use or even come up with writing exercises based on how someone else does it.

[qe2.livejournal.com]

we just don't have enough people willing to record podfics.

Huh. This is interesting to me, because I have occasionally thought about doing this and come to the conclusion that the market's too crowded for new entrants (which feeds usefully into my conviction that no one would listen to it if I recorded it anyway).

I'm saving the writing meme, which I will have to think about, for the weekend's writing. It's a good one. Thank you.

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Q! Don't be insane! I would LOVE to hear your recording of a fic! There really aren't enough authors/readers out there: I can only think of about six people in the fandom who do record either their own stuff or other people's, and when you consider the sheer amount of great stuff out there waiting to make its way onto your iPod...well, if I ask really nicely, would you consider it? I think you'd be a great reader, and I'd love to hear you take on one of your own stories. Just try it out. It's addictive :-)

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, your answers were fascinating. You process seems quite relaxed, and I'm still shocked that you've only been writing for three years. You've got a sage kind of maturity about your approach that I associate with really experienced authors. Before I'd gotten to know you a little I had thought you were a professional fiction writer, given the quality of the stories you post and the frequency with which you do so.

And wow, your approach to writing sex? Awesome. It makes sense, right? What's sexy to you HAS to show up at some point in the story, so taking things for a *cough* test-drive seems very sensible. You are very brave for crossing that TMI line, but yes, wow, that's a good suggestion. I might have to try it! ;-)

[slidellra.livejournal.com]

HI RECORD PODFIC PLEASE.

We are way, way short on readers, and I want more podfic, and poor zabira deserves to listen to fic she didn't record herself, and I have MANY more reasons if you need them. *wants*

[slidellra.livejournal.com]

Verrrrry interesting, m'dear. And your technique for writing sex is mine as well. I like it.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

[via friendsfriends]

I always love reading about people's writing processes. We're similar in some ways, different in others (like, DUH :-) and sometimes I forget that there are other ways to write.

Also, you don't have to write from multiple POVs for a novel. I finished my first (fanfiction) novel in November, and it's all from a single POV. (For exactly the reasons you articulated: it's more interesting for the reader to have to speculate on the non-POV character's motivations, and it's fun to create the view of what that character thinks through the possibly unreliable narration of the POV character. And in my story, where the POV character is sort-of-original - Rae Kowalski, an always-female version of Ray - it helped to build reader identification.)

And hee, I do personal, unstated challenges all the time.

[t-verano.livejournal.com]

not that I...even know what the heck I'm doing

You do so *too* know what the heck you're doing. Seriously. Wonderfully. And 's cool to get a little glimpse behind the Arrow writing curtain. (Not to mention the spiffy styling, setting up the transitions between the topics. ::appreciates::)

No sick suggestions (sadly), but POV has been much on my mind lately. You state the single-POV case excellently. I love writing it, for the reasons you give (and, okay, because I don'texactlyfeelcompetenttoswitchPOVinaficyet). But really, personal cowardice aside, I love that using a single POV reads/feels maybe a little more like life, being lived through a single set of eyes and observations and thoughts. Of course, I also do love reading fic that switches viewpoints, if it does it well and doesn't leave me flailing.

(Why would your novel need to be *not* from a single character's POV? Those are usually my favorite novels, letting me identify with the main character most fully. And go you, planning to write a novel ::beams at you::)

Endings -- uh-huh. So tough and so essential. I usually find beginnings much easier. But it feels great the times you find the ending that's *right*...

Titles. Heh. If I start out with the title I end up with no fic at all. The fic tells me what it wants, but that always changes as it goes along. Even a drabble doesn't tell me until it's almost in its final editing.

Setting yourself secret challenges -- ooh, very cool idea. (Which I plan to remember and use, if I ever get to the point that I can.)

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

what they said! there are never enough podficcers.

and I'm really looking forward to reading your writing thoughts.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

eep! Thanks. A lot. I think I was writing in my head for a long time and just didn't know it. It took discovering slash for me to think, hey, maybe I can do that. But I've always been purty good with words.

I hope you'll tell us a little about your process, Nos.

taking things for a *cough* test-drive seems very sensible

It's the only way to travel. ;) Seriously, I'm glad I posted it, too, if it will encourage people to ah experiment.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Sweet. Yeah, I think that's where my most useful story idears come from, simply because it's *never* just about sex.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Sorry: whats friendsfriends? I am relatively new to this strange LJ country.

I would love to hear about your process, isicolo.

Also, you don't have to write from multiple POVs for a novel. I finished my first (fanfiction) novel in November, and it's all from a single POV.

Wow. Congrats on that. I admire you tremendously; I've never been able to wrap my head around a novel. I guess I just assumed people would get tired of one POV for an entire novel. Stupid assumption on my part, I take it.

Actually, knowing that, I might be willing to give a novel a try. The POV switching thing bothers me. Even when I'm reading, I always feel slightly deflated to all of a sudden be in the other character's head. Takes away a lot of the tension. Not that I haven't read superb stories that do switch...but I guess it's just a personal preference.

the POV character is sort-of-original - Rae Kowalski, an always-female version of Ray
What an original idea. Is it het?

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly, T, but sadly I *often* haven't the first clue what I'm doing. I look down at the screen and shake my head and give up for a while.

And then, like a switch gets flipped or something, sometimes it seems so easy. And I haven't yet figured out how to flip that switch manually.

But really, personal cowardice aside, I love that using a single POV reads/feels maybe a little more like life, being lived through a single set of eyes and observations and thoughts.

Yes! Right on the freakin' button, there. Also, I really do feel the flailing thing you mentioned when a story switches. My theory is: the reader, in reading the first POV, makes their own assumptions about the other character's mental processes, and it's so very hard to match--when the writer switches, I'm suddenly treated to thoughts I wasn't expecting, or an attitude that doesn't match my assumptions, and that's when I flail.

As I mentioned to isicolo above, actually, I had just assumed you had to switch POV for a novel. If I don't have to, then I think writing a novel will be much much easier. But it does mean I have to be very careful not to lose sight of the second character's arc.

Titles. Heh. If I start out with the title I end up with no fic at all. The fic tells me what it wants, but that always changes as it goes along. Even a drabble doesn't tell me until it's almost in its final editing.

Fascinating. You have a totally organic process, sounds like. I definitely find at times the story takes me where I'm not expecting, but even so I usually know the title...and it's almost as if somewhere underneath I know why the title is appropriate, even if I don't consciously. It's both a touchstone *and* an unexpected surprise.

I think that's why I have to write short stories, though. I don't think my brain is big enough to encapsulate an entire novel unconsciously that way. I have written five novellas, though.

Why do you think you can't do challenges? Unless you mean it's because you're too busy to write right now...which saddens me greatly. :o

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Friendsfriends is a LJ function that is available to paid accounts; it lets you look at the most recent posts by people who your friendslist have friended, but you don't. I look at it when I have the time. It's a good way of expanding my social circle on LJ, although I also end up skimming past quite a lot of (what is to me) boring crap.

And you can call me Isis - isiscolo is my username, because Isis is always taken by the time I get there. :-) I natter on a lot about writing and process; you can see my 'writing' lj tag. You might be particularly interested in this post (http://isiscolo.livejournal.com/327185.html) on plot and how I write long, plotty stories.

And hee, way to deflate my writerly ego, there; the Rae story just got recced on crack_van so I was feeling pretty proud of myself, and here comes a reality check that not everybody knows me or what I've written! Anyway, it's a bodyswap story which combines elements of both het and slash: Rae wakes up in an alternate reality in which she is, and apparently always has been, a man named Ray. You might find my story notes interesting whether or not you read the story, and you can find them here (http://isiscolo.livejournal.com/403952.html) (they don't spoil the actual story too much) The story is here: Being Ray Kowalski (http://hieroglyfics.net/beingray.htm); it's just over 50,000 words, and not only is it NC17, the cover illustration is a beautiful and very not-worksafe drawing by j_s_cavalcante.

The thing is, the whole story is a fish-out-of-water thing, that Rae finds herself in a male body and in a world where things have happened in subtly different ways. Staying strictly in her POV helped me build reader identification with her (because it's risky, creating a character who is not strictly a canon character, and trying to convince the reader to care about her) and also to maintain the nervous feeling that Rae has in worrying about Fraser's feelings and motivations, because the reader can only know how he's reacting to the change in his partner through the filter of Rae's experience. Alternating with Fraser's POV would have killed that.

Anyway, I'd be delighted (of course) if you'd read it.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

eep! No writerly puncturing intended. It looks like your story fell in my dead zone: I was in a full hand cast and off-line for a couple of months when I shattered my finger at the end of October. I haven't had a chance to catch up fully since I don't read that much fic--no time, and generally want to be writing instead of reading, although I do both.

Staying strictly in her POV helped me build reader identification with her (because it's risky, creating a character who is not strictly a canon character, and trying to convince the reader to care about her)

Good point, and smart thinking. It's very difficult to write a story entirely from an original character's POV, and especially difficult for a story of that length. That's quite an achievement, and it looks like your readers really loved it.

You write in your story notes: I mean, it's a (typically female) slasher's dream, isn't it? To wake up in a male body - and not just any male body, but the body of one of our slash objects.

It's an interesting question. I don't think it's true for me. I love the two guys. I am in it for the two guys, and want my involvement to be completely vicarious. Flitting back and forth and inside one guy's head and then the other... Except that doesn't cover it fully. Truth is, my relationship with slash is so freakin' complicated that even though I think about it all the time I still haven't figured it out.

Which is *not* to say it isn't a brilliant idea or that I wouldn't love your story. I'm just making a more general point that different slashers enjoy slash...differently. I recently did a con panel on the Psychosexuality of Slash wherein I took a survey and was *shocked* at how very wide the differences can be. Amazed. You'd think, because slash is so popular, that there would be a lot of solid commonalities, but there really aren't. There's no one thing you can point to and say "80% of slashers like this" It's more like 40%, 20%, 5, 1, .0002 ... Really fascinating.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that all slash writers and readers have the same motivation. I totally agree with you that there are lots of differences among us. What I meant (and expressed poorly) was that - this is kind of what we virtually do. We (and by that I mean the overwhelmingly female majority, as there are certainly male slash writers) put ourselves in the head of a male character, and imagine his bodily responses. I don't have a penis of my own, so if I'm writing sex scenes I am translating the emotions and the sensations that I experience when I'm turned on into a body that I only imagine I have.

(I kind of consider the story partly a metacomment on the phenomenon of women writing m/m sex, which I still find fascinating as a sort of social/psychological expression even though I've been doing it for five years. I don't mean to suggest that we have a solid bloc rationale!)

And really, Rae isn't completely an original character: she is my conception of who Ray would have been had he been born female, but of course my conception might not be the reader's conception, so I have to sell this characterization. Which is not a lot different from any AU, really, where you must convince the reader that e.g. had Fraser not had his father the famous Mountie to live up to, he would have become a geologist.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

We (and by that I mean the overwhelmingly female majority, as there are certainly male slash writers) put ourselves in the head of a male character, and imagine his bodily responses.

I get it. What a neat concept. You'd sorta have to remember *how* you write in order to write what Rae is thinking as newly male. It would be much easier to write a newly female Ray--you definitely took the hard road. ;)

Writing regular slash for me is a combination of translation, and projection. When I can get my boyfriends to talk I make them give me fodder. But mostly I think it's what I wish guys would feel--and I'm sure it's wrong 99% of the time, but it works for me.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we're not so much writing men as we are writing what we wish men would be! But hey, we are (mostly) writing for other women who also prefer these idealized men, so. :-)