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Author	Topic: Con Report: Writing Tips - update Arisia 3/6/05
dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 9/27/04 2:30pm Subject: Con Report: Writing Tips - update Arisia 3/6/05 - Date Edited: 3/6/05 4:49pm (1 edits total) Edited By: dianethx
	Have you ever been to a convention and come away with tons of information about writing? To a workshop to learn the best ways of writing story arcs or character development? To a panel that talked about your favorite Star Wars characters and how to write them? Ever come away with the excitement of learning something new or different and there was no one to share it with? Share it here… And more importantly, please feel free to discuss the points. The writers on the panels were often at odds with each other but they all had one thing in common – a love of writing. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 9/27/04 2:41pm Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	One of the biggest conventions on the East Coast (USA) is Dragoncon in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. There are about 25000 people attending this one with 28 tracks of programming (not including other events). One of those tracks was a full, and I do mean full, writing track. Here's a brief distillation of a few of them... Dragoncon 2004 at Atlanta, Georgia, USA There were 29 official writing panels at Dragoncon. Many more than I could possibly go! The authors listed are from the con book. Often the people on the panels were not listed in the book… that's typical for a convention. Also, the Fan fiction and Star Wars character writing panels were not in the writer's track. Go figure! To Collaborate or Not Brad Strickland, Laura Hickman, Virginia Ellis, Susan Goggins, Tracy Hickman, Jody Nye, Barbara Strickland There was a great deal of argument about collaboration on this panel. Some authors did not have a contract with their counterparts while others insisted that there be a written document detailing who did what. They all agreed that one person had to make the final edit – to smooth out inconsistencies in the writing styles. Trust was key in collaborative efforts. Oh, Muse! Where art Thou? Aaron Allston, Leslie Banks, Gary Cohn, Kathleen David, Peter David, Glenda Finkelstein, Karen McCollough Obviously a panel about writer's block. And fan ficcers, you aren't going to like this one. Every author there said that there was no writer's block. It's a myth. What is true (according to them) is that the person psyches themselves into thinking they have writer's block when all they are having was a bad day. Everyone – everyone - has good days and bad days. Peter David was very funny describing a bad day…. pretends to type… The [he yawns and looks around] quick [he grabs a cup of coffee and drinks it] brown [frowns and looks at a pile of books on the table] fox…. Well, you get the picture. They also said that you must write every day without fail… even if it's garbage and you know you're going to erase it the next day. When the novel was all said and done, most writers could not tell what parts were written on good days and which on bad… Theft of Flattery: Fan Fiction This was in the Gothic Journeys section of the tracks. Bridgette Parker, Wendy Darling, Lynn Flewelling, Caitlin Kiernan Very controversial! This had authors from those who encouraged fan fiction to those that had sent out cease-and-desist orders. The C/D author was told by her publisher that she HAD to go after the fan ficcers or she might lose her copyright. She was not happy to do this since she didn't really want to upset people but she did. She also went to Google to look up her novels and found that the fan fiction stories came before her novels in the search. Also, according to the author, the fan ficcers disclaimer doesn't really do enough but if you do include it, to make sure that you list the copyrighted author(s) that own the characters and situations. That is less likely to be pursued than someone that has a general disclaimer. Other authors look the other way. Apparently, if they 'don't know', then they can claim that they did not lose copyright. It got very confusing after that. Apparently, this is a very large grey area in copyright law. Some authors such as Anne Rice have pursued it actively, others have not. From Headlines to Plots Nacy Knight, Aaron Allston, Eric Griffin, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Freda Warrington Mostly this was about organizing the novel. A lot of writers are very organic – they write as it flows off the page - where other writers are very organized. It also reminded me of the boards since writers all have different styles. Aaron Allston says that when he writes a book for Lucas film, he gives them a 30000 word synopsis for a 300000 word novel!!! I believe that they also talked about problems with a plot (it's hard to remember since some of the panelists said similar things in several panels). When you get into a corner with plot, you have to backtrack. The problem isn't at the corner but further back in the work – that's where you have to fix it. If you get blocked and nothing is coming to you, there is something wrong with your story flow. Again, backtrack and fix. Characters that Leap off the Page Ann C. Crispin, Robert Aspirin, Storm Constantine, Caitlin Kiernan, Brad Lianweaver Flaws are necessary to a character. There should be at least one large flaw and maybe several smaller ones. The flaws can be physical or mental. If you have having problems with a story or character, you can go onto the SFWA.org/members/crispen to get AC Crispen's article on story/character flaws. Also mentioned was the scary white page! Ann Crispen makes sure that when she's done with a chapter, she always starts the next paragraph so that there is no blank page. Inside Star Wars Characters From the Stars Wars track. Jeremy Bulloch and Aaron Allston Jeremy talked about Boba Fett and said that he had decided that Boba would be relatively still (not moving a lot) compared to most other characters/actors to give him a distinct look. Aaron Allston talked about using a (mental) 'mask' to hop from character to character – to get a total switch in point of view. He said it was more difficult at first but now it's quite easy. Immersing himself in the character allows him to write the C in the correct speech/movement as the story flows. When pressed, he said he likes writing Wedge and Janson the best. Other general observations from several of the panels... If you are going to be a professional writer, get an agent. This was emphasized in several panels. When you are writing, try to use active with lots of nouns and verbs. Don't overdo the adjectives and try not to use too many adverbs. Last but not least, I had a one-on-one talk with Aaron Allston and Mike Stackpole in the hallway. For ½ hour! They were wonderful, loved to talk seriously about writing in general. If you ever get the chance, please take it! I was thrilled. Both agreed that if you are going to write, you might want to get a degree in something other than writing – political science was mentioned as one suggestion. Be sure and take at least one course in a foreign language. It will help with writing. Read history, political science, psychology. Read books to get a flavor for the particular genre you will be writing in. Be sure to also read books in other areas. They said they tend to read a lot of non-fiction now. Above all, treat your writing like a business. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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Shaindl Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 9/27/04 3:36pm Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Cool idea for a thread, Diane, although I doubt I'll ever get to a con... I like what the writers said about Writers' Block. I had a teacher who said that the way to kill writer's block is to keep writing. Now I would bet he thought WB is all in the head too. About agents, both Stephen King and Spider Robinson (two of my favourite authors) say that the easiest way to do it is to get some short stories published, and then approach an agent with a novel. If you can show a track record, they're less likely to throw your letter into the pile. King's book On Writing was invaluable for laying that out in clear terms. Excellent reading for any would-be author. Interesting stuff - I'll be looking forward to seeing what else people have picked up. Shaindl -----signature----- Halfway Moment - Qui, Obi, Anakin AU - http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/20110461/?0 - UPDATED JULY 3!
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Thumper09 Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 9/28/04 8:49am Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Diane, that's so cool--I was at the "Theft or Flattery" panel too! When I get home tonight I'll go through my notes and see if I can add anything to the ones you posted. I also went to the writing track panel "You Rebel Scum," which talked about why people rebel against authority. The speaker had a Powerpoint presentation and everything, and I think that's been the most informative writing panel I've ever gone to (considering that I write about everyday generic Rebels). It might take me a while to find those notes since I just moved and they might be buried in a box somewhere, but when I do, I'll post those as well. -Thumper -----signature----- "Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel, _Stranger Than Fiction_ "Adamantine"--Rebel OC vig http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30390799
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 9/28/04 9:12am Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Shaindl Thanks. I have to read that Stephen King book. I'm sure it has lots of interesting information on writing! As for agents, most of the authors were novelists in the panels I went to. Short stories are a good way to start and I know that printed magazines are always looking for good stories... Thumper Darn, we missed each other. I figured that there had to be more fan ficcers from TF.N at Dragoncon. Any info you can dig up would be very helpful. Or if you want to add anything, please feel free!!! -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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Layren Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 9/28/04 4:43pm Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Wow great thread Diane. I wonder if there will be any writing panels at C3 next year muses that would be really neat. -----signature----- Proud Master to Ara-gon The Triad Chronicles http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/25934993/p1/?177 (OC's) Into Another Day http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27926050/p1/?0 2008 Dear Diary Challenge I am Jinngerbread.
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Thumper09 Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 10/13/04 9:29am Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Diane, if you happen to remember seeing a girl with glasses in a Rebel Fleet Trooper outfit sitting on the right side of the room, that was me. Sorry I missed you--I would have liked to meet you. I don't have much to add to your notes on the "Theft or Flattery" panel, just that part of the reason fanfic is a murky issue is that authors have taken different stances on it. Also, I remember them mentioning that if push comes to shove with copyright infringement and such, the fanficcer will be the one in the hot seat. Another panel I attended at DragonCon was Connecting the Dots, which discussed how to integrate plot, character and setting. To help gauge if a character is developing, look at the first page and the last page. If the character can do everything on the first page that he or she can on the last page, the character hasn't really grown. Characters, like real people, practice denial--they don't always know what's wrong with them or what they can't do until they're failing at it. (Since setting is a weakness for me, I paid a lot of attention to the "setting" discussion.) Treat setting as a character. An author needs to know details of the setting just like he or she needs to know details of the plot or characters. In some ways, it's the most important character in the story. It has likes, dislikes and its own characteristics, and it's the filter through which a reader experiences the writing. Everything in the world around us can be a trigger for important memories and emotions, so mine the setting for these triggers for characters. Also, a story is not a camera--the author is capturing a subjective view of the setting, not an objective one. This can help the author choose details to point out. Every reader will interpret things in a different way. There was a small discussion about plot--does a story need to answer a question, or does the question just need to be posed without necessarily resolving it? It's possible to answer "the question" to varying degrees. Also, try to avoid "plot coupons"--when the character does X number of things, collects a "coupon" for each, and sends them in to the author for an ending. (For example, the hero frees the town, slays the dragon, and rescues the princess, and the story's over without any real character development or even a good reason for everything happening to tie the events together.) Finally, setting is not a novel. Plot is not a novel. Character is not a novel. They all need to work simultaneously, and it doesn't matter in what order you connect the dots. ----- Okay, that was long. I still have to find my "Rebel scum" notes, and I'll post here again then. -Thumper -----signature----- "Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel, _Stranger Than Fiction_ "Adamantine"--Rebel OC vig http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30390799
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 10/15/04 4:11am Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits
	Thumper I do seem to remember you. We'll have to make an effort next year. But I am surprised there weren't more fan ficcers at Dragoncon. As for the Connecting the Dots panel To help gauge if a character is developing, look at the first page and the last page. If the character can do everything on the first page that he or she can on the last page, the character hasn't really grown. Loved this idea. That's a pretty simple way of telling if you've done the story and the character justice. Simple but effective. As for settings as characters, I do that all the time. In my longer stories, I make sure that the reader understands the setting because they will need to interact with it. It will affect them in unusual ways sometimes, depending on the setting. As for plot, I also love that they pointed out the 'coupon' idea. I hadn't heard it called that but it makes sense. I get annoyed with novels that do just that because I don't feel that I'm connecting with the characters or the plot. It's so stilted and pointless to go from point A to point B without some changes in the character. Thanks, Thumper. I'm very sorry that I missed the panel but at least now we haven't lost the information. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/6/05 4:46pm Subject: RE: The Con Report: Writing Tips and Tidbits -update Arisia
	Arisia is a science fiction convention that takes place in Boston every Jan. (Sorry I didn't update this thread since then but I've been busy with RL) Writing Panels at Arisia Unusual POV The writers discussed the different POVs and noted that 3rd person is currently the most popular. But that wasn't always the case. In Victorian times, they used omniscent but also often pulled out the narrator (1st person) to give a different perspective on the story. When using 1st person POV, it is very important to choose the narrator carefully. Protagonist vs antagonist can change the story completely. They also noted that 1st person POV was the easiest to write but it is usually not done well by beginners. To write it well, the author must focus on the voice and keep it consistant (not easily done). They also said never write 2nd person. They couldn't think of a single novel where it was well done. What Makes a Page Turner? A page turner has intense emotional involvement and great pacing. There were 3 types that were discussed. 1) how do we get home? 2) who are those guys? 3) One damn thing after another. With this one, there are layers of goals, each step falls apart. Then there are the cliffhangers. How to choose where to have a chapter end? A point where the reader can put the book down but with enough intrigue that they will want to come back. Torturing Characters for Fun and Profit You can't just torture the character; you have to... 1) move the story along 2) victory must cost in one way or another 3) If you win, there must be physical/mental scars In order to make it more appropriate, everything must collapse and yet the hero will still do the right thing. There were also a couple of fan fiction panels but I was on them so I didn't write anything down..LOL. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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Layren Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 3/6/05 4:59pm Subject: RE: Con Report: Writing Tips - update Arisia 3/6/05 - Date Edited: 3/6/05 5:04pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Layren
	Torturing Characters for Fun and Profit You can't just torture the character; you have to... 1) move the story along 2) victory must cost in one way or another 3) If you win, there must be physical/mental scars In order to make it more appropriate, everything must collapse and yet the hero will still do the right thing. I got a great laugh out of just the title of that part Diane Nice to know that other authors have advice on character torture and how to do it Now I don't feel so bad -----signature----- Proud Master to Ara-gon The Triad Chronicles http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/25934993/p1/?177 (OC's) Into Another Day http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27926050/p1/?0 2008 Dear Diary Challenge I am Jinngerbread.
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/6/05 5:18pm Subject: RE: Con Report: Writing Tips - update Arisia 3/6/05
	Apparently those authors really got into torture but they also didn't go over the top with it. They kept emphasizing the torture had to mean something.... -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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