Jedi Council Forums - Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction

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Author	Topic: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
EmilieDarklighter Registered: Jan '02	Date Posted: 4/29/08 7:52pm Subject: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop - Date Edited: 4/30/08 10:42am (7 edits total) Edited By: EmilieDarklighter
	Welcome to the Twenty-Five Rules workshop! This is a challenge workshop/discussion thread that will span 25 weeks. This workshop is based on advice given to me by man who was a long-time university writing professor, and an editor in New York for nearly 30 years. Guidelines 1. Each week, we will discuss a new topic and how it relates to successful writing. Anyone may participate in the discussion, regardless of participation in challenges. There will be one challenge each week with a Star Wars theme that also relates to the discussion topic. 2. Every challenge participant will be asked to create a "portfolio thread", in which he or she will post his or her responses to the weekly challenges. The thread should be posted in the appropriate era-specific fanfiction forum. Good luck! If you would like to participate in the challenges, please sign up by posting in this thread. The first discussion topic and corresponding challenge will be posted on Sunday, May 4. If you have any questions, please PM me or catch me on MSN (jadewebmissy@hotmail.com) or GTalk (emmijade@gmail.com) or shoot me an email at the GTalk address. Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction by Peter Christopher 1. Writers Write - Set up a daily writing schedule and stick to it. 2. Stand and Deliver - Provide an insight right away. Say something no-one has said, but that we all know. 3. Get To It - The reader's internal clock is ticking. Hook them right away and keep them reading. 4. Make It Count - You are paying with your life. Do not write something trivial. 5. Keep It Simple - Clarity! Simplicity! Directness! 6. Do Not Complain - We all have our complaints. Nobody wants to read whining. 7. Do Not Explain - Show more (action). Tell less (explication). 8. Witness - Fiction is witnessing rather than preaching. 9. Wanting It - What does your primary character want? Does the character get it? 10. What Versus Why - More often than not, write the "whatness" of things, and not the "whyness" of things, which is the province of psychology and other related disciplines. 11. No Emotional Cliches - No eyes conveying emotion, no tears, no smiles, etc. These are cheap tricks for lazy writers. 12. Even If It Hurts - Hack details that do not advance the narrative. Also, do not smack the reader with background information. If it is important, then pay it out slowly, organically. 13. Write It Out - Not a ripe apple, but rather an apple so juicy full that the wet sweetness runs down my face and down my hand when I take a bite. 14. Avoid Sentimentality - Writing becomes sentimental when you claim something that has not been earned. 15. Talk to Someone - Writing is more than just the correct use of nouns and verbs, more than words on the page. Writing is the authority of one human heart speaking to another human heart. 16. Location, Location, Location - Everything happens somewhere. 17. Sensations - Describe a scent every couple of pages. Use all the senses. 18. Revise - All the best writing is rewriting. 19. Less is More - Omit useless words. 20. Get the Basics Right - Grammar, punctuations, dialogue, attributions, etc. 21. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda - Does it pass the "so what?" test? 22. Go for the Jugular - You can always be nervier than you think. 23. Make It Great - The best art celebrates the mystery and holiness and beauty of life. 24. Get Tough - Writers and their writing face constant rejection. Develop a tough hide. 25. Keep Going - Writers fail when they fail to write. In memory of Professor Peter Christopher. All thrive. -----signature----- Master of Jedi_Emeritus Former Padawan of Gabri_Jade Little sister to Gabri_Jade and LadyPadme 25 Rules for Successful Writing http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28400222/p1/?2
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Jedi_Emeritus Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/29/08 8:56pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	Hi Emmi, count me! Sounds like an intriguing and amazing workshop idea. -----signature----- "The road to hell is paved with adverbs." - Stephen King There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.' Take My Hand: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28300611/
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 4/29/08 9:06pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I'm absolutely in. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Scree Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 4/29/08 9:44pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I'm definitely in. -----signature----- Spoilers: I am Cthulu. Jacen Solo: Proof that hippies are Darkside.
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LilyHobbitJedi Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 4/29/08 9:59pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	Well I think I'll give this a shot though I'm a tad nervous about it. -----signature----- Proud Master to eboneya & Alassë Eärfalas! Everybody Lies- House/SW Crossover! http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28032689/r28039379/ A Light In The Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b1047
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The Musical Jedi Registered: Dec '99	Date Posted: 4/29/08 10:04pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I'll be keeping an eye on this. -----signature----- Hold your own Know your name Go your own way A Moment's Deliverance: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30573115
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 4/30/08 12:42am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I don't dare make a commitment to the challenges, Emmi, but I will definitely be watching this. It looks like lots of great information. I look forward to following along. -----signature----- Evil Twin of LadyPadme This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. - Bob Dylan Serendipity (Leia-Mara vig) - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30178069 !!11!1eleventy
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dancing_star Registered: Feb '07	Date Posted: 4/30/08 6:28am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	Cool!! I'll be keeping an eye on this too! -----signature----- God bless America and our troops. "The LORD gives strength to his people. The LORD blesses his people with peace." Ps 29:11 ~~~ "Darkest Hours, Brightest Hope" (fic below) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/29811085/p1/
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Ultima_1 Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/30/08 7:41am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I'd be interested in this. -----signature----- Fanfic Padawan of NYCitygurl Legacy of the Force: Endgame http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28169084/p1/?1
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Alexis_Wingstar Registered: Sep '06	Date Posted: 4/30/08 7:52am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I'll be keeping an eye on it, too, though I'm not sure if I can participate with all the plot bunnies running through my brain! -----signature----- 3rd time NaNoWriMo Participant 3rd time's the charm, right? RIGHT?
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karebear214 Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 4/30/08 8:50am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I too am very interested but semi-nervous. It looks like a great idea though. Count me in. -----signature----- "I don't like it that you can win an argument without using verbs." - Luke Skywalker to Ben, "Outcast"
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 4/30/08 9:17am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I won't be doing the challenges - I just don't have time - but I'll be glad to discuss the rules when they come up. I can already see a few that I absolutely disagree with! That's always good for discussion. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 11/2/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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Takianna Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 4/30/08 10:42am Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	You can count me in. Hopefully living with an English teacher for most of my life will finally pay off!!!!! -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/29819847/p1 *** Loves those Republic Twinkies Friend of Mrs. Ben C. Blocked
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earlybird-obi-wan Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 4/30/08 12:31pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	I will watch this and maybe participate. -----signature----- writer and Star Wars fan FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link] stories in my bio
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dreamshell Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 4/30/08 12:46pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	In! -----signature----- "The Jedi... the Sith... you don't get it, do you? To the galaxy, they're the same thing; just men and women with too much power, squabbling over religion, while the rest of us burn." -- Atton Rand
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Jedimaster_JainaSolo Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 4/30/08 1:20pm Subject: RE: Twenty-Five Rules For Writing Successful Fiction - A 25 Week Challenge Workshop
	Cool. I'd like to try to participate: God willing and the creek don't rise. Cool idea! Dana -----signature----- Excited padawan of NYCitygurl Behind the Durasteel Mask: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28439445 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..." 1 Timothy 4:12
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