Fellow writers! Any English majors in the crowd! Some advice, if you would be so kind…

POSTED BY: EmpireX
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 20:05
VIEWED: 11319
PAGE 1 of 2

1 2 NEXT PAGE

EMPIREX

Thursday, September 4, 2008 4:25 AM

I've been working on my Firefly AU, The Ties That Bind, for... oh... FOREVER AND A DAY! I can't seem to write linearly, or maybe chronologically is the right word. I have a decent outline. I know pretty clearly where I want to take the characters and where I want to end up. I've written several scenes already… but I'm undecided about how to proceed and in what FORMAT I want to write this fic.

It's a story that spans two generations - the original Firefly crew and then the epilogue features their grown children. I'm thinking maybe instead of writing chapter after chapter (like Mal4Prez), perhaps do a series of vignettes?

Can anyone recommend a well written fic - or even a book or novel - that uses that format - a collection of stories set within the 'verse?

I eagerly await your responses!

"Can you, for a moment, imagine how depressing it is to teach one thousand years of masculine ineptitude? Why do you think there are so few women historians? I'll tell you why. Because history is not such a frolic for women as it is for men... History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. History is women following behind with a bucket and a mop." - Alan Bennett, "The History Boys"

FLATTOP

Thursday, September 4, 2008 11:33 AM

Neil Stephenson used a similar format in Cryptonomicon. Two timelines, one in WWII, the other is Now. Grandparents in WWII, adult grandchildren in the here and now, and how what was done back in the day influences the lives of the current generation.

Another place to look would be William Gibson's Burning Chrome. A series of short stories in the Cyberpunk genre. Some are complete, others have a definite vignette feel.

Hope it helps.

----------

EMPIREX

Thursday, September 4, 2008 2:12 PM

Oh hey, thanks! I'm gonna try to check those out.

"Can you, for a moment, imagine how depressing it is to teach one thousand years of masculine ineptitude? Why do you think there are so few women historians? I'll tell you why. Because history is not such a frolic for women as it is for men... History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. History is women following behind with a bucket and a mop." - Alan Bennett, "The History Boys"

WYTCHCROFT

Thursday, September 4, 2008 11:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EmpireX:
I've been working on my Firefly AU, The Ties That Bind, for... oh... FOREVER AND A DAY! I can't seem to write linearly, or maybe chronologically is the right word. I have a decent outline. I know pretty clearly where I want to take the characters and where I want to end up. I've written several scenes already… but I'm undecided about how to proceed and in what FORMAT I want to write this fic.

It's a story that spans two generations - the original Firefly crew and then the epilogue features their grown children. I'm thinking maybe instead of writing chapter after chapter (like Mal4Prez), perhaps do a series of vignettes?

Can anyone recommend a well written fic - or even a book or novel - that uses that format - a collection of stories set within the 'verse?

I eagerly await your responses!

JetFlair's stories (The Losing Side etc) work in such a fashion (though is not the prime focus)
http://www.serenityverse.com
(really a lovely site)

but if you are thinking forwards - with children and what not, both Slumming and Jane0904 are worth a deep trawl:)

As for novels - Burning Chrome is a good call.

And novelists: http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/cmp/popp_z.htm

This is a short story on the Whatisthematrix site - if you dig around you'll find there's a collection of 'official' fan fic
which effectively duplicates the effect you are looking for.

And i would suggest peeking at http://www.stillflying.net

PLATONIST

Friday, September 5, 2008 12:17 AM

You may want to check out AWindsor's work here in the BSR, start with Pirate Children. She nailed Mal's and Inara's offspring right on the head.

WYTCHCROFT

Friday, September 5, 2008 12:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Platonist:
She nailed Mal's and Inara's offspring right on the head.

LOL!:)

PLATONIST

Friday, September 5, 2008 1:51 AM

Truly, highly recommended for anyone, the daughter is not only obstinate, but obnoxious, and the son is caring and giving, but a "know it all"… it's hilarious. And, about the only baby fic I can stomach. No special powers with these two, they’re real kids.

DESERTGIRL

Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:29 AM

Valeriebean wrote a series of vinettes that spaned into a new generation that was quite good last summer in her namesake series.

EMPIREX

Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:34 PM

Thanks! I'll have to check those out.

"Can you, for a moment, imagine how depressing it is to teach one thousand years of masculine ineptitude? Why do you think there are so few women historians? I'll tell you why. Because history is not such a frolic for women as it is for men... History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. History is women following behind with a bucket and a mop." - Alan Bennett, "The History Boys"

MOONDOG

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by EmpireX:
I've been working on my Firefly AU, The Ties That Bind, for... oh... FOREVER AND A DAY! I can't seem to write linearly, or maybe chronologically is the right word. I have a decent outline. I know pretty clearly where I want to take the characters and where I want to end up. I've written several scenes already… but I'm undecided about how to proceed and in what FORMAT I want to write this fic.

It's a story that spans two generations - the original Firefly crew and then the epilogue features their grown children. I'm thinking maybe instead of writing chapter after chapter (like Mal4Prez), perhaps do a series of vignettes?

Can anyone recommend a well written fic - or even a book or novel - that uses that format - a collection of stories set within the 'verse?

I eagerly await your responses!

"Can you, for a moment, imagine how depressing it is to teach one thousand years of masculine ineptitude? Why do you think there are so few women historians? I'll tell you why. Because history is not such a frolic for women as it is for men... History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. History is women following behind with a bucket and a mop." - Alan Bennett, "The History Boys"

Getting started is hard. I consider myself fortunate as I have an ability to visualize things and set them on paper easily but there are some things I would like to share. First, this is something you cannot force. I apply a sort of Zen approach. In the Japanese Samauri there was a concept of "the belly" the basic idea is that if you look right, you can't see left and conversly if you look left, you can't see right. What is needed is to look nowhere, thereby looking everywhere. Then will happen as naturally as a drop of water falling from a branch. I will relax, often with some music, and open my mind and it comes.
I once did a highly acclaimed essay likening the writing of a story to the formation of a star. It begins in a defuse cloud of dust and gas (ideas) which slowly condense under gravitational influance (for me, the music) until it finally reaches sufficant mass to ignite. The main point I stress is DON'T FORCE IT. Also, I must point out that many people can write well, but not all of them can write fiction well. We are all individuals with our strengths and weaknesses (obviously spelling isn't one of mine)some are left-brained(Logical) and some are right-brained (imiginative) Be your self and find your niche. Good luck and I hope my advice was helpful if not thought provoking.

1 2 NEXT PAGE