MS Blood Pact: Looking for Writing Buddy

[Chilari]

So I started writing my novel on Sunday and I would like a writing buddy as a sort of partner with whom I can work through difficult passages (on my own and their novel), who can chase me up if I've written nothing on any day (and for whom I will do likewise) and with whom I can have word wars and the like.

The main criteria I'm looking for is someone who will be available/online at the same times I am. I live in the UK and work 8-4:30 so I'm mostly online 17:30-19:00 and 21:00-22:30 UK times (currently British Summer Time). So someone from the UK or western Europe who works similar hours, or from other parts of the world who is available at the times stated, would be ideal.

In terms of what is being written, I don't see that as a major aspect of this relationship as the main thing is accountability, word warring and just getting things written with the other's support; and while assistance in particular situations where one or other of us gets stuck might crop up, I'm fairly flexible about what I read, provided it's not super gory or too erotic, and it doesn't have an overt political or religious undertone. Other than that, I'm happy reading all sorts of subgenres - from steampunk to high fantasy, parody to zombies, low fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, whatever.

Just in case any potential writing buddies do care about what they're reading, I'm writing a low fantasy story set in a bronze age society. My main character, Anse, finds herself with important decisions to be made when new circumstances split the town she's one of the leaders of into two distinct factions. Neither side is morally superior - each holds ideals which conflict with the other faction's ideals. The characters around her also vary, from an entitled, stroppy teenager to a politically indifferent priestess philosopher, and from an embittered war survivor to a passionate idealist lacking in tact. The story follows Anse's choices as around her the situation worsens and the conflict escalates (sometimes as a result of her actions - or inaction) as she tries to work out what's best for herself, her children and the town.

So anyone want to buddy with me?

Rather than create separate threads for everyone looking for writing buddies, if anyone else is looking for someone but seeking different criteria or interested in a buddy who writes a particular subgenre, this thread would be a good place for that too.

[JCFarnham]

Well, I'm certainly in the UK.

I'm kind of afraid I might foresake this little pact a bit ... but I want to push myself. This first novel is kicking my arse, and it would be good to get through it and onto the second. It's a series akin to what Jim Butcher does, eg, setting + character + new situation = new book in the series.. on a completely wink-wink-nudge-nudge unrelated note its an urban fantasy.

I've recently moved house (and into Wales) and now have the internet and most things sorted out. Still a few things to do, plenty of house keeping and a whole boat load of job searching to be done... but I think I can committ to this if you (or anyone else for that matter) is interested.

Maybe the different subgenres would be our undoing, maybe not. Hell, why not just go for it. Might be refreshing to read something different in between writing in your own subgenre.

I have an excerpt up in the Showcase (somewhere in there anyway), if you'd like to have a chance to see what you're up against, or should I say "put up with", before committing. The scene may have changed some what since I uploaded it but it was a while ago.


EDIT: In "Faebound" I'm already hanging around the seventh chapter sort of area, but I'd like to edit it through again in order to refresh my memory on my subplots, foreshadowing and so on, so effectively we would be working together if that matters--though I won't exactly be writing masses compared I suppose haha.

[Chilari]

I like what I've read so far. I'll PM you.

[Lorna]

I'm also interested. I'm editing / drafting my first novel at the moment. It's quite hard to define it. I'll say heroic meets metaphysical fantasy with a bit of poetry thrown in (?). There's three excerpts in the show case.

I've got some knowledge of neolithic, bronze and iron age history. As a part of a local history group we visit sacred sites such as stone circles and round barrows, as well as the sites of old hill forts. We've been researching the Brigantes and our local branch, the Setantii, their gods and lifestyle. I've also got an interest in druidry and in particular the bardic tradition.

I'm usually on line in the evenings.

[Chilari]

Well there's nothing to say we can't have more than one writing buddy, right?

[ArielFingolfin]

Lorna, I'm not looking for a writing buddy, but do you mind if I pick your brain from time to time if I have questions since my novel takes place in a country modeled after Brittain during the Roman invasion and the religion/magic is based off druidry?

[Hypervorean]

Hello. I, too, am looking for a writing buddy!

I write high fantasy, have written about 25,000 words on my current WIP, but I find it very hard to motivate myself to write when I'm just sitting alone at home everyday. Which is why I thought this might be a good idea for me. Plus it would be nice to have a native English speaker at hand to help should I have some problems with the language.

So, yes, I would prefer a native English speaker, but anyone would be appreciated I live in the Central European Time zone (+1) but I only work one day a week so time is not generally a problem for me. I'm sure we could work something out no matter where in the world you happen to be located or how much time you happen to have.

I sincerely hope that someone would be interested! Just speak up and be happy

[Sinitar]

Hello Hypervorean. That's a problem many of us face, and I'm sure this mutual pact(should you accept it) would do us good. I have a good grasp over english, even though it's not my native language. I hope that's alright with you.

I live in Romania, so my timezone is GMT+1. I can't give you a background on my past works because I only finished a 120k words fanfic and some short stories that pretty much sucked in my opinion, so it's better if my past remains shrouded in darkness. Editing is definitely one of my strengths. I'm a better editor than I'm a writer(mainly because I critique more than I write *sigh*), but I hope things are going to balance out once I shake off the rust and win Nano.

I'm also on very good terms with creativity. It's no surprise that I have 3 novels planned When it comes to writing them, however...Eh, this post is starting to take a strange turn. To sum it up: My name's Gabe, I like big cats and editing.

[Hypervorean]

Oh, this all sounds perfectly good to me! Let's be buddies, man.

My favourite animals are wildebeest, though. Keep your big cats away from them and I'm sure we'll get on nicely

So.. what would be your preferred way to communicate outside of this forum?

[Sinitar]

I have accounts for skype, AIM, gmail and yahoo, but I prefer to use gmail because of its double function(Email and chat in the same place=awesome) and because of...I just like gmail more than the rest. I can certainly switch to one of the others if it suits you better.