Greetings fellow scribes!

I just recently joined MScribes after a friend of mine heavily praised the site. When I first checked it out a few months ago, I found the articles fairly helpful, but not enough to bowl me over. After he suggested I check out the forums, however, I was very impressed and surprised at how many intelligent writers and aspiring writers there are on here! It's a bit intimidating at first, but when it comes down to it, we're all here because of a shared love for the craft. And with the interaction between everyone, there's no lack of good ideas or potential for growth as a writer.

I love fantasy writing, but have never ventured into it personally. The immense amount of work to create the world, languages, histories, races, etc.. is both intriguing and daunting. My first love is Science Fiction. I confess I haven't read that many novels, I would rather write than read. But I intend to read more in the future because I know that it can definitely open you up to new ideas as well as improve your writing.

I am currently working on a sci-fi novel but am still in the preparation stages. I sometimes have a very difficult time getting past this stage, where I am struggling to put all the pieces together. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Also.. how many of you have music playing in the background to help in your writing? I do that often, but I have probably more unusual taste in music than most people on here.

Anyhow, glad to be on board. Looking forward to conversing with you all!
-Phil

 

Thanks Ireth. I know what you mean about songs that go with certain stories... I had a song in particular that you really couldn't understand much of it, but it put you in the right frame of mind to go with the novel I was working on. It was a story that I worked on for years, but "canned" it because I had learned about similar stories that made mine seem almost like a copy or clone.
And I think you're exactly right about just getting into it, putting words down and letting the story form naturally. I'm just such a control freak, I like to know exactly how the whole story should go!

 

Thanks Rikilamaro, I appreciate the welcome words. So far, I really like it here on MScribes... sooo much talent!

For sure! I listen to an internet radio station that has some of the most unusual stuff: SomaFM. To give you an example, I was working on a story that involved a man that got transformed into a horrible beast (I know... real original.. haha). But go to grooveshark and find a song called "Ulezak" by Mauxuam. It's quite a strange song, but parts of it, you hear what sounds like a man-beast letting out an agonizing yell that really seems to portray the mood I was going for in that novel.

 

Thanks Anihow and Aidan of the tavern... glad to know you.

I admit that sometimes, music is more of a distraction than a help to me. I think that it especially comes in handy when you are sitting there mulling over your story; it can provide that spark of inspiration. Mainly, I can concentrate best with instrumental music (or very few words).

 

Thanks JCFarnham. And I can understand from your point of view as a musician, it would be harder to "blend" the two. I guess whatever way works, go with it.

 

Thanks Phin Scardaw... you make some good points. Over-planning can be almost as bad as not planning enough. I think that if you can walk that fine line of creating a "vague" outline, keeping it loose, you'll do ok. I think I over-compensate now when I write because in the past, I just steam-rolled my way through novels, very little planning or idea how it would turn out. It didn't take long before I wound up in disaster. While you don't want to take away inspiration and creativity, you do need to at least have a decent overview or roadmap to keep from getting lost.

 

Thanks edd and Klee.. nice to meet u guys. edd from the UK? Very cool. Love UK Top Gear! Is it still on tv?