This cannot be repeated enough. I feel like 90pc of the discussion I see on fantasy writing sites are about ideas and 10pc about writing. Those proportions are the wrong way around for without effective writing, no one will ever care about our ideas in the first place.
This is why it is a huge pet peeve of mine to see endless threads asking "Is this a good idea?". It's impossible to say. Two writers could take the same idea and one could succeed and one could fail miserably at turning it into a story. Why it failed or succeeded is only discovered AFTER the story has been written. Or at least when there is some actual writing to critique.
If an idea depends on execution, what does execution depend upon? Ideas? But execution is a broad category.
It isn't that I'd dismiss talking more about execution. I think it'd be great if we focused more on execution. My point was that maybe discussing execution is a little more difficult than discussing various types of standard or non-standard elves or the 100,000 potential magic systems.
Execution is very, very, very broad. It encompasses plotting, characters, writing style, and everything those encompass. In short, it encompasses everything that ISN'T the main idea(s). That's why it's so important.
Yeah . . . . I personally feel that the discussion about ideas and execution is completely misleading. You've got ideas on every page of a book. In fact every sentence expresses an idea. I think the notion that creativity pales behind execution misses the fact that creativity is part of your execution. It's one of the skills you should be developing as a writer.
I mean, sure, we tend to focus on the story concept, and not the little micro-uses of creativity that you need to employ as you write. That is, in some ways it's worse - we talk about "ideas" too much, but we don't even learn much about ideation or how to employ good ideas consistently throughout your story.
The skill, of course, is in identifying the right triggers, finding the best way to change them, and then drawing more from them. And, y'know, doing it quickly in your head as you write so you don't feel like an obsessive planning person.
If an idea depends on execution, what does execution depend upon? Ideas? But execution is a broad category.
It isn't that I'd dismiss talking more about execution. I think it'd be great if we focused more on execution. My point was that maybe discussing execution is a little more difficult than discussing various types of standard or non-standard elves or the 100,000 potential magic systems.
A big sharp axe
A big sharp axe
You're right that it is more difficult. But I think it is more important.
And, to tie this back to the thread if Jess is still with us, its not that we don't want to hear about your ideas - share them all! But if you want to do justice to them, don't neglect asking and reading about the craft of writing itself.
Also, if you are worried about your ideas being cliche, why not tell us about them?
Lol, Yes I am still here. Just taking in all the great advice.
I am more than willing to learn more about the craft of writing. I have done tons of research on sci-fi and fantasy writing in particular. My greatest concern is that someone will read through my book and think that my characters relate too much to something else they have read. The anxiety actually helps me to really dive in deep and take a look at how my characters differ from the traditional (or the cliches). The overall synopsis of my story seems like so many other novels out there. A magical vessel is needed to save 3 kingdoms from falling into darkness. The fact that a "neverending" winter is taking over makes me worry that people are going to think I am copying George R. R. Martin. Although my winter is caused by magic. And I started this story when I was 17. (Although back then it was a short story that was meant to be turned into a children's story and now has become worthy of up to 3 books worth of material if I really set my mind to it)
I can think of multiple books with the neverending winter idea, not just GRRM's. People have called those books unoriginal. And they've called GRRM's book unoriginal as well, in fact...There's no way to avoid being called unoriginal. Most fantasy books are actually extremely similar to one another and people still like them.
That's a good point. People will either like it or not like it. I really have no control over that. I just really hope someone likes it. I want to give someone that fantastical world to escape to through my writing. My wish is that someone can feel the magic in my words and find some kind of joy in my story.
I relate to this SO MUCH.
Whenever I read a great book I'm like "I have to do this for someone!" I want my readers to feel the same happiness I feel when I read a great book. I want them to laugh at my dialogue, cry at the sad parts, feel sadness and anger and joy and peace. I want to know how they picture my characters...I want a fandom, I want fanfics and fanart...I want to know that I've made someone happy in the way that books make me happy. It's what I live for.
I needed to reread your awesome advice. I went through some major writer's block and just picked up on writing my novel. It's your words that reminded me I can do this. Thank you so much.
Most fantasy books are actually extremely similar to one another and people still like them.