When you start a book that is quite different from what you've been writing....

[Arranah]

When you start a book that is quite different from what you've been writing...how do you approach it? How do you free your mind to be open to what needs to be there? I know some very famous people got drunk on a regular basis and it freed them, I suppose. I don't plan to get drunk or stoned or any such thing. I just want realistic verbal exchanges between my protagonist and my animals characters. Any ideas?

 

[Devor]

It's hard to break out of old patterns. It might help to start with some exercises, and also reading new things like what you're aiming to write to sort of immerse yourself in what you're up to now. Write a little fanfiction in a similar type of story (it's easier to isolate the area you need practice with by picking the right fanfic to write). You can force yourself to just keep writing the new stuff, even if it's bad, because sometimes that's how you get better at.

For a more meditative type of approach, take a moment to breathe and all, but then try to picture the person you're writing your story to, like a letter. Maybe it's a real person, maybe it's not. But imagine you're writing to this person, instead of for yourself. How do you talk to that person? How do you get that person to smile? Do you talk slower or faster? More detail or less? Tell them about your character. Your story. Tell them out loud what you're trying to do with the scene, or the character, or whatever other spot you're working on. Talk through it, but focus on talking about it to this other person, to get out of your own head.

For another angle, maybe your new writing doesn't need to be that much different from your old writing after all. Maybe you just need to find your groove, and figure out how your style meshes right with this story, and it's just a bit of anxiety holding you up. Maybe it's all head games, and you just need to relax, let them go, and get to work.

 

[Arranah]

Thanks for your in put. I don't intend to change my writing style. I like it, the way it is. It's the subject matter. Nothing is holding me up. I'm finishing up another book. It is at the reader now. I will make the corrections, prepare it for publication, etc. I just want to know how you individually approach a story line that is very different than others you have done. I've been writing for a very long time. I don't need writing advice per se. I'd like to know what you do.

 

[Devor]

I don't need writing advice per se. I'd like to know what you do.

Oh. Well, personally I just try to play around with the ideas and have fun with it, and usually stumble into some new writing tricks along with the way.

 

[Arranah]

Have you ever done a story where animals and people talk out-loud verbally to each other?

 

[Gwynndamere]

I write Fantasy but had a young adult romance story that kept bouncing around in my head. The theme and characters would not leave me alone! . I did some research on the geography of where the story was taking place and read other YA romance books too. In the end you just have to take the leap & write it. I don’t know if I will write anything else in that genre but it was an interesting experience.

 

[Insolent Lad]

I attempt to alternate my genres with each project. Write a fantasy novel, write a mainstream, etc. to keep from getting into a rut (and because I have loads of ideas for all of them). I have tried to vary my voice but I very much notice a tendency to revert to one that seems to come naturally to me. Going with different POVs can help; first person from a distinct character's viewpoint, for example, can help me get away from 'my' voice. But I don't sweat it that much. I am who I am and I have my way of writing.

 

[Arranah]

Thanks for the input. On occasion I use first person. Except for my nonfiction books, I write in the same genre...except my work doesn't really fit into one. It's a mix. I'm in the playing around with it in my head stage.

 

[coldblade]

I try to find something similar to what i want to write and analyze it then try to write something close what i read.
It helps me understand the genre I
want to write in.

 

[Karlin]

I don't consciously do anything in particular, I just sit down and write. I wrote a Chinese-Jewish fantasy, had it edited, found a publisher. In the meantime I started another novel, which I am working on now. This one has nothing to do with China (though I see that some influence has crept in). It's more like magical realism. I just sat down and started writing the first chapter, to see how it would go (I am a "panster").

I'm not quite done with that one, but I'm reading up on Michelangelo ( and reading Michelangelo as well), since I'm thinking of a time travel story with him. When the day comes, I'll sit down and write. I know about a few things I want in there. but have no idea of point of view. And I am hoping to go to Italy to get a better feel for things. The wife would like that....

 

[pmmg]

I am not sure that Arranah is ever coming back to read these answers, I've never seen them on the site.

But...its hard to imagine I would be writing something with no idea what I was writing? But i will say...as I am approaching the fifth and final book in my seriens, it is becoming this. I am wondering at the danger...and how it can stay suspenseful. The MC and the man Villain are both ready to lay down some power the story has not shown before, and both have the ability to win if they confront. I am not sure how to get them into boughts that dont end the story but keep the tension in the story as well. Its all bubbling in my head, but I see no clear path to it.

My plan though, is just to start it and see what comes. Take it in small pieces and trust myself that the scenes will suggest themselves as they approach. I will also trust that I can delete and start over if its not going right, which, I think for this story, my unfortunately, be a tool. Its gonna take some feeling around to get it right, I fear.

 

[skip.knox]

Yeah, it's irksome when someone comes into a community, doesn't try to contribute but wants something, then just walks away. Pretty common behavior, though, across forums and sites.

Anyway, it can be worthwhile for members to contribute, though. Not for the OP, but for other folks who join and do take the time to read and reflect. And participate.

 

[xena]

I start by reading books in the style I want to write, then let myself experiment and see what happens.