The Terry Pratchett Prize, Round Two...
- Thread starter Quatermass
- Start date
Don't get me wrong, I'm great with story ideas, it's story structure that I'm crap on, and that's what gets me every time. 
What's more, the rules are actually quite restricting. It needs to be set on Earth, and it needs to be realistic. Not to mention the 80,000 word minimum. It's hard to get good quality work out like that within such a short period of time. For me, anyway.
What's more, the rules are actually quite restricting. It needs to be set on Earth, and it needs to be realistic. Not to mention the 80,000 word minimum. It's hard to get good quality work out like that within such a short period of time. For me, anyway.
But I don't believe in me. I'm a bit like this...person from Soul Eater, Crona.
Still, it's not like I'm being idle. I'm still going to give it a shot. Today, I watched a bit of Watchmen, to help get me back in the mood for alternate reality fiction (at the moment, the book I was writing for last year is now a future-based book). It may have to be that I abandon the work I originally meant for the TP Prize first time around and begin another one.
Still, it's not like I'm being idle. I'm still going to give it a shot. Today, I watched a bit of Watchmen, to help get me back in the mood for alternate reality fiction (at the moment, the book I was writing for last year is now a future-based book). It may have to be that I abandon the work I originally meant for the TP Prize first time around and begin another one.
Quatermass said:
But I don't believe in me. I'm a bit like this...person from Soul Eater, Crona.
Still, it's not like I'm being idle. I'm still going to give it a shot. Today, I watched a bit of Watchmen, to help get me back in the mood for alternate reality fiction (at the moment, the book I was writing for last year is now a future-based book). It may have to be that I abandon the work I originally meant for the TP Prize first time around and begin another one.
Still, it's not like I'm being idle. I'm still going to give it a shot. Today, I watched a bit of Watchmen, to help get me back in the mood for alternate reality fiction (at the moment, the book I was writing for last year is now a future-based book). It may have to be that I abandon the work I originally meant for the TP Prize first time around and begin another one.
. Really mate, it is not you who is the judge but somebody else.Procrastnation (sp?) is every artists worst enemy, also people with ashbergers, adhd, ocd and other similar things procrastinate more than "normal boring people" . So write and let a few of us give an opinion before you send it in, I for one would love to see what you come up with as I love many of your comments here because of the way you write and your ability to get your point over while being almost polite and rude at the same time.
As I said many times I can never pretend to appreciate crap, so if I say I like something then I really do like it not just say so to save hurting someones feelings.
Whatchmen is an amazing film, a work of art between the visual and the music, think actually I will have to watch it today.
Forum writing's all good workout for creative work, but really getting out of the procrastination dip is the hardest thing to do - but once you do... :angelic-innocent:
It's like Terry says - if you want to write then read (or watch great movies) a lot so you want to write even more, until you can't NOT do it! :twisted: Meerkat's got a good idea as well - just blitz it and get it all out without stressing too much about how it's all put together and then go back and fart around with the structure and polishing yer mettyfors squire. Very often that way you find you can keep a fair proportion of the sheer 'guts' writing and just have to tart up the edges and maybe swap bits around and add a little filler here and there and voylah - hot new saga
It's like Terry says - if you want to write then read (or watch great movies) a lot so you want to write even more, until you can't NOT do it! :twisted: Meerkat's got a good idea as well - just blitz it and get it all out without stressing too much about how it's all put together and then go back and fart around with the structure and polishing yer mettyfors squire.
Very often that way you find you can keep a fair proportion of the sheer 'guts' writing and just have to tart up the edges and maybe swap bits around and add a little filler here and there and voylah - hot new saga
Jan Van Quirm said:
Forum writing's all good workout for creative work, but really getting out of the procrastination dip is the hardest thing to do - but once you do... :angelic-innocent:
It's like Terry says - if you want to write then read (or watch great movies) a lot so you want to write even more, until you can't NOT do it! :twisted: Meerkat's got a good idea as well - just blitz it and get it all out without stressing too much about how it's all put together and then go back and fart around with the structure and polishing yer mettyfors squire. Very often that way you find you can keep a fair proportion of the sheer 'guts' writing and just have to tart up the edges and maybe swap bits around and add a little filler here and there and voylah - hot new saga
It's like Terry says - if you want to write then read (or watch great movies) a lot so you want to write even more, until you can't NOT do it! :twisted: Meerkat's got a good idea as well - just blitz it and get it all out without stressing too much about how it's all put together and then go back and fart around with the structure and polishing yer mettyfors squire.
Very often that way you find you can keep a fair proportion of the sheer 'guts' writing and just have to tart up the edges and maybe swap bits around and add a little filler here and there and voylah - hot new saga
Had a moment of inspiration last night. Need to follow it up with some research and see where it leads...
Well, I've assessed the situation with the book that I was going to submit to the TP Prize, and I don't think I can use it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, but I don't think I'll be able to stretch it beyond 60,000 words at most, especially when I change the time from the future to the alternative present. I'm considering revisiting an earlier idea I had for the contest, though whether I can make that last up to 80,000 words, I have no idea.
The problem with me is that I want something science-fictiony enough so it sustains my interest in writing. Anything that requires too much research into history bores me most of the time.
Oh, and JVQ? I've read, over the past two and a half years, over 250 books. This ranges from graphic novels all the way to Dickens and Austen. Of those books, I have even read some works of alternative history into the bargain, like the first WorldWar book by Harry Turtledove, The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick, and West of Eden by Harry Harrison. So I'm not lacking for ideas and knowledge of the genre.
The problem with me is that I want something science-fictiony enough so it sustains my interest in writing. Anything that requires too much research into history bores me most of the time.
Oh, and JVQ? I've read, over the past two and a half years, over 250 books. This ranges from graphic novels all the way to Dickens and Austen. Of those books, I have even read some works of alternative history into the bargain, like the first WorldWar book by Harry Turtledove, The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick, and West of Eden by Harry Harrison. So I'm not lacking for ideas and knowledge of the genre.
Well that's a great sweep of literature, so just carry on with getting inspiration and don't be afraid to step outside the genre!
Seriously though - Terry's an insatiable reader since he was a kid. I've been having a good read of Once More with Footnotes and in there, in amongst the regurgitated essays and articles going back to The Hades Business written at age 14 the man will read almost anything that takes his fancy and these days its mostly non-fiction circa the reign of Victoria (which is where Happy Families/Dogger is coming from). One of his all-time favourites is apparently Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and he's a real folklore geek too, hence his collaborations with Jacqueline Simpson, which is where a lot of his quirkier bits like the Blacksmith's Word and the 'love of iron' come from. Not a million miles from what Tiffany does with her book learning pre Miss Tick
He also says that the more fantasy you write the more like the real world it gets - as we're now seeing in New Ankh-Morpork with the old Discworld magic adapting to logical social progression with Trolls and Dwarves (and Pictsies and Orcs) being treated as people too... just the frills are a bit more souped up
Seriously though - Terry's an insatiable reader since he was a kid. I've been having a good read of Once More with Footnotes and in there, in amongst the regurgitated essays and articles going back to The Hades Business written at age 14 the man will read almost anything that takes his fancy and these days its mostly non-fiction circa the reign of Victoria (which is where Happy Families/Dogger is coming from). One of his all-time favourites is apparently Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and he's a real folklore geek too, hence his collaborations with Jacqueline Simpson, which is where a lot of his quirkier bits like the Blacksmith's Word and the 'love of iron' come from. Not a million miles from what Tiffany does with her book learning pre Miss Tick
He also says that the more fantasy you write the more like the real world it gets - as we're now seeing in New Ankh-Morpork with the old Discworld magic adapting to logical social progression with Trolls and Dwarves (and Pictsies and Orcs) being treated as people too... just the frills are a bit more souped up
I've been an insatiable reader from a young age. My mother claims that I was reading newspapers since I was four (probably not very well, though), and I remember reading astronomy books, albeit kid's level ones, since I was five or six. But for most of my childhood, most of my reading has been, unsurprisingly to those who know me here, Doctor Who books. In that area, at least, I was insatiable, though I did read other books by other authors with enthusiasm, like Paul Jennings, Morris Gleitzmann, and SA Wakefield. It takes me time to branch out, especially because of my Asperger's Syndrome. I like to be confined to single interests.
In fact, the 250+ books that I have read over the past two and a half years were part of a deliberate and conscious effort to force myself branch out. You see, a few years back, on another BBS, there was a discussion about Atlas Shrugged. The pro-Rand guy was annoyed that nobody but him (or at least very few people on the BBS bar himself) had read it. I volunteered to read it, in exchange for him reading a book of my choice, which was House of Leaves (an excellent psychological horror book). As I read it, I posted a review in installments, snarking at the bad points and praising what few good points there were. The pro-Rand guy wasn't impressed with either my review or House of Leaves, if I recall correctly, but he was gratified that I made the effort to read the book.
That got me to thinking later. What if I did something similar, but with books I wanted to read, or try? So, on yet another BBS (the one which I was moderator of, before I came here and made your lives hell :twisted: ), I started a 'book reading and review blog'. Basically, I had to read and review at least one substantial book or graphic novel a week. Without doing this, many books that I wouldn't have read, I have done. Especially many of the classics. Hell, I even read Pride and Prejudice not long ago, and I wouldn't have ever considered the possibility even last year.
It's worth noting here that I gave some classics some pretty low scores, like Beowulf, Alice in Wonderland, and Wizard of Oz, but the scores were based on entertainment value more than anything else.
...
Crap, got off topic pretty damn quickly, didn't I?
Anyway, I haven't abandoned the story I was considering abandoning just yet. I'm working on the story in my head, and I think I might be able to extend it to 80K words, just. :think:
In fact, the 250+ books that I have read over the past two and a half years were part of a deliberate and conscious effort to force myself branch out. You see, a few years back, on another BBS, there was a discussion about Atlas Shrugged. The pro-Rand guy was annoyed that nobody but him (or at least very few people on the BBS bar himself) had read it. I volunteered to read it, in exchange for him reading a book of my choice, which was House of Leaves (an excellent psychological horror book). As I read it, I posted a review in installments, snarking at the bad points and praising what few good points there were. The pro-Rand guy wasn't impressed with either my review or House of Leaves, if I recall correctly, but he was gratified that I made the effort to read the book.
That got me to thinking later. What if I did something similar, but with books I wanted to read, or try? So, on yet another BBS (the one which I was moderator of, before I came here and made your lives hell :twisted: ), I started a 'book reading and review blog'. Basically, I had to read and review at least one substantial book or graphic novel a week. Without doing this, many books that I wouldn't have read, I have done. Especially many of the classics. Hell, I even read Pride and Prejudice not long ago, and I wouldn't have ever considered the possibility even last year.
It's worth noting here that I gave some classics some pretty low scores, like Beowulf, Alice in Wonderland, and Wizard of Oz, but the scores were based on entertainment value more than anything else.
...
Crap, got off topic pretty damn quickly, didn't I?
Anyway, I haven't abandoned the story I was considering abandoning just yet. I'm working on the story in my head, and I think I might be able to extend it to 80K words, just. :think:
I think one of the worst things that can happen to some books is "classic" status, it creates this air of mythos around the text and stops a lot of people from reading it with a clean eye. It should always be able to stand on it's own two feet.
I've spoken to people who have hated one but instead of thinking "what a piece of badly written crap" they'll ask what's wrong with them that they couldn't love it.
Also, since I'm weak and spiteful I'd like to take this opportunity to take another swipe at the classic i loathe with every iota of my soul. Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" the most narcissistic, nihilistic rubbish i've ever had the misfortune to come across.
Vonnegut fans, COME AT ME BRO
I've spoken to people who have hated one but instead of thinking "what a piece of badly written crap" they'll ask what's wrong with them that they couldn't love it.
Also, since I'm weak and spiteful I'd like to take this opportunity to take another swipe at the classic i loathe with every iota of my soul. Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" the most narcissistic, nihilistic rubbish i've ever had the misfortune to come across.
Vonnegut fans, COME AT ME BRO
I've never read Vonnegut. Maybe I should try it.
And BTW, stripy, withy the exception of Beowulf, both of those 'classics' are kid's stories. There are many other classics that I have enjoyed, like some of Dickens' works (Bleak House just edges out Little Dorrit as my favourite), and I found Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Picture of Dorian Gray to be surprisingly good, despite their age. Some classic deserve their status, and others (Atlas Shrugged, I am looking at you!) don't.
And BTW, stripy, withy the exception of Beowulf, both of those 'classics' are kid's stories. There are many other classics that I have enjoyed, like some of Dickens' works (Bleak House just edges out Little Dorrit as my favourite), and I found Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Picture of Dorian Gray to be surprisingly good, despite their age. Some classic deserve their status, and others (Atlas Shrugged, I am looking at you!) don't.
Welp, any such optimism in writing for the TP Prize has drained away again. 
My book is probably not going to stretch to 80K words any time soon, no matter what I do, so I'm going to take a break from writing for the TP Prize, if not from my writing for the book itself. I was doing fine with it before the latest TP Prize was announced, as I had set it (mostly) on the Moon, something I can't do for the TP Prize (which explicitly requires it to be on Earth), and I was developing a story that I was beginning to become satisfied with. So, if I really want to bring something out for the TP Prize, I'll have to think of something else. :think: Plus, I have an interview in the new year I have to prepare for.
I have a whole year to come up with something for the TP Prize anyway. And if I am lucky, in the meantime, I might get published. I have two avenues in that regard. I have a book that, a revision aside, I am almost completely satisfied with.
I need a creativity enema, to flush out the writer's block I have.
My book is probably not going to stretch to 80K words any time soon, no matter what I do, so I'm going to take a break from writing for the TP Prize, if not from my writing for the book itself. I was doing fine with it before the latest TP Prize was announced, as I had set it (mostly) on the Moon, something I can't do for the TP Prize (which explicitly requires it to be on Earth), and I was developing a story that I was beginning to become satisfied with. So, if I really want to bring something out for the TP Prize, I'll have to think of something else. :think: Plus, I have an interview in the new year I have to prepare for.I have a whole year to come up with something for the TP Prize anyway. And if I am lucky, in the meantime, I might get published. I have two avenues in that regard. I have a book that, a revision aside, I am almost completely satisfied with.
I need a creativity enema, to flush out the writer's block I have.
I'd love to have a go at this and all ready have an idea but....
... I got an E in English and really struggle with it especially spelling. Also been trying to write a fantasy novel for last 7 years but only got a few pages down. Oh I can recite it in my head and dream it VERY easy, but when it comes to putting it to paper everything goes to mush
So go for it Q
... I got an E in English and really struggle with it especially spelling. Also been trying to write a fantasy novel for last 7 years but only got a few pages down. Oh I can recite it in my head and dream it VERY easy, but when it comes to putting it to paper everything goes to mush
So go for it Q
The worst thing that a struggling fiction writer can do is to try to write an extensive work for a contest. It places undue pressure on you, makes you change your vision to accommodate contest rules, and creates unrealistic expectations. If you don't think you can beat your story into shape, then think where this puts you in relation to the thousands of other writers you're competing with who have beat their story into shape because it's been one sitting around on their hard disk that got rejected by all mainstream publishers but just might be good enough for contest consideration or--shudder-anthologies (Dangerous Visions, anyone?).
And even if you do get it done, are you ready for the huge letdown you'll inevitable have when you don't win. You think of all the time you wasted trying to write to a contest when you could have spending that time creating your own singular vision. (Not saying this will happen to you, Q; just saying that this what happens to everyone else who submits a story that doesn't win.
Write you want to write first. If it doesn't match the Pratchett contest guidelines, big deal. There are hundreds of other contests out there that you could submit it to.
And even if you do get it done, are you ready for the huge letdown you'll inevitable have when you don't win. You think of all the time you wasted trying to write to a contest when you could have spending that time creating your own singular vision. (Not saying this will happen to you, Q; just saying that this what happens to everyone else who submits a story that doesn't win.
Write you want to write first. If it doesn't match the Pratchett contest guidelines, big deal. There are hundreds of other contests out there that you could submit it to.
