Ah, I see. Well, the story I'm writing is purely fantasy, so there's not a lot of research to be done. But you have a good point!

I used to do some freelance journalism, and constantly pulled my hair in frustration why people didn't care more about real issues. 'Objective journalism is dead!' was my mantra as a stressed citizen journalist. People told me I was just being cynical and jaded. Then the other day I was at a local news affiliate browsing some headlines and there was a "news" story about a family that sees Jesus in their closet door and breakfast cereal. While reading that hard hitting piece, I couldn't stop laughing.

And that's the end of the joke.

I have the biggest block with writing since ever. It's very odd, I have lots and lots of ideas, plot arcs, character relations and all that, but it seems impossible to write them down. It's like whenever I sit down to write, my brain switches off.

I have absolutely no idea what or why this happened...

I hear you... I've got a (literal) whole world floating about in my head, but any time I try to actually sit down and write I can't put any of it down on paper...
Wish I had some advice, but as I can't shake it myself I don't know what to suggest...

My personal advice: buckle down, blast whatever music you need for catharsis, and just force it out. One of my tried-and-true methods for hitting deadlines in the face of block.

Alternatively, get yourself into a no-pressure habit of writing or editing a little bit each day, preferably at some regular time (e.g. when you wake up, right before bed, right after lunch, etc.). This is my favorite method--it tends to remove block entirely. Eventually, no matter how long it takes, the work will be done. If you're a beginning writer who has problems finishing things, use this method on a very short story or whatever first, before you work your way up to longer stuff. That way you know how to pace yourself.

Sounds like me when i try to write...

Then i found a solution.. I NEED to have some type of external feedback. Yeah writing a novel doesn't work well with that, but a roleplay with someone would give you some of the random elements as well as details to get things going, either be it a prequel to the story/novel or as part of it, then re-writing it afterwards so it's a single train of thought rather than two... But i've found so far that making it obvious the story was originally an RP doesn't seem to affect it much.

I write mostly short stories and chronicles.
But I'm thinking of writting a novel but I don't know where to start.I want it to be a cyberpunk with inspiration on William Gibson,Shadowrun and GiTS. I know that it'll be be in Brazil in 2080 and I want it to have the aesthetic of the 80's but with a more modern look,from clothing,music,language,machinery,etc.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give both methods a try :)

Some little bits from the script, not in any order, translated to English:


"I'm good at finding people, that's what I do. Whatever the hunters do after that, is not my concern. Does it make me a bad person?"


"Remember, Kay, never get attached to anyone. You're a Williams, we're a family destined to die alone"


"You want me to wear what?"
"This dress"
"It's pink. I don't wear pink"
"Another color perhaps?"
"That's also a dress. I don't wear dresses"


"You can't find her without me. You need me."
"I am the king. I can order you."
"You can try."
"Ha! I like your spirit, Williams!"


"The first mages were insane. They wanted to destroy, to kill everyone"
"And who told you that?"
"The scholars"
"What if they lied?"


"Kay, listen to me! When a person goes insane, he kills his neighbor. But when a mage snaps, villages burn. Don't you understand?"


"Why are you talking to me? Go do your magic...whatever and leave me alone. I get enough crap from your master"
-Laura, Huntress-


*She was covered in blood. His blood. All it took was one look for her to realize that she had made a huge mistake...*


What do you think of those? Are they in any way interesting? Too cliché?

Yes, here is my latest published work:

Finally home. Oberon to Sydney via public transport is like trying to take my One Ring to Mordor to destroy in the pits of Mount Doom. I encountered a band of Orcs (read: dickheads) on the way down, and I managed to avoid battle by using my Dúnedain ranger skills and moving carriage 3 times. Orcish is such a harsh language (read: bogan Aussie hip-hop blaring on a phone)!

Ironically the Orcs must have caught my scent, and seemed to follow my every move. For once a lack of sleep helped me, as instead of telling them to STFU(read: right jab, left short elbow, muay thai clinch and knee til they drop) as I wanted to, subterfuge and Gandalf's magic (empty mind) worked.

On the trip back I met a merry Dwarf drinking ale on the train on his way to a Father's Day celebration, spilled stout all over my own backpack, and eyed off some fine Elvish lasses. All in all a delightful trip to Sydney apart from the sadness of seeing so many homeless people juxtaposed against the riches of Sydney.

- - - - -

"Your love of the Halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind." Piss off Saruman, at least I don't use my balls(palantír) to manipulate others for evil.

Time for a night mission into the woods to collect kindling with my Fellowship (my cats love accompanying me to the woods), get my indoor campfire going, cook something finer than the Elvish Waybread I've been subsisting on for days(ok so it was a variety of Lebanese pizzas), and cackle to a Hobbit celebration (Little Britain) with Old Toby :)

- - - - -

Why does the Fellowship always part ways? My neighbours were right, there are wargs(foxes) in the woods. It is the first time that I have heard them living in Oberon, and after losing a comrade(cat) to one whilst living in Blackheath, their cries always put me on edge. Boromir(Behemoth) would not heed my instructions and wanted to battle the wargs. Nine times out of ten a warg(fox) wins in a fight vs a man(cat) :(

Boromir is the best man-at-arms I have ever had the pleasure of adventuring with. He has no fear. He wins every battle (with other cats). He protects our home from the Dark Lord's minions. He is fearsome, ferocious and fanatical about defending our land. And when is he home, after feasting by the campfire, he is one of the most loving and affectionate beings that I have met. He drools on me constantly when he purrs, and as much as it stinks, I have come to accept that form of love from him.

His younger brother Faramir(Leviathan) and I returned home safely, and I went back to the woods in search of Boromir and he was nowhere to be found. I hope that he is okay. I have had a strong feeling that some day he will die in battle. I pray that day is not today.

"I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king..."

LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition - The Departure of Boromir

I published this on Facebook, which means they now own the rights and I won't see any royalties from the movie adaptation :P There are two aspects to writing, using different sides of the brain. Each writer I have personally known uses each side to differing extents. The most important side is the creative side - this is where inspiration pours onto pages. Some term it "divine inspiration". When I write (especially poetry) I am not thinking; I am feeling, I am being, I am a catalyst for creation. Basically that means when in that state, I do not edit, I pour as much onto that page as I can.

The other side is where the "rational" side of the brain steps in. This is the organising and editing stage of writing. Both are paramount to developing a work worthy for others to enjoy.

Hint 1: find someone you trust enough to be critical of your works. Share them. I have a few muses who I share my writings with. It is important that whoever you share your work with is confident and linguistically skilled enough to offer constructive criticism. Listen to it, but also be strong enough to disagree with it if you believe that something needs to be written or structured a certain way.

Hint 2: If you plan on publishing, get an editor!! They are worth their weight in gold. A professional proof-reader is worth their weight in silver.

Hint 3: If it is meant to be, nothing with stop you. A writer differs from an author. A writer (such as myself) is nothing more than someone with ideas who pens a bunch of crap(it could even be "good crap"). An author is someone with the dedication to see it through until that work is ready to share with the world :) Time and effort will determine whether you are a writer or an author. Best of luck!
The first word that sprang to mind was cliched. The fantasy genre unfortunately is full of cliches. Dare to be different. When I read back on stuff I wrote many years ago, it was total an absolute rubbish. The reason? I was trying to emulate a genre and authors I admired.

Hint 4: Find your own voice rather than mimic another :)

Now just because I perceive those snippets as cliched does not mean that the entirety of your work is or will be. Context is everything. Ask yourself, what is it about your story that has not been told before? What makes it different? :)

Oh wow, thank you for the hints and insight, it's greatly appreciated!

Hmm, perhaps the snippets sound clichéd. They are out of context, of course, but perhaps they need more work. Nevertheless, I am very satisfied with the current rough outline of the story. But maybe I need a friendly critical mind to put all in perspective, since I myself am very biased.

Some personality traits for one of the main characters in the story

Smart
Temperamental
Authority issues
Physically strong
Lonely
Determined
Sarcastic
Has addictions
Trust issues


Do you know if there are fictional characters with the same traits? I'd be interested to learn from those!

Solid Snake :D

Does Snake have authority issues?

Jack Reacher by Lee Child might fit the bill.
It also sounds like many of Raymond Chandler's detective characters.