Search found 49 matches

by Gypson
September 25th, 2012, 1:18 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: I've been working on my synopsis and,
Replies: 8
Views: 3715

Re: I've been working on my synopsis and,

Good questions and good thoughts. Hang in there =) I wondered, how do you get from synopsis to full length novella? I think this takes a different route for everybody and you'll have to stumble across your own. My stories stretch into novels when I write characters who I love and who do things that ...
by Gypson
September 19th, 2012, 3:11 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: Re: All time Favorite movies
Replies: 22
Views: 18357

Re: All time Favorite movies

I can't choose A favorite movie. These are all my favorites, depending on my mood: 1776 (usually the answer I provide for a "favorite" movie) The Rocky Horror Picture Show Casablanca The Thin Man The Godfather Willow The Lord of the Rings Beauty and the Beast Toy Story (all of 'em) Spirite...
by Gypson
September 19th, 2012, 3:06 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Guilty Pleasure Books
Replies: 10
Views: 17924

Re: Guilty Pleasure Books

My guilty pleasure would be the Shojo Beat magazines I got in high school and have kept ever since. Full of girly manga with teenage drama, I never read them in public. These mags are best devoured in privacy, preferably with a side of hot chocolate. It's as close to chick-lit/chick-flicks as I ever...
by Gypson
September 19th, 2012, 2:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The hardest part of the novel
Replies: 26
Views: 12589

Re: The hardest part of the novel

Beginnings! Those first 80 pages where I have to set up the world, the characters, the backstory, the paranormal elements....gah! It's a lot of information to convey in a concise, readable manner. I am also painfully aware of how much my writing sucks during beginnings, because my push to introduce ...
by Gypson
August 29th, 2012, 9:17 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Dear Reader - Meet my friend. Exposition...
Replies: 12
Views: 5472

Re: Dear Reader - Meet my friend. Exposition...

I think using the insider can work beautifully when it comes to sharing your world. Personally, I have grown a bit tired of reading outsider characters seeing the world for the first time. An insider character gives a great example of what is strange and what is ordinary in the setting. This is espe...
by Gypson
August 29th, 2012, 9:09 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: The Most Random Thing that's Helped your Writing
Replies: 8
Views: 3799

Re: The Most Random Thing that's Helped your Writing

One big influence for me is horseback riding. Not just because some of my characters spend time on horseback and it helps to know what I'm talking about, but because I employ a lot of body-centered writing. When riding, I need to be aware of what various parts of my body are doing, where my center o...
by Gypson
July 1st, 2012, 3:40 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Weird Writing Habits
Replies: 31
Views: 11249

Re: Weird Writing Habits

I need privacy when I write. Not only am I paranoid about others reading over my shoulder, but I'm distracted by people. So coffee shops and libraries are a no-go. I usually listen to music to drone out any background noise and get myself in the zone. I made a playlist of writing songs that usually ...
by Gypson
June 23rd, 2012, 7:09 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: Favorite misheard song lyrics
Replies: 33
Views: 36653

Re: Favorite misheard song lyrics

She's got a chicken to ride, and it's in my hair! ("She's got a ticket to ride, and she don't care" ~Beatles)
by Gypson
June 23rd, 2012, 7:03 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Other Forms of Expression
Replies: 13
Views: 5215

Re: Other Forms of Expression

I'm a reasonably creative person and always manage to find a way =) I played the piano for many years, but have not been able to haul one up to my studio apartment, so that passion is on the fence. Otherwise, I love baking and the satisfaction I get from making something tasty with my hands. I also ...
by Gypson
June 23rd, 2012, 7:00 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Description Tips and Tricks
Replies: 14
Views: 4608

Re: Description Tips and Tricks

I'm a bit late to the party. However, it seems like such a fun and inviting party that I don't mind barging in late =) By no means am I perfect at this, but here are some description tricks that have worked for me: 1. Describe through the lens of the viewpoint character. Two characters walking throu...
by Gypson
June 3rd, 2012, 11:01 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Starting a Novel
Replies: 11
Views: 4139

Re: Starting a Novel

Since I've been writing about my main character since 2001, I haven't had to write a start-from-scratch beginning in quite awhile. Granted, each draft is something new and different, but having a foundation in the characters helps chart those foreign waters. I would say that I am half-pantser, half-...
by Gypson
June 3rd, 2012, 9:43 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Sacrificial Kingdom - Epic Fantasy
Replies: 4
Views: 5866

Re: Sacrificial Kingdom - Epic Fantasy

I think you're doing well! I don't see purple prose; in fact, you're pretty succinct. The tone is good, the setup is good. The thing I think you do best in this excerpt is revealing information over time. (I am prone to infodumping, so I envy and applaud you.) You unfolded information about the man,...
by Gypson
June 3rd, 2012, 9:35 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The guilt of being a non-published fiction writer
Replies: 16
Views: 9597

Re: The guilt of being a non-published fiction writer

This is one reason why I don't tell many people that I'm a writer. =P I'm immensely private about my work, so being (kindly, and with good intentions) asked what I've written, what I'm writing, and if they can read it...feels intrusive. The thing to remember that being a writer is not defined by bei...
by Gypson
June 1st, 2012, 1:23 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: Combine the Last Movie You Saw and the Last Book You Read
Replies: 5
Views: 3526

Re: Combine the Last Movie You Saw and the Last Book You Read

I last watched the 70s version of "The Great Gatsby," and I just reread "Tigana." Both were excellent. =)
by Gypson
June 1st, 2012, 1:21 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The Coffee Shop - JUNE
Replies: 115
Views: 33234

Re: The Coffee Shop - JUNE

What a great thread idea! I work full-time at a coffee shop/cafe and I'm taking two classes on top of that. My work schedule alternates opening and closing, so three times a week I lock up at 10pm, go to bed at 11pm, and wake up at 3h30am so I can open at 4h30am. I'm also taking two classes in my sp...