Me and My Questions...

[Computer]

Hello all,

A while back I had begun to write a series about the early history of the Romulan Star Empire (from their expulsion from Vulcan onward)

What I discovered while writing the first episode was that by no stretch of the imagination am I a writer.
I consider myself a creative person however when it comes to writing ideas into words my mind just stalls.

Incredibly I have an extremely detailed vision of the Romulan story in my head with perfect clarity so why cant I put it to paper so to speak?

Names, places, events, back stories, how the past fits in with established canon EVERYTHING a universe needs to be accepted in a story is there, my ability however is not.

Heres an example:

In my vision mid-period Romulan government is composed of the Senate and the Imperial House (The Emporer or Empress) which are direct decendants of General Romulus or in formal terms "The Imperial House of Romulus" having similar sweeping authority to the pre-WWII Japanese emporer.

The validity of the Imperial ruler is based on a ceremony upon which the Katra (Spelling) of Romulus is transferred by a dying ruler to the first born child which is the rightful aire to the throne.

In an attempt to seize total power the Senate attempts to kill the only child of the dying empress before the Katra is transferred however this effort is foiled when the personal guard of the Imperial family discovers the plot and imprisons the conspirators. The canon connection to this is that the Personal Guard of the Imperial Family are called the Tal Shi Har which are not subserviant to the Senate or military authority, only to the throne.

That is just a very small snippet of the Romulan universe ive developed but you get the idea of my problem.

So you see if I were writing a history book id be fine but that wasnt my intent, the problem is forming the "factual" history into a compelling story that people would want to read?

If your not a natural writer are there methods for learning to just be a better one?

 

[Gibraltar]

Experience is going to be the best teacher here, although I’m sure there are any number of books you could buy or check out from your local library on the craft of creative writing. You might try reading some of these to get pointers on maintaining a solid narrative thread and other more technical aspects of writing.

The rest, however, is simply sitting down and writing. You may find that once you’ve begun, the characters themselves will steer you in directions you’d never anticipated.

Good luck, and good writing!

 

[Count Zero]

Practise, I guess.
Your dilemma seems to be that you have a detailed political background thought up but you lack an actual story. Assuming you want to tell the story of the foiled plot against the emperor's child, do you have any characters to tell this story? If not, think them up (not too many). Try to imagine what they'd be like, how they'd react, in short to get a feel for your characters. You could also start by writing smaller stories with those characters involved. Just start writing. Don't be embarassed while writing, it doesn't have to be perfect right away (or ever, we're all just here for the fun ). Just try to write the story you want to tell. You can always add more details in later.

 

[Computer]

Count Zero said:
Practise, I guess.
Your dilemma seems to be that you have a detailed political background thought up but you lack an actual story. Assuming you want to tell the story of the foiled plot against the emperor's child, do you have any characters to tell this story? If not, think them up (not too many). Try to imagine what they'd be like, how they'd react, in short to get a feel for your characters. You could also start by writing smaller stories with those characters involved. Just start writing. Don't be embarassed while writing, it doesn't have to be perfect right away (or ever, we're all just here for the fun ). Just try to write the story you want to tell. You can always add more details in later.

Well my mind automatically creates a framework for stories, the problem is I get too detailed in my mind and it blocks the more eloquent aspect of story telling.

I have detailed characters with (what I think) are interesting back stories but I have a difficult time narrowing the scope of each back story from interstellar to very personal.

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

A good practice exercise is to simply write a short scene. Take two or three of your characters and place them in the middle of a situation - let them have an argument, or get in a fight, or rescue a friend, or . . . The key is to put it down on paper - but keep it short!

Then, go back and edit it. Play around with the characters, give them some personality, some foibles, some quirks. Throw in a little humor, or anger, or frustration, or romance, or whatever. But keep it short!

When you've created a short vignette with some of your key players, go ahead and post it here and ask for critique. Be ready for some constructive criticism, but throw it out here and let us help! I've no doubt there are many here who would like to offer helpful suggestions and/or corrections.

Start with something short and simple. Polish it, poke holes in it, play with it. When you get it where you like it, build from there.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

Computer said:
Well my mind automatically creates a framework for stories, the problem is I get too detailed in my mind and it blocks the more eloquent aspect of story telling.

I have detailed characters with (what I think) are interesting back stories but I have a difficult time narrowing the scope of each back story from interstellar to very personal.

Hey, it's nice to see you back! It's been awhile. I also wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your first installment of Journey to Empire and have been hoping to see more.

But I wanted to chime in for another reason, and that is that I'm in a similar situation. I've written fiction since I was very young. I've always enjoyed it, and once even felt like I was getting halfway decent at it.

Then I went to law school. After 3 years of having my brain twisted around so I could think and write like a lawyer I found it disturbingly difficult to write fiction again. I did eventually start, and found that Star Trek fanfic provided a good framework for me. Still, there are problems. One of my biggest problems is exactly what you mentioned above: I have trouble reigning in my imagination. It seems every story idea I come up with ends up being so entailed that it would encompass a trilogy at the very least! And I find myself getting so intimidated by my own thought process that I become imobilized.

One of my new year's resolutions, however, is to try to follow the advice given above: as the Nike ads say, just do it. I'm going to try to set aside an hour a day (okay, more likely every other day) to just write and see what comes out. I remember finding this a valuable exercise when I was taking writing classes in college, so figure it couldn't hurt. I've also found a great deal of inspiration from the writers in this forum. I'm amazed at how they're able to tell enthralling and self contained stories of a "manageable" length. I really want to try to break down my ideas into "bite sized" pieces that are more manageable.

Anyway, sorry to ramble about my own deal. I really got on here to let you know there's someone who empathizes and who enjoys the work you've posted here already.

I also have to say, as intimidating as it could be to put my own work out there for viewing, I've been so heartened by the supportive environment of the writers and fans on this forum. I think you'll find a lot of support here, as you've already seen in this thread.

Anyway, happy new year, and good writing!

 

[Count Zero]

I wanted to add that I think the monthly challenge is a good opportunity to write shorter stories and practise. It's also a good place to get feedback.

 

[Computer]

Hello again to you too TrekkieMonster! Indeed it has been a while, which I won be letting happen again.

Please dont apologize for expressing your own struggles as a writer, infact id encourage anyone to post their situations here.

You sound like you have the same problem as me and prbably alot of other folks, not a lack of creativity but rather an over abundance of it that bottle necks the proccess of articulating the ideas.

The first episode of Journey to Empire was a real battle for me, I knew what the story was about but couldnt narrow the scope to personal moments between the characters. (Well not enough to make you actually care about them on a personal level)

It's analogous to George Washington I suppose, we (Americans) revere him as a great historical figure but who was he as a person? what went through his mind when he laid in bed at night? what were his thoughts when he looked at his wife? those type of moments that make him more human separated from the events that changed the world.

This is one of the problems I face with my characters, you can admire them from a historical perspective but placing you in their hearts and minds is the real challenge id like to overcome.

 

[Mistral]

try starting from the middle. "The helm exploded in Lt. Vereen's face. Capt. Barkley stared into his unseeing eyes for a moment that seemed to last forever. Shaking himself, he began shouting orders." we don't know what's going on but we are immediately invested. From there you can interpret the feelings your characters have in reaction to the events. They tend to develop their own personalities from that point. Just a suggestion.....

 

[Kaziarl]

Well, I don't know if this will help or completely shatter your ideas of the romulan empire, but there was a book written about the formation of the empire. Goes all the way back to before they left Vulcan. Maybe it could give you some ideas on how to start? or more to add to your own history?

 

[Computer]

Kaziarl said:
Well, I don't know if this will help or completely shatter your ideas of the romulan empire, but there was a book written about the formation of the empire. Goes all the way back to before they left Vulcan. Maybe it could give you some ideas on how to start? or more to add to your own history?

I didn't know, however id rather not read it, that way I can be sure stories are my own. Sometimes your mind will take bits and peices of something else without you conciously realizing it.

Mistral Ive actually done that before, I just thought I was screwed up, if your reccomending it then I guess it must be semi-normal

 

[Mistral]

Just remember, don't force it. I hate to use this as an example but Sniper:Someone to Love is a great example of forced. I know it can seem overwhelming or tedious but just let each sentence come out at its own speed. Things grow when they are nurtured, and they die when they are forced or ignored.

Don't know who I am to give advice but there you are.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

Mistral said:
try starting from the middle. "The helm exploded in Lt. Vereen's face. Capt. Barkley stared into his unseeing eyes for a moment that seemed to last forever. Shaking himself, he began shouting orders." we don't know what's going on but we are immediately invested. From there you can interpret the feelings your characters have in reaction to the events. They tend to develop their own personalities from that point. Just a suggestion.....

Damn you! Damn you to hell!

*slinks off to re-write the opening of latest effort*

.
.
.

And, for the record, I was kidding about the "damn you" part. But, I'm also serious in saying that I began my most recent attempt at a story in a similar manner. I guess there truly is nothing new under the sun.

 

[Mistral]

What I do is set it up like a D&D game(from the DM's point of view) and then feed in emotions/reactions based on what the character is most likely to feel in a given situation.I dunno, who am I to say-whatever works, run with it.