Creative Writing Tips/Suggestions on writing stories

Hi, I'm writing an original fantasy story, and it's really lacking some stuff, but I don't really know what. It just doesn't seem fluent or something as I read it.

What makes a piece of story (let's say short story) good? What tips do you have? ^^

 

I'll write more later.. but most important, in my experience, is to KNOW your characters. Inside and out. Many times then, the stories write themselves. You're not writing a story, merely running after the characters with a pen and paper, recording what they do and where they go.

 

They've practically said it all, Sachi!
Got nothin more to add..say, how did the story come out? you already submitted it, didn't ya?

 

Late, as usual :^^:

I usually try to go with Matt's "scenario 2" on more serious fics, and "scenario 1" for humor fics. When I get cool ideas (when using scenario 2) I play the scene over and over in my mind and try to fit it in to the plot. I try to make ends meet and fix anything left loose. It's tiring and at times frustrating, but I find the challenge is part of the fun. ^^

As for wording, I play the scene over and over in my head with light narration and dialogue, adding more words to it as I go along. When I'm satisfied and finally get to writing it, I play it over to remind myself of what I wanted to write, and POOF!, I write it. ^^

 

Whatever anyone else says, one big thing you need is a cool name for your big main character.

 

yeah, get in character!!! Way to go!!!

BakaMattsu wrote:

I'll write more later.. but most important, in my experience, is to KNOW your characters. Inside and out. Many times then, the stories write themselves. You're not writing a story, merely running after the characters with a pen and paper, recording what they do and where they go.

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Yes. I had just talked about this with someone online.

The point of knowing the characters is feeling what they feel, crying when they cry, laughing when they laugh... get inside their mind. Their past, their fears, their doubts, their feelings, the things that make them happy...

Of course. You need a plot. You need a series of events that will happen or MIGHT happen. Like the evil guy and his plan to conquer the world... etc.

I wrote my fics that way. Some plot... sometimes i daydream about scenes, or they come to my mind and i explore the idea. For example, there's this (imaginary) scene in Saber Marionette where Lorelei hugs Lime and she cries.

So, i was writing this scene, and the characters did everything by themselves! I just typed what i saw happening. Some people tell me that i'm leaving other fanfic writers behind :anime: but with this method (knowing your characters), the fics come and i just can't stop typing! One day i finished two whole chapters.

Well... my 2 cents

 

OOPS!!!! Sorry Jedi_X! Those were your lines.

Don't know why I said those lines were BakaMattsu's. JEDI_X gets the credit. Sorry (blush!)

 

Lol. Y'know what's funny, though? Sometimes I try and try (and try) to write for some fics but nothing comes out. And then, when I least expect it (and I say "Hm. Lemme see what I'd done here." and open the file) I start writing and the words flooooowww. ^^; I find it funny 'cuz Final Emotion (one of my SMJ fics) has turned out that way for the last 2 chapters. :shy: ^^;

Sometimes you nod only have to know the characters--it's the little details within the fic itself (those annoying little things that only give the plot a little push but are ever-so-necessary so you don't bore people to death) that make me take so long in my next chapters. ^^;; :catgirl: And then ideas won't stop flowing in, and I try to control myself, but it's hard!! ^^

*big breath through her nose, lets it out in a sigh, eyes closed all the time* Ah, the life of a writer.

 

I think similes and metaphores are always nice in a story.

 

Hai, hai!

Yup yup! Not only are they super interesting: they take up lots of space and make the narration, description, and dialogue flow nicely.