The BSN writers club

Hello everyone. Fellow aspiring writer as well and glad to have a topic like this in our dear old forum.

I've skipped my attempts at - also - starting to write a thriller/crime. The 30 or so pages I've done need to be scrapped anyway.

Instead I've returned to my two most developed projects. But there are also changes. When I wrote these earlier, I wanted a dramatic beginning, to 'hook' the reader, if that is possible. I've since changed my mind because I wanted to tell the story "from the beginning". And when I do that, the beginning is not dramatic. But I think it presents the worlds and characters better. I considered the "5 months earlier" restart, but I personally hate those jumps in chronology so I've decided to not stoop down to any tricks like that.

One of my biggest insecurities as a writer is: Will people like to read this? Can I tell a story that people care about?

I happen to have quirky ideological views on how story elements should evolve. Many years ago, I took a writer course and I reacted vehemently negatively on what they wanted me to do. But that formula is what you find in almost every bestseller and movie. But I DO NOT want to do it that way! And I'm absolutely sticking to that. I don't care about success as a writer that much. I'm rather a failure. I don't really need to be published. But it would be fun if I was. I don't deny that. I think the best I can do is just to continue to write to enjoy myself. Because I do enjoy writing. And not care so much, at this stage, if it will interest people.

So I'm currently focusing on the SF novel. I'm still on about only 200 pages done, because I've deleted so much with changes. (Same with the Fantasy project, still only about 800 pages, because of all changes/deletions.)

The SF project's general planned plot is about a diplomat from a very technically advanced faction (not exactly "human"). On the way to a kind of parliament, that the human empires have set up, the diplomat is stranded on a primitive human, pioneer colony planet. The planet happens to have been recently conquered by an aggressive alien species.
The diplomat poses as a human to hide, and have to survive and keep in hiding from the alien occupiers.

The diplomat is, though possessing a young body (genetic engineering) in reality rather old and carries a heavy emotional baggage. This has made the diplomat tired and worn, almost catatonic. The diplomat does however carry something of great responsibility, and must care. Must make an effort, even though life doesn't matter any longer. And so, through the enforced struggle and hard work surviving on this primitive planet, the diplomat rediscovers not only an appetite for life, but also joy and love (which is problematic, because the diplomat is not, like, 100% human).

The plan is then more cataclysmic trauma towards the end. But I haven't nailed it down yet. I have a problem killing off a lot of characters that I care about, and I'd rather not do it. But it seems the most logical.
Then the diplomat finally arrives at the Parliament, with these fresh experiences. Which has consequences. I'm not a pacifist and my novels will never be mouth pieces for those kinds of ideologies. End. But of course, many things may change as I write along on this. Maybe the diplomat will return to the colony planet, marry and make it a new home. That's also a possibility.

I'm heavily inspired by Ian M Banks 'Culture' novels, but I'm dialing things down a bit and the technology & society levels is my own inventions, not the same.

Well, yeah. If I understand your comment correctly, that was precisely what I was referring to.
I have, in my head, a number of aesthetic & ethical things that I won't compromise on. My choice is that it's important for the story, that the protagonists actions are well considered, and that the plans and successively modified plans, which are the means to handle the problems/challenge/enemies, are what ultimately lead to whatever success can be had. I hate stories with miraculous or chance endings. The protagonist must have some kind of agency over the own destiny, even if it's just a small part of the greater scene.

Fear and uncertainty is one thing. It's a hard thing to shake, so one need to just learn to live with it. What does it matter if we make complete fools of ourselves? I mean, really?

Lack of motivation is something else. If you're not motivated, I don't see the problem? Just don't write.

I still don't see how you're not motivated.

? Something that I always experience, and have also always seen authors, but also painters, get into and discuss, is stalling. "Writer's block" and fear of the "blank canvas" or "white paper".

Everybody seem to have this problem. And everybody overcoming it seem to have the same solution: Discipline. Just do it.

And in that context, I suspect it's important how one relates to the work. Don't assume that what you put down is the final version. Just get something going. Abandon fear.
Painters often paint a succession of pictures. The early, often simple and fast works, are usually called "studies". Authors talk about "drafts".
I do the same. I rewrite and expand and rewrite again and again. And I shuffle things about. What I've already written tells me where to go and what happened before.

I got myself into doing a lot of thinking after reading some books recently.

One was one of the poorest novels I've read. Not the worst, but the female author fumbled a lot. Very beginner. The thing is, some of the things she did, I thought I could recognize in my own writing. Not as bad, I think, but fallen into the same trap.

Other were some really great novels. They vindicated me on some things I've already discussed in this thread: The protagonists agenda and accomplishments being a significant cause.

...And something about characterization too, that I hadn't given so much thought before.


- So now I have to rewrite everything from the beginning again.

...Or start on something new.

So that is what that was about.  I'll have to check it out if I can scrounge together the time .  And yeah I can certainly understand that.  My own original fanfic post ME 3 ending thing ended up being fifty four chapters.