Writing Tips? *possible spoilers for next chapter, though nothing too major, really* · 7:44pm Dec 5th, 2015
Hi guys!
So I'm still working on the next chapter of MLD, and my biggest fear for this one is...dragging on. Like I said on a previous blog, I have three pages of Discord and Fluttershy talking to dolphins. Since the chapter isn't finished yet, I haven't edited it yet, but when I do...
May I please have some tips on how to tighten things up? If you'd like, you could even give examples from my own stories and show how I could have improved it. You see, I don't want to bore you guys. The thing is, this next chapter has a lot of nature/flora/fauna in it, and I'm a sucker for little details.
And I really don't want this chapter to seem like a filler chapter with no relevance to the overall story and plot. It does, it's just a little more indirect than some others. For instance, the last three chapters had the Mane Six all meet up and meet Flutterdraconequus. Since I didn't want to forget the friendship aspect of this story despite the romance, and I didn't want the climax of the story to have all her friends in shock, his had to happen to bring things forward. And I needed Twilight to see Zecora so she wouldn't tell the Princesses about what happened. This seems a little more direct to the plot than Discord and Fluttershy taking a field trip together does. I don't want readers to ask "what does this have to do with anything?" I might be able to see it, but that doesn't mean everyone will.
They say to write what you would read, and personally, if I were a reader, I'd love all the imagery and details and personification of animals I'm putting in. But I really don't want to make this chapter seem to drag out. I'm at 7k and they JUST arrived at their destination.
So if you all have any tips, I'd love to read them! I want this story to be as good as it can possibly be. I may take a long time to update, but I really am excited for this story's future. I want it to be something to be proud of, and not some long boring story that drags on and on and on...
Did I ever tell you guys I worry a lot? XD
EDIT: Also, I've still not received any ideas on a dress for Fluttershy. This is totally fine, I most likely can come up with something myself, but if anyone is interested in helping a silly author out, feel free to! You don't even have to draw anything if you don't want. You can just give me a description. What would Rarity make so that DraconequuShy looked absolutely fabulous? Something to help with that noodley figure of hers...
And if not, well, I guess I'll just google dresses for pencil figures and figure it out. :3 Nothing too jazzy, something she could wear casually but still looked nice, not sparkly or covered in gems, but maybe an accent or two, maybe with a sunhat...
You might already do this, but one thing I learned from a Writing class I've been taking is that when writing scenes I have to ask myself if the scene does at least two of the following things:
1. Advance the plot
2. Deepen characterization
3. Enrich the setting
If possible try to make every scene do all three of these things.
Another thing you might want to do is try to keep chapters in the 4k word range when possible. While there's not necessarily anything wrong with longer or shorter chapters (Hey, I have several of both in my own story) 4k is the average length of a chapter (at least according to my writing class) and what reader will probably be the most comfortable with.
Going off of what Shark brought up, while little moments can be really appreciative, a nice breather, sometimes, it's possible for the pacing to fall apart a little bit in the process. It has to be involved with the plot somehow. If they're doing something just because, then it's hard to become invested when they can be doing something else. Since you're story is also about the two beginning to understand each other, smaller scenes could be something about that, if you can. Either way, a rule to remember is that... if it can be taken out and nothing is effected by the story whatsoever, then you might need to work on it.
I'm also not too sure about what sort of dress she should have--let's just say I ask my little sister about fashion advice, lol--and I guess it all depends on the occasion? Is it a date? Or just because Rarity wants her to look lovely? I'm going with the latter.
Perhaps something that flows, has gentle colors, and is fairly casual - like something with thin straps but also a long train - but with something extra added in like a bow in the back because Rarity simply couldn't resist. If I could draw something like that, I'll let you know.
3596759
3595464
Thanks guys, that's really great advice! I've a feeling I'll be trimming a bit once it's finished. For now I'll keep it all and then look over the whole thing and edit. Thanks for taking the time to give me advice!
And Missy, I like your input on the dress. And you're right, it's just because Rarity wants her to look nice. And this is going to be cause for tension. Love the idea of a bow just because Rarity couldn't help it! That's so her.
3597208 You're very welcome. Happy writing. *Chuckles*
Oh, and regarding that thing I mentioned about chapter length, that's really just something of a guideline. If a chapter can accomplish its purpose in less words, use less words. If a chapter needs more words to accomplish its purpose, use more words. (For example, in TDwtDT, chapter 12 needed under 3000 words to accomplish its purpose, while chapter 13 needed over 7000.)