Care is the Most Important Ingredient! · 4:41am Oct 1st, 2018
I just wanted to touch base with everyone. I know I still haven't posted chapter 5 or finished editing it. But have no fear, I'm still writing and working on stories. And there was a little delay last month with some overtime at work and training a group of new hires all on my own. BTW, I loved it. Training is very rewarding.
Anyway, I know most of you have no problem with me taking my time on my updates. And I shan't disappoint. "The Sparkle In His Soul" is one of the most important ventures into MLP fanfiction I've ever done. And while some have said it's the biggest piece of crap I've ever done, which has absolutely zero thought behind it, I can assure you that is so not the case. It's a living example of every new concept and facet of writing I've been learning and working on adapting to evolve my current writing style. My collaboration partner is doing better. Hopefully after October he'll have some idea of how his battle with cancer will play out. At least for now he's holding his own, despite a plethora of setbacks.
Now that he's doing better, we've had a chance to hang out a little and resume work on our project. He's also resumed sending me links to helpful articles like one I read on character chemistry. I explained how critical it is in a story that your characters have some kind of chemistry, be it good, bad or indifferent. I also read a helpful article about using subtext in dialogue, so you can add more details without it being painfully obvious, but done in a way that your reader discovers clues about the dynamic relationship between two or more characters and can start to get a better understanding of their relationships and ultimately understand the chemistry between them. And the best and most helpful thing of all, he gifted me an e-book for my Kindle about plot titled "20 Master Plots and How to Build Them". It's been yet another major eye opener for me. Now, along with character flaws, story and character arcs, plot has helped me understand the binding nature of everything in a story and how it's not just sitting back and playing God with a world and the characters you want to use.
Though, now that I have all these new things to consider, I think I'm ready to revisit chapter 5 and get things rolling, as well as all the activities I've been working on in preparation for my new novel. I also had to take time to dump notes into the computer and enter them the old fashioned way. Things may fluctuate a bit now that I'm nearly ready to break ground on my new fantasy novel, but it in no way means I'm done with MLP or FimFiction. My pony stories will still be a key staple as I practice the new techniques and continue to hon my writing skills (a task that could take a lifetime), but I welcome the challenges. Each time I learn something new to better my approach, I feel as though a new part of my mind has been awakened.
Now, if you'll all pardon me, I have some writing to work on. And chapter 5's completion is on my To Do List!
Till next time! Take care!
- Jaydex
Bluntly put this just isn't true. Given that you're assimilating new techniques into your usual artistic flow there are just going to be rough patches.
That's just how it works after all. Once that clears up it'll be another matter entirely.
As for chemistry between characters, well I guess I'm just lucky on that issue. I have yet to have any problems there. Getting a personality going can be a royal pain though.
I can, and have seen many ways why people do struggle with the chemistry aspect of writing though. It can be very difficult at the best of times in some cases.
Well good to hear from you again
I will wait for your next chapters
I wouldn't mind seeing an update of "You Brighten My Day"
Well... I hope things get better for your friend, kind of explains why you have been distant recently bud, I'm hoping for the best.
I hope your friend continues to get better. "The Sparkle In His Soul" has been on my RIL list for some time but I haven't started reading it yet. Guess it's time to fix that.