My Novel

[Roller]

Well I've been bored and so I decided to find somewhere else to crap on about my novel other than my blog (an hopefully get a few replies in the process). Well it is the first novel I have attempted, and I can't begin to describe how much I have learnt so far... it's been amazing... sometimes even a little creepy. Well I guess I might start from the start. It was about this time last year... broken up with a girl, kinda becoming an alco, depressed and living in a boarding house. It was winter and one rainy sunday I was in my room doing nothing and listening to music. I listened to a track by an old electronica group and it was like something clicked... I got the imagery of a man living in a futuristic city, surrounded by people yet one morning waking up to find himself completley alone. I've written things all my life, and I had always been meaning to write a novel and just then in that instant I knew I had to start some time. Well I tried to write as much of the imagery i had in my head down as I could right then and there, and I also attempted to start the novel once or twice, but I had a problem that I didn't even know what would happen in the novel, or how it would end etc... and so my schoolwork got on top and I let it go. When I finished my schooling I found myself at home and doing nothing, so I decided that if I wanted to become a writer later in life I had to start then, instead of procastinating. And that's when I started my first draft... typing away, getting stuck mroe often than not, trying to work out what would happen... having these weird moments when I 'discovered' events in the story - as if they were always there, just waiting for me to stumble upon them and dig them up. I can't begin to describe how much enjoyment I have gotten from writing it, and I have now finished my second draft (at 56,000 words). Now I have a lot more confidence and actually know how my story goes, I am going to start my thrird (phew!) draft soon, but I am trying to make sure I have everything clear in my mind etc before I start it... it will be my most important draft, as it is when I string the different events together and make it an actual novel. One of the things I love is working out all the symbolism and different meanings to add, and I am making all these little things for the reader to work out... it's so much fun. Suddenly I have found a voice in my life, a vent to let out all my ideas properly and in a fantasy world, and I hve discovered that I just have so much to say! Well I don't know why I wrote all this, but I guess if you have any questions about writing a novel, or you are writing one urself, feel free to ask away (I'm not by anymeans an expert tho). The first reason I had for wanting to lucid dream was because I had just started writing my novel, and I wanted to be able to control my dreams and to put myself in the shoes of my character, in the world I had created in my imagination, and see what it is like for myself. I love imagination sooo much, yet alas I have not been able to achieve any lucidity worth noting, which is kinda a big bummer for me and sometimes makes me depressed. I long to explore my own mind!!! Eh i guess I will achieve it one day, and until then I am exploring the world through a keyboard and words... Gimme a shout if you want to know anything, I'd love to help!

[MSG]

Dont get depressed, alot of us havent achieved lucicity yet. I personally have only done it awarengly about 2 times, both times in which i woke up at an instant. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and thought that may have been a problem. I think too much... Also, the novel sounds like fun! i havent succeeded at any story yet, i usually lose interest in the boring steps (there always are some) and walk away. Ive probably got about 250 unfinished projects on my computer saved right now... the only two major projects i actually ever finished were a fashion show (rather controversial... later deleted) with some people and a slideshow(my pride and joy). Im glad to hear your novel is coming out good, when people report good progress on a project i tend to think wow they're probably really committed, when its probably me being so used to mine own lazyness. Anyway, i'd love to read an excerpt (most likely not the whole thing if youre planning on publishing it) of your novel if you feel comfortable posting it!

[Roller]

Yeah I used to have so many little stories and beginnings of novels saved on my computer.. the only thing I can say about how to actually stick with one is to just start writing. Start writing and don't stop - make it so you know that the idea in your head is so important that you just HAVE to let everyone else know, and show everyone else what truths you see about the world. I couldn't beleive it when I finished the first draft of my story... most of the disbeleif was that I had just completed a novel - it was only a first draft, and pretty crap - but it was my first ever attempt at a novel and something I will never forget (I plan do be writing a lot more novels in the future. I think the main obstacel was just getting it done, and now that I know I can do it, I can only improve I guess. Hmm I might post a little story I wrote before starting my novel. It's a flash fiction - a genre that can be really useful when writing a novel. Basically it's usually under maybe 500 words, and it can tell a short little story, or just describe a scene. They're really good to do before writing something bigger, as you can try and base it on your main character and try and work out some of the imagery etc. Well Ok I gues I will post it in a diff thread... so keep an eye out if you want to read it. It doesn't really have a plot or anything, it's just the kind of feeling that the novel is based on. Eh lol I feel like an idiot sometimes with the stuff I crap on about lol

[MSG]

Originally posted by Roller Eh lol I feel like an idiot sometimes with the stuff I crap on about lol Dont feel that way. If you've established techniques that have helped you, then stick with 'em and dont let anyone tell you different.