I'll be writing more in a week or two

[cyrano]

The problem, he said, in a thoughtful manner, is that there are things one doesn't need to bother one's self with when a short story is just a short story. But when a short story wants to become... a somewhat longer story, then suddenly you have to concern yourself with all sorts of fiddly bits and details. Like, what is the relationship between the magical world and the mundane world. And I don't so much *care* about that relationship, because there's this *story* that wants telling, and it does keep nagging me. And so I think to myself, self, if I can tell this story then maybe it will go away and I can do something else. Like playing a few more games of Arcanom before bedtime. But things like that relationship have suddenly become *important* in the telling of the story and they're all underfoot and inconvenient.

I wasn't going to say anything, but there it is.

Comments

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

I understand completely. I really really do.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

*hugs* You are an inspiration. I think I'll keep you around.

[lil-m-moses.livejournal.com]

Perhaps tell the story, and then go back and fix all the fiddly bits?

I have no idea if that would work, though - I'm not a fiction writer and never will be.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, I'll try to set up a framework. I just have to remember that at any time I may have to tear out everything and start all over. It's kind of like being a home owner. (:

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the writing. I think you have a natural talent for the craft.

My old writing mentor used to say; "Art is unforgiving." I've found thinking about that phrase keeps me honest.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Alas, natural talent is nice, but I fear I may also have to develop skills. (: We'll see how it works.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

One book I'd recommend is "Self-Editing For Fiction Writers"

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

That does indeed sound helpful. Who's the author?

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

Renni Browne and Dave King

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Excellent.

[tersa.livejournal.com]

You know you you can bounce your ideas off me for either more ideas or helping to firm up The Rules. Because you know how much I like Rules. ;)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I may very well take you up on that.
Did you ever read the protean work?

[tersa.livejournal.com]

I don't think I did, no.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

And, as noted earlier, part of the reason is probably because I screwed up the link in the last post. q:
http://www.nog.net/~cyrano/story.html *without* the bonus quotation mark.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I dunno', man, for me the fiddly bits are the best part. I love the research part of the storytelling almost more than writing up the story itself. It's like a big puzzle to be solved.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my problem is that the research tends to take over, and instead of writing I have a research project. Happy medium. And, unfortunately, this isn't something that I can go to the library with and say 'how does this bit work?' I have to create it out of whole cloth and then figure out the ramifications. What sort of a society would come forth out of these conditions? How would a rules lawyer take advantage of it? That sort of thing.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

If you ever need somebody to bounce random ideas off of I'd be happy to help. Like I say, working out this stuff and debating the fiddly bits is something I adore.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'll trap you and Tersa in a room together. (: And I will also ask you--did you ever read the original?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

No I didn't read it, but twist my arm ;)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Bah, no wonder you missed it. I screwed up the link URL.
http://www.nog.net/~cyrano/story.html *without* the extra quote marks at the end.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Ok I've just started reading it and you already win major Ellie points for working in a reference to driving a Tucker.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Ok this story is absurdly good and if you weren't planning to turn it into a novel I would be forced to kick your ass. Indeed, this story is already way better than any of the Dresden Files novels, or hell most of the novels I've read that have been professionally published. It needs a tiny bit of editing but I'm already rather attached to Jeeves and I like Maria. I really like her. I want to know how she got mixed up in all of this and why the magical community would rely on her to do their dirty work (I can see how it would be useful to have an intelligent, handy Renfield at your beck and call, but not if you're all crazy secretive).

So, in short, I'd like more please.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I'm going to revel in a mixture of glee, preening and disbelief. I figured that since Jeeves gets killed, he'd be your kind of man. And I'm hoping you still like him when he comes back in Chapter 3.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I think I'll maintain Jeeves as my favorite one because it's just safest for everyone involved. However, I will admit that I've always had a bit of a thing for men named "Martin". I blame most of it on a rather dashing boy in my school by that name and the tv mini-series "V".

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Martin should be around for a while too. Although he needs more depth, because when it was a short story, all I needed was a human face for the Witches.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Well I already approve of him if for no other reason than his name ;)