writerly ways

[cornerofmadness]

I've been thinking about action scenes. It's been pointed out that I don't do nearly enough of them. I can't actually argue that. It's a fair point. I think in many ways it's the sort of books I read. I read predominantly mysteries which are far more talky than actiony. It's the genre I've read the most and no doubt has the biggest influence on me.

I actually don't like long action scenes. They bore me to tears. I think that's why I liked Butcher's Dresden Files and hated his full on high fantasy. Those action scenes went on and on without end. It's why I'm getting very tired of a lot of shonen manga like Bleach and Naruto, the endless battle scenes are a yawn.

So I need to find a mid point between endless boring fight scenes (because reading about fighting is about as exciting as reading about dancing or any other sight-driven activity) and not enough action.

I'm thinking of making a bit of an outline for my next Nano. I have three ideas the old woman urban fantasy, a sequel to splinters but can't find a cohesive plot yet and to do pure fanasy with Tenaldi the poison gardener and I think that might be the winner because I have some ideas for characters, him, the insane, now-immortal war goddess 'blessed' soldier, Tenaldi's friend and she's a warrior, maybe a couple of other warriors from the city's walls and a princess/prince who have been bastardized by their insane father from a neighboring country (ala Mary and Elizabeth Tudor) so his new favored wife's kid will rule and they've been hidden out in Tenaldi's queendom.

Anyhow I thought maybe if I write down at least one action I want in every chapter I can achieve a better balance between talky and action. It's a thought at any rate.

As for writing I'm not actually doing much of it. It's hard. I can't shake my depression so I don't write. When I dont' write, I get more depressed and it becomes a vicious circle.

And Happy Birthday to sillymagpie

Yearly word count -

35254 / 115000 words. 31% done!

Comments

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Yes depression and stress make everything suck.

Hmm I guess they think that to impress agents, you only have the first 20 pages so that's all they're looking at. But yes it doesn't really represent the story.

Actually if you can hold off til September that would be better. I have two deadlines in August and classes will be starting in a couple weeks so I'm swamped. Unless there's a rush for your own deadline.