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NaoKernel
204
NaoKernel
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CloseHello, people!
You see, I need help. I'm writing a scenario for my game for a little less than 2 years already and can't finish it for some reason.
It usually happens like this: I start writing scenario full of determination, write a lot, then reach a ceratin moment and then just... something happens. I feel overwhelmed, not knowing how I should approach this certain sub-plot, try to figure out what to do and then find myself not approaching the scenario for weeks, then months, feeling guilty that I can't just finish it already. Thought for a while that it is an art block so I probably should do some other things and it will ressolve, but it didn't. Writing in non-chronological order proved me that the problem lies in that certain sub-plot, while other moments are much easier to produce.
This part of storyline is pretty emotionally heavy, or rather, I would say, sets readers for an emotionally heavy scene. Yes, the climax is okay with me, but the build up... It feels like a huge work, and I don't understand, where and how to begin. Even when I start there is no clarity of whether I'm doing it right or wrong. At the same time I want it to be a really cool moment, like, it's one of the key moments of the whole game. A little bit like this typical perfectionistic procrastination cycle.
Attempted to just write everything that comes to my mind, freely, without trying too hard, but ended up being disappointed and drained. There are some moments in the sub-plot that I see clearer than others, so I wrote them down, hoping to expand upon these, but no success. Did an outline specifically for it to no avail, though I think I didn't do it properly, so currently attempting to outline again.
Anyway: anybody who had the same or a similar experience with their writing or not exactly writing - how did you overcome it?
Or maybe any advice on how does one write a proper psychological buildup and creates empathy from readers to characters?
Or maaaaaaybe, just maaaaaaaybe, there is somebody who would agree to listen to the story overview and give some feedback, that would be cool too.
And even a pep-talk - please, go for it. I feel like I need a good discussion.
You see, I need help. I'm writing a scenario for my game for a little less than 2 years already and can't finish it for some reason.
It usually happens like this: I start writing scenario full of determination, write a lot, then reach a ceratin moment and then just... something happens. I feel overwhelmed, not knowing how I should approach this certain sub-plot, try to figure out what to do and then find myself not approaching the scenario for weeks, then months, feeling guilty that I can't just finish it already. Thought for a while that it is an art block so I probably should do some other things and it will ressolve, but it didn't. Writing in non-chronological order proved me that the problem lies in that certain sub-plot, while other moments are much easier to produce.
This part of storyline is pretty emotionally heavy, or rather, I would say, sets readers for an emotionally heavy scene. Yes, the climax is okay with me, but the build up... It feels like a huge work, and I don't understand, where and how to begin. Even when I start there is no clarity of whether I'm doing it right or wrong. At the same time I want it to be a really cool moment, like, it's one of the key moments of the whole game. A little bit like this typical perfectionistic procrastination cycle.
Attempted to just write everything that comes to my mind, freely, without trying too hard, but ended up being disappointed and drained. There are some moments in the sub-plot that I see clearer than others, so I wrote them down, hoping to expand upon these, but no success. Did an outline specifically for it to no avail, though I think I didn't do it properly, so currently attempting to outline again.
Anyway: anybody who had the same or a similar experience with their writing or not exactly writing - how did you overcome it?
Or maybe any advice on how does one write a proper psychological buildup and creates empathy from readers to characters?
Or maaaaaaybe, just maaaaaaaybe, there is somebody who would agree to listen to the story overview and give some feedback, that would be cool too.
And even a pep-talk - please, go for it. I feel like I need a good discussion.
I'm no writer, so take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt but...
You know how this scene should feel and sound and the weight of it, so here's my advice; Don't try to write it as you feel it should be conveyed but rather present the facts of this emotional scene to the player so that they can feel it for themselves, without being too overbearing or forceful with it.
If you're desperately trying to write the whole scene perfectly as you feel it should be felt then the player won't be as connected to what they are reading. Because the work is already being done for them.
In your head it's supposed to go like this, this, this and that. But maybe present just this and that and let the player try to fill in the emotion that is trying to be presented.
Does that make any kind of sense? In short, don't feel like you have to say every word for it to be felt.
Everyone is going to feel something different and draw different things from the experience, so trying to perfect it might be futile.
Again, I know I'm not a great writer and it's very difficult to pull off big emotional scenes.
Feel free to message me this overview if you want and I can at least give you a pep talk or be like "wooah I like dis" So you can have a outside opinion on the subject in question.
You know how this scene should feel and sound and the weight of it, so here's my advice; Don't try to write it as you feel it should be conveyed but rather present the facts of this emotional scene to the player so that they can feel it for themselves, without being too overbearing or forceful with it.
If you're desperately trying to write the whole scene perfectly as you feel it should be felt then the player won't be as connected to what they are reading. Because the work is already being done for them.
In your head it's supposed to go like this, this, this and that. But maybe present just this and that and let the player try to fill in the emotion that is trying to be presented.
Does that make any kind of sense? In short, don't feel like you have to say every word for it to be felt.
Everyone is going to feel something different and draw different things from the experience, so trying to perfect it might be futile.
Again, I know I'm not a great writer and it's very difficult to pull off big emotional scenes.
Feel free to message me this overview if you want and I can at least give you a pep talk or be like "wooah I like dis" So you can have a outside opinion on the subject in question.
I am a writer and here's my advice:
Skip it. Forget it. Banish this sub-plot to fanciful daydreams, and write something else. The problem you're describing is a thought that hasn't fully formed. It will either grow into something or it won't. The sorry truth is that you just aren't ready to write it, and nothing but time will make you ready to write it.
Stories are like flowers. They don't bloom until they're ready. If you try to force it, you're just going to end up with a mess.
Here's what you do in the meantime. You write around it. You write other stories elsewhere that are similar to what you want here. Bad writing, good writing, doesn't matter, just write all the variations that come to mind in a series of short stories, fan fictions, or what not. Don't invest yourself in these little side projects. Don't worry about making them perfect. Just worry about making them finished. Each one will contribute to the development of this story that you're desperately trying to write, and over time, you'll see it in a different way. You may think of something you haven't thought of. You might decide that you really didn't like the idea and have come up with a better one.
Skip it. Forget it. Banish this sub-plot to fanciful daydreams, and write something else. The problem you're describing is a thought that hasn't fully formed. It will either grow into something or it won't. The sorry truth is that you just aren't ready to write it, and nothing but time will make you ready to write it.
Stories are like flowers. They don't bloom until they're ready. If you try to force it, you're just going to end up with a mess.
Here's what you do in the meantime. You write around it. You write other stories elsewhere that are similar to what you want here. Bad writing, good writing, doesn't matter, just write all the variations that come to mind in a series of short stories, fan fictions, or what not. Don't invest yourself in these little side projects. Don't worry about making them perfect. Just worry about making them finished. Each one will contribute to the development of this story that you're desperately trying to write, and over time, you'll see it in a different way. You may think of something you haven't thought of. You might decide that you really didn't like the idea and have come up with a better one.
I actually was going to suggest that you just forget it too, but since you felt it is a emotional scene I didn't want to say to just brush it off.
So, I agree with piano's comment. If it isn't absolutely necessary then drop it for now until maybe in the future you would like to revisit it. As long as it isn't a crucial element of the game or story.
So, I agree with piano's comment. If it isn't absolutely necessary then drop it for now until maybe in the future you would like to revisit it. As long as it isn't a crucial element of the game or story.
if you want to share the story with me i will give feedback. maybe your thinking about it too hard, maybe your scared? it's a pretty big scene.
NaoKernel
204
Actually, yeah... It is kind of crucial for the story. But on the other hand, I feel that pianotm is right - it's like I lack the clear vision. I know what idea I want to express, but don't know HOW to express it, that is, story-wise, and also on a deep level, with exploring all the aspects of this theme.
I think, I will try to do what you suggested, InfectionFiles, and if that doesn't work, then I'll take a hiatus and do pianotm's advice.
And, yes! Thank you for suggesting your help with feedback, that would be really good. I'm going to message the overview to you in a short time.
I think, I will try to do what you suggested, InfectionFiles, and if that doesn't work, then I'll take a hiatus and do pianotm's advice.
And, yes! Thank you for suggesting your help with feedback, that would be really good. I'm going to message the overview to you in a short time.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
author=pianotm
I am a writer and here's my advice:
Skip it. Forget it. Banish this sub-plot to fanciful daydreams, and write something else. The problem you're describing is a thought that hasn't fully formed. It will either grow into something or it won't. The sorry truth is that you just aren't ready to write it, and nothing but time will make you ready to write it.
Stories are like flowers. They don't bloom until they're ready. If you try to force it, you're just going to end up with a mess.
Here's what you do in the meantime. You write around it. You write other stories elsewhere that are similar to what you want here. Bad writing, good writing, doesn't matter, just write all the variations that come to mind in a series of short stories, fan fictions, or what not. Don't invest yourself in these little side projects. Don't worry about making them perfect. Just worry about making them finished. Each one will contribute to the development of this story that you're desperately trying to write, and over time, you'll see it in a different way. You may think of something you haven't thought of. You might decide that you really didn't like the idea and have come up with a better one.
Absolutely beautiful advice. Thanks for sharing this!
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
Nthing Piano's advice: any time you find yourself really stuck on writing a scene, it's a sign that you're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Either the scene is entirely unnecessary, or it just doesn't belong where you're trying to stick it.
Try thinking over how the story goes without it; you might actually find there's either a better way to get where you're aiming to go, or that it's a much better story without it.
Try thinking over how the story goes without it; you might actually find there's either a better way to get where you're aiming to go, or that it's a much better story without it.
Gredge109
4151
author=Sooz
Nthing Piano's advice: any time you find yourself really stuck on writing a scene, it's a sign that you're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Either the scene is entirely unnecessary, or it just doesn't belong where you're trying to stick it.
Try thinking over how the story goes without it; you might actually find there's either a better way to get where you're aiming to go, or that it's a much better story without it.
I feel like a broken record, but I completely agree with Sooz and Piano. Just as Sooz mentioned, it's because your mind subconsciously doesn't like the path its on, and that's why you can't continue.
The secret is to slowly undo what you've recently done until you feel comfortable with continuing, because there's something about what you've made that you subconsciously disagree with.
In novel writing, this usually means working back one paragraph at a time and re-evaluating the scene. "Should I have done this? Should he have done that, instead? What's necessary about this scene? How could it be different?" And you find yourself slowly working your way back, a paragraph at a time, sometimes even re-writing pages at a time before you find the culprit that allows you to move forward.
NaoKernel
204
Hey, guys!
Thank you for all the advice, I'm really grateful. Now, for some pogress report.
So, first I've decided to rip the sub-plot out of the story and do something else. While I was planning out the development of a small game I wanted to make instead of this one I was also thinking of how the main plot could go without this part.
You see, the sub-plot has been there in the main story for a long time, so long, that it was a little starnge to imagine the story without it. But, hey, as they say, kill your babies, being writer is never easy.
As I was thinking that way - imagining different ways of further plot development - I felt that yeah, it is ?kinda? possible to have a story without it, but it's just so not the same. The story became so different without it - not in a positive sense.
And... I don't know what the heck happened, but the next moment I suddenly KNEW how to write the sub-plot. The whole anxiety and not understanding how to approach this were gone.
I'm not entirely sure why. My guesses are that I kind of did the last advices, just in a different way. By replacing the sub-plot I removed all the unnecessary details that piled up during all this years of daydreaming around the plot, and by thinking of different paths I reminded myself what was the purpose of it and what is the main goal of this sub-plot.
I've finished writing the script and can finally move on to the next stage of development. Of course the story could still use some polishing, but the main part is done. I'm happy I've finally asked for help and got some awesome advice!
Thank you for all the advice, I'm really grateful. Now, for some pogress report.
So, first I've decided to rip the sub-plot out of the story and do something else. While I was planning out the development of a small game I wanted to make instead of this one I was also thinking of how the main plot could go without this part.
You see, the sub-plot has been there in the main story for a long time, so long, that it was a little starnge to imagine the story without it. But, hey, as they say, kill your babies, being writer is never easy.
As I was thinking that way - imagining different ways of further plot development - I felt that yeah, it is ?kinda? possible to have a story without it, but it's just so not the same. The story became so different without it - not in a positive sense.
And... I don't know what the heck happened, but the next moment I suddenly KNEW how to write the sub-plot. The whole anxiety and not understanding how to approach this were gone.
I'm not entirely sure why. My guesses are that I kind of did the last advices, just in a different way. By replacing the sub-plot I removed all the unnecessary details that piled up during all this years of daydreaming around the plot, and by thinking of different paths I reminded myself what was the purpose of it and what is the main goal of this sub-plot.
I've finished writing the script and can finally move on to the next stage of development. Of course the story could still use some polishing, but the main part is done. I'm happy I've finally asked for help and got some awesome advice!
Gredge109
4151
That is awesome! Glad to hear it all worked out. Sounds like you found the metaphorical wrench in the gears and pulled it out!
Good job being persistent with it, too. Sometimes those writer's blocks can lead to the end of many gaming projects, but you stuck with it and pulled through.
Good job being persistent with it, too. Sometimes those writer's blocks can lead to the end of many gaming projects, but you stuck with it and pulled through.
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