Are You Writing Serious Fantasy? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Starbreeze · 04-20-2002, 10:59 AM

Ok, here is my proper answer now I have eaten something.

>Are any of you writing serious fantasy?

Yes, I am.

>How have you dealt with the temptation to be imitative of Tolkien?

Well, I try and read some of Tolkien first so that I know what his work is like and don't get it muddled in my head and think that it is my own. I also make sure that I show it to one of my friends regualrly, she keeps me in check and makes sure I don't do anything even remotely similar to Tolkien.

>How long have you been working on your story, and why?

How long? Well, really several years - thats how long the ideas have been forming and I've been writing down possible 'names' and things in my notebook (actually 4 notebooks and several bits of paper, plus my pencil case and the back of several photos that were lying around when I was inspired). But I didn't start actually writing the bulk of it until I joined here, in January (obviously you guys inspired me!). Since then I have had one break of a week while I prepared for my art exam but apart from that I have been writing solidly.
I don't understand the 'why' part of that question though.

>What pitfalls have you faced and how have you overcome them - or not?

One of the major problems I have encountered is battle scenes and general fighting, as I have nver encountered such myself I can't write about it very well. And I keep getting to bits that need a fight or battle. So far I have left gaps, planned who has died and left it until I get inspiration. *sighs* can anyone tell me how to get around this?

Oh ***** have to go eat again! Right in the middle of my answer too, oh well, I'll be back soon to finishe my answer! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

04-20-2002, 10:59 AM	#11
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	Ok, here is my proper answer now I have eaten something. >Are any of you writing serious fantasy? Yes, I am. >How have you dealt with the temptation to be imitative of Tolkien? Well, I try and read some of Tolkien first so that I know what his work is like and don't get it muddled in my head and think that it is my own. I also make sure that I show it to one of my friends regualrly, she keeps me in check and makes sure I don't do anything even remotely similar to Tolkien. >How long have you been working on your story, and why? How long? Well, really several years - thats how long the ideas have been forming and I've been writing down possible 'names' and things in my notebook (actually 4 notebooks and several bits of paper, plus my pencil case and the back of several photos that were lying around when I was inspired). But I didn't start actually writing the bulk of it until I joined here, in January (obviously you guys inspired me!). Since then I have had one break of a week while I prepared for my art exam but apart from that I have been writing solidly. I don't understand the 'why' part of that question though. >What pitfalls have you faced and how have you overcome them - or not? One of the major problems I have encountered is battle scenes and general fighting, as I have nver encountered such myself I can't write about it very well. And I keep getting to bits that need a fight or battle. So far I have left gaps, planned who has died and left it until I get inspiration. sighs can anyone tell me how to get around this? Oh ***** have to go eat again! Right in the middle of my answer too, oh well, I'll be back soon to finishe my answer! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.