Random thoughts

[TheCrystallineEntity]

May it be
An evening star
Shines down
Upon you

I'm trying to learn the lyrics to the Elbereth song, but I only know two words so far.

 

[La Volpe]

Banten! You don't post links to random generators in a Random Generator Addicts Anonymous meeting! That's like bringing whiskey to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

 

[Banten]

Banten! You don't post links to random generators in a Random Generator Addicts Anonymous meeting! That's like bringing whiskey to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

So THAT's why I was kicked out. I thought these meetings were to celebrate our addictions.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

I've only just realized that my big fantasy novel, companion book of short stories and poems, and my 'new' novel are literally just the same story told over and over again with barely anything changed.

 

[Addison]

When it comes to cool or interesting facts, or research to best, worst or interesting things for a story, I find myself going to Watchmojo.com. From cool ancient ruins to what makes the best villain, it's been helpful. Heck it's made list of Top 10 Cliches through almost every genre. I've set myself the challenge to write a fantasy free of the top ten fantasy cliches.

 

[Incanus]

Happy Walpurgis night, one and all!

Try not to stay up too late--

 

[ThinkerX]

I've only just realized that my big fantasy novel, companion book of short stories and poems, and my 'new' novel are literally just the same story told over and over again with barely anything changed.

Clive Cussler you are.

 

[DragonOfTheAerie]

I used to be a heavy poster but now I see a post I want to reply to but don't have the energy. Or think of a post I want to write but don't have the energy.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

Clive Cussler you are.

Huh?

My friend managed to convince me that my belief is not true, so now I feel a bit better.

 

[ThinkerX]

Huh?

My friend managed to convince me that my belief is not true, so now I feel a bit better.

You might not be familiar with Cussler: He has written probably a couple dozen thrillers - though I believe most were actually ghostwritten. Each follows the exact same plot:

First, a prologue, usually featuring an ancient maritime catastrophe. Then, modern day machinations that bring in Dirk Pitt, a sort of 'James Bond lite' character. Car chases. Assassins. Hot girls. Weird gadgets. A villain who is *always* stinking rich, and *always* engaged in something that intentionally or unintentionally threatens disaster for much of the world. Dramatic finish. The elements cited almost never vary.

The first couple were worthwhile (I was young then.) But reusing the same plot over and over again with almost no variation...that got old.

 

[Russ]

You might not be familiar with Cussler: He has written probably a couple dozen thrillers - though I believe most were actually ghostwritten. Each follows the exact same plot:

First, a prologue, usually featuring an ancient maritime catastrophe. Then, modern day machinations that bring in Dirk Pitt, a sort of 'James Bond lite' character. Car chases. Assassins. Hot girls. Weird gadgets. A villain who is *always* stinking rich, and *always* engaged in something that intentionally or unintentionally threatens disaster for much of the world. Dramatic finish. The elements cited almost never vary.

The first couple were worthwhile (I was young then.) But reusing the same plot over and over again with almost no variation...that got old.

While I won't go into the overall merits of Clive Cussler, his books are not "ghostwritten". I think you are using the word incorrectly.

I understand ghostwritten to mean that the real author does not get credit on the project. Cussler's books which are co-written to various degrees give credit to the co-author on the cover.

And there is something to be said for Clive's success.

 

[FifthView]

I've only just realized that my big fantasy novel, companion book of short stories and poems, and my 'new' novel are literally just the same story told over and over again with barely anything changed.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe this is just your brain's way of working through your grander purpose, the theme/story that matters most to you. Everything might come together finally in the end.

I've noticed that most of my early projects have circled around a handful of themes, character types, or general story archetypes. Sometimes these are grand puzzle pieces, only I never had the finished pictures clearly in mind. (I had the colors, the general shapes, but no feeling for the completed picture.)

 

[FifthView]

I used to be a heavy poster but now I see a post I want to reply to but don't have the energy. Or think of a post I want to write but don't have the energy.

I've noticed that activity has dropped quite a bit lately, across the board. But I've wondered if everyone is simply knee- or neck-deep in a project. I've been sinking deeper in my own.

 

[FifthView]

Chicken-on-the-brain.

My father, who's nearing 70, decided about a year ago to build a chicken house/coop and buy some chickens. Now he has chicken on the brain. Gives him something to do in his retirement. Sometimes, it's all he can talk about, and he relates stories about how one rooster, the dominant rooster, will now chase the second rooster away from the hens, into the woods. My father likes this; I think he identifies.

Anyway, I keep wondering how I can work such a character into my WIP, a man who can tell 100 tales about his chickens.

 

[Ireth]

On May 2, 1998, the Battle of Hogwarts was fought and won. Voldemort was defeated once and for all.

Today, nineteen years later, all is well.

 

[DragonOfTheAerie]

I've noticed that activity has dropped quite a bit lately, across the board. But I've wondered if everyone is simply knee- or neck-deep in a project. I've been sinking deeper in my own.

That's part of my problem; I have less time to talk about writing when I need to actually write. But yeah...The forums seemed to be much more active when I first joined.

It's been nearly a year, hasn't it? O_O

 

[Banten]

That's part of my problem; I have less time to talk about writing when I need to actually write. But yeah...The forums seemed to be much more active when I first joined.

It's been nearly a year, hasn't it? O_O

Well I'm still fairly active.

Procrastinating as always...

 

[FifthView]

That's part of my problem; I have less time to talk about writing when I need to actually write. But yeah...The forums seemed to be much more active when I first joined.

It's been nearly a year, hasn't it? O_O

Over the last week, I've actually had some questions and problems I've considered posting about, issues relating to my current project, but these have seemed like things I needed to resolve on my own. Just that feeling that I needed to work through them by writing, planning, brainstorming, on my own.

 

[Brian Scott Allen]

My son just jumped off the trampoline. Two year olds. *shakes head.

 

[ThinkerX]

While I won't go into the overall merits of Clive Cussler, his books are not "ghostwritten". I think you are using the word incorrectly.

I understand ghostwritten to mean that the real author does not get credit on the project. Cussler's books which are co-written to various degrees give credit to the co-author on the cover.

And there is something to be said for Clive's success.

Cussler gives credit to his 'cowriters' now. I was referring to his older works that cited him as full author. I had doubts about that then and now.

As to popularity, he has three things going for him:

1 - an active, intense writing style with plenty of tension and cliffhangers;

2 - a successful time worn plot;

3 - and name recognition.