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FFC #49 - BOOM - We're back in business

Posted March 11th, 2020 at 01:42 PM by TGRF
TGRF's Fan Fiction Chronicles - Entry #49

Back in early January, I wrote an FFC about how I had discovered the 3-act-structure, and everything was coming together. Confusion was gone, knowledge was mine, and things were far simpler than they had ever been. I outlining stories faster than I had ever done so, and for the first time was able to break down simple stories into their structural parts.

That's what is known as the second half of the second act. The second half is characterized by victories. The main character, having learned the pivotal truth, goes after the main conflict with command and confidence, and wins many victories.

When I wrote that FFC, I was worried about only one thing:

Quote:
I'm a little worried, because the 3-act structure says that following those victories will be the deepest and darkest failure yet, but... we'll consider that later.
Well, sure enough, that darkest moment came. My writing ground to a halt as I faced problem after problem. No idea I had seemed to work. They either had plot holes galore, were structurally unsound, or I just lost interest for seemingly no reason. Combined with other things going on in my life, I began to wonder if I was meant to abandon writing altogether.

But following the darkest moment, there is always a Point of Resolve as I call it: the main character has lost everything and is defeated, but there is one thing, one last glimmer of hope, which makes him realize everything he will truly lose if he gives up, and fills him with determination to confront the antagonistic force one last time.

I had that hope. The one thing which kept me from giving up on my writing was the fact that I still had ideas. Even in my doubt, I still had ideas for stories, and I kept coming up with more ideas. This, surely, was a sign that I was to continue. I didn't know how, only that I couldn't give up.

And presto! Call it fate, divine planning, or just plain luck, I have found the one thing I needed, the one thing I ALWAYS needed, the one thing which promises to solve every problem I ever have with stories: pure, unflinching, logical process.

I have long told myself that if I just had a step-by-step process telling me how to get out of the problems I find my writing in, everything would be fine. I've been looking for such a process literally since I began writing. And now, now that the time is right, I have found it.

I have found a website containing simple logical processes for at least fifty - if not a hundred - common difficulties with writing. Some I won't use because I don't have trouble with them, or they don't apply to me. But the rest I will use. Here are some of the processes which will help me the most:
  • Brainstorming Plot Twists. I started working with twists with A Chance of Success. While not something I consider a pressing issue, I still don't have a solid way to build a story with twists baked in. Hopefully this will show me a way to do that.
  • Reconnecting with scrapped stories. I have tons of scrapped stories and ideas for fan fictions, including the multitude of failed attempts at Eternity. This might be a way to bring them all back.
  • Fixing plot holes. This is the #1 reason I had so many failures with Eternity. Now that I have an actual process which will help me brainstorm actual solutions to plot holes, they won't spell instant death for my stories.
  • How to change a character. The whole point of a character arc is, obviously, to change the character. But never have I had a simple step by step process on exactly how to do that. Now I do. Or will, once I study it.
  • Brainstorming character motivations. Stakes. The bane of my writing. If I know what motivates the character, I know what he can lose. Previously, I've been tied to repetitive methods of generating stakes. But now I have the ultimate weapon: a way to brainstorm them.

Does this mean that all of my writing woes are over? Absolutely not. But if this site holds the secrets I think it does, it means I've entered a new phase in my writing.

Only time will tell what that phase will yield. I'll keep you updated as I digest these new processes.

~TGRF.
Posted in FFC
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TheAverageFan's Avatar
This website seems right up your alley. I am curious to see if simple logical processes can really help amp up one's work.

For the record, if you ever need an actual person to help iron out twists and/or plot holes, I am always willing to lend an ear as I typically consider those my specialty.

~TAF, who frequently wishes he had someone to brainstorm with to tell if his ideas are terrible or not
Posted March 11th, 2020 at 08:48 PM by TheAverageFan TheAverageFan is offline
Old
TGRF's Avatar
@TheAverageFan I frequently have plot hole difficulties, so if these new processes don't weed them all out, I'll come to you. I've refrained from doing so in the past because, you know, you're basically my main source of reader feedback, and I wanted to keep the feedback to first impressions.

That being said, I also frequently wish I had someone to hash out plot details with. Perhaps we should take to bouncing ideas off of each other when the need arises. If you want to run story ideas by me, go right ahead.

~TGRF, now back to thinking about the Prequels.
Posted March 11th, 2020 at 09:08 PM by TGRF TGRF is offline
 
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