I've been telling different people about this alternative history novel, but I have nothing to refer to it as. With my family I call it "the letters story", but that simply won't do for me.
Does anyone have ideas? I'd be happy to tell you more about it. I just want something to call it!
Inky
p.s. As per usual for me, any advice will be repayed if you would like it.
Go to virtually any author's FAQ page, if indeed they have a website. Inevitably you will come across the question, "Where do you get your ideas?"
And writers reply in several ways: in some cases, they will give as truthful an explanation as they can, explaining carefully that they get their ideas from ________. Some will give a very short answer, or a nonsense word, to get people off their case. And then there are always a few who admit to HATING THAT QUESTION.
If you write, you probably know how utterly randomly ideas can come to you. I've gotten ideas from books, movies, or songs--a sentence, or a shot, or a single lyric will really catch my attention, and off I'll go. Other times I'll brainstorm with other writers, if I really need an idea for a story. But my ideas come from anywhere and everywhere! From things that make me happy or sad or things I think are simply outrageous--"That should be rewritten!" I say to myself, and then I do.
But let's face it. I don't think anyone answers it better than Neil Gaiman: http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff/Essays/Essays_By_Neil/Where_do_you_get_your_ideas%3F
So. Are you writer? Where do you get YOUR ideas?
Inky
I have to remind myself of that because I'm writing this dreadful little story for the writers' group I attend, and it's very sad, and writing it is making me a little gloomy to tell you the truth.
I'm tired, and will not stay long on blogger. Had a good day; it was gorgeous, albeit a bit windy at times, outside. And I had an opportunity to eat two slices of a lovely pound cake. And I finished a really good book: Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede. I recommend it to everyone; fantastic.
Got some writing done above and beyond this sad, sad short story. The 1800s story is now about 4700 words long; nice fun length! I have lots planned for this story, and it's sooo much fun to write.
Must go brush teeth and sleep. G'night!
Inky
If you know me at all--if you've ever even met me--you probably know that I LOVE to write. Mostly fiction (short and long). I've done exactly one good completed essay.
I'm always working on several things, and my love of them varies. It usually starts out very high, and that continues for a couple of pages. And then I normally think, "This is stupid, I'll never be able to write the whole thing", and nearly give up. Then another rush, and I'll keep going for a while.
Right now I'm working fast and hard on a story set in an alternative history that's similar to ours up until about 1750. Then, in this world, there is a massive world war, after which many countries are in chaos. England especially was hit hard by the war, and suffers from piracy, riots, and poverty. Gloomy as that sounds, it's not such a gloomy story. We pick up with Lianne and Oriel, friends who have promised to write each other faithfully even though heavy security means letters don't get places very fast. Lianne has just been sent to live with her aunt and grandparents in London, because her mother was worried that Oxford--where the mother and Oriel both are--is too dangerous for her daughter. Li's mom would have loved to send Oriel, too, but Oriel was convinced she could be of more use in Oxford.
Right now, this story is my favorite. It's a very different kind of style for me, since of course girls in the 1800s, even alternative history girls in the 1800s, do not speak or act like modern day girls would. So that's way, way fun. Possibly will post an excerpt here, sometime.
Inky
Well, to begin with, I do have a real name but if you'll call me Inky, I'd be much obliged, even though "much obliged" sounds like something old westerners are and while I may be a westerner, I am not old.
So there.
What I AM: young, loving, a writer, a reader, a pianist, a singer, an artist, a comput3r prsn, friendly, crazy, and a music lover in many forms. Punk rock to classical to bubblegum pop--but not rap. I hate rap and most heavy metal; gets on my nerves. You might like rap or metal, and that is fine. *tries to live up to being friendly*
I like storms, rain, sharp pencils, popsicles, shuffling cards, my piano, the smell of books, making friends, libraries, tape, cameras, bookmarks, and reading funny blogs. (Well, music, too, but you already knew that.) Since I like reading them, I try to write them, but sadly I don't think I succeed. I adore writing in almost any form--my favorite is fiction.
I'm new over here, fresh from a beloved Wordpress account, so any tips that you might have about blogger would be useful. I only really came because all of my friends use this instead of WP...and because I thought I'd try out the format of blogger. And I have to say, I really really like it so far.
So, hopefully see you soon!
Inky
