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Klaark

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Post: 81877187_1 created on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:00:57 +0000
Posted: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:00:57 +0000

Is anyone else who gives regular advice on these boards finding the lack of material to work with frustrating as hell?

"I need help with my story, it's about a girl with blue eyes. Also, a title. And can you help me think of a name for her? She's shy."

They give you ****ing nothing to go on and want help. And by help I suspect they mean "Just tell me what to write."

Would it kill them to post some of their story? Do they think someone's going to steal their shitty writing and get rich off it? There was one a few weeks ago who wanted help making their story sound a certain way, but wouldn't ****ing post any of it. Oh, she'd tell us all about the damn thing, but wouldn't post more than a sentence or two.

It's writing, kids. It's words. It's not an expensive piece of fabric you can't afford to eff up, or weapon's grade uranium. Show it. Tweak it. Mess around. Give us something to work with! Writing isn't something you can discuss meaningfully in the abstract, you need something to point to while you do it, and it's not as if you're going to break it by doing so.

Rennie`

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Post: 81877187_2 created on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:45:19 +0000
Posted: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:45:19 +0000

That's why I don't post in those threads. If someone has a fully developed plot and characters and needs advice progressing it, sure, I'll help, but if people asks for a plot to be written out for them then I won't help, that's just lazy.

There's nothing more exciting then creating a new plot and with new characters biggrin

Sir Icehawk

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Post: 81877187_3 created on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:28:13 +0000
Posted: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:28:13 +0000

You see like the example you gave. I think it's often a misunderstanding. They're less experienced and aren't sure what we need to know. They may not even have an idea yet, hoping someone will say something that turns the bulb on.

Then there's insecurity. It's not easy to share.

It doesn't really bother me. It might if I was a professional writer and they emailed me for help but kept dancing around my questions for more info/context like it was molten fire. Here? Not so much.

*shrugs* I've gotten somewhat picky at what topics I respond to.