Verbal trouble

[Tariel]

Here's my problem. I am a fantasy writer, and like many fantasy writers (and probably a lot of other writers too, but I have most contact with the fantasy ones) I have my one special project. It's been with me for a little over five years now, in various forms. The problem is, when I'm with my friends and we're all sitting around discussing our stories, I have nothing to talk about. I simply don't know what to say, or what to tell. I do better in writing, but that doesn't help much in real situations. So what I'm wondering is A) if others ever have this problem, if you guys tend to have a hard time verbalizing your stories, and B) if any of you guys are willing to look at my basic plot and let me know what you think. Part of me is afraid that the reason I'm having trouble with it is because my plot is severely lacking. And anything else you guys have to say is fine too. Thanks so much!

 

[avatarblade2000]

(1) I have this problem, but it's because I usually think my friends don't want to hear about it. You get me started on my stories, I typically don't stop for a while. You can understand, I think.

(2) I would be willing to look at it. Anything to help a fellow Christian. Christian writer. Whatever.

 

[sunstruckdream]

sometimes my friends and i pass around stories, and i never feel completely comfortable speaking it out loud. i've always done better on paper than in person, and even when i'm totally in love with the plot and the details that i have, i just feel silly verbally explaining them. i'm not sure why...it's just the way it is with me, and i don't question it too much anymore.
i'd love to hear about your plot. for one thing, you've got me curious. for another, i wanted to tell you that "lacking" and "unfinished" are two totally different things. sometimes a story can be a rough stage when the writer first concieves the idea, and until the work is a finished product - even years later - parts of it will remain rough. maybe you're just not confident in it yet...? well, i don't know. just something to chew on. if you'd like to PM me i'd love to take a look at what you have.

 

[Shabby]

I don't really discuss my stories with my friends, but I would love to give a glance at your plot.

 

[kittysbecute]

I've been working on a story with my friend for at least 5 years now.
I talk about it with her of course, since we're writing it together, but for other people I may tell them random things about characters in the story, but usually never plot. I have many different people read what I've written though, and have read it aloud to some people as well. This way I got input from many people... of different ages... the youngest person I read it to was my 9 year old cousin, and I think my grandma read at least one thing I gave her.

 

[jennidawn]

I would be glad to read it if you like. You can pm or email it to me. I devour fantasy so I would love to see what you are working on and I'll be glad to share my thoughts.

As to whether or not anyone else has trouble verbalizing what their writing about. Absolutely! I'm sure that boat is full hop on board!

 

[NavyGuy7]

I have no one to share my stories or story ideas with...I live in Smalltown, USA, where everyone is either a jock or a prep (pardon the stereotypes). I don't like people in my family just READING my stories, because it gets embarrasing...it's my family...hehe. But if you can get me talking, I will talk your ear off about any stories I have in the works. But generally I'm reluctant to reveal my work as it is still in progress.

 

[violetpen]

Sometimes writers don't like to talk about their stories because if they use their creativity talking about the work, they might lose some for actually writing.

I don't like to give away plot when I tell people about my writing because I don't want them to know what happens - yet!

 

[violetpen]

Found a quote that matches what I said earlier:

"I urge those of you who are writing fiction to shun the impulse that diminishes the tension inside you while you are writing. Don’t talk about your novel to other people. Don’t read sample sections to your Aunt Minnie or to your best friend or to anybody else." -William Sloane

 

[Doubtless]

I kind of go both ways. Violetpen has it right in a way: the only thing that is going to satisfy you is not to tell about your story, but to tell your story. However, some people, myself included, need to talk. Like when you just figure out some sweet new twist to the plot of your story, or a backdrop that rocks your world, you can't just keep it all inside. If you have no desire to tell someone just a little bit about your new discovery, then it's not that important. In essence, if you don't care enough to want to share it (whether you do/can doesn't matter), than nobody is going to want to hear it. On the other hand, though, there's a side of me that wants to keep my stories a secret to, at least, my family. That, however, is mostly because they get sick of hearing about every story I start, and drop six days later. lol.

~Doubtless

 

[violetpen]

It helps too when you can talk with a kindred writer - one who will fire your imagination and help you see things in a new way. I've been fortunate to find 3-4 along the way.

 

[sunstruckdream]

I agree with the above, but still -- I can never do it justice when speaking. Such a frustrating feeling! I can be so FREE on paper and so PASSIONATE about each thought of each character...but if I try to tell it, it'll sound like...:

"So then she saw that and was all like..."NO!"...and he was all like "WHAT?!?!" And it was like...like whoa. And then the other guy comes in like "WHAT IN THE WORLD?!" and they're like "BLAAAARGH!" and they go to run, but he's like, "Don't think so!" and locks them in. 'Cause there's locks on the doors. Automated ones. It's like in 2034. I think. I don't know yet. But anyway, they're like "AACCK!" and he's all like "HAHAHA...you lose!'"

...which is why I write and don't public speak.

 

[violetpen]

"So then she saw that and was all like..."NO!"...and he was all like "WHAT?!?!" And it was like...like whoa.

I had to laugh - this reminded me so much of Crush in Finding Nemo!

But, yeah, I stick with writing and avoid public speaking at all costs.

 

[avatarblade2000]

Don't feel bad sunstruck, my story conversations always come out that way too. Which is fine, typically fellow nerds listen intently to my psycho babble till I drop the J-Bomb: "Did I mention that this is all an allegory about JESUS?!"

"WHAT?!"

*stampede away*

You can't help those who don't want it, I guess.

 

[Tariel]

Thanks guys. I'm probably going post the choppy outline of my basic summery up here and you can let me know what you think