Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Summary:

Let's try this again

page 1 of 212next »

Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Rounderhouse 08 Jul 2022 21:51

Hello!

As some of you might remember, last year we tried a thing with some weekly discussion threads for people to discuss anything from Library lore to their writing styles, with a fresh prompt every week. Unfortunately due to various reasons (read: I disappeared for a bit lol) that petered out, but based off a recent poll it seems like there's still quite some interest in something like that! So I've decided to restart it, on a more manageable biweekly basis. For our first round, our prompt is:

What themes do you love including in your work, and what do you find yourself unable to write?

—submitted by Stygian Blue

Discuss! And remember: if you have an idea for a discussion prompt, submit it here and it may be used in future threads!

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Florita 08 Jul 2022 22:15

I really like making small things big. Like making grandiose poetry to express seemingly simple emotions or exploring relationships between people and how they affect every aspect of one’s life experience.

Cannot write fantasy or action because I am lazy and hate having to worldbuild

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Stygian Blue 08 Jul 2022 23:15

I like making works about "making small things big" (like Florita) and making short and long walks packed to the teeth with symbolism and allegory. I also like writing fantasy (read: things with magic, people, and a setting) and things with plot, but those tend to be longer and I get nervous that people won't like them, so I don't post those often.

I can't write dialogue for the life of me. I also struggle with writing characters that aren't various shapes of "me".

EDIT: I also am physically incapable of writing anything that doesn't mention the sea at least once.

---

What is life if not the contrast between what has been and what will become?

Last edited on 08 Jul 2022 23:16 by Stygian Blue Show more

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Jackyfudge 09 Jul 2022 19:59

I know this sounds sadistic but the concept of eternal suffering. Someone who is in pain whether emotionally, physically, whatever but is either still suffering or accepted the pain.

What I can't write.. Characters, interactions and speech are so hard to make feel natural that I'd rather just skip over them entirely

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Trar 08 Jul 2022 22:03

I like including words and letters in my writing

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Rounderhouse 08 Jul 2022 22:06

bold claim, trar

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Stygian Blue 08 Jul 2022 23:11

So true!

---

What is life if not the contrast between what has been and what will become?

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Jackyfudge 09 Jul 2022 20:00

Hmm, don't think it belongs on site then.

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Rounderhouse 08 Jul 2022 22:08

For my part I think the themes and genres I like tackling in my work is very character and plot-focused fiction. Which you'd think would be a given but I've never been able to write stuff that's very concept-based because of that, just an idea spun out and made interesting despite the lack of any characters or a traditional plot. I also find myself struggling to write any kind of horror stories because of that — there's just not a lot I can point to as "yeah that's terrifying" since I enjoy horror stuff because of the involved characters.

Strong Suits

Clysm31201 08 Jul 2022 22:12

I'd say I'm most attracted to bombastic action sequences & often stray from drama and uncomfortable tension.

That's what I say, though.

What I often do is forget even the most action-packed fights three minutes after I read them, and contemplate a fiercely emotional climax for weeks on end.

Would that suffice for this question?

Probably not.

Clysm31201 11 Jul 2022 05:13

So I should probably actually answer the question;

I'm great with exposition & worldbuilding,

But I couldn't choreograph a fight to save my career.

I assume that would answer the thing.

Last edited on 11 Jul 2022 18:25 by Clysm31201 Show more

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

NotAnOligarch 08 Jul 2022 22:26

i have no idea i can't write

I like deep, philosophical themes that really get you pondering.

I cannot for the life of me write a successful fantasy.

---

Fires rage just below the surface of the ice.

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Maxyfran73 08 Jul 2022 22:29

Aight, let's see…

I mean, I love the juxtaposition between mundane and fantastical, and I tend to include this theming in most if not all my pieces, whether as the fantastical engaging in mundane activities, or the mundane interacting in fantastical acts, or both mixing such that what is fantastical becomes mundane, and so on. Onto specific themes… I love history, I love mythology, and I love religion. Pretty much everything I've ever written starts with something within these themes.

As for something I struggle with… Well, multiple-piece stories. You've never seen any of those around here, and you prolly will never see them because I'm really bad at both dividing grander stories into smaller consistent blocks, and also on keeping myself motivated writing the many parts of a series.

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Jackyfudge 09 Jul 2022 20:02

Motivation is a gigantic struggle when trying to write elaborate stories

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

meltedbee 08 Jul 2022 22:47

Personally, I kind of enjoy writing man versus nature, which is interesting. A weird amount of my pieces involve mankind conquering/failing to conquer/ramifications of conquering various aspects of nature. I try to write about the struggle for understanding or to be known in a hostile world.

I cannot, for the life of me, write dialogue between two characters. I just can't.

Last edited on 08 Jul 2022 22:47 by meltedbee Show more

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

Snapdragon133 08 Jul 2022 22:48

Stygian asked this just so he could talk about the ocean more smh my head

ANYways I usually struggle to find consistent themes in what I write, but I can definitely say I love characters and worldbuilding. Seen mostly in my Duke Gathers/Gottsam R'lek and Journal of the Walk stuff, I really enjoy attempting to develop or fit into a voice of a character.

I think helplessness is more prevalent in my writing than other feelings, it at least shows up in three things in different forms. I'm sure that's nothing to worry about :D

I really struggle to write horror/imposing stuff, it often veers off into other themes or just doesn't have that kick I'm looking for. I also always forget to delve into imagery and have to go back and add stuff, I'm really bad at expanding on the senses while I'm writing

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

LAN 2D 08 Jul 2022 23:48

I tend not to think about themes while I'm writing - I mostly focus on character work and dialogue - but I've noticed that I inevitably come back to themes of hope, cautious optimism and acceptance in pretty much everything I write. I also tend to write a lot about loss and liberation - the 'of what' differs from story to story.

I don't know if I'm necessarily worse at it, but I definitely avoid writing stories without characters or dialogue, and ones with heavy prose, because I get bored of it quickly. I often find myself unable to write (could have stopped the sentence here) high-concept stories that are carried by efficient exploration of a concept rather than character interaction.

I also can't write anything under 2k words (unless it's poetry but that doesn't count :P )

Re: Biweekly Discussion Threads #1

destinysday 09 Jul 2022 01:37

When I first saw the prompt I thought it was talking about CSS themes and got worried cause I only have one piece that uses a theme

I suppose it depends on the piece or series I'm trying to work on. Generally speaking, most of my pieces seem to be centered around world-building, which then breaks down further to focus on how the characters are involved with the world around them,etc

I struggle with coming up with a compelling narrative. Characters need to do things, and settings need to be explored, but doing so in a way that doesn't seem too drawn out, or bland is tough

page 1 of 212next »