tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post1233911891731611690..comments2023-04-27T10:10:36.337-05:00Comments on Adventure Awaits: When Your Story is Too Short: Tips for ExpansionTracey Dyckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-45674488772022687662017-06-22T20:30:48.443-05:002017-06-22T20:30:48.443-05:00Definitely not! My novel is like a tiny ball of ex...Definitely not! My novel is like a tiny ball of explosions...<br /><br />YAY SUBPLOTS!!! THAT'S WHAT I'M WORKING ON RIGHT NOW!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-12346966639121872282017-06-01T11:32:57.910-05:002017-06-01T11:32:57.910-05:00No way! Sounds awesome! Which story is that? (If i...No way! Sounds awesome! Which story is that? (If it's all hush-hush because of publishing pursuits, I understand.) ^_^Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-45071573147295522552017-06-01T11:31:26.069-05:002017-06-01T11:31:26.069-05:00Oh, really? That's awesome! BLEEDING ROSES, I ...Oh, really? That's awesome! BLEEDING ROSES, I REMEMBER THAT ONE. I can sympathize with expanding troubles. *hugs* Hope it takes a turn for the better!<br /><br />Aww, and I can't wait for you to read it, too! :DTracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-91110353085826851782017-06-01T11:29:07.803-05:002017-06-01T11:29:07.803-05:00Exactly! There are entire WORLDS and RACES and CUL...Exactly! There are entire WORLDS and RACES and CULTURES to explore! How can we skim over them? Especially when it comes to fantasy... I take comfort in the fact that fantasy readers usually *want* more worldbuilding. (Although that's still no excuse for poor pacing, but you know what I mean.)<br /><br />Thanks, Blue! Glad to hear it! :)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-81989142769955920522017-06-01T11:27:07.328-05:002017-06-01T11:27:07.328-05:00"Or my smallest struggle," lolzy! At lea..."Or my smallest struggle," lolzy! At least you won't have the problem of too much padding or slow pacing! ;)<br /><br />But I'm glad this was timely/helpful. Yes, subplots were on the list--and I'm thrilled to hear that it's something you can use! Go write them subplots!! :DTracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-65260358355712443092017-06-01T11:25:36.581-05:002017-06-01T11:25:36.581-05:00ACK, I'VE BEEN PENSLAIN, CHRISTINE. Thank you!...ACK, I'VE BEEN PENSLAIN, CHRISTINE. Thank you! I'm delighted to hear it's that helpful! :D<br /><br />Reverse-engineering the old post was one of those ideas that pounces right when you're drifting off to sleep. So there was very little deliberation on my part. XD<br /><br />JOIN THE CLUB. I need to go back over The Prophet's Quest (for the millionth time) and try condensing some things, and adding a few elements I've realized are missing... but later, not now. :P Oh, but Burning Thorns was the perfect length! I don't remember the exact wordcount (was it over 100k or not?) but it didn't FEEL long. It felt just right!<br /><br />(I should just email you because I need to spill these crazy subplots. O_O I am so excited about them AND a bit nervous.)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-60702106970770027152017-06-01T11:19:31.622-05:002017-06-01T11:19:31.622-05:00Thank you, Lucy! Oooh, sounds like a fun project. ...Thank you, Lucy! Oooh, sounds like a fun project. Best of everything with that! TBT is sitting at 34,000 words and counting... :)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-15405824385125984852017-06-01T11:16:11.576-05:002017-06-01T11:16:11.576-05:00I've never heard of Gunpowder Fantasy until no...I've never heard of Gunpowder Fantasy until now! That sounds really neat. Ah yes, good point; research is another great way to add words to a story.<br /><br />Actually finishing a long story IS another issue entirely. Just keep on keepin' on!Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-27359548247207699552017-06-01T11:11:09.038-05:002017-06-01T11:11:09.038-05:00Haha, thanks! I know, me neither--until now. XD I ...Haha, thanks! I know, me neither--until now. XD I hope it'll come in handy someday, and I'm honored you've bookmarked it.<br /><br />Thank you!!! I had a pretty good writing session this morning. (Just ask my siblings. I was so excited about the scene I was writing I had to give them a play-by-play. XDDD)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-9738853880212572352017-06-01T11:08:47.101-05:002017-06-01T11:08:47.101-05:00Congrats on the Camp Nano victory! I've never ...Congrats on the Camp Nano victory! I've never done Nano (camp or otherwise), but it sounds pretty common for the stories produced to be a little slapdash. That's where revisions come in! :D<br /><br />I'm glad it was helpful, Gray! All the best with your writings!Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-85953992587149566782017-06-01T11:07:23.957-05:002017-06-01T11:07:23.957-05:00@Deborah: I never had this problem until now, eith...@Deborah: I never had this problem until now, either! Either I'm too wordy, or my plots get too big. Or both. XD So I feel ya. BUT YOU JUST NAILED IT ON THE HEAD--the reason why you're hesitant to attack "The Rose and the Raven" is precisely the problem I've having with "The Brightest Thread." I *want* to keep that lean, streamlined prose, but at the same time I need to add stuff in?? >.<<br /><br />@Deborah and Sophia: That reminds me of the post on Go Teen Writers a while back about organic vs. mathematical writers. And just because your process is more intuitive does NOT make you less of a writer or your stories less deep! I guess I *am* more of a mathematical writer (and I love what you said, Sophia, about P vs. J personalities), but I think the N in INFJ makes me somewhat of a hybrid. Because I'll discover these "writing principles" as I go along, and then my J side grabs them and likes to make little lists and formulate a Plan of Action for how to use them on purpose next time.<br /><br />Meanwhile, as I'm writing, I'm not ALWAYS consciously thinking, "Okay, this is the next element I need to add in, and then I need to think about this..." It's both sides of me working together to get a feel for what's needed, and then to analyze how to do it.<br /><br />SO. All that rambling to say, I think it's awesome how organic your writing is! I love the idea of discovering everything as you go along and following the characters where they lead. (I do that as well, but it's a mix? I don't know.)<br /><br />Plus you're in good company with Tolkien! I cannot fathom how he didn't plan LOTR. O.O If I was writing it, I would get halfway through Fellowship of the Ring, throw my hands up, and start over with an outline. XDDD I'm amazed at how someone can write something so epic and then have the patience to revise it like crazy to make it actually cohesive.<br /><br />Love that gardening analogy, Sophia! And I love this discussion! It's awesome how every writer does their thing differently. ^_^Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-2839420029608603902017-06-01T10:55:05.518-05:002017-06-01T10:55:05.518-05:00I'm really glad it's helpful! Haha, it'...I'm really glad it's helpful! Haha, it's funny how some stories just unreel page after page, and others stay stubbornly small. Best of luck with The King's Daughter AND Watched!<br /><br />Thank you, m'dear! ^_^Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-16857272661075606682017-05-31T23:01:24.995-05:002017-05-31T23:01:24.995-05:00I'm actually in the process of expanding a sto...I'm actually in the process of expanding a story right now! I need to get it another 4.5K longer, so this is timely! I've used a lot of these techniques. ^ ^<br /><br />storitorigrace.blogspot.comVictoria Grace Howellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849013182543674707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-52605267241853699742017-05-31T00:04:07.272-05:002017-05-31T00:04:07.272-05:00This is exactly the post I needed, you have impecc...This is exactly the post I needed, you have impeccable timing. I'm trying to lengthen Bleeding Roses, and it's been pretty difficult.<br />I am so excited for a full length version of 'The Brightest Thread'<br />:DSkye Hofferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02385765274513034927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-76000132084346739692017-05-30T15:49:04.940-05:002017-05-30T15:49:04.940-05:00"So things get . . . long. Short stories beco..."So things get . . . long. Short stories become novellas, novellas try to become novels, and standalones turn into series. That's just how I roll, I guess." I know the feeling. After all, we're exploring people and worlds when we write- that's no small thing. <br /><br />These are fantastic tips though, for writing in general! Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311819189733225274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-44164121833057095422017-05-29T19:43:51.406-05:002017-05-29T19:43:51.406-05:00Argh!!! This is like my BIGGEST struggle!! (Or... ...Argh!!! This is like my BIGGEST struggle!! (Or... my SMALLEST struggle???) My novels are just wee babies that need to be so much bigger to deserve the title of "novel" at all!!<br /><br />So this was the perfect post for me! I don't even know if it was on your list (I'm too lazy to scroll back up to check???), but this post got me thinking about WHY my stories are always so short and something kind of leapt out at me - I DON'T HAVE ANY SUBPLOTS.<br /><br />So! Thank you so much for writing this post/making me think about this/getting some ideas flowing/solving my issue!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-80580441512636296102017-05-29T17:12:04.226-05:002017-05-29T17:12:04.226-05:00TRACEY. This was not only a tips of expansion post...TRACEY. This was not only a tips of expansion post, but like a How to Write 101 post. O_O Seriously, this whole thing was BRILLIANCE. Suuuuuch a wealth of information for the writer.<br /><br />It was genius how you took all the elements of your post about shortening a story and flipped them around. Have I mentioned you are brilliant? BECAUSE YOU ARE BRILLIANT.<br /><br />"Short stories become novellas, novellas try to become novels, and standalones turn into series. That's just how I roll, I guess." <---LITERALLY ME. I...never, ever need to lengthen my stories. Ever. Well, I say that, but of course Burning Thorns became a full novel, like what you're doing with TBT. But I ended up making the novel a bit longer than I meant to. XD Just...my stories never eeeend!!!<br /><br />But like I said, this whole post has so much fantastic advice for writing novels PERIOD. Thank you so much for sharing with us!<br /><br />(Also, I'm soooo curious about this creepy subplot for TBT!!!! O_O I LOVE CREEPY FAIRYTALES. *flaaaails*)Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-77921050031034541632017-05-29T15:59:41.297-05:002017-05-29T15:59:41.297-05:00Wow! This post is awesome! I'm planning on exp...Wow! This post is awesome! I'm planning on expanding a certain novelette of mine into a novel someday (whether sooner or later I'm not sure yet), so I'll be sure to keep this in mind. :) Good luck with expanding TBT!Megan the Nutmeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978560952822239158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-76869289876264361102017-05-29T10:51:48.249-05:002017-05-29T10:51:48.249-05:00I think the discover versus decide is a P versus J...I think the discover versus decide is a P versus J thing (since you're INFP and Tracey's INFJ). I'm mostly INTP (with an INTJ side that pops up occasionally to argue with my more relaxed side), and I almost always "find things out" rather than "making them this way". (Tolkien was the same way, which is neat.) I get more into the why questions in the revision, but during the story itself, how the story wants to be written is the main judge of how things go. <br /><br />I don't think there's a one way to get to the final product, the good book you're trying to write. Tolkien didn't really plan LotR, and the plot swept him off his feet and went in a direction he wasn't thinking of going. It was a messy first draft, but you'd never know it now, because he revised it (and revised and revised and revised) so thoroughly. The first draft is kind of like gardening, to go with your 'organic and intuitive" phrasing.<br />Dunno if that makes any sense. <br /><br />https://ofdreamsandswords.wordpress.comSophia Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10393680730064003675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-61869772972684079012017-05-29T10:21:13.963-05:002017-05-29T10:21:13.963-05:00I have expanded just one story a significant amoun...I have expanded just one story a significant amount of time after the first draft. I changed it from being a secondary-world military thriller to being a Gunpowder Fantasy and added dialogue and details to take it from 1,500 words to 3,000 words. I recently added a few pages to a short story within two weeks of the first draft by studying the location (the story was set in the real town of Rockwood, Michigan, a place I have never been) and by added tons of extra interiority. Normally I write very short, but I think my bigger problem is that I don't finish longer stories rather than that I finish my stories too short. You've got good advice here. Over the course of time, I've learned how to write longer, richer, more complex compositions of both fiction and nonfiction (though I haven't actually tried out the theory much for fiction or even too often for nonfiction).Patrick Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690555802232025818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-82706378835819457442017-05-28T15:16:16.683-05:002017-05-28T15:16:16.683-05:00This is an AWESOME post! I...don't usually hav...This is an AWESOME post! I...don't usually have this problem, though. XD Like you said about yourself, novellas become novels, and standalones become series. It just happens and it can't be helped. :P Still definitely bookmarking this page for future reference!<br /><br />Also, good luck on your TBT editing!! Yay!! ^_^Madeline J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651322832150574847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-50774530115052384262017-05-28T13:15:57.920-05:002017-05-28T13:15:57.920-05:00I struggle a lot with writing long stories, I did,...I struggle a lot with writing long stories, I did, however write my first novel this year, 50k for camp nano! Too bad that story stinks... :( <br />But I'm really bad at not making things too short, I need to work on it. Thanks so much!<br /> -Gray Marie<br /> graymariewrites.blogspot.comGrace Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02211596758178097327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-28829157136775402017-05-28T13:00:13.622-05:002017-05-28T13:00:13.622-05:00Great post! I... don't usually have this probl...Great post! I... don't usually have this problem. >.> *cough* My stories are the ones that are supposed to be short and end up at least twice as long as I wanted them. -_- HOWEVER I might need to do some of this for The Rose and the Raven, because I did cut a lot and kind of miss some of that and might want to re-expand it a bit... but I'd have to hit a halfway point of keeping the streamlined new quality, without feeling like I had to cut out deeper things like I did. Which is going to be hard, and is exactly why I haven't dared to attack it yet. XD<br /><br />It's always interesting to me to read posts like this, because I really don't construct my stories or "decide" things, I "discover" them. So seeing lists like "ask why" or "add things about this thing" or "decide if people are related"--none of these are things I can really do, at least not on a "I'm going to sit down and construct a story" level. It's all very organic and intuitive for me, and I guess that's why "how-to" writing tips are so foreign to me. I feel like they SHOULD be helpful and that I SHOULD try to implement them and try to make my story deeper, and I always admire people who CAN do all those things you mentioned like ask aaaaall the why's and get things twisty and surprising and streamlined. But... I just don't know how because that's not how I work, so I have no idea if my stuff is interesting or not. I just have to keep writing how the stories want to be written and figure things out and discover them while everyone else is off constructing their deep stories. XD<br /><br />...No idea where that came from. Your posts have a tendency to bring out my thoughtful side! Which is a good thing! ;) AAAANYWAYS, thanks for this post, and it may be useful for updated my R&R story! :) Usually shortness is the opposite of my problem though. XD<br /><br />I hope all that BT editing goes well!!! *cheers you on* YOU CAN DO IT! Can't wait to see how it turns out! ^_^Deborah O'Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969896655321575875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620960568844915525.post-3053996442679862902017-05-28T06:57:39.138-05:002017-05-28T06:57:39.138-05:00This sounds so cool! Thank you so much for this po...This sounds so cool! Thank you so much for this post, I've been really worried about this for myself. My books always end up being so much shorter than I'd like... except for The King's Daughter, which just keeps getting longer and longer with no end in sight. Ahhhh. *sighs* I'll be using some of these tips to rewrite Watched for sure! <br />Good luck editing The Brightest Thread! I can't wait to read it!R.F. Gammonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03134854415617023273noreply@blogger.com