#an unreliable narrator through sheer lack of omniscience

[twopoppies]

I have some question regarding writing. I really, really love your fics and I think you are an excellent writer.

I am trying to write myself but as of yet lack the confidence to post any of my writing to my AO3, I guess I’m doing it out of sheer enjoyment.

Question one: how do you keep interest in your own story? I find myself really excited when I start to write a story but after a while, I lose interest and half-ass the last part.

Two: Do you think all fics need to include smut? I tend to not read smutty fics but I can see that most do. Do you think that is an important popular aspect?

Three: How much thought and effort do you give into the characters? Aspects like narration (omniscient, first person, third person and so on), Intermental influence or reader response?

I am curious to know your thoughts!

Hi darling. Thank you... that’s such a wonderful compliment. And I’m so glad to hear you’re writing. Writing for your own enjoyment is a fantastic reason to be doing it. Hmmmm. I’m not sure I have any earth shattering advice for you, though. But I’ll try.

1. I tend to “lose interest” when it gets hard. That is, for me, writing scenes is fairly easy, but writing the outline, getting characters from A to B, resolving plot holes... that stuff is a little more difficult and I get frustrated. And TBH, writing the ending of a story is the most difficult aspect IMO. Partly because I’m anxious to be done so I can put the story out into the world, partly because I’m nervous that I haven’t achieved the goal of giving the reader a satisfying ending. So, I guess it’s less of being bored with my story, and more being frustrated by the difficulty to make it as good as I imagine it can be. I think having a really good writing partner/beta is what helps me most. I usually write with @indiaalphawhiskey and she puts up with my whining and complaining. But most of all, she doesn’t let me half-ass it. She pushes me to get past the difficulties and my own negative self-talk. She’s encouraging and enthusiastic in the way I need it, and a stubborn hard ass when I need it. 😆

2. No, absolutely all fics don’t need to include smut. There are fics I adore that have very minimal or no smut at all. If you don’t enjoy writing it, don’t do it. But if you’re not doing it just because you think it’s difficult, perhaps push yourself to try harder because there are times when smut really adds a wonderful dimension to a fic. There are things you can learn about a character through a sex scene that would be difficult to get across in other ways. There are fics I’ve read where the lack of smut really feels like the author was just avoiding doing the work, or where they let their own embarrassment get in the way of what the story needed. And remember that not every smut scene needs to be explicit. It can be subtle and still be satisfying to the reader and still enhance your plot.

3. As for this, the only part of this I really consider consciously is whose POV I want to tell the story from. I don’t think I’m skilled enough yet to write in any other way than third person limited. But also, most people in this fandom seem most comfortable reading that set up. There are some authors here who write unreliable narrator or first person really well. But I don’t feel comfortable there right now. I think trying to write a particular scene from multiple POVs can give you an idea of how you write best, how a particular story would best be told, or what aspects of your writing you want to strengthen.

I hope there’s something useful in there. Good luck with your writing. Keep plugging away... I think having an intention to challenge yourself each time you write can only make you a better writer! ❤️

#writing