Comments on: Hummingbirds and Owls http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/ about the craft and business of fiction Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-7545 Juliet Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:26:14 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-7545 If I were you, Michelle, I would be concentrating on writing short fiction rather than long until you've finished your studies. It can be very hard to keep the creative flow going when writing can only happen in short bursts. When time is limited the last thing we want to be working on is a synopsis or chapter plan - as soon as a writing opportunity opens up, we're desperate to plunge into the story itself. It sounds as if you are pretty good at that. If I were you, Michelle, I would be concentrating on writing short fiction rather than long until you’ve finished your studies. It can be very hard to keep the creative flow going when writing can only happen in short bursts.

When time is limited the last thing we want to be working on is a synopsis or chapter plan – as soon as a writing opportunity opens up, we’re desperate to plunge into the story itself. It sounds as if you are pretty good at that.

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]]> By: Michelle http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-7114 Michelle Sun, 01 Apr 2007 10:20:13 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-7114 AS more of a hummingbird I have to say I wish I was an owl, but since I am still at university I simply don't have the time to plan everythung out. I have always written around things, homework mainly and so have become very accustomed to writing in short bursts. I have recently taken on the habit of going to Apollo bay as often as I can and writing for a solid week, but when you're worrying about document exercises and essays, its difficult. Any advice? AS more of a hummingbird I have to say I wish I was an owl, but since I am still at university I simply don’t have the time to plan everythung out. I have always written around things, homework mainly and so have become very accustomed to writing in short bursts. I have recently taken on the habit of going to Apollo bay as often as I can and writing for a solid week, but when you’re worrying about document exercises and essays, its difficult. Any advice?

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]]> By: Satima Flavell http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5890 Satima Flavell Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:13:17 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5890 As a former flimmery flittermouse who has now seen the error of her ways, I'd like to put in a word for both schools of thought - or styles of Muse:-) I would love to be able to flimmer my way through a novel, but three years of trying had proved I can't. However, I had to rewrite the first book of my trilogy several times before I even knew what the storyline was! With help and encouragment from other writers, I've come to realise that the best way for me is to write as much of the plot as I can, show it to trusted critters and then harvest their ideas on how to round the story out - and, indeed, how to turn the story into a plot. With this method in train I now have high hopes for my trilogy:-) As a former flimmery flittermouse who has now seen the error of her ways, I’d like to put in a word for both schools of thought – or styles of Muse:-)

I would love to be able to flimmer my way through a novel, but three years of trying had proved I can’t. However, I had to rewrite the first book of my trilogy several times before I even knew what the storyline was!

With help and encouragment from other writers, I’ve come to realise that the best way for me is to write as much of the plot as I can, show it to trusted critters and then harvest their ideas on how to round the story out – and, indeed, how to turn the story into a plot.

With this method in train I now have high hopes for my trilogy:-)

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]]> By: Elena Greene http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5314 Elena Greene Mon, 05 Mar 2007 01:38:13 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5314 Ziburan, That is perfect! I love birds of prey and hovering against the wind is not a bad metaphor for my current writing status either.... Thank you. :) Ziburan,
That is perfect! I love birds of prey and hovering against the wind is not a bad metaphor for my current writing status either…. Thank you. :)

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]]> By: Ziburan http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5279 Ziburan Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:11:07 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5279 A kestrel? (small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind) A kestrel?

(small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind)

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]]> By: Elena Greene http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5222 Elena Greene Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:56:36 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5222 I must be schizophrenic because I alternate between preplotting and freewheeling. What do you get when you cross a hummingbird with an owl????? I must be schizophrenic because I alternate between preplotting and freewheeling. What do you get when you cross a hummingbird with an owl?????

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]]> By: Ziburan http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5191 Ziburan Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:02:08 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5191 Normally my stories start out of the blue. But then again, I don't write books (yet), only short stories. The one I am now writing does have a plot outline by the way. The whole story came flashing by and I wrote it down immediately. Still I find it hard to come with the right words to write the actual story. Flindermouse. In Dutch it is Vleermuis and in German Fledermaus (it is also an opera I think). All similar words derived from the same source. :) Normally my stories start out of the blue. But then again, I don’t write books (yet), only short stories.

The one I am now writing does have a plot outline by the way. The whole story came flashing by and I wrote it down immediately.
Still I find it hard to come with the right words to write the actual story.

Flindermouse. In Dutch it is Vleermuis and in German Fledermaus (it is also an opera I think). All similar words derived from the same source. :)

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]]> By: Natasha http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5179 Natasha Thu, 01 Mar 2007 03:41:28 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5179 Thank you for writing such an interesting post! I'm writing my first novel and I am still deep into the editing stages. I am definitely a hummingbird that tries to act like an owl! I did outline this story, but as I re-wrote it, it developed on its own. Its been doing that for thirteen years (over half my life!). Thanks for giving me something to think about-- my writing habits keep changing every day and I can't wait until I can use more owl-like ways! Thank you for writing such an interesting post!

I’m writing my first novel and I am still deep into the editing stages. I am definitely a hummingbird that tries to act like an owl! I did outline this story, but as I re-wrote it, it developed on its own. Its been doing that for thirteen years (over half my life!). Thanks for giving me something to think about– my writing habits keep changing every day and I can’t wait until I can use more owl-like ways!

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5167 Juliet Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:31:30 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5167 Even as a natural owl, I find outlines and chapter plans a chore to write, but I've seen this method work wonders for people who struggle with structure or flounder in the middle of their book. I would always put a rider on my own advice, and that is that there's no 'correct' or 'best' way to write a novel (or compose a piece of music or create a sculpture.) Even as a natural owl, I find outlines and chapter plans a chore to write, but I’ve seen this method work wonders for people who struggle with structure or flounder in the middle of their book. I would always put a rider on my own advice, and that is that there’s no ‘correct’ or ‘best’ way to write a novel (or compose a piece of music or create a sculpture.)

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5140 Kathleen Bolton Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:48:09 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/28/hummingbirds-and-owls/#comment-5140 Flimmer, flittermouse, flindermouse. I'm going to have to find a way to work these in my current wip. I think you've just given us the keys to the candystore in terms of learning how to balance between structure and inspiration. I know I began this journey as a hummingbird, and after painful years of writing and flailing around, am evolving into an owl. It certainly saves time in the end to have your framework already laid out. I'm going to have to try out the chapter plan method too. Currently I break a chapter when it "feels" right. Hoo boy. Flimmer, flittermouse, flindermouse. I’m going to have to find a way to work these in my current wip.

I think you’ve just given us the keys to the candystore in terms of learning how to balance between structure and inspiration. I know I began this journey as a hummingbird, and after painful years of writing and flailing around, am evolving into an owl. It certainly saves time in the end to have your framework already laid out. I’m going to have to try out the chapter plan method too. Currently I break a chapter when it “feels” right. Hoo boy.

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