Stay to the Lights

Tomorrow's skies

Thanks for starting!

I wonder if we should have links to dictionaries or a thesaurus, or something? I mean people can still ask for help, but sometimes you just want to know what something means

purplebass

I think you should add links to free online dictionaries and useful tools for writers like: synonym and contraries dictionary, verbs, idiomatic expressions and things like these for non-English speakers. English is not my native tongue but I write in English and sometimes I'm not sure about a saying/way to express a thought and I'd love a list or a site (like for eg, Urban Dictionary) that helps you with that a little.

I often helped myself with this site for example: How to Write Fan Fiction

Stay to the Lights

That's a great idea I'll add some links to the OP.

Tomorrow's skies

Sounds good

ttb1112

Attention all those whose heart still lies in the 90’s. Whether you were a wallflower, freak, rocker or dreamer, I need your help in preserving the awesomeness of this decade.

I am a young writer (22 years old to be exact) embarking on a series of novels taking place in the nineties. They are Young Adult novels and follow the lives of four friends as they traverse the struggles of adolescence during the 1990’s.

Here’s a quick blurb:

“Take a trip to Soundheim, Pennsylvania, circa 1993. Grunge is on the rise, The Gulf War is over, flannel shirts are all the rage and the world is about to change, but Brian Toddler couldn’t be more depressed. His parents have recently divorced and he is about to turn fifteen—he stands on the threshold of change, but is completely consumed by a sweltering rage. As he enters high school he embarks on a quest for identity that takes him through failed love affairs, fantasy games and a fateful decision that could have life-altering consequences.

Meanwhile, his friends face their own internal challenges: C.J. Denner, a fantasy-obsessed aspiring filmmaker, must reconcile his own illusions with the harsh reality surrounding him; Raymond Harris, a trailer-park kid, is abused by his stepfather as he experiments with a world of sexual deviancy and Spencer Elsworth grapples with his religious beliefs while seeking freedom from the tyrannical rule of his oppressive father.

And once the enigmatic Becky Strausberg enters the picture, the boys’ lives are changed forever. Sharp and insightful, she instantly attracts the attention of C.J. They embark on a whirlwind relationship fraught with passion and tragedy. She teaches the boys the importance of life, but houses a dark secret that forces them to confront their darkest fear: growing up…”

So what I need before I begin writing is research on the culture of the nineties. I’ve read a bunch of books, but I’d like some first-hand accounts. More specifically, I’d like to talk with people who were either in high school, college or their young adult years during the nineties to hear their side of the stories. I suppose that would put you in the age range of thirties/forties.

I’d like to hear from all different kinds of people. So if you fall into these categories please email or message. I would like to hear all about you. Introduce yourself, your name, age, what you do, where you grew up, etc. I’m hoping this can be an ongoing correspondence where you can share stories and details and I can ask you questions. My email is taylorbush@comcast.net

In terms of the nineties, I want to know pretty much everything (to help me feel as if I were really there). I wanna know your favorite shows, games, movies, extra-curricular activities. What were some of your favorite restaurants to go to? Music to listen to? What did you and your friends like to do? Hobbies? Sports? Food?

I’d like to know about fads. What did you like to wear? What did others like to wear? What did most people look like (in your eyes)?

And about culture. What were some big events you remember? What affected you?

And most importantly I want to know who YOU were back then. I want you to feel open to share ANYTHING with me, no matter how personal. I want to know all kinds of stories about you and your friends—parties you went to, pranks you pulled, struggles you had to deal with, etc. Seriously, don’t hold back. Sex stories. Drug trips. Crimes committed. Give it to me (I’m not a cop and I’ll preserve all anonymity). Whether it was sex, drugs, or rock-n-roll, I want to hear it ALL!

Some specific things I’d to hear about (although certainly not limited to): mental illnesses (how were you treated, how did you feel, why did you feel, how you coped, etc.), concerts (what were they like, who were your favs, etc.), film (this is a biggie—did you go to film school? What kind of equipment did you use?, How did you make your films?, how did cameras work then?, what kinds?, etc.), abortion (how did you go about getting one? How much did they cost back then?), wrestling, divorce and religion. Maybe these seem odd, but they play important parts in the novel, so I’d like to know more.

Also, the book takes place in Soundheim, Pennsylvania, which is an analog for my hometown Pottstown, Pennsylvania. So if you happened to grow up in Pottstown, even better—give me all the details on what it was like! But if not, and you just grew up in any other sort of Pennsylvania town, that’s fine too. Or any other town in America works too!

Don’t feel like if you don’t fall into any of these specifications you can’t contact me—they’re just certain things I’m particularly interested in. But there’s a ton more I’m sure you can enlighten me about!!!

Again, I’d like this to be personal, as well as an ongoing correspondence. If you like to reminisce and share, please email me and spill your guts. I’d love to hear everything you have to say.

Excited to here from you!

Taylor

Tomorrow's skies

You are probably in the wrong place for that age group, but good luck with your research.

meraki

I don't know if this is the right thread, but I have a book idea that I'm trying write and my question is: Is it usually one person that is in focus in books? Because I have few scene playing in my head but it is not of the main character but with two of her friends instead. Can it jump between persons in books or should I try to write that she is there for those scenes?

Tomorrow's skies

That depends more on the style of narration. If its in first person and that main character is the narrator than yes she needs to be present, or told of the events. But if the narration is in third person and omniscient than there's no problem. Although in first person you can side step by having more than one narrator, but its usually best not to have too many.

meraki

Thanks for the reply and answer It will help me alot

Tomorrow's skies

Happy to be of help

kristinalerock

Ok so I need help with my book. I am kinda stuck. My heroine just witnessed her grandmothers death (she also just found out what she was and that she was being hunted, plus she had 4 people who are there to help her but she just met them) anyway with what I am stuck With is how should she react now after witnessing such a horrific scene and now being all alone with 4 strangers. She just had her mental breakdown and finally passed out from exhaustion. And now she woke up at a bus station and now I need help.

I'd be so ever greatful because personally I don't know how I would react after something like that so it be interesting to see what everyone comes up with. Thanks

Roswell 10/2/00

Hey guys,

I could really use some writing advice. I hate how I can write fan fiction like that :snaps fingers: but when it comes to writing my own stories I have such a hard time. I have all my characters and their names and personalities but when it comes to a plot I am so stuck. I have a few ideas and note and when I go to write them they fall flat when I go to write the story.

With fan fiction I like how you have a reference where you can visually see the characters how they interact ect.

So when it comes to my writing I tend to use photos and try to imagine them in different situations but I can't get my creative juices flowing.

I need help or advice. Thanks.

Tomorrow's skies

How old is the character, Kristina? I could see age, and whether the character is naive would play out a bit in a situation like that. People would either shut off and keep people, especially strangers, at a distance. Or if she's younger she may be more willing to trust someone, just to have someone to depend on. In that case, she'd probably pick the leader of the group as a guardian of sorts.

I wouldn't worry so much about plot, Erin, I have the same issue. I'd just write out the characters with whatever comes to mind, see how that plays out, and just see where that takes you. You might realize that certain characters go well together, and just learn from there.

kristinalerock

She is 16 years old but still very naive because she has had a lonely life until everything had fallen apart. Now she has to run from a group of werewolves that want to take her to the man who had killed her parents and she is running from the Christians who are hunting all supernatural beings.
SO yeah, right now i have written that she is kind of closed off and staring into space.
But how would i write from her point of view how she is feeling? Would she be thinking about her grandmother? Or what she hadn't been able to tell her?

Thanks for the answer though... i am happy i got someone to answer i'm kinda new here.