hangover & plea for opinions

[salixbabylon]

Oh dear lord. Worst hangover ever. Possibly first hangover ever. What in god's name was I thinking when I doubled my usual alcohol limit? Ah yes - I wasn't. *whimper* I hurt everywhere. I feel a billion years old. Lights are too bright and my head feels like it's full of ... clouds.

Had a lovely talk last evening with sherdelune, trying to break out of writers' block. The boys (Will and Jack, this time) are in bed, smooching, clothing being removed. But I just want them to get on with it. Explicitly, but not too long. Maybe a page, maximum. Blech. It's impossible to write sex (badly or not) when I don't feel at all sexy. Must try to remedy that.

And the other stories keep popping back into my head, clamoring for attention. I must say, Harry and Remus are just attention hogs. I want this fic to be better though, to spend more time with the characters... I guess I need to start by rereading VS (*cringe*) and LC, and what I've written so far...

Anyone have any good character Q&As/memes/whatevers, to get back into the character's way of thinking? I swear I won't post them here and bore you all to death; I just need help getting back into their heads and figuring out where they're going.

And speaking of where they're going, I'd love some opinions on format -- if there are two distinct story-lines, as a reader, do you prefer to have them interwoven if they take place simultaneously and overlap, or separate them out into two individual fics?

I had started out all as one, with one story fading off as the other one picked up, but now I'm not sure that's giving due attention to each. (Of course, be forewarned that while I love advice, and often agree with it, I usually use it to figure out what I really wanted to do instead of always following it.)

Comments

[maruchina.livejournal.com]

What kind of memes are you looking for? Just normal surveys? I always fill out surveys and memes when I'm bored, so there should be several on my LJ.

if there are two distinct story-lines, as a reader, do you prefer to have them interwoven if they take place simultaneously and overlap, or separate them out into two individual fics?

It depends on the writing style, for me. I normally like it better if they're in individual fics, but if there's a clear end and beginning to every fragment it can be nice if they're interwoven. I normally write individual fics for every storyline because a) it's easier to keep the reader's (and my) attention b) things often get confusing when you have different storylines. But if you can pull it off, weaving the storylines into one fic can give nice effects :).

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I guess I was thinking that there were some standard questions-for-characters to answer memes out there that I've just never stumbled across.

I spent this summer writing more about context-less Sev than Sev in the VS world. I can't think of how to get back into his snarky little brain and not be too harsh or too sappy. Ditto for Harry. Remus is easier, but that's probably because he's still mired in angst. Poor, poor Remus.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

If the storylines intersect, they should be interwoven as a single story (hard to pull off, perhaps, but far more interesting than a straightforward single-theme story when done right). If not, then what's the point of making them one?

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I agree. I guess I've just been confusing myself, writing a bit of A then of B then of A again. Hopefully it will be less confusing to the reader once it's written, edited, and betaed.

[february-sea.livejournal.com]

If the story lines are simultaneous, and if they involve the same characters/incidents at ALL, I really prefer it if it can be one fic...you can "cross cut" back and forth, switching storylines at common characters or (sometimes easier) common incidents/occurrences/meetings/scenes.

And that's my two knuts. :D

Hope you're keeping up with the homework...I'm heartened to note not one reference to it in this post. :P

Meetings in full swing, classes start Tuesday for me. Deep breathing.

*hugs*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

It's definitely a back and forth.... As you'll see. Eventually. Maybe by xmas. ;)

I guess I'm just having POV angst. Harry and Sev needed a neutral audience. Remus needed... well, stuff. Who is talking to whom about recent angst with their partner has my ickle brain all twisted up.

But I'm still in the noting down conversations stage, while plot is slowly forming in my semi-consciousness. I can't tell if I'm actually toying with them -not- living Happily Ever After or if The Boys are just having angst about that possibility.

And I don't think I ever did thank you profusely enough for your suggestion of Harry's diversion-object. That whole section has totally taken off and given Harry and Sev an equal story to Remus/other. Thank you! *smooches*