I probably make a post like this every year

[lightofdaye]

So I checked out my fic tag today. Nothing I've written this year has hit 2k words, aside from one fest fic. Don't get met wrong. I like my flash fic and drabbles, they are compact efficient stories. Often they have cool imagery or phrasing or 'twists' I like.

But I have so forgotten how to do. plotting. Or build ups. Or dialogue. Or.... anything for a longer fic. Which is worrisome because I'm committed to writing one.

Comments

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

I think you're overplaying the negatives here because you feel overwhelmed by your commitment and less than enthusiastic about writing fic to begin with. But you have written a longer fic this year, so you can do it. And it doesn't have to be an epic, just twice the length of your drabbles.

I don't do plot and dearly regret it when I try, but... I've heard it said that plotting is starting with any situation and then asking what goes wrong. That's what happened in Sub My Coke. Harry and Ginny had this happy but rather bland relationship, and then Parvati happened. There was tension. There were emotional and sexual stakes to resolve, on the part of all three of them, which is what made the end scene, and the resolution of that tension, so glorious. But most of all, it feels like you had fun writing that fic. It feels like you enjoyed the process. I hope you can find that sense of play again because I know how terrible it feels when it's gone.

[nearlyconscious.livejournal.com]

I feel likeTam has efficiently said what I wanted to say already.
I really think it's the stress talking, and you'll be fine. I LOVE what you wrote last year for smutty-claus, and I feel like it was less about elaborate plot, more character-driven, humour and awesome smut. Like Tam saif, if you have fun writing I think it'll be okay. Usually, brainstorming on headcanon and random ideas with someone who's enthusiastic does it for me? Good luck! *waves cheerkeader pompons*