2 Writing Dilemmas (input appreciated) + A Happy Note

[awanderingbard]

Dilemma #1: Exposition Fear

So, I'm writing another chapter fic for the Dresden Files. I'm on the 7th chapter of it (for once, I've actually written in order) and I've come to the point where I need to start doling the exposition. In the commentary for the Doctor Who episode 'Boomtown', John Barrowman talks about 'Line Fear', which is when an actor has a major piece of dialogue to say (in his case, with a bunch of techobabble) and gets so nervous about it, they start to dread it. I think I have 'Exposition Fear', because every time I start to think about working on the chapter, I go 'meh' and try to work on something else instead. I've tried to have the exposition worked through the whole thing as the mystery unravels, but I think there is a moment in every Dresden Episode/Fic where it comes down to Harry and Bob talking it out. So, I guess this isn't so much a 'what do I do?' as, 'dude, this sucks', but if you have any tips or suggestions, I'm happy to hear them.

Dilemma #2: Too Many Cooks

I'm also working on Firefly fic and whenever I try to write for it, I have trouble juggling all the characters. You've got nine crew members hanging around, plus whatever other characters who are guest starring in the story. On screen, the actors are in the background and you can see the characters doing stuff, but in writing, the characters don't do anything unless you write them doing it. So, aside from splitting them down into smaller groups as much as possible, how do you manage that many characters without it coming down to either have someone talking for the sheer sake of letting everyone know they're still there or else writing them out of a scene they would most likely be in?

+ A Happy Note:
Guess who finally has Stargate Atlantis Season 2 on DVD to watch? Yeah, it's me! Screw you, Zip.ca, just keep hoarding your SG dvds despite my prioritizing them! I have other ways of getting my fix, dammnit! Now I finally get to find out what the hell is going to happen to Atlantis. It's been, like, a year since my mum and I finished Season One, too late to catch Season Two starting on Space. We're a year behind in seasons too, so, I know I have another one to catch up on before Season Four airs, yes? We still need to get ahold of Season 10 of SG-1. Is it out on DVD yet?

Comments

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

Ah, the dreaded InfoDump moment. Every Dresden Files story and episode's usually got one. And writing fic for this fandom usually means one has to get used to doing it. I totally agree that it's a pain and you try and do everything within your power to avoid it, but you can't.

One thing I usually do that works for me is to just write out in one big paragraph the information that has to be related. Once that part is actually written out, I find it easier to go back and hand out to each character, what he or she is going to say to get said information across. It helps me organize and it also helps sometimes to just get the information down somewhere before having to make it be related in an interesting, readable way.

Hope that sort of helps. I'm ridiculously pleased that you're writing another multi-chapter fic!

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that's a very good idea. I will definitely try that. I have a horrible habit with not pre-planning. I could never stand making mind maps in school and I should probably employ more brainstorming tactics than I do.

I'm ridiculously pleased that you're writing another multi-chapter fic!

Hehe. I hope I can live up to the expectation. This one bit me hard. :D

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

Glad to help!

I tend to dorkishly do an outline when I start on my multi-part fics.

Good luck! Can't wait to read it.