WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:08 PM

Hello everyone!

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique),  1:29 PM

Please feel free to share your questions in the chat. I will be sharing them with Jessica so she can then share them with the panel. If you would like to ask question directly, please let me know in the chat and we will let you know when you can share your question!

Dave Ferguson, 1:32 PM

A question for the fiction writers in the group: How do you manage accurately writing characters of your opposite sex?

Guest, 1:35 PM

That’s a good question.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:37 PM

ok no problem!

Guest, 1:43 PM

How do you decide on the details of your story. I seem to be doubting my ideas for my own novel? Also, does your characther speak to you?

Dave Ferguson, 1:45 PM

Is that question for me, Guest?

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:45 PM

So you would like to know how to decide on the details once the main idea is established, or would you like to know about developing an idea, and then also developing the details off of that?

Guest, 1:46 PM

The latter. And it’s a question for anyone that would like to anwser.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:50 PM

Ok no problem!

Dave Ferguson, 1:53 PM

After reading Steven King’s book on writing, I discovered that I write with the same seat of the pants method. I think of a situation and run with it … developing the plot as my imagination evolves the story. As opposed to creating a plot and outline before beginning the story.

Dave Wickenden, 1:54 PM

I’m a pantser as well

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:55 PM

That’s great advice @Dave Ferguson! It is so important to go with what feel right for you. Some people need to plan, and so need to go with the flow.

Kristan, 1:55 PM

I am the complete opposite. I subscribe to the “Snowflake Method” of writing with full outlines and in detail characters, up to and including “rolling” their stats using the application RPG system.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 1:55 PM

*some need to go with the flow

Guest, 1:56 PM

I wrote without an outline as much as I can. But now I need to create more specific events, and i’m getting lost in the details.

Kristan, 1:56 PM

Although, using that method, when you use dice as your method of decision making (if within a certain set of rules) sometimes that skill roll will throw the plan out the window.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 2:00 PM

That’s great too @Kristan!  It’s a nice mix of planning and unpredictability. But I suppose if you didn’t like what the skill roll presents to you, it could theoretically be changed. Unless those skill rolls are locked in the system? I love though how it can provide twists and turns and generate ideas that you may not have thought of.

John, 2:02 PM

For Bryan, any challenges in terms of co-writing the golf book e.g. different writing styles

Kristan, 2:02 PM

I sometimes fudge the rolls to suit, if there is no other way, but I will also explore in outlining how that roll will take it.

Bryan, 2:05 PM

Hi John … excellent question … and yes, a challenge.. Rick Parnham and I are very close pals beyond the writing space, our writing styles are chalk and cheese, as the Brits say ….. but good edits and thinking hard about our best mutual voice … solved stuff for us. Thanks

Dave Ferguson, 2:06 PM

Thanks, everyone. Great answers. While my wife frequently tells me a woman would never say that, my editor, also a woman, keeps me more positively in tune with what my female protagonists would think, say or do.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 2:10 PM

It’s definitely a challenge @Pat and Dave Ferguson when tackling a character that you do not identify with (gender, race, culture, etc.), but it’s great that you are getting positive feedback! I like to think that we all strive to be as accurate as possible, and avoid clear stereotypes. Also happy that the panel is providing great answers! 🙂

Not that there was any doubt of course! 🙂

Guest, 2:12 PM

How do you find a balance between dialogue and description?

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 2:14 PM

Will add to the list @Guest thank you!

Guest, 2:14 PM

Sorry. I guess I have alot questions. Lol

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 2:15 PM

Please don’t apologise! They are great questions, and that is why we’re here. Ask as many as you’d like! 🙂

Guest, 2:15 PM

Thank you!

John, 2:18 PM

Veronique, I’d like to know whether all panelists use professional editors, and, if so, in what capacity

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 2:19 PM

Great question @John! Will add your question to the list.

Kristan, 2:19 PM

Amazon

Bryan, 2:20 PM

for me, yes … I am a brutal editor …. we instinctively fail to see our own failings (cool)

Kristan, 2:21 PM

I have more than one editor and numerous “beta” readers. But I always do the primary self-edits to make their lives as easy as possible first as well, and in each writing stage.

Guest, 2:29 PM

You would need to pay for the editor before sending it out to a publishing company, agent?

Dave, 2:29 PM

yes

Kristan, 2:29 PM

It is one of the very few services you would want to pay for.

Dave, 2:30 PM

Shop around. You don’t have to pay thousands

Kristan, 2:30 PM

I’m with Dave on that one. Also ask pointed questions of the editor before hiring.

Guest, 2:31 PM

Thank you!

Kristan, 2:31 PM

Such as, Do they even like to read outside of being paid to do it? If no, then they probably won’t do a great job.

Dave Ferguson, 2:33 PM

Hey, who has more imaginary friends than writers of fiction!

Guest, 2:36 PM

What is your advice on dealing with a writer’s worst enemy, doubt?

Kristan, 2:44 PM

All rules go out the window for Stephen King, lol.

Yes to everything Dave says.

Kristan, 2:52 PM

In the words of Stephen King (seems to be a common mention here), if you have been paid and you paid your light bill with those royalties… you’re a writer.

WritingCommunity.ca (Veronique), 3:00 PM

Thank you everyone for your questions and participation! We really enjoyed having everyone here. 🙂

Thank you to everyone on the panel for sharing your vast wisdom on the writing craft, and a special thank you @Jessica Trudel for being our moderator! Great job everyone! 😀

😀

😀

Guest, 3:01 PM

You can’t write according to trends. They change very fast. That is my opinion.

John, 3:01 PM

Sorry, I have to run, but this was excellent. Thanks to everyone.

Kristan, 3:02 PM

What I do is just write. When I notice a trend, I pull out a dusty manuscript that fits and I submit that. However, I stick close to my niche/genre because that’s how you have a cohesive marketing plan.