geekhack
geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: wellington1869 on Sat, 10 January 2009, 02:13:42
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I wonder if it makes sense to have a writing/typing projects section of the forum where people can talk about what they're writing on or working on (novels, screenplays, essays, short stories, programming projects) and update their status and if they want, maybe even get feedback or advice. After all what are we doing with all these keyboards but using them a lot on such things?
Or does that just fall under "off topic"? ;)
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I'm a bit too private for that, but if you PM me I'll email you some of my stuff. Call me stupid, but I don't put my stuff on the internet.
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Well I meant even just to talk about the process, not necessarily post actual works. Just to b*tch or complain or just declare small victories :) Or talk about anything at all related to specific projects that we're all working on.
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I get you. The process fascinates me, so I'd like that.
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ya, I think I would too. :) Arguably it would fit into the basic character of this site, maybe expanding it a little bit from keyboards per se to keyboards-in-use :)
Maybe call it "writing/programming projects".
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It would be good for me because, to be honest, with all the code talked around here I find a lot of threads are written in a different language, so this would give me more to do here. I'm bored to death of the Alps discussions, and I don't even think I'm going to buy a new keyboard for a while now. Something like this (even though some will be in code speak) might take a different direction and freshen up the site a bit.
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I hear ya.
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I'm working on a new book.
I am an illustrator so most of it is pictures.
Unfortunately my process is all in my head for months before putting anything on paper or screen :(
If I finally do write or draw anything I will post it here for sure.
x
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I write very dark and morbid stuff. I'm working on a book of short stories that reads like a novel because all the stories are connected. That one is about a serial killer who tortures victims for weeks before he kills them, and it's kind of shelved for now. I'm also working on scifi novel that I refuse to post anything about because it's one of those rare ideas and this is the internet.
And I love writing short stories. Some are about crime, some are about ghosts and one is about Death and where he lives. These average about 3-5 pages single spaced and I like to write them so much because they are quick, clean and fun. I only wish I could write novels in as many sittings. I've ended the world in some, saved just one person in others. I probably write 10-15 of these a year.
And on the back burner, I have future ideas brewing, like a zombie story, MY zombie story. I have been working that one for a year or so, and part of the reason is the fact that the zombies in a zombie book should be little more than a backdrop for the story, but at the same time are the very thing the entire book will judged on by most readers. I have to have a fresh take on the zombie genre or it's gonna stall the project. I have the story down and the setting and flow, so now I need to work my zombie model and either find one that works or change up the mythos a little bit.
So my process is this — I keep a story in my head and if it still makes sense and feels good after however long it takes, then I write something on it. This something could be a character list or a short story or a study of a mood or something and I file it away. I take it out after weeks or months and read through it. If the idea still is workable and not stupid, I work it. When it's done, I put away my first draft for a while before I start my second (and usually final) draft.
But for my 2000 words a day, I usually write vicious rants, edit them when I'm done and then close the file without saving. It's stuff I wouldn't want anyone to read and though it was a hard lesson, I learned to throw away my writing, which made me realize that creativity festers if it's not in constant motion, so it is like a road that goes on forever so long as you don't stop.
As far as keyboards, I'm using the Topre for everything these days, but if I feel the need for some clicks, I take out the MK96. A clicky keyboard is better suited for writing really violent scenes, fast paced action and stream of conscience. It's like a punching metronome. I would love to write a noir on my Model M mini, since I've written noir on a 1391401 and it came out really gritty and strong.
Anyway, enough about me.
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I think I found a fresh take on the serial killer story, but the zombie thing is harder. I need to put maybe another year into it.
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so do we petition imav for the forum addition?
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This would be a great addition to the forums, one that I'd also participate in.
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I PM'ed iMav...
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iMav must be thinking really hard about this; I havent heard from him yet ;D
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I emailed him with a question over a week ago and he hasn't got back to me. I me and Wellington aren't in the cool crowd here.
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I emailed him with a question over a week ago and he hasn't got back to me. I me and Wellington aren't in the cool crowd here.
You know, he could just be very busy.
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I me and Wellington
Split personalities, XsPhat?
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I forgot to write think and you forgot to do it, itlnstln.
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man, what does it all mean?
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Maybe he's in his basement pinned down under a load of old keyboards that toppled on him.
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Hmm. That might explain it...
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Those M's can be mighty heavy
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Hey, I wouldn't keep keyboards in my basement. The nerve of some people.
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I am thinking about this right now. For now...code projects/ideas/etc can be posted in "other geeky stuff" and writing project stuff can go in "off topic".
BTW, I don't currently have an email from xsphat...so if you sent me an email, you'll want to re-send it. :)
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It's all right, I was asking about a Trackman Marble and I didn't know if it was a good or bad model (newer, USB). It was on eBay. No biggy.
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an update to this thread, so XS and I launched a forum of sorts for writers and coders to talk about our projects (or just vent about them) and anything else related (pens, chairs, bookholders, desks, whatever). Its called wordhack (http://wordhack.info) (natch). Just launched so I expect it to be a desert for a while, but if you're looking for an outlet to vent about your particular writing/coding/language-learning project, come on over.
I'm going to launch it officially with a review of the connect-a-desk ;) in a couple of days, lol.
(http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/images/2008/06/23/connectadesk.jpg)