Tyson

I have a tendancy to rush my story, I use dialog quite a bit. I have been able to fix it a little, but was wondering if anyone else suffers or suffered with this. If so how can I fix it? I am in desperate need seeing as I am enthralled with writing my novel these past few days. Anyone have anything to offer?
Tyson

Ilan Bouchard

It depends on what your writing style is; some people are all talk and no action, and others are the exact opposite. If your writing style is appropriate to the story, then there's no problem.

I find montages (random streams of thought, either from the character's mind or describing the character's personality) can add several paragraphs in almost any situation.

i.e.:

Todd was walking towards his boss's office to tell him he quit. He hated authority. When he was a child, he used to watch his father be pushed around by the mechanic, telling him what to do. As Todd got older, he wondered why his father put up with it. Now he knew. He had bills to pay, and blah blah blah.

That isn't exactly a montage, but you get the picture.

I can only hope that helped.

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Tyson

Indeed you did Ilan, it helped, but I could still use a little more if anybody has any to offer that is. Thanks Ilan.
Tyson

journyman161

I had a look at your other post. It needs proofing, but you write well. I see what you mean about the rush though. I don't think you can hold your readers at that pitch all the way & have them sane at the end

I'd suggest continue your story then come back later to add detail around the action. The work could stand some more description of the forest for example. You could also fill in more about the breakfast table, so we get some insight into the family. (if they aren't important to the story, we still get insight into him from his interactions)

Go through & ID the spots of action or tense feelings, & try to space them apart a bit with both dialogue & story background. You want to start with something that grabs, (which you've done well) then kind of ease off the emotion pedal while you get your reader to start empathising with your characters. Maybe put some more introspection for him while he's visiting the toilet and bathroom, or while he dresses & gathers the things he's going to use during the day, before having the shock with the father. For me it would be a better indication that the dreams are having a serious effect on his nerves; at the moment it's 2 paras after the end of the dream, so not really enough time for the reader to relax a bit.

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shadowseer

I ahd a problem with it, but evolved past it as I wrote more. I'm writing a story that's three parts, and each part is longer than the one bfeore it, and better. Part one's kind of amatuer, Part two, getting there, Part three where I want to be at. I have to go back and fix the first two now.

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The greatest irony in life is that no one lives through it. - Kurt Vonnegut

Tyson

Thanks journy, I think that really helped, because I wrote a page last night later on in the book. It had very little dialog in it and was purely discriptive. So thanks I think that I may have fixed it, at least a little. Yeah, it isn't the eaisiest thing to get over with is it shadow?
Tyson

Tyson

I have another question now about rushing. What if you have a lot written, but you don't want to re-write everything but just want to insert some stuff, but it is hard because you can't find places. Anyone have a problem with that or a solution?
Tyson

shadowseer

Find a good dividing place, then start a new chapter there.

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The greatest irony in life is that no one lives through it. - Kurt Vonnegut

Tyson

In the middle of the book? I don't know, that's part of my problem, I have only one chapter, but I don't feel it is long enough to "start" a new chapter.
Tyson