Thread: Idea critique?

Hey everyone I know I'm only a new member so haven't really contributed much so far and this is also a bit out of the usual but I was just wondering if anyone could give me their views on a novella i'm working on. Obviously I can't post the whole thing up here but I thought maybe I could get a feel for whether you guys think it could work idea wise? Basically Its a very intimate "through their eyes" kinda narrative to the extent at which no speech is reported directly, I thought this would help with the main theme of the piece because it's meant to be a slow but hopefully clear progression of the character. It's set over a week and basically follows each day of the week through all the mundane events that are hopefully made readable and interesting by their being so totally through the view of the narrator. An important theme of the piece is fear of living a life that doesn't really matter and that leaves nothing behind and the culmination of that into disaster (namely either his death or arrest as a result of attempting to be a hero) I know that a lot of you guys are pretty experienced so I thought you'd be able to tell me whether you think it's enough to sustain a novella length story. The only real action happens at the end, the rest of it is dealing with the everyday events and normal neuroses. Sorry to go on, hope this is in the right section =)

Just go ahead and write it. Then have your beta readers read and critique it.

It all depends on the execution.

thanks for the reply =) cool good advice, by beta readers you just mean members of my social life i've managed to guilt or otherwise goad into reading my work yeah? Good to know you don't think success is out of the realms of possibility =)

By beta readers I mean other writers you know or those readers who are able to read with a critical eye. People who will be tough but fair when critiquing your piece.

Its sounds risky to me, but like Ace says, its all in the execution. I have to admit though, a novella with no dialogue and no action/conflict until the end sounds kind of boring. Maybe start with the day, or just the afternoon that ends in conflict. If that works, add a day, and another, and another, and ... Basically write it backwards.

Interesting stories, boring stories, it's all in the way you tell them. I read a lot of history, a lot of that is everyday life nowadays rather than Kings and Empires. (On 'A Time Traveller's Guide to the Middle Ages' at the moment} Some writers make it boring, some you can't put down.

OH cool thanks for clearing that up for me =) thanks very much for all the replies guys =) shall I upload a chunk of it (maybe a thousand words or so) then you could tell me if you think the writing style can bear the burden?

I hear a bit of fear on your part in the creation of what YOU want to write. Why are you afraid? Do you want to write like everyone else? Or do you want to ride your own train and create something you put your self in to. If you want to sell, take advice... if you want to pour out some passion... take some chances.

I was going to reply to this immediately but I got distracted. When did Shirley S. Bracken get hot? Wowsers...

Anywho, a response to your question. As my old writing lecturer used to say "There are no bad ideas, just bad execution". I would suggest that's a pretty good way to look at things.

I reckon your concept has the potential to be quite interesting but it all comes down to how you put the words on the page. If the narrating character is interesting enough then I'm sure you can make it work.

Thanks Bad Craziness! I haven't been called hot in a loooong time! (however it was meant, I'll just dream it like I want to).
Bad ideas, good ideas, it's all a chance to make something great! ANY idea can be whipped into shape, depending how one looks at it. I tend to like a challenge, and what could be a better challenge than a bad idea.

Hi guys I'm sorry I haven't been checking this thread regularly enough! thanks so much for the attention! The writing it backwards idea is great I may well try that =) I totally see your point Olly about the writer making it, I think once i've written out the story I'll really concentrate on refining the telling =) Also thanks for the encouragement Shirley! I admit my post does sound rather fearful you're right! I just think this project is an odd one for me because I've always liked to entertain through writing but this is the first one that delves a little deeper so it's great to have such a welcoming community to come to =) Also thanks to craziness, I know exactly what you mean, I'm going to embark on the task of juggling relatable and interesting while throwing likeable in there too- basically what every writer has to do I suppose but I do appreciate the guidance! Thanks to whoever moved my thread from it's improper position too =) dunno if this post is strictly legal by the site rules but I believe in thanking those who help you =)

I love a character study. Have at it!

As long as it's interesting, I wouldn't mind. However, I doubt I'll be that interested in a character brushing his teeth sort of mundane.