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Story Crafting - A Quick FAQ
10 years ago
It seems I get to do a new FAQ to answer a few questions I have been getting lately. Thank you everyone who takes the time to send me notes with questions or comments on stories in the art I commission. I appreciate every single one of them.
Q: Why do you take so much time to create stories behind much of the art you commission? Doesn't that take a lot of work?
A: Yes it does take a very insane level of work to write these stories but for me it is worth it. Creating these unique worlds and events behind as much art as I can, I feel, elevates the art and makes every favorite I get on the art earned instead of getting favorites off another person's hard work that I simply paid for.
Q: How do you come up with the stories?
A: Most times the story is already in my head when I commission the art. When I commission art I try to ask myself: "What is happening and why is it happening?" I find thinking of the backstory and event the art is depicting helps shape the my idea on what I want the art to look like. Obviously this isn't always the case, sometimes I get a YCH or a piece of art and a story just comes to me then and there.
Q: I want to discuss the story or elements of the story can I?
A: OMG yes, please do. There is nothing more I like then hearing what people think of the story or have someone who becomes so invested in the story they want to talk about it or even discuss points they feel I overlooked. I will even try to answer these in story form. For a great example of this see comments on: A New Kind of War Machine Part 2.
Q: Are you a professional writer?
A: Oh goodness no. I love writing but writing is a fun hobby.
Q: How did you get so good at writing?
A: Thank you to the person who asked me this. While I don't think my writing is anything ground breaking or earth shattering, I am flatted you think it is good. My writing skill comes from the shear number of books I have read in my life and my storytelling comes from playing (and more then often DMing) games like D&D since I was 6 years old (thanks Dad!).
Q: Can I get a story from you?
A: Writing is more of a hobby for me then something I care to make money from doing. That being said I will occasionally do commissions or trades. Send me a note with your idea and we can talk about it.
Q: Can you edit my story?
A: Gah! Yes I can but just like above I am not doing this for the money. If you really want me to edit your story send me a note and we can talk about it.
Q: Can you help me write better?
A: I can give you some free advise. Never start two sentences back to back with the same word. Read your writing out loud, if you stumble there is likely an awkward sentence there, try rearranging the word order. Avoid giant paragraphs, they are hard to read, instead split the paragraph when the main idea of the paragraph changes. Don't be afraid to rewrite sections. I rewrite 50% of what I write because it doesn't flow the way I want. And please, pick one tense and stick to it. We aren't time lords!
Thank you everyone who took the time to send me a note! It is surprising when people take the time to send me a note to talk about the stuff I have done or to ask a question. So once again thank you!
Edit: For those looking to find a list of the stories I have written for various art check it out here Story Archive A link to this post is available at the bottom of my profile as well.
Q: Why do you take so much time to create stories behind much of the art you commission? Doesn't that take a lot of work?
A: Yes it does take a very insane level of work to write these stories but for me it is worth it. Creating these unique worlds and events behind as much art as I can, I feel, elevates the art and makes every favorite I get on the art earned instead of getting favorites off another person's hard work that I simply paid for.
Q: How do you come up with the stories?
A: Most times the story is already in my head when I commission the art. When I commission art I try to ask myself: "What is happening and why is it happening?" I find thinking of the backstory and event the art is depicting helps shape the my idea on what I want the art to look like. Obviously this isn't always the case, sometimes I get a YCH or a piece of art and a story just comes to me then and there.
Q: I want to discuss the story or elements of the story can I?
A: OMG yes, please do. There is nothing more I like then hearing what people think of the story or have someone who becomes so invested in the story they want to talk about it or even discuss points they feel I overlooked. I will even try to answer these in story form. For a great example of this see comments on: A New Kind of War Machine Part 2.
Q: Are you a professional writer?
A: Oh goodness no. I love writing but writing is a fun hobby.
Q: How did you get so good at writing?
A: Thank you to the person who asked me this. While I don't think my writing is anything ground breaking or earth shattering, I am flatted you think it is good. My writing skill comes from the shear number of books I have read in my life and my storytelling comes from playing (and more then often DMing) games like D&D since I was 6 years old (thanks Dad!).
Q: Can I get a story from you?
A: Writing is more of a hobby for me then something I care to make money from doing. That being said I will occasionally do commissions or trades. Send me a note with your idea and we can talk about it.
Q: Can you edit my story?
A: Gah! Yes I can but just like above I am not doing this for the money. If you really want me to edit your story send me a note and we can talk about it.
Q: Can you help me write better?
A: I can give you some free advise. Never start two sentences back to back with the same word. Read your writing out loud, if you stumble there is likely an awkward sentence there, try rearranging the word order. Avoid giant paragraphs, they are hard to read, instead split the paragraph when the main idea of the paragraph changes. Don't be afraid to rewrite sections. I rewrite 50% of what I write because it doesn't flow the way I want. And please, pick one tense and stick to it. We aren't time lords!
Thank you everyone who took the time to send me a note! It is surprising when people take the time to send me a note to talk about the stuff I have done or to ask a question. So once again thank you!
Edit: For those looking to find a list of the stories I have written for various art check it out here Story Archive A link to this post is available at the bottom of my profile as well.
You're an excellent writer Gola.