Question for writers

[kengr]

Anybody else have trouble with new story ideas popping up when you *want* to write more of (or finish!) existing storylines?

Comments

[phinnia.livejournal.com]

Only all the time. :-D

[kengr]

Well, for now, I'm keeping a notepad file open to write down ideas in. I save it after every change.

Currently, I also have a file open for the idea that is "bugging" me the most. And one for the story I'm trying to update.

What I *really* need is some sort of "groupware" application that's intended to let multiple people work on the same file at the same time.

Then I could open things on both the "writing" desktop box and on the laptop. And edit from whichever I was on at the time.

As it is, I'm still trying to figure out how to set stuff up so I can "synch" files between the laptop and the desktops. :-(

[freetrav.livejournal.com]

Synching is actually pretty easy if you're running Windows - there's something called the 'briefcase', which is specifically for this purpose. From the Windows XP help files:

To synchronize files on connected computers using Briefcase

1. While the computers are connected, open Briefcase on your portable computer and copy the appropriate files from your main computer.


2. Work on the files on your portable computer.


3. When you have finished working on the files, connect the two computers if they were disconnected, open Briefcase on your portable computer, and then do one of the following:
   
   • To update all the files, on the Briefcase menu, click Update All.
   
   
   • To update only some of the files, select the files you want to update, and then on the Briefcase menu, click Update Selection.

Notes

• When you are using Briefcase to copy files from your main computer to your portable computer, the two computers must be connected, either over a network or by a direct cable connection.


• While you are working on your files, the two computers do not need to be connected.

[kengr]

This must be a meaning of the word "easy" with which I am not familiar.

But it *will* help some, if it'll work with a Win XP laptop, and Win98 & Win2k desktop systems.

I also have the problem that I need to be able to to work on a file that's open on *both* the desktop and the laptop (or a couple of desktop systems) at the same time. That one will probably require expen$ive $oftware.

[freetrav.livejournal.com]

Heehee. It's really easier to do than it *sounds*; I've done it. The procedure may be *slightly* different in W2K or W98, but not unrecognizeably so - so you can work on the same file on multiple boxen, just not simultaneously.

The "work-at-the-same-time" pretty much requires some sort of groupware, and ¥e$, that ha$ a tenden¢¥ to ¢o$t $ummat.

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

Go ahead and use your new plot, but aim it towards the end you want.

I know one of my stories went ten novels before I had to kill the universe just to end the neverending story. :)

[kengr]

My problem is that I keep coming up with ideas for *different* stories. I'm *trying* to write more on my NIS story. But I've got ideas for another story (about one of the characters in this one), plus another, unrelated story in that universe. And a sequel to the current story.

There's the pair of unfinished stories ("Boy" and "Girl") on my website. Plus several other started but not very far developed stories.

Then there're two Tuck fanfic ideas. A Seasons story, a "Bikini Beach" story,

And a bit of world design, with or without story (probably with) for a very different (and veruy unofficial) society on a world in the Traveller RPG universe.

And a third to a half of those ideas are from the last couple of weeks!!

<whimper>

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

One at a time. PLEASE. :)

One of my fellow artists is trying to do four or five comics at once, and burns out REAL quick. Patience only makes for more complex stories. :)

[kengr]

One at a time. PLEASE. :)

Don't tell me, tell my Muse.

One of my fellow artists is trying to do four or five comics at once, and burns out REAL quick. Patience only makes for more complex stories. :)


<Ed Grubermann>

Patience. Yeah, how how long is that gonna take?

</Ed Grubermann>