I'm stuck with a bit or writers block too, well more like not being able to come up with a plot. I've several different story ideas written down.. but I can't every come up with a plot story.

I've also been writing a book with my friend for over a year. Mostly just different scenes for it. But we did come up with a first chapter. That's also my problem.. I never start from the beginning.

As for the character names.. What I do if I can't think up a name or make one up, then I go to like google or yahoo and I search for names.

Ex: Old Spanish Names

Then you can browse sites until you see a name that sparks your intrest.

And Rumil.. I kinda like Ealdor and Scryan. Although Aodhain and Aidan are awesome too!

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I certainly share your feelings...got pretty much of a block myself.
I once wrote a kid's book about school life and friendship and stuff, around 40 pages long, then I read the whole thing once through and deleted it all because I wasn't satisfied. Lol, yeah, how I regret that right now.
I've been wanting to work on a thriller lately, something really intrigueing and thought-provoking...something like Tell me your dreams by Sidney Sheldon, if anyone's read it?
Any of you guys got ideas?

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i'm practically going crazy w/ my own story. i can't figure out if i want to make the hero more noble...or more self-centred at the beginning. here's a basic outline of the plot: The king has died in war, and the throne is seized by an evil foreigner. meanwhile, shepherd boy (Rowan) gets kidnapped by slave traders, sold to work on a ship. he meets an elf (not a tolkien elf) who is also a slave, and they become friends. a storm comes up and a strange, phantom-like being emerges and wounds Rowan with an arrow. Rowan blacks out, the elf rescues him and they make their way to the shore. They both survive, and about 10 years pass. They become part of an outlaw band called the "Darkarrow" Rowan makes his way to the top and now commands a force of about 200 men. A spirit of the late king's captain appears to him and reveals Rowan's true ancestry (he is the son of the king who died 20 years ago. his mother, pregnant w/ him escaped) Rowan's task is now to defeat the evil guy and take back the kingship....

there's more to it, but it's complicated....so i can't decide whether i should make Rowan a more noble hero. eventually he will become noble (he marries the daugher of a baroness, eventually becomes king)...but right now, i'm wondering if i should make him a self-centred jerk to contrast the change?

btw i have a huge terrible difficulty w/ names too! i think rowan's name (in my story) has changed names like three times, and the names of his family members have changed even more! argh! i like Aodhain, but it's rather hard to pronounce in the mind...maybe Aiden will be easier...but both are really good names!

Rumil, I like Ealdor and Aidan the best.

For those stuck with names, I recommend getting your hands on a bizarre baby name book... try looking in second hand shops, that sort of thing. It saves you trying to make up all the names yourself, and helps when you want a name that is not unheard-of - just uncommon.
Behind the Name: ( http://www.behindthename.com/top ) Shows how popular names are in different eras. It also has a random name generator.
Last Name Meanings: ( http://www.last-names.net )
Name Finder: ( http://www.babycentre.com/babyname ) A good online name database, which even lets you specify how many syllables you want!
Name generators: ( http://www.daire.org/namegens.html ) A whole lot of name generators links. (The pirate name generator is recommended if you are just looking for a laugh. )

I personally find that once I name the character, the name has stuck. (I most I have changed is the spelling - originally Xalia, short for Xalika, than it was just Xalia, now I spell it Xarlia.) I find it really hard to change the character's name without changing my image of them... though some names stick harder than others...

vikingmaiden, I'd say try not to make him a complete jerk. He's got to be likable! But certainly, it'd be more dramatic if he does change, and probably unrealistic if he's noble from the start. So don't make him completely self-centred, but I'd say definately more than he is later own. Sort of allows him to grow-up...

Can I read some? *is interested* or anything else anyone has written?

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Hi people!

Just wanted you to know that I luv writing and may be able to answer questions. My best friend and I write stories together, and our first one turned out to be over 100 pages long! We hope to publish someday.

Anyway, writing gets better with practice. I look back at some things I've written and shake my head and say 'eww, I wrote that?'

But I have a vivid imagination, so if you need help with ideas, I may be able to help.

And, Rumil, I think Aidan is a good name! : ' )

Ha, I actually tend to look back on my stuff and go, "where on earth did that come from?" lol.

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Yeah. It's kinda funny to look back. You usually end up laughing at yourself, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

i need an opinion, i have finally figured out a good story line and names (yay!) but i need help,
what kind of clothing should i have them wear, its fantasy so...

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OK, clothing...
I used to have all kinds of problems with that.
Anyway, a tunic and leggings works well for a boy or girl that is active in a lot of stuff. Some kind of robe works well for nobles, and dresses for girls that aren't to overly active.
This help any?

yes thank you soo much, i have been asking EVERY one in my family for their opinion [they are all extremely annoyed and run away when i say, 'my book'] but no one had really any good ideas, thank you, i like yours!!

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it also depends on the culture of your fantasy world and the city your character's from. if he/she's from a metropolis, it would probably be robes. if he/she's a farmer, it would be simple. it also reflects their mood on how they dress. colorful means they're hyper and friendly, tunic and breeches means they like simplicity or convenience, dark means they're cynical or have some type of dark background. etc.

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oo cool, i like the darkness... mwhahahah...

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yeah clothing can be a big issue.. but mostly you just have to go with what your book is about, but most fantasy books tend to have clothing slightly medevialish.. but with lots of modern hints hid in there, or you know just make up an outift in your mind and use that!!

But you do have to be mindful of what your character is like, because if its a girl that can fight, you don't want her to always be in a dress where she is less likely to be able to move in, although a funny situation could come out of that..

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Hey, in one of my stories (okay, story ideas) I have a girl wearing long skirts who is taught to fight. She informed that when she's in that sort of situation, she's not going to be able to duck behind the nearest and change, so she might as well live with it.

Amoniel, it really depends on a lot of things like climate as well, and how much of a 'historical' basis you want it to have. Don't be afraid about pinching other fantasy books clothing ideas - it is only clothing, afterall. And I'd suggest looking a a costume or clothing-through-the-ages book. Looking at pictures ALWAYS helps! Try your library or something (that's what I've done). Also, even looking at the costume section of pattern books can be inspiring in that regard, - or try the pattern's websites if you don't have easy access to a pattern book.

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My ideas come from absolutely everywhere. I've had one story (especially one of the characters) come from a painting I saw. Music and funny family stories are influences as well.

Usually my characters speak to me when I'm trying to sleep! With my first novel, one of my characters never ever shut up. She has spoken to me for YEARS and only recently has quieted down. I really need her to speak up again though, b/c I'm writing a sequel to that book right now... along with 2 other novels and 2 children's books. I'm finally on Chapter 19 of my sequel, but on the other 2 novels I'm only on Chapter 9. Have been for months. And on the childrens books I'm only on Ch. 4.

I have sooo many ideas for other stories, especially one which is loosely based on an experience I had as a child... and dreams. It's going to be a Past Life/Ghost story... in sort of the same vein as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I cannot wait to get busy with that one, but I fear I'm going to have to put it on hold. Writing isn't always easy for me, and I'm still growing and learning the ropes. I definitely need a lot more writing experience before I tackle that particular tale.

Kristin

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"Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own." ~ Outlander

I know what you mean. I had an awesome dream the other day, and I didn't have time to write it down, because I had to go to school, and then I forgot it but that's ok, I'll have it again sooner or later.

Usually my problem is I tend to write random scenes, maybe a few times I start from the beginning, but then I don't have a conflict, though I think the book, or short story depending I"m currently thinking of will turn out better. Hopefully

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