The Terry Pratchett Prize, Round Two...

[Quatermass]

You were pretty good to think up a relatively mundane alternate reality, although you did say there was some fantastical elements. I found it hard to write such a story, and had to set a relatively fantastical story (involving one mythological creature in particular being real, for a given value of 'real') in a more mundane setting. I wavered as to where and when I would set it, and what it would be about, but eventually I settled for England in the early 70s, albeit with influences from abroad. I also cherry-picked many real-life events and wove them together for the backstory.

It is pretty damn hard for me to write a story without fantastical elements, because otherwise, I get bored with the drama.

Oh, and JVQ? I think the word limits for the competition has been consistently 80K-120K words. I remember trying to build my novels for the first TP Prize up to 80K words, and despairing.

So, your new novel is partly inspired by Dune? In a way, so was the one I recently finished rewriting. I was inspired by the cultural depth and complexity of Dune to try and write a novel that remotely approached the depth of that one. I don't think I succeeded, but even if I had, the novel would be clunky. Not that Dune is, I hasten to add, but that any attempt I make to emulate it would probably turn out clunky.

[Jan Van Quirm]

Well - I've been writing this last novel in earnest since 2005 long before this contest was conceived and I'd already hit the 130K mark for the word count in Feb 2012 before I even thought of putting this in for the TP prize

The new series has conceptual similarities with Dune and Darkover perhaps, but the focus is more on Celtic myth and a taboo against non-sustainable energy sources and keeping close to the 'natural order' in place of religion as cultural/tribal imperatives Maybe a hint of the Sevateem in there too...

[Quatermass]

Maybe a hint of the Sevateem in there too...

Heh heh heh...I would ask if there was a bit of the Tesh too, but well, the Tesh didn't have leather swimsuits.

Actually, Louise Jameson is still playing Leela, alongside Tom Baker in the Big Finish Doctor Who audio plays. Unfortunately, her voice does sound old. But she certainly remains in character all the way. At the start of Energy of the Daleks, she launches into a brief endorsement of sneakers as practical footwear compared to high heels. And she fights off Dalek conditioning every step of the way.

As for your story idea, that's pretty high-concept. Me, well, I write a bit more like Terrance Dicks or Terry Nation. More high-concept than them, but while you seem to start with a high concept and build from there, I start with a low concept, and bolt high concepts on.

[Jan Van Quirm]

As for your story idea, that's pretty high-concept. Me, well, I write a bit more like Terrance Dicks or Terry Nation. More high-concept than them, but while you seem to start with a high concept and build from there, I start with a low concept, and bolt high concepts on.

Well I'm of another generation and if Tolkien is my god, Austen is my muse in terms of tempering the storyline into something that works empathically for the reader. A bit of Pterry creeps in here and there in terms of humourous accents, especially on the Gaelic-style names I've used on the map I'm concocting with strong nods at the Orkneys and Hebrides

[Quatermass]

Only a week to go. I feel depressed. I don't think I'm gonna make the shortlist...

[Dotsie]

I learned long ago that once something is out of my hands, I can stop worrying about it. I'm not saying I don't stress, the things that are still my responsibility drive me mental

[Quatermass]

I learned long ago that once something is out of my hands, I can stop worrying about it. I'm not saying I don't stress, the things that are still my responsibility drive me mental

Sorry, Dotsie, but that ain't comforting. I know you meant it to be, and thanks for trying. But it isn't comforting. Indeed, I worry perhaps more about things that ARE out of my hands...

What's more, I've got [EFF!]ing writer's block. Situation normal: all [EFF!]ed up.

At least my downward spiral had the good grace to happen coincidentally while the latest episode of Dragonball Z Abridged came on. I found it very funny. Especially when this joke came up. (I chose the time to start at the beginning of the relevant scene)

[Jan Van Quirm]

What's more, I've got [EFF!]ing writer's block. Situation normal: all [EFF!]ed up.

Q - it's a block when you can't write a thing to the purpose for several months not weeks! What brief dry spells are for is to give your brain a rest and get some downtime to find more ideas to input so game playing's good and so's writing for other things (like a forum ) where your brain can reboot and have something different to do.

You're doing the right thing by taking consolation where you can and the only other thing you can do to avoid the worst of despair is to tell yourself there's life in your work after the TP Prize - if you don't make the shortlist it doesn't mean it's bad, just that they didn't see it as fitting their winning profile. If you need to do something else to keep your spirits up get working on Plan B and focus on how you're going to pitch it for more suitable publishers or literary agents (work on submission letters and a tight synopsis etc) if you don't make this next stage - not playing online Tarot like I do and getting shite cards that foretell doom and gloom...

[Who's Wee Dug]

not playing online Tarot like I do and getting shite cards that foretell doom and gloom...

Jan, you still play but you don't have to believe in the bad results you get as they are just playing on your fears.

[Who's Wee Dug]

This from a well established Author on the problem of block. http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/creativ ... e-dead-end

[Jan Van Quirm]

not playing online Tarot like I do and getting shite cards that foretell doom and gloom...

Jan, you still play but you don't have to believe in the bad results you get as they are just playing on your fears.

Yeah I know I just like to wallow sometimes - also I do multiple paraphrasing on the same question (in the same sessions) and hey presto! Reversed Death and Hanged Men suddenly turn over again and I'm noticing patterns in what cards you get 'dealt' for certain phrasing What I like about tarot is the personification of life's hurdles and how ambiguous they are (like Death not being death but beginnings and letting go and some of the symbology is interesting as well especially when you line it up with assorted world mythologies or simply when the Moon is rising (I'm a water sign and proud of it! ).

That's a useful article on block especially the bit about reading and writing anything and also re-reading your faves genres and authors too if only to have a reason to read Nightwatch again...

[Who's Wee Dug]

I hope you don't pay for it Jan, that would be plain daft.

[Quatermass]

You'll be pleased to know that I have a potential way around the writer's block. But I define it as an inability to write, either through motivation, or an inability to make plots and characters worth (or usually both).

Even so, I am still a little depressed, especially when I looked at the Doctor Who News Page this morning...

[DrJezz]

Well, if it's any consolation, you're not alone ... chin up, you can still make your mark - Watson and Crick's research was suspended for a while as hopeless, and we all know what happened there

[Jan Van Quirm]

I hope you don't pay for it Jan, that would be plain daft.

Hey Dug - my dad was a Scot! I hate paying for anything...