Writing skills

[Fladian]

Though it's not a story, this would be the best place to post it, since it would be very out of place in the off-topic section.

Tell us, what are your writing skills? What kind of genre do you prefer writing, and what kind of a surounding is it played in?
How do you write? With music on the background? Total silence?
What do you think of your own write style? Too action based? Think that you're good in keeping people to read your story?
What do you think is the disadvantage of your write style? Are you unable to make it exciting in the interesting parts? Or perhaps it is just a bad grammar that prevents you from writing?

Such questions is what I mean. Naturally, I'll start with myself

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<div align="center">Preffered Genre?</div>
I enjoy to write stories based in this time, 2005, with nothing special about the characters. I prefer to base the characters on students, because I am one myself - meaning that I understand students better than I would understand children or several adults, not limiting the amount I can use.
Though I prefer to involve a school (or college, whichever you prefer), I am very well able to write outside of it, though I am a little limited if I do not, since a school is a great way to increase and combine social contacts.
I also prefer to use the Netherlands as the base country of the main character, because I am Dutch, therefore, know more of the Dutch culture than any other. I'm very limited when I use a different nation. Though I often involve other countries as well. With Germany and England as the two finest to use, while Spain and France are second choices. That is also because I can speak a bit of German, fine English but unfortunately, no Spanish and I refuse to speak French.
I am fond in trying different genres, where actions is not a base priority. But it does not really matter what genre I try, eventually they all end up as a drama.

<div align="center">Not Preffered Genre?</div>
Not only am I unable, but I dislike reading futuristic stories. I am very quickly ticked off by them and I am not very good in writing them. Though there are exceptions, but there are only very little.
I am not fond on using countries I know little- to nothing about. You'll probably never see Asian nations or South-American ones, unless I start babbeling about football/soccer.

<div align="center">How do you write?</div>
I learned recently that I can't do anything anymore in complete silence - I can't even sleep anymore with no sound. Nowadays, I sleep with my computer on and my radio on, on my favorite channel. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, and I hear trusted voices of my favorite channel radio DJ's. I always knew that I sleep better with sound, but I never thought I would actually need it. I can still sleep well without it, though.
Just like all other things, I can't write without music. The music is based on my mood, and the genre I am writing. My music taste is very variable, and I am not really a fan of one particular band, though I am fond on one specific.

I used to be very creative, but I'm afraid I lost a lot in a short time. I'm not as creative as I used to be, though that will not affect my posts in the forum
The funny thing is as well, is that I perform the best under pressure. The more pressure I have on me, the faster and more accurate I work. When I worked at an accountance office, I once got a assignment that had to be finished fast - though my boss said that I probably couldn't make it on time, I should just try. I finished it with time to spare, in the end. With barely- to no mistakes. The more pressure is placed on me, the better I do my job. Unfortunately, I am sure that when I have too much pressure, I will eventually collapse, which wouldn't be the first time.

<div align="center">What do you think of your own writing style?</div>
Detailed. I prefer to use a lot of details, that is my biggest advantage, and my biggest downfall, eventually. I use more than is necessary. I am... I used to be good in the character development in general, but I might have lost this, would that be the case, then it is a shame, but life brings and life takes.

I used to have found a little thing that kept people to read my stories - therefore, I got a little job and was paid for it - but because I am not sure what I did to keep people to read it, I can't just use, it or not. Perhaps it is because the details I use seem to perfectly used at a certain moment.

<div align="center">What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?</div>
Too much details, too much of a realist in a story, lack of main-character personality variation and I am very bad in starting a story. Would you look carefully at all my stories, you should be able to see the same patern. I had success with one start of a story, since then, I kept using it over and over, because I am unable to create a different start. I'm not afraid that it will not work out, but I suddenly stop myself from writing because I don't know what to do next.
Like the story of 'If, and only if', the start is already done, and I have no such problems anymore, because I left the start behind me. I would have no problems writing more of it, but would I continue with 'Rick wake up', I would get problems, because I never ended the start of the story - I never ended in the introduction, which I am so bad in.

<div align="center">Any other things?</div>
Yes, if necessary, I can write somewhat professional. I created a thread at Wc3c in the Team Gathering forum named 'Projects in Development'; the idea was to explain projects to new members, but it was also to show that I could do something differently than a story - it had several other reasons, but they are of no importance now.
I have no particular like in writing like that, but would do so again, if necessary.



Uh... yeah, that's about it.

 

[Kem Rixen]

<div align="center">Preffered Genre?
</div>
I generally like to write Science fiction, generally like 1984 and A Brave New World. They useally don't end like that but my original ideas always start off from those type of books. That's the genre I start in, though as you can see, sometimes my writing wanders in bizzare directions. I can't stand using the same universe for very long, or use universes made by others. The four ant stories I made were all in the same universe, but by the last one I was really tired of it and I feel I ran out of ideas, I never posted the fourth one anywhere.

<div align="center">Not Preffered Genre?

I dispise writing action stories, war stories, etc. They are just so boring in my mind, I will use war in my stories but I will never write a story just about war. Besides this I'll go into pretty much other genre, except romance...uggh.

How do you write?

I write in Microsoft Word, its spell and grammer check gets most of the minor problems I miss. I need music to write, I can't stand quiet. I can't work when it's quiet which has gotten me in trouble a bit at school. I also don't ever outline anything, all my stories come out as I write them, I generally have an idea where I want it to go, in most cases however it doesn't, a good example is the second ant story I wrote, first here. It's really not a great way to write but I dispise using outlines.

What do you think of your own writing style?

I don't really think I have a very specific writing style anymore, I jump around a bit from weird psuedo-humor to very detailed explanations. It's very weird, being away from writing for so long really changed it a lot.

What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?

The ant stories, I was stuck in them for so long, I couldn't think of anything that didn't involve them. Lack of ideas I suppose.


That is all.​

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[lord_carbo]

Preffered Genre?

I'm best at general fiction and fantasy, although I prefer fantasy much more out of the two. I seem to have a knack for making an original yet realistic universe for my stories.

Not Preffered Genre?

Sci fi. I just don't like it. It bores me to death for some reason.

How do you write?

My huge stories (actually, story) I type in my free time on weekends, although I haven't in a very long while. Other than that, most of my writing is because of schoolwork.

What do you think of your own writing style?

The two things I do like about my writing style is my pacing, and character development. I seem to keep a good pace in my story without lacking too many details. As for my character development, it is very strong, emotional, and dynamic. Characters can go from happy-go-lucky to bloodlusted to guilt-ridden to killed throughout the duration of my story, and it flows very nicely, too.

Oh, and how could I forget my talents in making realistic backgrounds? Despite the drop in my creativity (read next section), I still have a huge talent in the field for making good worlds. I won't get too in depth with that, though; just going to have to trust me on this.

What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?

My creativity dropped a bunch. My once epic world that my fantasy stories are based off of have seemed to dwindle in originality. My ideas have changed from fantasy epics to unoriginal pieces of crud influenced by literary and televised media. Perhaps if I wrote enough of these ideas, I'd get bored of that and change back to my original chain of thought.

Also, I seem to make a complex storyline, which isn't nessicarily a good thing. I also throw in too many vague details, which probably compliments the complexity. I honestly don't know how to describe this. I just feel as if my stories get too in-depth for people to fully grasp.

Any other things?

Ironically, although I like writing stories, I loath reading them =/

 

[Escurial]

Preffered Genre?
Fiction and fantasy. I tried to write a romace novel once but i stoped when it became a porno...

Not Preffered Genre?
Selfhelp books...i hate those psychological nonsense about bettering yourself.
anyway i like every genre to read, but i find myself unable to write sertain kinds of genres. maybe im to un expirianced when it comes to sertain subjects.

How do you write?
With a pencil...or a keyboard.

What do you think of your own writing style?
As long as i keep to dutch i am content. but ironicly i dont want to write in dutch. English is a way better language for fantasy stories. Though i find dutch better suited for real life fiction. Dutch has more sence of realness i guess.
Im not particulairly good or bad at anything. I tend to get confused by my over use of detail and plots that i want to put in the story. This strangly results in me scrapping every little detail and write up the core of the story. From that core i usually write the story. (this usualy repeats itself a few times bevore i actually have a story i want)

My characters are always growing as a person, good or bad. I usualy write short paragraphs with a few years between them. 1900 blablabla. 1904 blabla and so on.
It keeps me interested.

What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?
I think my greatest disadvantage is that i can be really cruel and/or blunt.
I often kill chars that people like just to annoy people. I also have a lack of describing emotions. I am a very hard person and im not all that to emotional. Though i acedently write something that is very sad or sweet or makes the reade angry.

Any other things?
Im poor with words. i like to make sentences really short. which is not always a good idea.

 

[Fladian]

I dispise writing action stories, war stories, etc. They are just so boring in my mind, I will use war in my stories but I will never write a story just about war. [/b]

That comes as a surprise. Especially because this forum is dedicated to Warcraft Though I understand all too well what you mean. I am not often too fond on them - though despise is a big word - though war is most likely the best example to express sadness and sorrow. In completely depends what side of the war is writen about.

Besides this I'll go into pretty much other genre, except romance...uggh.[/b]

Oh yeah, I forgot that. Add drama with romance, and you have about my favorite genre to write I'm an emotional guy, so what?

Selfhelp books...i hate those psychological nonsense about bettering yourself.[/b]

"101 ways to kill yourself, for 24,95." - Ruud de W. (of in 't Nederlands, "101 voor doe-het-zelf-moord")

As long as i keep to dutch i am content. but ironicly i dont want to write in dutch. [/b]

That happens quite often, that people refuse to write in their home language. That is mostly because that language has been used for as long as they live, and tend to get boring after some time, because you keep hearing/reading it. Not to mention that English has several words to describe things where Dutch needs an entire sentence for, if not, then it is impossible to describe.

English is a way better language for fantasy stories. Though i find dutch better suited for real life fiction. Dutch has more sence of realness i guess. [/b]

I prefer to use Dutch to talk, instead of writing. Just like Frisian (Fries) is more of a speaking language, than to write it.

I think my greatest disadvantage is that i can be really cruel and/or blunt.
I often kill chars that people like just to annoy people. I also have a lack of describing emotions. I am a very hard person and im not all that to emotional. Though i acedently write something that is very sad or sweet or makes the reade angry.[/b]

Try me. I'll look forward to a story of yours

Anyway, it's great that people are posting out here, but don't forget to post a story as well It's nice to know about your ad, and disadvantages, but it is quite useless when we never saw a story just yet, hm?

 

[Falcoknight]

Preffered Genre?

Well, Honestly, i love to bring out my creativity in my stories, that is why i prefer to write non-fiction and stories that are based on Sci-Fi and Fantasy. My work has improved, but im still not very high on the Fladian Scale if you will. Sorry for the pariody of the Rictor Scale... Anyways, I enjoy writing about dragons, ogres etc, and writing love stories for i am deeply moved by romace, thought it isn't easily shown on me. I love stories like 'Eragon' and 'Lord of the Rings' as they have many Genres in one.

Not Preffered Genre?

Oh i desperatly agree with Fladian, i dislike Future, but for me that is only in Movies and/or games. I enjoy writing about the future, not reading about it, but I certainly enjoy it. My most disfavored is probably Historical Fiction, i do not know why but writing it and reading it is both boring and annoying, no offence to fans.

How do you write?

An odd question, I write with usualy some sort of devise that allows such, like a pencil or a keyboard.

What do you think of your own writing style?

I am detailed, but not as much on the forums, in stories I use many details to describe seroundings

What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?

My disadvantage is my lack of vocabulary and my lack of ability to like what im doing for more than five minutes.

Any other things?

Err.. no

 

[Fladian]

im still not very high on the Fladian Scale if you will. [/b]

Fladian scale? If you meant the length, that is just something people tend to do. I enjoy writing long - not just that, I can't write short actually - but it is not meant to encourage other people to do so.

writing love stories for i am deeply moved by romace, thought it isn't easily shown on me. [/b]

Same here, though it can be easily seen on me Fact also remains that 99% of all my stories end up in drama

An odd question, I write with usualy some sort of devise that allows such, like a pencil or a keyboard.[/b]

Well, you could think of it differently. Are you using other things as well? Like having music played on the background? Or preferring to write outside - I used to like that... about 5 years ago.

My disadvantage is my lack of vocabulary[/b]

Such things can be hidden. My vocabulary isn't all that large either, I can name a lot of people that I can't even be compared with. The thing just is, I only use words I know, while I slowly learn new words, slowly, but surely. Though those "new words" I learn, usually come unnoticed. As example, I never used the words 'besides' or 'despite' at Wc3c, while I am using them here from time to time. Fact remains that I always have been pretty good in using certain words at a specific time whenever necessary. Improvisation has always been my strongest point.
As long as you use the words you feel most comfortable with, people do not necessarily have to notice it.

 

[Undead_Lives]

WOW this is old Flad. I hope you don't mind if I delete your post since the only reason is for a bump, and with my post it'll be back on the top.

Preffered Genre?

Fantasy of course. I read, write, and live in a fantasy (well, not really for the last one ). Although, it is a pretty easy genre, and so I'm trying to get away from it. But it's still really neat how far you can go with fantasy.

Not Preffered Genre?

Science Fiction/Horror. Sci-fi I've never tried and don't really like, Horror is a waste of time imo.

How do you write?

Upon inspiration. I'll usually not check over my writing, and that's where my flaw is. But I try to add as much detail as possible while still keeping what I like-a fast pace.

What do you think of your own writing style?

Fast-paced, as said before. I like to be short, concise, and to the point.

What do you think of your disadvantage of writing?

I don't check over my writing enough. Although, I'm improving on that respect. There are too many other little disadvantages to list.

Any other things?

I write when I get a surge of feeling that makes me want to write. And then, I only stop when I need to

 

[Fladian]

As most of you know, I'm nearly drowning in the seas of stress that was probably produced by my own simple mind. Because my mind constantly went to the same few subjects I have been worrying sick of - I'm probably getting sick soon - recently, I tried to desperately find something else to think of, and focus on. Normally, work is a good way to distract me from most of my problems, if not that, then I'm studying for my upcoming exams. Both were not good enough to stop me from worrying for a while. Out of pure despair, I eventually finally managed to get a bit of thought into my writing style; probably because I recently was talked about it with a close friend of mine who is interesting in reading more and more from me - therefore that I suddenly started to write again.

In order to make me stop thinking about the things I am worried about, I tried to get a few things straight in the way I write. I came to the conclusion that I am exceptional weak in the following parts of the story:

1. Introductions and the beginning of a story.
It is not much of a secret that it probably is one of the most bad parts of my writing. When looking at (just about) all my stories, you'll see that they all have something in common when they start. This is partly intentionally, but mostly it isn't. Before I started to produce some decent quality, my beginnings and introductions varied a lot, but most, if not all were disliked. They were boring and the lacked creativity, something I must agree on. To be honest, I did not improve at all in my beginning of stories. At a certain point, (which I cannot remember when) I made a good introduction. Not really intentionally, I kept using the same kind of beginning over and over again. "Never change a winning tactic," is what they say, but not really what I planned for at the start.
Introductions of characters are different. I'll admit that I had trouble with it earlier on, but I slowly improved and made it to one of my stronger points instead. A small guide I'm still reading through mentioned that there are two good ways of introducing a character. One of them is telling them immediately how the character is, how he looks like and what some of his personality is; this is done by most people because it's most simple and often interests the reader. People like to know about what kind of people they are reading about. Fact remains that some amateur writers completely forget to introduce the main character though. The other way is to slowly explain the appearance of the characters (to use appearance as example). The reader often creates an imaginary image inside their head of the character which starts out quite bland, but slowly gains more looks. I personally prefer the second one, though will use the first one whenever necessary. I won't waste the abilities of a mirror, but I won't create one just in order to introduce a character.

2. Time
When that close friend of mine read my story, she told me that it was extremely slow paced, but didn't become boring, in opposite of other stories she is familiar with that are slow paced. She could not explain why that was the case.
That my stories are slow paced is something I cannot deny, mostly because I enjoy giving details - something that she noticed as well - throughout the story... which are actually too many details.

But besides the fact that I enjoy giving details, truth is also that I have a hard time to let time pass in the story. I can't let hours, days, or more pass easily in a story. In my point of writing style, there must always be something. Would that be just talking to each other - which could also be used as a weak way of character development - or taking a stroll throughout a park. 'Rick wake up' was a story written without any intention, I just wrote what I felt like at that moment. Read it, and tell me this: How much time passed in that story? How long did the time take between Rick waking up and him starting a game? The only thing that could be considerd as a time is that "the computer took a long time to start up." But many people see "long" in that context in a different way. When a computer is starting up, I consider ten minutes long *cough*computer at work and at school*cough*, some other people consider thirty seconds long. It's hard to imagine how much you can think of in a small amount of time.

Even now I still have trouble to let time pass in a story. Letting a character go to sleep is quite the challenge to me too. Heck, just walking is already something I must focus upon. Whenever I let a character move, in order to walk or run to a certain position, I usually disagree in the way I write, and keep rewriting it until I find something that I might consider just good enough to let it pass. Have I ever been fully satisfied in how I let a character move? Yes, during the fight with Herasiel in the story of If, and only if. Compared to how I normally write, it was fast paced and managed to keep it interesting. It lacked details when it came to the surroundings though, which doesn't make it perfect.

As for my opinion about slow- and fast paced stories. I prefer slow paced at any time, except during a fight in an action story, as example. Unless the writer is heavily skilled in - which I've seen in amateur styles more than often - making a fight slow pacing, I am fine with a fast paced one. I also heavily recommend to give the pace one heck of a boost at such a moment. In my point of view, during such an exciting moment, the reader isn't interesting what goes around in the mind of the character besides the way to assault their opponent, their fear or worries. Unless it is planned that way and making the character think during a fight: "Gee... I wonder what I'll take for dinner." Hard to take serious though.
Besides that, I enjoy a slow paced story more than anything. Not to mention that I prefer a story where little happens in, just the way I write. I'm not saying it doesn't need a plot, or something to strive to, I mean that not always something should happen that furthers the story. Character development is (mostly) just as important as continueing the plot of the story.

3. Overuse of characters
I act too arrogant when it comes to characters and their development. It's in my mind that I am able to have influence over a lot of characters at the same time. Something which I can do... until a certain limit. That limits lies lower than I often think of. I tend to introduce characters that I promise to develop throughout the story, but they often just get brushed aside. If, and only if's strongest part is its character development though. 'Whatever walks here, walks alone,' is also heavily focused on the character development of the (currently) two (or three, I can't decide about that one) main characters. That is mostly because the story circles around a few specific characters.

I also have a policy not to use the names of (most) people I know. Like I said somewhere else before, I'd probably never use the name of 'Wesley,' 'Denise' or 'Cindy' at any time. That wasn't much of a problem a few years ago, considering my shy personality and small selection of people I know/knew, but especially the last amount of years, I'm meeting up with more and more people, slowly, but surely, decreasing my options of names. More importantly, I also don't want to use names I don't like (Oscar, Gaylord, Molly, Nora, etc.) and over used names, which are often names people find that sounds "cool" or something similar (Ryan, Jack, Jeniffer, Josephine, etc.). Unless the names fits the character nicely, of course.

Lately I have been trying to give the sound of the names a good thought. Some names are hard to pronounce in a different language. In 'Whatever walks here, walks alone,' I first wanted to call my main character 'Jalte,' a name that I like and it creates the perfect image of the character in my mind. Everything was fine until the question appeared in my head that others might ask: "How do you pronounce that name?" Especially considering that Jalte (and/or Jelte (de Goot), Hjalte (bo Norregaard)) isn't really a common name.
Recently a friend introduced me to a character of his story. Someone by the name of 'Leon.' In English, the name fits the character perfectly. In my native language, however, the name is pronounced completely differently. Instead of thinking of a big strong fellow, I think of an old fat little business guy. Of course I would try to keep the English sound of that name in my head, but sooner or later - especially considering the length of a story - I'll switch back to my native language. That's why it's a first language.
Not too long ago, I was asked if I was better in English than I am in my first language, Dutch. I answered him that I my grammar is by far better in English than in Dutch, however, my vocabulary in Dutch is much bigger than the one of English; in terms of that, they cannot be compared to each other. All in all, I'm fluent in both of them. Fluent in speaking and writing, that is. In terms of talking, I do talk with a lot of additions... but that has its reasons. I doubt any of you will ever hear me speak properly anyway.
Therefore, do not mix names of your own first language and the English one. Names often sound different to other people and could give a completely different impression on other people.

4. Underestimating
This falls under many categories, and I meant more than one with them as well. Sit back.
In truth, I tend to underestimate my self-made characters. I am often not convinced that they are able to say or explain specific stuff and I tend to quickly browse around my, often many, characters in my story that are able to say and/ or explain it. If that isn't the case, a new character is born and will be introduced as soon as possible. If not, then I'll make sure one of the older characters get to learn that from a new character. Is this lack of creativty? Maybe it is, but I tend to call it the underestimation of how much a single character can do. Probably that I therefore enjoy writing realistic - and modern - stories, because that law is forced upon.

I tend to underestimate the skills of other writers as well. I do not see myself as a good writer, but I dare to say that people cannot place me among the group of 'talentless' amateur writers. Writing 'Whatever walks here' (to short it) partly occured because I wanted to show myself - and others - that I am nothing less than a specific amateur writer, I have to look up to, at the moment. In my personal opinion, the guy I look up to to what he writes, is probably the best one I've ever met on amateur level. I don't know many people who can make an extremely cliche concept (which falls under Romance / Drama might I add!!) become extremely interesting and kept my eyes glued to the screen for a couple of hours straight, daily. Funny thing was that the end was just as cliche as the concept, but something he changed very little about. "They married and became happy ever after," in a way to say it. The only bad thing about the story was his lack of development of a few supporting character. I was awfully disappointed that the best friend of the main (male) character did not really change throughout the story. He was a kind, but chaotic guy at the start ("Yeah, didn't I tell you? It's 'Jo', not 'Joe.") and the only thing he changed on was getting together with a girl... though that wasn't much of a surprise. He clearly showed that it was a matter of time before they could officially call them selves having a relationship - something the characters denied throughout the begin of the story - or something like that. The main disappointment of the story was definitely the little role the ex-girlfriend of the (male) main character got. She was introduced in the first paragraph of the story, appeared halfway throughout the story, produced some problems to get the main story on the road, but after she produced those problems ("From who are those panties!?"), she completely disappeared out of the picture, until the last few chapters where she appeared without a particular reason. It felt like he didn't want to introduce yet another character, so he just saught in a bunch of characters to eventually pick her. I was sorely disappointed in the late introduction of the (old) friends of the main (male) character as well. They were introduced during the last few chapters of the stories as well. It's true that they were interesting individuals ("So, good ol' Tom finally comes by after moving, eh? Took you long enough.") and necessary to fully develop the twin sister of the main (female) character , but they got their screen time far too late. The reader was already too interested about the main (supporting) characters.
The last character that left with me with an unsatisfied feeling were the older people. Though the parents ("Just make sure you make you right decision.") of the main characters were not developed at all - and were only mentioned a few times in total in the story, not to mention that they played quite a small role in general - the grandma of the main male character was left mostly undeveloped ("The one girl I liked most is the one you broke up with? What kind of stupid decision is that?"). It was heavily hinted that she would get some development at a certain point, but she never really got it. Though I didn't really mind his grandma either, mostly because the only thing she seemed to was used for was opening the front door. In truth, she did play a role, and quite a large one as well when I think about it. Besides the main characters friends, she was the only one (though nearly deaf) who knew what was going on in her grandchild's life. The excuse he used why she was so little developed is something I can live with though ("These old legs just can't walk long distances anymore."). Now I think of it, one of the supporting female characters got less development than I had hoped for. From the start of the story, she was completely concentrating of making the main male character 'hers.' Her role was enourmus at the start, but he decided to push it on the break at a certain point, and she didn't appear in the story at all more afterwards, until the last chapter ("If she can't see, why worry about being with me?"). But at that point, most of the story was over. The only thing that kept the reader reading was what kind of college they would attend to, and if the main female character would win a price at her Basketball tournament.
But considering that it is the only flaw in his story, in my opinion, he did one heck of a good job. Despite those were quite important (supporting) character he forgot to develop, (which I only found the excuse of the grandma good enough to satisfy me) he had one truck load of other supporting characters he did develop nicely, which nearly makes you forget about those characters I earlier named.
One giant downfall was that I didn't remember the names of the characters. When a character makes a good impression on me, I don't tend to forget the name of that character. I can't remember the names of the old friends of the main male character anymore, as example.
Thumbs up for the name of the main female character though. 'Jo,' is a great way to let people get mixed up with 'Joe.' Great comedy he made of it too because of that name ("He... he... he has breasts!?"). Two thumbs up for her personality, which is definitely one of my most favorite personalities of all times in a story like that. Unfortunately, I was not too fond on the personality (could be worse) and (mostly) the name of the main male character.

The last thing I truly underestimate is the harder the decision become when you're writing. I usually think too easy of them, and often get myself stuck in a situation in a story. This has nothing to do with a writer's block, but the challenge to overcome to hurdle starts off quite easy, but gets harder with big steps, until I really have to spend hours of time just to ask myself: "How can he/she/it solve that?"
But that isn't really much of a problem; the only thing I have to do then is remind myself that, that is the real joy of writing. The ability to overcome something like that.

5. Writer's block
They are common for me, as I am not the type of personality that should write as a hobby. Just like most people know, I live on stress, and I try to increase that as much as possible because much of me becomes better because of it. Because my problems alone do not produce enough stress, I try to help people with their problems as well, so they partly become some of mine.
Stress is often the first and foremost reason why a writer's block appears. For someone who tries to get as much on him as possible and still write is a strange combination. Yet it is possible for me to gain an "overdosis," as I am suffering from at this moment. Getting rid of a writer's block is quite an obstacle then, especially considering the fact that I am far less creative than I used to be.

My level of writing when suffering from a writer's block is poor, just like everyone when one is capable of saying they have a writer's block. If you aren't sure, take the test I posted in Undead's thread called 'Writer's block.' ("Have you asked your friends to shoot you?")

6. Grammar & Sentence-structure
To say it bluntly: My grammar and spelling is not good enough. A few years ago, when completely serious, I had seven spelling/grammar mistakes at average every page. This decreased a little after a while, but got back to seven when my interest in radio started to hit its peak. The good part of it was that my Dutch grammar, vocabulary and speech improved with quite an amount.
I am not a perfectionist and I like to be corrected, but I am related to a grammar nazi, which has its good and bad parts. The good part is that you learn to be corrected quite often, the bad part is that you know there is always someone better, which can be annoying. I never really found it annoying to be related to him though... well, once or twice, perhaps, but nothing serious.

Sentence construction is, and probably will always be one of my weakest points though. Why do I have trouble with it? I don't know, I can't see my mistakes, but though the less experienced won't see the many flaws, the more experienced ones can see it's full with it. Especially If, and only if swarms from those - though in a way logical, as it is the largest story I've ever made.