Anyone like writing, but not reading, fantasy/scifi?

Post Reply New Topic

I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I much prefer to write rather than read fiction. In fact, I really enjoy reading, but usually non-fiction or articles about the world, nature, science, psychology, etc. The last fiction books I read that I actually finished were in the Hunger Games series. And I tell people I love fantasy/scifi, but usually only in the form of film (TV shows, movies), not books.
I also have my own stories in my head that I spend a lot of time thinking about, and I honestly think my stories are better than the story lines I could find (and have found) in most fantasy books. Maybe it's because most of them seem to follow the same pattern? (White, most likely Brittish-accented characters who are elves/dwarves/mages/wizards/dragon riders who fight a baddie and discover their destiny). I'm soooo bored with the same old same old. Can anyone else relate?

I prefer to read or watch it it in movie/show form...I have tried writing a couple times but couldn't come up with anything good really. Also I have no idea how to create/develop characters which is pretty important I think.

Characters can be difficult. I find what helps is reading the comment sections of articles, videos, etc. online to see what people say, and people watching. If they do something interesting, write it down. To start with a character, think of stereotypes of people. I know that sounds bad, but bear with me... The stereotype of the person is like a raw piece of wood, and you start adding details by chipping away at them with a chisel. I find it helpful to make "character profiles."

For example:

Jane Doe
favorite food: anything but vegetables
favorite tv show: The Price Is Right
clothing: ill-fitting sundresses with gaudy floral patterns
music: polka
special skills: can give massages that put you to sleep, oh, and was an expert sniper in the Army
fears: birds
job: medical billing specialist
appearance: chubby, thinning blonde hair, loves cat-eyeliner
goals: wants to live in the city and walk her dog to the coffee shop every morning until she's too old to do so

This is just something I made up on the spot. There are going to be many more things you can add to a profile. Once you have one, you put that person in your storyline and ask questions to yourself about how they would react to different scenarios. For example, "How would this person react if there was a sudden alien invasion that caused the almost total destruction of the city?"

I used to be this way with poetry. I wrote for years in my late teens and 20s. Yet I've probably read fewer than a dozen books my entire life and none were poetry. All my influences came from song lyrics.