i can't shoot straight enough i can't hold on enough.

[rocknload]

My first attempts to learn to knit have been met with failure, it's depressing. I think the yarn the lady in the store showed me is too fuzzy, I can't see what the hell I'm doing it and irritates me.

The one thing I want to do this year is write more. Not just fic, but actual original stuff—I've just finally put another idea I've had for the last few weeks down on paper, and I'd like to actually, you know, work on it. The only thing that bugs me is that the heroines I write tend to lean towards being bitchy, powerful, and mentally unstable, and this girl is a regular, wimpy person with awesome motivations like a crush on a boy and wanting to be with him!

My main characters are almost always women, should I try and change that, I wonder? It's not as though the heroines are running together in my mind. Even Merik and Cassidy, the two characters who have a ton in common—they both evolved from a character I made up when I was twelve so it's like they're related—have really distinctly separate personalities, I'm pretty sure. And when it comes to the principle characters I invent, men and women are pretty equally represented.

I don't know, it's just something I've noticed about my writing, and it's a little strange when you consider the fact that when it comes to fiction I enjoy, it's generally the male characters that are my favorites. But it's probably natural, I guess, that I'd wonder what Bizarre Situation X would look like from Random Chick Z's point-of-view, since I'm a girl, after all.

Hm, worth thinking about.

Well, wasn't that exciting! In other news, I'm thinking about, uh, not getting a food plan or taking any student loan money to cover meals. This'll motivate me to get a job all the quicker, right?

Comments

[maxiboom.livejournal.com]

Or.

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

Dude. If I could have a superpower, I think that would be it. Or, hell, maybe I'll learn that I have that ability already!

[nellasaur.livejournal.com]

I know that I have an easier time writing female main characters primarily because I'm female, and it's just easier for me to empathize with them, which makes me more interested in writing. /story of 95% of writers everywhere

[parcus.livejournal.com]

I kind of wanted to see your knitting.

[unicorn]

YOU WILL SOMEDAY KNIT. I BELIEVE IN YOU. SOCKS SOCKS SOCKS.

I think that, from what I've seen, your female leads tend to take those generally male roles? With the being powerful and mentally imbalanced and not necessarily saved by love!!1 Which is awesome, keep doing that, it highlights the differences in your writing more. It's cool that you're branching your character types out.

[sunsetsred.livejournal.com]

Black is hard to see to knit with, too.

Try a light color, and something by Lily Sugar & Cream -- it's really easy to work with, and feels like a soft hemp. They come in small balls, so you can get them for around a buck and a half or two dollars.

Also, go for the food plan. If you're anything like me [cough] then you wont eat a good meal if you dont. Though I used my food plan at dinner for pizza hut breadsticks, so.

[sunsetsred.livejournal.com]

--Also, because I'm not sure if we've had this conversation before or not:

www.knittinghelp.com - their videos are the best shit ever on how to knit. I use them along with a couple of books I bought when I first started, but that's mostly for reference, dont blow your cash on more than one small basic knitting guide. I also recommend knitting the continental style, and if you ever do circular knitting, magic loop knitting is the best, and will save you a shitload of money on needles. ALSO, LONG TAIL CAST ON IS SO FAST.

If you're serious, you can get a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby and buy the Boye circular needle set. I talked myself out of this 2938523794 times until I finally realized it was worth it. SO WORTH IT. It's normally $70 so with the discount it's just over $40.

www.knitty.com - RULE NUMBER ONE: NEVER EVER PAY FOR PATTERNS. Fucking waste of money. You can find amazing patterns online, and knitty is the best place to start. Check out their archive.

As for needles, wooden ones dont slide much, but I worry about the yarn catching if they ever splinter. I've only got a couple sets of those. Most of my needles are metal (the yarn slides a lot, and you get that metal-on-metal feel, and both of those features have their pros and cons), but I just got my first set of plastic needles and I fucking LOVE them.

Uh. I think that's it? My favorite yarn to work with is the Caron "simply soft" and Red Heart "soft yarn". Solid colors moreso.

TL;DR

ALSO: NEVER, EVER KNIT A FUCKING SCARF. YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF FOR IT. Hats and arm warmer thingies are the way to go \o/

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah. I've also noticed that most writers tend to make up characters either their age or an age they've been before.

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll see it at some point!

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

SOMEDAY. SOOOOMEDAY. Kristel's comment makes it much more likely.

Saved by love is laaaame, whether it's a girl or a guy. But the reason I probably never write them is probably because romantic subplots usually bore the hell out of me. So much.

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SCARVES, THOUGH. Actually, I am obsessed with making socks. Apparently these are super hard but. I want socks.

THESE IS A LOT OF VERY USEFUL INFORMATION, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL USE MOST OF IT, I THINK.

[sunsetsred.livejournal.com]

SCARVES TAKE FOR FUCKING EVER AND YOU CAN NEVER TELL THAT YOU'RE MAKING PROGRESS. THEY ARE HELL.

I havent made socks yet, Making Things That Fit Just Right™ was not high up on my list of first projects. I've got an awesome pattern for skull wrist warmers lying around somewhere though. :Db

I'm guessing with socks you'll be working with double pointed needles, which I can tell you now will be hell. I think they'd work on the magic loop, though.

\o/ ANYTIME, THOUGH. JUST ASK!

[nellasaur.livejournal.com]

I have noticed this too! Writing older people is hard. )8

[yamiaudra.livejournal.com]

You could crochet instead, it's easier^^

[rocknload.livejournal.com]

That's what my grandmother told me! Can you crochet?

[yamiaudra.livejournal.com]

It has been awhile but yes I can! Just the very basic stuff though. I could probably do more if I bothered to learn it. I wouldn't mind making gloves and hats but all I can make is scarfs.