A writing question

[kronette.livejournal.com]

As you're writing, does anyone else have trouble reading their story as if you had no knowledge of it? I keep getting stuck because I'll have whole passages written, then realize I haven't explained or described anything because it was crystal clear in my head. I (sometimes) know the outcome of the story when I'm working on the beginning, so I have the endgame in my head as I'm writing, but that doesn't always translate into actual descriptive words.

Anyone else have this problem, or am I just an overly visual person trying to relay what I see in my head onto (virtual) paper?

Comments

[lordvalerymimes.livejournal.com]

Definitely a common problem I'd say. It's not easy to put yourself in the shoes of a reader who isn't privy to all the thoughts in your head. On the flip side, I also worry about putting in too much information and making the story too plodding because I'm trying to give such a clear picture of what I have in my head. Finding the happy middle is tough.

[kronette.livejournal.com]

I'd say if you're giving as much description as GRR Martin and Tolkien about his landscapes, then it's a bit too much :D

Like f you're writing in an established universe (aka someone else's characters), a lot of the situations are familiar as are the characters, so it is easier. It's when you stray from canon too far that you have to explain more of why the characters/situations are different from the show/movie/book. It's like felineranger says below; in fanfic we already know what the setting and characters are. Sometimes I forget that.