IA Progression?

[Ekim_Trub]

Hey there guys, i have been working on my IA for what seems like an eternity now, and i constantly find myself going round in circles working on the same ideas only to discard them, then pick them up again a short while later.

 

So, this got me wondering how my Brothers here on B&C manage to get past this and actually finish an IA??

I'd also like to hear how you's manage to incorporate your chosen "quirk/theme" into the IA.

 

All ideas/experiences greatly appreciated.

[exetus]

It's really all a matter of how you WANT to incorporate your theme. As for circular thoughts, I'm sure that we all have them. The best thing, in my opinion, is to put them down on paper, develop them and then see if they work. If they don't work, keep em gone or hang onto them for your next Chapter.

 

I think that most people incorporate their theme through the Chapter's beliefs, livery and naming convention. It's pretty easy to do with enough research.

[Octavulg]

Write an outline. Then try to make the outline work. If it isn't working in an outline, dressing it up so people will buy it may be harder than it's worth.

 

I also find that having several IAs helps. It keeps me from trying to make one into everything I like. Which, trust me, is a good thing.

[Walter Payton]

My planning of an IA goes something like this:

 

Step 1: Pick a theme

Step 2: Pick particulars of the present-day chapter (i.e name, homeworld, composition, geneseed) that fit the theme

Step 3: Plan the IA

Step 4: Write the IA

Step 5: Get criticism

Step 6: Respond to criticism

 

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the IA is of sufficient standard.

[Reyner]

My planning of an IA goes something like this:

 

Step 1: Pick a theme

Step 2: Pick particulars of the present-day chapter (i.e name, homeworld, composition, geneseed) that fit the theme

Step 3: Plan the IA

Step 4: Write the IA

Step 5: Get criticism

Step 6: Respond to criticism

 

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the IA is of sufficient standard.

This.

[Ferrata]

My planning of an IA goes something like this:

 

Step 1: Pick a theme

Step 2: Pick particulars of the present-day chapter (i.e name, homeworld, composition, geneseed) that fit the theme

Step 3: Plan the IA

Step 4: Write the IA

Step 5: Get criticism

Step 6: Respond to criticism

 

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the IA is of sufficient standard.

Actually I would switch Step 4 and Step 5 around. As Octavulg so nicely put, if it ain't working out as a plan it is easier to change then if you've wrote up loads of words. If someone comes up and says "Hey, I want to make Space Marines that shoot lazers from their eyes!", it is a lot easier to say "Hey, that's a bad idea" then if they turn up with with a 4000 word IA about the Lazer-eye-shooty-marines-of-Death. ^_^

 

I always come up with the blurb in my head, the cool thing that makes me want to write about the chapter. Then I develop this into a plan, looking at the sections of the IA and writing bullet points. This is the first time Liber will generally see the chapter and then I can discuss different aspects of the chapter that springs up from there. Only then do I really start to develop the chapter with more words.

 

Also, it is better to write naturally then force yourself to write an IA. If you don't get the feeling for it, move on and come back to it later. It took me around 6 years to write the Wings of Death IA and I wasn't working on it all that time (It isn't that awesome :D)

[Walter Payton]

My planning of an IA goes something like this:

 

Step 1: Pick a theme

Step 2: Pick particulars of the present-day chapter (i.e name, homeworld, composition, geneseed) that fit the theme

Step 3: Plan the IA

Step 4: Write the IA

Step 5: Get criticism

Step 6: Respond to criticism

 

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the IA is of sufficient standard.

Actually I would switch Step 4 and Step 5 around. As Octavulg so nicely put, if it ain't working out as a plan it is easier to change then if you've wrote up loads of words. If someone comes up and says "Hey, I want to make Space Marines that shoot lazers from their eyes!", it is a lot easier to say "Hey, that's a bad idea" then if they turn up with with a 4000 word IA about the Lazer-eye-shooty-marines-of-Death. ^_^

 

I always come up with the blurb in my head, the cool thing that makes me want to write about the chapter. Then I develop this into a plan, looking at the sections of the IA and writing bullet points. This is the first time Liber will generally see the chapter and then I can discuss different aspects of the chapter that springs up from there. Only then do I really start to develop the chapter with more words.

 

Also, it is better to write naturally then force yourself to write an IA. If you don't get the feeling for it, move on and come back to it later. It took me around 6 years to write the Wings of Death IA and I wasn't working on it all that time (It isn't that awesome :D)

 

 

Fixed.

 

 

Step 1: Pick a theme

Step 2: Pick particulars of the present-day chapter (i.e name, homeworld, composition, geneseed) that fit the theme

Step 3: Plan the IA

Step 4: Put ideas to the Liber

Step 5: Write the IA incorporating changes if any

Step 6: Get criticism

Step 7: Respond to criticism

 

Repeat Steps 6 and 7 until the IA is of sufficient standard.

[Octavulg]

It occurred to me that I didn't mention that the Octaguide (link in sig) has an exciting section on the conception and planning of an IA. Read it, why not?

[voi shet magir]

I also find that having several IAs helps. It keeps me from trying to make one into everything I like. Which, trust me, is a good thing.

 

O dont, dont abuse this, though. Pinch off a new one when there is not room in the first.

[Ekim_Trub]

Thanks guys, i feel a bit better about the whole affair now. But i must admit the idea of numerous IA's is one i find terrible- i can barely do one. ;)

 

I am away to study the Octaguide, wish me luck, and if possible, please pass critique on my IA. (Link in sig below.)

[Walter Payton]

Thanks guys, i feel a bit better about the whole affair now. But i must admit the idea of numerous IA's is one i find terrible- i can barely do one. ;)

 

I am away to study the Octaguide, wish me luck, and if possible, please pass critique on my IA. (Link in sig below.)

 

One does not simply read the Octaguide...

[Octavulg]

Indeed. One studies it. Which he's doing.

 

You never did hand in your essay on it, Alecto.

[Ekim_Trub]

Well i have my the rough outline, now i have the uphill task of trying to make use of it.

 

I can honestly say that i have lived on that page for the last couple of days, ;)