weiss

I like to get as much as possible on paper before I forget my train of thought, and then go back and edit. Is this what you do?

spirituous

I have a few notes on plot issues and the general direction I want to go, but that's it. I write as my characters and they do what they want. Sometimes they do what I want, sometimes they take a whole different approach. My ideas are basically just a suggestion, not a firm rule.

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i can do the frug~

Queasy Dillo

I've generally found that I write my best (or, failing that, my most popular) stuff once I have a basic idea of the scene at hand. Most of the stuff I've put up here was written in marathon writing sessions where I sat down, started typing, and then wound up running just to keep pace with my character(s).

As an aside here, I also prefer to do my writing either in the evening or the middle of the night. I do this chiefly because those are two times when I'm not likely to have any distractions or disturbances. Some people can write in the midst of an unfolding disaster. I am not one of them. I require a relatively calm environment with light background noise.

Unfortunately, my particular method of transferring ideas to paper runs pretty quick. This means there's going to be mistakes. Though I try to patch things up as a I go, I also think you need to set the project aside for a week or so before going back and editing in earnest.

That's about how I write, I guess. I never really thought about it.

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You have not yet begun to scratch the surface of my depravity.

B1ot

Anyone ever found themselves lying awake in bed, when suddenly an idea pops into your head... you grab some paper and scribble it down... I've had that a lot recently. Trouble is, when I write it down I think it's an awesome idea... 80% of the time it's garbage Every so often I get some good ieas through this method though, but it isn't good for tiredness. It happens most often on sunday night, and I find myself exhausted the day after.

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John

weiss

I write notes too on small pieces of paper then usually lose them. Sometimes I'll write (Computer) below the last line of the story ideas I have for the direction of the story, like "introduce more friends" school description and so on.

Londongrey

I totally clear my mind, if I find that I am thinking about what is being written it immediately sounds conscious, cliche and insincere about what I am trying to evoke.

It's good to brain storm, but really not that often. That's what works for me!

Alex

spirituous

I have two books full of those ideas, and I used to have a wall of post-its. I don't know where I'd be without post-its.

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i can do the frug~

Oracle

For me, before my writing even becomes a solid piece, it's a series of point-form notes, character profiles, maps, charts, diagrams, etc. I can't start actually writing it until I've got a firm idea of what the characters are like, and what's going to happen.

When I get an idea, I write it all out in point-form, or sometimes as a small writing selection, or sometimes I'll just draw something. It really depends on the idea. My problem is that I focus too hard on the story-structure, characters, plot, etc. That I haven't put nearly as much work into my writing style.

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The bubble is round.

weiss

I like to base my characters on people I've met or have come in contact with. Sometimes reality is much better than fiction.

Rajie

I generally find (or get hit by) a muse. Then I start a rough handwritten draft just to let the plot and characters happen. If I like it then I do research.

After researching, I make a character list that contains their personality traits, occupation, age, appearance, religion and social status. After developing the personality of the players, I pick a suitable name. After the name is chosen (and re-chosen, normally) I pick the finer details of the characters (i.e. the personality has to correspond with the correct zodiac sign, which then determines the actual birthday and birthstone, and then I get into blood types. I even go as far as to plan what brands of clothing the character would wear, and how much money they would have in their coat pocket, assuming the character would even wear a coat).

After character planning, I make notes on my plot. Like the symbolism that I want used in it, and the meaning behind every little thing I want done. Then I start developing the story, occasionally adding to my already existing stash of notes.

I just have this curious fixation of having to "know" my characters.

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"If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success."

"Two words: Retail Therapy!"

lisajane

Usually, just titles pop into my head. Then I sit there and mentally rearrange the titles, scribble them down on post-its and put them on my noticeboard. If I feel like writing something other than my novel, I find one that sounds interesting then start flipping through some writing books I've got which is just simple ideas. Does wonders.

Of course, most of the ideas in the books and titles are never used.

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'Beauty stands and waits with gravity to start her death-defying leap. And he, a little charleychaplin man, who may or may not catch her fair eternal form spreadeagled in the empty air of existence.' - Laurence Felinghetti, 'The Acrobat'

die_daily

i have this terrible habit of being inspired by words and quirky word combinations. and music. i dont know what i'd do without music.

i don't do any lists or any preplanning. it seems like delaying the inevitable to me. all you're really doing is writing about writing; youre not getting anywhere, but you think you are. so, yeah. i do alot of stream of conscious stuff. just pages and pages of scatological word buildup.

it's like building a boat, i guess. i dont much care where i end up. i just like language.