How do you write?

Adolescenteen

Always found it interesting how different people write in different ways, in terms of the actual process of writing. Was just wondering how all of you write? I've read some of the pieces floating among here, a lot of very talented people here.

So how do you write? Do you act on impulse? Do you ponder about a topic for awhile? Do you love the art of rewriting and correcting?

Is there a particular song/album you listen to? Do you plan out what you are going to write?

Would love to hear.

PurpleBee

I write in a notebook but am thinking of abandoning it in favour of loose leaves of paper because sometimes I find myself writing purely to get to last page when there should be no such thing as a last page or a journey to it purely for the sake of it.

Adolescenteen

PurpleBee wrote: »

I write in a notebook but am thinking of abandoning it in favour of loose leaves of paper because sometimes I find myself writing purely to get to last page when there should be no such thing as a last page or a journey to it purely for the sake of it.

I have a notebook as well, but it's mainly for writing down ideas then actual writing. Do that elsewhere. Very true point you just made.

EileenG

I write on my Psion or new laptop. For me, what works best is walking for an hour while on my way to a coffee shop or somewhere similar to write. I work out what I'm going to write while I'm walking.

Now I try to write the synopsis before I write the novel. It takes longer to get going on the story, but it means that once I start writing, I can keep going all the way without having to stop and get myself out of holes.

I generally don't edit until I've got the whole thing finished.

DHYNZY

have to start the writing day in a coffee shop. it's a terrible habit, but it focuses me better. if i latch onto a rhythm then i continue writing at home! i write the odd idea into a notebook if i haven't reached a suitable point for it. much like everyone else i guess!

Danpad

I start with an idea in my head, one that really grabs me. Then I form a beginning, middle, climax and end around that idea. I then hit the laptop and if I enjoy creating the story as much as I enjoy reading a good novel I'm in business. I don't really bother editing until I'm finished, getting the words down is important to me. I'm on my second novel as we speak and loving it!

Adolescenteen

Danpad wrote: »

I start with an idea in my head, one that really grabs me. Then I form a beginning, middle, climax and end around that idea. I then hit the laptop and if I enjoy creating the story as much as I enjoy reading a good novel I'm in business. I don't really bother editing until I'm finished, getting the words down is important to me. I'm on my second novel as we speak and loving it!

Oh really? Have you published your first novel? Would love to read it, although I still have a pile of books I've bought to read recently!

Danpad

Oh, no I'm a zillion miles away from being published! But i'm really enjoying the process of learning how to write as i go along, I know i've got the stamina to complete a novel now so i can put that psychological banana skin to bed. I think as my main character (the same in both novels) and the words, thoughts and dialogue now come quite easily.
My next set of challenges are the query and cover letters.

EileenG

Danpad wrote: »

My next set of challenges are the query and cover letters.

Not rewrites and editing?

On a practical point, I'd suggest you don't use the same character for the second novel, or at least, don't make it a follow-on. It's very likely your second novel will be better than your first, and your third better still. If they are all dependant on having read the first one, you're going to reduce your chance of selling them.

I made that mistake, and won't do it again.

Toasterspark

I've been writing short stories for years, and the process is usually the same.

I get an idea in my head, and it stays there for ages. The idea can be motivated by something like the VOAT short story contests, or can be something random that just pops up out of nowhere. Then it formulates in my head, and I can picture the general layout of the story like how it starts and ends, and any potential twist in the middle.

Finally, once the idea has been created, it keeps kicking and screaming inside my head until I get rid of it by writing it down somewhere. It'll keep popping up over and over and over until I do.

I usually get short stories written in one sitting, editing as I go. Things are always subject to change and the characters will do whatever they want, whether I like it or not. Which can be annoying. Luckily, a lot of my stories are children's stories, so I guess they aren't as difficult to write as the stuff you guys write!

CaoimH_in

I play darts. Odd one. But yeah, helps the paragraphs form.

Danpad

EileenG wrote: »

Not rewrites and editing?

QUOTE]
Of my first novel, yes, a million times over and whilst the second one I'm working on involves the same character it is a stand alone story in itself.

Daleno

My girlfriend recently bought me this lovely hardback notebook. It's got the smoothest paper ever so I write down my ideas in that first. I do maybe 4 to 5 lines of an outline for each scene/chapter and then work from that on my laptop. I study the outline so I know exactly what I'm doing and then start mashing keys. I aim for 1,500 words a day, which isn't too bad as I'm not working.

Once I'm finished I'll reread over and fix small mistakes but leave the major editing until the very end. I take notes in a small notebook for editing purposes and they're then stuck to a notice board on my wall.

Sometimes I'll spend a whole day doing outlines and then I can get a lot more words done the next day as it has had time to settle in my head.

stories, sit down and type

poems, scrawl in notebook

damselnat

This is really interesting, like seeing how different people work on essentially the same thing! Personally, I always know the ending before anything other plot point, generally a character comes to me and something about their life, and the ending, I come up with the start and aim for the end and go with the flow, let the characters take the story their way.

I always think of a story as like a body, you start with the skeleton first, go back and build the veins, the arteries, the tendons and ligaments, the flesh and eventually the pretty bits Apparently when I was younger I used to always tell people who asked me how I came up with stories that they write themselves, I'm just following them, putting the words down on paper, I still feel that way sort of

As for physically writing, I tend to do it anywhere and everywhere I can, though I actually prefer standing up (miss having a breakfast bar!!) and in one of those old copybooks, like you used to use in school, I like being able to carry it around and hold it in my hand and read it like an actual book, though in public people always look at you weirdly....

damselnat

damselnat wrote: »

I always think of a story as like a body, you start with the skeleton first, go back and build the veins, the arteries, the tendons and ligaments, the flesh and eventually the pretty bits Apparently when I was younger I used to always tell people who asked me how I came up with stories that they write themselves, I'm just following them, putting the words down on paper, I still feel that way sort of
.

same here, with a lot of short stories
i just see the whole thing, the skeleton of it, and just have to write it and flesh it out

once or twice in that arena thing though i've had to force every single word out, like extracting teeth