Writing meme
Aug. 12th, 2005 06:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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koshkaphoenix:
1) Where do you write?
Anywhere and everywhere. It doesn't matter whether I'm at my desk or curled up on my couch or commuting on the Metro, if I have a pen and paper and an idea to burn, I will write. (And heaven help me the times I don't have a pen in my purse and I feel like writing…)
2) Do you use/have a laptop?
Yes, I have a fairly new Dell laptop. I use it mostly when I don't feel like sitting at the desk or when I go to write-ins.
3) What distracts you from writing?
Not being comfortable, too much chit chat around me. During Nanowrimo, I discovered I don't get a lot done at the write-ins because of those distractions. And yet I still crave being around other writers then.
I also get distracted by the shiny – new ideas, new fandoms, whatever isn't what I'm supposed to be working on.
4) What makes you write even more?
When I hit a really good idea and everything just flows… it's so rare, but I love it when I'm in that groove. I have to remind myself to take a break so I don't kill myself physically though.
5) What do you have set up for yourself so that you can write even more?
I'm fond of setting myself goals or incentives to encourage me to write. Sometimes it works and sometimes I stare at the blank document.
6) What do you do when you're stuck?
If I'm stuck, I'll usually take a step back, work on something else if I can. I might watch something on tv or listen to some music, just clear my brain. If it's fanfic, I may relook at the canon source that inspired the story. Sometimes I've been known to start over from scratch.
7) Do you write from beginning to end... or do you jump around as the mood suits you?
I've often said I was completely incapable of writing in a straight line. There are exceptions, but generally I jump around to whatever scene or image appeals to me.
8) When do you write?
See the answer to question #1. Basically anytime I can. One of our writing group speakers called it "stealing time", which really works for me. If I want to write, I find the time. Sometimes maybe when I shouldn't… *whistles innocently*
9) If you're a novel-writer of any sort... how do you set up your story, or do you? do you make outlines, write character descriptions, etc? Or do you just start writing?
And my friends can now stop laughing now. I am a notorious non-outliner. I just can't plan out stories that way. I feel like I've already told the story. It's very hard to outline in a way that still gives me enough room to breathe creatively. There are some projects I'll just start writing, but usually I will do some planning, usually describing the characters and premise. I'll ask myself some questions I can use to come up with the plot. I've outlined the first few chapters in very basic terms, but never from end to end.
10) How do you stay motivated to write... to keep going, even if you've been rejected time and time again?
For me, I write because I can't imagine not writing. I've always come up with stories of far-off worlds and obscure historical periods. I stay motivated by focusing on that – on why I write. For fanfiction, it's more the fun of exploring the canon, seeing where I can take it.
Do I still get discouraged? Oh hell yeah! Especially when I feel unappreciated, I have those moments. Writing to the sound of crickets chirping is not encouraging to anyone. I try not to focus on what other people are doing, be distracted by their successes, but sometimes it's hard.
Bonus question from me:
11) How does music factor into your writing? Do you come up with soundtracks in your head for your stories? Can you listen to music while working or is it distracting?
Music is to me an integral part of my creative process, either for mood or inspiration. Most of my Nano novels have a particular sound I associate with them. The first one was a high fantasy novel, so I wound up listening to a lot of Gregorian chants and movie themes. The second one involved a lot of jazz and opera. The last one also had a jazzy feel. Sometimes I'll listen to music while I'm working and sometimes I won't, depending on how I'm feeling. Some stories I can't write without the right mindset or music.
koshkaphoenix:1) Where do you write?
Anywhere and everywhere. It doesn't matter whether I'm at my desk or curled up on my couch or commuting on the Metro, if I have a pen and paper and an idea to burn, I will write. (And heaven help me the times I don't have a pen in my purse and I feel like writing…)
2) Do you use/have a laptop?
Yes, I have a fairly new Dell laptop. I use it mostly when I don't feel like sitting at the desk or when I go to write-ins.
3) What distracts you from writing?
Not being comfortable, too much chit chat around me. During Nanowrimo, I discovered I don't get a lot done at the write-ins because of those distractions. And yet I still crave being around other writers then.
I also get distracted by the shiny – new ideas, new fandoms, whatever isn't what I'm supposed to be working on.
4) What makes you write even more?
When I hit a really good idea and everything just flows… it's so rare, but I love it when I'm in that groove. I have to remind myself to take a break so I don't kill myself physically though.
5) What do you have set up for yourself so that you can write even more?
I'm fond of setting myself goals or incentives to encourage me to write. Sometimes it works and sometimes I stare at the blank document.
6) What do you do when you're stuck?
If I'm stuck, I'll usually take a step back, work on something else if I can. I might watch something on tv or listen to some music, just clear my brain. If it's fanfic, I may relook at the canon source that inspired the story. Sometimes I've been known to start over from scratch.
7) Do you write from beginning to end... or do you jump around as the mood suits you?
I've often said I was completely incapable of writing in a straight line. There are exceptions, but generally I jump around to whatever scene or image appeals to me.
8) When do you write?
See the answer to question #1. Basically anytime I can. One of our writing group speakers called it "stealing time", which really works for me. If I want to write, I find the time. Sometimes maybe when I shouldn't… *whistles innocently*
9) If you're a novel-writer of any sort... how do you set up your story, or do you? do you make outlines, write character descriptions, etc? Or do you just start writing?
And my friends can now stop laughing now. I am a notorious non-outliner. I just can't plan out stories that way. I feel like I've already told the story. It's very hard to outline in a way that still gives me enough room to breathe creatively. There are some projects I'll just start writing, but usually I will do some planning, usually describing the characters and premise. I'll ask myself some questions I can use to come up with the plot. I've outlined the first few chapters in very basic terms, but never from end to end.
10) How do you stay motivated to write... to keep going, even if you've been rejected time and time again?
For me, I write because I can't imagine not writing. I've always come up with stories of far-off worlds and obscure historical periods. I stay motivated by focusing on that – on why I write. For fanfiction, it's more the fun of exploring the canon, seeing where I can take it.
Do I still get discouraged? Oh hell yeah! Especially when I feel unappreciated, I have those moments. Writing to the sound of crickets chirping is not encouraging to anyone. I try not to focus on what other people are doing, be distracted by their successes, but sometimes it's hard.
Bonus question from me:
11) How does music factor into your writing? Do you come up with soundtracks in your head for your stories? Can you listen to music while working or is it distracting?
Music is to me an integral part of my creative process, either for mood or inspiration. Most of my Nano novels have a particular sound I associate with them. The first one was a high fantasy novel, so I wound up listening to a lot of Gregorian chants and movie themes. The second one involved a lot of jazz and opera. The last one also had a jazzy feel. Sometimes I'll listen to music while I'm working and sometimes I won't, depending on how I'm feeling. Some stories I can't write without the right mindset or music.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-12 11:24 pm (UTC)