What is your method?

[Astronaut]

As someone who loves to write I was wondering about your approach. Since most of this forum seems to involve writing tell me your method. Mine fortunately and un is to find a subject I relate to, imagine it throughout put on paper what I can, but usually my most creative side comes out through drinking and as I said fortunately and un putting myself really into it, which can be exhausting, self absorbing and depressing. Usually I need to be up late and by myself, but im wondering where you get your inspiration from music, a moment alone, peace and quiet so on and so forth.

[timbot]

I generally write sappy love/relationship stories. Sometimes I write directly from my real life. Just putting down what happened to me, but aiming it at an outside audience instead of writing it as a personal journal.
When it's not actually about me, there's still usually a lot of me in it. I usually get an idea based on something that's happening to me or something that I saw. I get a little idea, just one scene or one little vision and then go from there, building around it.
I can't write when I'm hung over and generally not when I've been drinking either. I'm working a bit on a story right now. I wrote part of it while a bit tipsy. I can't decide if i like it or not.
Sometimes I get a little inspiration from music, but I can't listen to music and write at the same time, unless it's instrumental music, and even then it can be difficult.

[Casalen]

I write screenplays.

Sometimes I start with a scene, or a character, or a whole story in once go. Then I write a logline; one sentence that covers what it's about. If it looks like rubbish, I'm done. Otherwise, I write a basic description, then an outline. The outline is usually separated into three acts. I then write each scene on an index card (quick description) and put it on my cork board. I go through each one and write a note on the bottom stating the purpose of the scene; what changes from when it starts to when it ends. This helps me watch for pacing issues and useless scenes, or unclear structure issues. THEN I write the script. Somewhere in there I also end up with character descriptions. Then I do something else for a while until I'm ready to re-read, re-write and hopefully it'll be decent at that point.

Except usually I'm not a writer, so this isn't a common occurance.

[VioletSadi]

I come up with a random snatch of dialogue, and try to work a story out of it. This technique works when I have time, but doesn't work when I'm in an English exam.

I love writing little sketches. If I write anything longer, it gets bogged down with SLAGIATT's (Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time) until it no longer works.

[timbot]

I love writing little sketches. If I write anything longer, it gets bogged down with SLAGIATT's (Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time) until it no longer works.

I have a similar problem at times. I get a little idea that works for a few pages, but then extending it and really developing the characters becomes difficult. I need to be more disciplined about it, kind of how Casalen works, but it's tough, and sometimes it feels forced.

[hollywood_maggot]

Well first I have to force myself to write. I enjoy it, but Im scared shitless of producing something bad. I get pumped up as a good writer by everyone (including myself) that I don't want to prove it wrong.

But when I do write, generally it's when I've been given a stimulus of some sort (only sometimes does this come naturally to me) and then my mind goes haywire, I started shitting on the page, changing the idea as it comes and edit as I go, since I'm generally a one draft type of guy. I've tried longer projects before but I inevitably get bored 5 or 6 pages in.

Generally my ideas are pretty out there though, so I'm quite happy with that.

[timbot]

Wait, if I'm reading this right, your method is to spew shit on paper until you get bored? No wonder you're worried about writing something bad.

[hollywood_maggot]

Well, it's not shit. And it actually makes sense. I just have an off-hand way of describing how I work. Basically, what it sums up to, is I just write - no planning.

[Oofie]

I usually start with a really tiny, seemingly inconsequential detail, and come up with an entire story using it. That detail can come from anywhere, a real life event, a painting, or just a passing thought.

I enjoy it, but Im scared shitless of producing something bad. I get pumped up as a good writer by everyone (including myself) that I don't want to prove it wrong.

Hahaha. Yeah ok. (http://forums.explosm.net/showthread.php?t=48805)

[hollywood_maggot]

It wasn't shit so I don't see your point. However, I don't count this forum as everyone, I count people I know etc etc. But whatever. Not going to bother defending myself anymore.

[Oofie]

It wasn't shit so I don't see your point.

Hahaha, yeah ok.

However, I don't count this forum as everyone, I count people I know etc etc.

So like, by 'everyone' you mean 'not everyone at all, just the people who know you and therefore probably don't want to hurt your feelings by saying anything negative, as opposed to the public who don't care about your feelings'? That's awfully specific.

Sorry for derail/petty bitching, but arrogance is a really irritating trait in a 'writer', particularly when it's unfounded.

But regarding your 'no planning' post, I'm like that too. I've tried to write out plans and stick to them but I tend to get bored and stray completely.

[hammyvonhammy]

Must say, i usually find my inspiration in something simple, like rain or just a random thing i find under my desk from time to time. Although i must admit recently i have gone from dark writing to a more happy based story line, could have something to do with how my life has changed this past month but yea... simple things like light reflecting through the glass can make me ponder about writing a story about a knight of the light fighting for the freedom of his people etc... :-)

[Sherbetcat]

It would depend what I was writing. For poetry, it usually evolves from a single phrase that I randomly think of, and storylines are something I am almost constantly thinking about, and normaly focus around one/very few characters and their traits.

Does anyone else view any characters they have ever created as actual people? I think of mine sometimes, and it's almost as if I used to know them a long time ago, but can't quite picture what they looked like anymore.

[Tweek]

I never write because I get ideas which evolve into stories which get sidetracked and derailed, all before I have a chance to write down a word.
When I try to write I can't find the inspiration.

I might try some of your methods and get something written.

[AOB]

I never write because I get ideas which evolve into stories which get sidetracked and derailed, all before I have a chance to write down a word.
When I try to write I can't find the inspiration.

I might try some of your methods and get something written.

Wow i get the same!

but most of the time i just stop thinking and start writting... not very good results but at least u write something. Mostly I write about my day, or something about it that reminded me about something about another day... and I ramble and ramble and ramble...

[Quadros]

It wasn't shit so I don't see your point.

Hahahaha That's as blindly arrogant as it is indefensivbly incorrect.

As for me I just take a general idea and dive straight in writing. I rarely plan, which is probably entirely evident, but I find that plans just constrain me.

[Allen]

50% of my writing is done in my head. Currently I'm writing a screenplay for a movie I'm shooting in October, and I had most of the story fleshed out in my head before I even started typing it out.

I generally get inspiration, which can come from even the smallest of things, from a song or life event to a pattern I saw in the woods/grass/ceiling etc. Then I get a vague idea of my plot. Then I get a rough idea of characters, then I figure out a beginning and an end. Then I flesh out the major events that I want to happen in between. Then I flesh out my characters, how I want them to be, what I want to happen to them, and where I want them to end up. Then maybe I start writing. Then I see how my ideas work. I keep what works, lose what doesn't, change anything that needs it, rework anything as necessary. Sometimes what I write ends up being almost completely different than what I planned. If you can't let a story progress naturally or you can't accept that your original ideas weren't the greatest for the story, then you really have no business writing.

And it's not exactly a formula. Everything that happens from getting a vague idea of a plot to starting writing happens at random, in different orders most of the time.

[timbot]

I hope this isn't considered a derail, but I just thought of a different aspect of the method. How do you all do your actual writing?
I always have to start with a pen and paper, at least with anything serious. Then, if I decide I want to do something more with it, I type it up on my computer. I print it out, read it over, make small changes and fix grammar and such on the printed page. I can make very small changes and do a little proofreading on the computer, but I usually miss things that way.

[Crabstick]

I write forum RPGs.

That aside, 90% of my writing goes down with pen on paper. I find it's easier to churn out ideas, and if I'm typing I have a tendency to go back and change things, which completely distracts me from where I'm going.

I've also found that planning, storyboards, plotting out beforehand, all that sort of shit is useless for me. I start writing and see where it goes, 100% improvisation. Generally I'm happy with what I end up with, so it's working well for me I guess.

One thing I'd recommend with proofing is to not do any of it straight away. Finish typing something up, print it off, and put to the side for at least a week. If you try to proof or edit it straight away, you're going to skip over things, because your brain tells you it's fine and you're not paying close enough attention. I've got pages I wrote six months ago that I haven't proofed yet, and won't until I finish the entirety of my first draft.

[Casalen]

I always type it, and have since I first owned a decent computer. I'm faster, more legible and have an easier time editing. All advantages. Plus I don't like wasting paper. Although when I use the board and cards I have to write on those by hand.

[Astronaut]

I never write because I get ideas which evolve into stories which get sidetracked and derailed
I keep a permanent marker on me wherever I am, somtimes at the bar I write on napkins, on my hands, at school, often I turn a simple and deep phrase into an entire something.

As for how I get it down onto a solid, I have to write out what I can, and usually I add through typing. My hands don't type the way they write.

[CnGy]

When I'm on a high I usually write the best stuff. Please don't confuse this with stoned, which can be good for writing too, but not really. The best writing comes from when you can't stop yourself from thinking, as allen said.

That said, I haven't written in ages. Maybe I'll write something soon.

[Casalen]

So I thought about it a little more. As far as ideas, sometimes dreams help with that. Other times a phrase I hear or objects I see can come up up with little one sentence concepts, which I now record on my voice recorder. Previously I wrote them down or forgot them. Historically, showering has been a common time for me to come up with stuff. I guess because I'm not getting distracted all that much.

[VioletSadi]

I write the idea on paper, and type out the flesh of the story. That said, sometimes a story doesn't work when I type it. I have no idea why. Possibly it's the green wavy lines and the paper clip saying things like "You seem to be writing a play/letter/report (whatever I'm not writing) would you like to use the Microsoft template?"

[hollywood_maggot]

Hahaha, yeah ok.



So like, by 'everyone' you mean 'not everyone at all, just the people who know you and therefore probably don't want to hurt your feelings by saying anything negative, as opposed to the public who don't care about your feelings'? That's awfully specific.

Sorry for derail/petty bitching, but arrogance is a really irritating trait in a 'writer', particularly when it's unfounded.

But regarding your 'no planning' post, I'm like that too. I've tried to write out plans and stick to them but I tend to get bored and stray completely.

Okay, put it this way, I have posted regularly on other forums in the past. This is actually the first forum where I've been totally put down like that. 5 or 6 other forums, several dedicated to writing (most defunct now though) generally give me praise or a few crits here and there. When you're continually told you're great, alot of people can't find things to crit and you win plenty of competitions - you get cocky. I'm sorry, but it's pretty damn fucking hard not to.

Also, I have no pride for anything else I do, so I'm allowed to have a bit of pride for the one thing I'm a least a little bit good at. Even if it is unfounded.

EDIT: And no, that wasn't a 'pity me' post, I'm just stating the facts for why I am as I am. Flame me if you want, but you've only seen that one poem which I personally was proud of but most people agree isn't particularly good.

[Glowstick]

I like writing about things that are out of the ordinary, or generally fantasy-related. I usually map out the story and characters in my head (or, in short, I daydream about something then write about it) and then put the ideas to paper or microsoft word. I also like to draw characters and locations that will be in my stories or whatever before actually starting to write the story.

[CnGy]

I write the idea on paper, and type out the flesh of the story. That said, sometimes a story doesn't work when I type it. I have no idea why. Possibly it's the green wavy lines and the paper clip saying things like "You seem to be writing a play/letter/report (whatever I'm not writing) would you like to use the Microsoft template?"

I always find that writing on paper is far easier than typing. WHen it comes to composing anything.