There are as many ways to write as there are writers.
I write because it’s there, and I write when it’s there.
I generally require some sort of inspiration but then I’m off.
Planning is the death of my muse, so I just sit down and start going and even I don’t know what’s going to happen until it happens.
This is a fun way to write. It’s play not work. But it’s terrible for regularity and productivity. On the one hand, I can get caught up in a scene or even entire story, and I do little but write for days on end. And then I get it out of my system, have no particularly enticing idea waiting in the wings, and won’t write for days or even weeks!
It’s not the proper way to write, or so I’m told. But it’s how I write.
Are you a writer? How do you approach it? How do you work through the drawbacks of your method?
Check out the poll on the right and add your comments below.
I'll confess that I largely do it your way. I get so focused on an idea and concept that I let it consume me. Then once the passion fizzles out I've got nothing left to do. Which, with the goal of publication, isn't really a viable way to do things.
Though I've found having an arsenal of ideas waiting in the wings helps enormously. I keep notes and files of little ideas that strike, get them down, and then come back to them later. Just have to be careful not to let all the shiny new ideas overpower the current work in progress.
I'm definitely one that needs some sort of a jump start . . . but it doesn't need to be particularly intriguing, just something to play around in my head with – as simple as a word or as complicated as a scenario. Once I have that seed I'm off. Thankfully, there are lots of seeds out there, so I haven't yet come to the point where I have no interest in writing 😉
I wish you had the option of d.)all of the above, lol. I make an effort to write, even one sentence, every day. But when the muse inspires, I also get carried away. And there's also some planning and preparation going on. Even if the muse isn't helping, though, I usually try to write something.
Kind of a hard poll to vote on. I do make myself sit down to write at writing time (and write at other times i get the desire to do so–that's when I get the most content done) However, I basically just keep starting until a must "strikes", then I write from there.
I also suck at the whole planning thing. I wrote a similar blog post about how Characters come to me a few days back as well.
I can go weeks or even months between typing out new chapters for a book, but I never turn off the wheels in my head. The way I see it, that is when I am really doing the writing. Sitting down at the keyboard is just the act of finally getting it down in hard copy.
I'm with Madison. I have to have some kind of structure, a rough idea of where I'm going. But then the magic starts and unexpected things happen and that is when I get the biggest rush in the world out of writing.
I think the structure bit comes from my journalism background – I am so used to writing to deadlines and having a brief that I sort of carry it over.
So, yup, I'm all three too….but if the muse ain't around I go on without him…and he tends to get interested and tag along after a bit….so yup, discipline is there. And hope – oh, always always hope. jxx
I'm a bit jealous of those of you who buckle down and do it, whether inspiration strikes or not. I'd guess that's the best in the end.
I am the laziest person in the cosmos. Therefore, if I'm not inspired, I don't write (or at least, write very badly). I have no natural talent at all, and can only write decently about subjects which appeal to me greatly.
I have to have at least a vague idea of what I'm going to write, before I sit down, or I won't be motivated enough to actually sit down. When the muse is missing, I'll probably just avoid writing anything. But when I have an idea, you just can't keep me away from the keyboard.
The inspiration has to be there, no amount of planning and preparation can make a story appear. I don't plan anything, it just happens, fingers on keys and away. Everything just flows out and then I sort it out later. It serves me, I've never been organised although I've spent my working life organising others. Odd that.
Bob (Dadoo)
I whip my muse into submission, and leave my internal critic locked up in the dungeon 🙂
Really.
I decide I'm writing 2000 words, even if I don't want to. My muse (who really just wants to party) pouts for a while, but after 200 words or so, he starts peeking over my shoulder to see what I'm up to. Before I know it, he's putting in his two cents worth, sending characters careening off in new directions, and revealing stuff that I had no idea was going on.
Next thing I know, four hours and 5000 words have gone by. I tell the muse he can quit and have a beer, but by then he's having fun and wants to keep going.
I write non stop. I don't even pause to correct spelling or grammar.
After I'm done writing, I let the internal critic out. He's really good at picking up spelling mistakes and plot holes.
I suppose you could say that it's a kind of unorganized order.
works for me:-)
Bob,
I love that, muse starts peeking over your shoulder, putting in his two cents worth. LOL! Awesome. I'm goign to use that visual next time I MUST write but the muse is off at the bar.