The Writing Meme
May. 22nd, 2007 11:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aurora_novarumOkay, what is wrong with lj? Email notifications are screwed up. Sections of this post have disappeared--okay they're here when I look at the edit, but they didn't show up! It took me four times to respond to a comment someone left. Gak. It's Twilight Zone LJ!
Anyway...
I'm fascinated with others have to say about this. Don't know if anyone will be interested in mine, but here goes. Gakked from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
moonshayde and astrogirl2
1. Do you outline?
Not formally. In fanfic if it's ep related, the ep already has the sequence set up for me. For original fic or fanfic, I brainstorm or leave myself notes aboutt key points and sequences just to keep track of where I'm going.
2. Do you write straight through, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?
I usually write out of order. I find it helps if I'm blocked. Or sometimes the scene that's clear in my head isn't the scene that's chronologically next--or I want to write funny and angst is the next in sequence. I usually start at the beginning and know some basic key points so I'm not randomly out of order. The fic is usually a melody to me where I try and balance humor and serious.
Then again, I take tests out of order. I don't open my mail first to last. I didn't watch my Stargate DVDs in order when I got them (it helps I knew the stories already). Going out of order seems my norm. (I don't skip to ends of mystery novels though. ;-))
Once I was writing a full character study and journey where I wasn't sure what his reactions would be and where it would lead. I discovered I was retreading old ground or not getting the vibe of his character right. That fic I purposefully wrote in order to keep the character integrity. It almost killed me because when I hit a block, I couldn't go around and get back to it. But finally, it worked out. :-)
3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?
I prefer a computer. I can type really fast, so it's easier to keep up with my brain and keep a visual feel for the story.
I can do pen though, and it makes a nice change on occasion.
4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?
I prefer the third. I experiment with POV in my fanfic, first person, third person limited, third person omniscient, just to see what develops, what works, what doesn't and what I enjoy. Plus it depends on the story and how I want to explore the plot and the characters.
I have vowed never to write in first person PRESENT TENSE again. That was a nightmare, and I kept switching out of the tense (I don't usually screw up that badly). I created a monster for myself...ironically, that turned out to be my favorite story. I'll do first person again if it merits it, but never present tense.
5. Do you listen to music while you write?
Not usually. Sometimes something classical as a background hum.
6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?
Heh. I'm never sure if I come up with perfect names. I just go by sounds. If they're Earth characters, what they "look" like to me.
Sometimes I'll combine names or parts of names from RL.
7. When you're writing, do you ever imagine your story as a television show or movie?
Well...with my fanfic, it IS a television story. But, it's more an abstract sense of the description, the words. I *hear* the character's voices vividly. But seeing the setting and the movements, it's more abstract silhouettey things, I think.
I've never really thought about it. I think that part of my writing process is pretty subconscious. Hmm.
8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn't want him/her to do?
I don't know if I'd say "derail" because I think it's part of the fluid process of writing. Sometimes I write the story because I want to see where the character takes me. Explore his or her reactions and other actions more, either internally or externally, so I'll follow their lead. "Just a Scientist" and "Many Roads" were like that. In "Many Roads" didn't know who Harrid was or how he would end up. As for Bill in JaS, I wasn't sure what form his character would take, or what he would do--part of writing the fic for me was asking what DID he mean by "everything?" I didn't know the answer until I wrote it, and that part was one of the last scenes I wrote. If there's parts I am seeing them do (or have to do in fanfic since I try to be a canon writer--hello pissy Shades of Grey Daniel!), I'll formulate the circumstances to see what ends up. It's kind of a give and take with my "character muse".
I just wrote a ficathon story for Sam and Daniel, and Jack showed up, spouting more of his offbeat humor. It made sense, and yet wasn't a complete picture of Jack so I decided, well he'll show up in the end for the rescue. So now over a third of my SAM and DANIEL fic has Jack (and Teal'c--he got jealous too). It's funny since Jack is not the character that tends to call to me in writing. I find him difficult to portray. So, yeah, the characters of my fics have their own "minds" at times.
9. Do you know how a story is going to end when you start it?
Sometimes. Like I said above, sometimes writing is just trying to answer the question for myself, so I follow points and see where the characters and set ups take me. The whole point is to see where the plot bunny goes.
Other places, I know full form the beginning/middle/and end.
Hmm, there's no place that talks about inspiration, so I'll mention it here. Usually I'll see a scene or hear dialogue in my head...often for more than one sequence--and not necessarily sequential like a movie reel (hence my not writing in order). So these points of change or dialogue revelations are what I build my fic around.
10. Where do you write?
Wherever my computer is. :-)
Less smartass answer, I'll daydream the sequences and "think them out" when I'm mowing the lawn, weeding, eating lunch, showering. Or just as I'm typing.
11. What do you do when you get writer's block?
Curse and flail, then set it aside and work on something not fic related.
12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of wordcount, or as a percentage of the fic as a whole)?
At first I seemed to have two ranges. Around ten pages, or around forty pages. It's varied a lot more now. I don't pay attention to that so much as just play with whatever I want to or need to to make sure the fic is done.
I'm too blabby to do anything really short though. A drabble will kill me. I think of them as poetry. There's really talented ones out there, but it's not my style.
13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?
I continually edit the past as I reread it to work in the new or as I write along. If you want to talk how many revisions I do that are so dramatic I decide to save the fic under a new name? Um, usually around 4-5 before it goes to beta.
14. Have you ever changed a character's name midway through a draft?
Yep. I'm terrible with names. Sadly I don't recall my own characters at times.
15. Do you let anyone read your story while you're working on it, or do you wait until you've completed a draft before letting someone else see it?
One time when I was *really* blocked, I asked someone to look at a fic, and it didn't work right.
I self-edit and send the completed one to beta. I will sometimes discuss ideas as I write with my friends.
16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?
I read and nitpick at it, then put it away (send it to beta)...then go back and nitpick some more. (Fabrisse is REALLY patient with me, LOL)
17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?
My mentality is to want to do ONE at a time, because otherwise I'm too scattered. When I got blocked on that "write in order" fic, I started a couple more, and now this WIP list has gone insane.
I don't like that. I want to do one at a time.
18. Do your stories grow or shrink in revision?
They always end up growing. I don't understand that. I take out chunks, and then...
My last fic when the draft was done was 7,000 words. I cut and polished, and it ended up around 8,000...and the header and bibliography aren't THAT many words.
19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?
I have betas and a few friends I throw around ideas with. One buddy and I talk about doing a fanfic collaboration. At least the brainstorming of it is a fun distraction at times. Who knows if/when it'll ever get written.
20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?
I don't know, I see that as parts of the whole. I like fitting together my stories like this lovely jigsaw puzzle. If that means writing a transition scene, or just polishing what's there so it's as sharp as I can make it, that's the way it goes.
But I also like finally putting in black and white the pivotal inspiration scenes/dialogue that's been going in my head like a refrain.
Anyway...
I'm fascinated with others have to say about this. Don't know if anyone will be interested in mine, but here goes. Gakked from
moonshayde and astrogirl21. Do you outline?
Not formally. In fanfic if it's ep related, the ep already has the sequence set up for me. For original fic or fanfic, I brainstorm or leave myself notes aboutt key points and sequences just to keep track of where I'm going.
2. Do you write straight through, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?
I usually write out of order. I find it helps if I'm blocked. Or sometimes the scene that's clear in my head isn't the scene that's chronologically next--or I want to write funny and angst is the next in sequence. I usually start at the beginning and know some basic key points so I'm not randomly out of order. The fic is usually a melody to me where I try and balance humor and serious.
Then again, I take tests out of order. I don't open my mail first to last. I didn't watch my Stargate DVDs in order when I got them (it helps I knew the stories already). Going out of order seems my norm. (I don't skip to ends of mystery novels though. ;-))
Once I was writing a full character study and journey where I wasn't sure what his reactions would be and where it would lead. I discovered I was retreading old ground or not getting the vibe of his character right. That fic I purposefully wrote in order to keep the character integrity. It almost killed me because when I hit a block, I couldn't go around and get back to it. But finally, it worked out. :-)
3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?
I prefer a computer. I can type really fast, so it's easier to keep up with my brain and keep a visual feel for the story.
I can do pen though, and it makes a nice change on occasion.
4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?
I prefer the third. I experiment with POV in my fanfic, first person, third person limited, third person omniscient, just to see what develops, what works, what doesn't and what I enjoy. Plus it depends on the story and how I want to explore the plot and the characters.
I have vowed never to write in first person PRESENT TENSE again. That was a nightmare, and I kept switching out of the tense (I don't usually screw up that badly). I created a monster for myself...ironically, that turned out to be my favorite story. I'll do first person again if it merits it, but never present tense.
5. Do you listen to music while you write?
Not usually. Sometimes something classical as a background hum.
6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?
Heh. I'm never sure if I come up with perfect names. I just go by sounds. If they're Earth characters, what they "look" like to me.
Sometimes I'll combine names or parts of names from RL.
7. When you're writing, do you ever imagine your story as a television show or movie?
Well...with my fanfic, it IS a television story. But, it's more an abstract sense of the description, the words. I *hear* the character's voices vividly. But seeing the setting and the movements, it's more abstract silhouettey things, I think.
I've never really thought about it. I think that part of my writing process is pretty subconscious. Hmm.
8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn't want him/her to do?
I don't know if I'd say "derail" because I think it's part of the fluid process of writing. Sometimes I write the story because I want to see where the character takes me. Explore his or her reactions and other actions more, either internally or externally, so I'll follow their lead. "Just a Scientist" and "Many Roads" were like that. In "Many Roads" didn't know who Harrid was or how he would end up. As for Bill in JaS, I wasn't sure what form his character would take, or what he would do--part of writing the fic for me was asking what DID he mean by "everything?" I didn't know the answer until I wrote it, and that part was one of the last scenes I wrote. If there's parts I am seeing them do (or have to do in fanfic since I try to be a canon writer--hello pissy Shades of Grey Daniel!), I'll formulate the circumstances to see what ends up. It's kind of a give and take with my "character muse".
I just wrote a ficathon story for Sam and Daniel, and Jack showed up, spouting more of his offbeat humor. It made sense, and yet wasn't a complete picture of Jack so I decided, well he'll show up in the end for the rescue. So now over a third of my SAM and DANIEL fic has Jack (and Teal'c--he got jealous too). It's funny since Jack is not the character that tends to call to me in writing. I find him difficult to portray. So, yeah, the characters of my fics have their own "minds" at times.
9. Do you know how a story is going to end when you start it?
Sometimes. Like I said above, sometimes writing is just trying to answer the question for myself, so I follow points and see where the characters and set ups take me. The whole point is to see where the plot bunny goes.
Other places, I know full form the beginning/middle/and end.
Hmm, there's no place that talks about inspiration, so I'll mention it here. Usually I'll see a scene or hear dialogue in my head...often for more than one sequence--and not necessarily sequential like a movie reel (hence my not writing in order). So these points of change or dialogue revelations are what I build my fic around.
10. Where do you write?
Wherever my computer is. :-)
Less smartass answer, I'll daydream the sequences and "think them out" when I'm mowing the lawn, weeding, eating lunch, showering. Or just as I'm typing.
11. What do you do when you get writer's block?
Curse and flail, then set it aside and work on something not fic related.
12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of wordcount, or as a percentage of the fic as a whole)?
At first I seemed to have two ranges. Around ten pages, or around forty pages. It's varied a lot more now. I don't pay attention to that so much as just play with whatever I want to or need to to make sure the fic is done.
I'm too blabby to do anything really short though. A drabble will kill me. I think of them as poetry. There's really talented ones out there, but it's not my style.
13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?
I continually edit the past as I reread it to work in the new or as I write along. If you want to talk how many revisions I do that are so dramatic I decide to save the fic under a new name? Um, usually around 4-5 before it goes to beta.
14. Have you ever changed a character's name midway through a draft?
Yep. I'm terrible with names. Sadly I don't recall my own characters at times.
15. Do you let anyone read your story while you're working on it, or do you wait until you've completed a draft before letting someone else see it?
One time when I was *really* blocked, I asked someone to look at a fic, and it didn't work right.
I self-edit and send the completed one to beta. I will sometimes discuss ideas as I write with my friends.
16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?
I read and nitpick at it, then put it away (send it to beta)...then go back and nitpick some more. (Fabrisse is REALLY patient with me, LOL)
17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?
My mentality is to want to do ONE at a time, because otherwise I'm too scattered. When I got blocked on that "write in order" fic, I started a couple more, and now this WIP list has gone insane.
I don't like that. I want to do one at a time.
18. Do your stories grow or shrink in revision?
They always end up growing. I don't understand that. I take out chunks, and then...
My last fic when the draft was done was 7,000 words. I cut and polished, and it ended up around 8,000...and the header and bibliography aren't THAT many words.
19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?
I have betas and a few friends I throw around ideas with. One buddy and I talk about doing a fanfic collaboration. At least the brainstorming of it is a fun distraction at times. Who knows if/when it'll ever get written.
20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?
I don't know, I see that as parts of the whole. I like fitting together my stories like this lovely jigsaw puzzle. If that means writing a transition scene, or just polishing what's there so it's as sharp as I can make it, that's the way it goes.
But I also like finally putting in black and white the pivotal inspiration scenes/dialogue that's been going in my head like a refrain.