How Do You Like To Write?

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   setarehposted 11 years ago

   So, I think the question is pretty self-explanatory.
   Do you outline?
   Do you go with the flow?
   Do you write random scenes and join them up . . . like me?
   
   I'm curious. Does anyone write like me?
   
   
   Afsaneh

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      AshtonFireflyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I never outline or plan. I just write whatever comes to mind. Eventually the story will create itself

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         setarehposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I wish that worked for me! I've only really managed to write one flowing story like that before and it's one of the best feelings in the world when you feel like all you have to do is write what you're seeing in your head.
         Do stories always create themselves for you?

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      Ara Lynneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would like to say that I outline, but even if I did I know that I wouldn't follow it. I normally get an idea in my head and then I run with it. Of course, this means many stories have gone nowhere and dissipated into thin air, but some ideas stick with me. When I really feel something, something that digs at my soul and gnaws at my mind until I put pen to paper... those are the ones that stick with me and become something fruitful.

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   ryederposted 11 years ago

   Some of my best (definition subjective) is when in the early am, I am half asleep and I just go with the flow.  Random?...probably...my life is random...lol

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      setarehposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Random is the by far the most exciting in my opinion!
      
      Oh when i'm half asleep and writing then i find i'm writing in circles . . .  no, i don't mean that i turn the paper 360 degress as i write (although that'd be something, wouldn't it?) just that the end product is illegible in more than way.
      Cool then, that you can manage it!

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         ryederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         360 would be an awesome writing style...enjoying your writings very much...

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   To Start Againposted 11 years ago

   well...when I'm working on something for a while and I have a good plot already in my mind, I just sit down and go with the flow. When the flow runs out and I get stuck on said project, I try an outline and see where that takes me. When I haven't got anything specific taking up my time, I will write out random scenes that pop into my head about whatever because you never know when genius may strike lol So...I do all of them

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      setarehposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sometimes, if I just need a little spontaneity, (for lack of a better word) I'll just start off with a handful of characters and have them act whatever way they like to. Then, if i get stuck (which i usually do) i start to outline.

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   emievilposted 11 years ago

   I just go with the flow. Although if I'm writing something that has a more formal tone, I sometimes write an outline first. But generally, it's the flow.

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   inevitablesecretsposted 11 years ago

   I outline and research and outline and research and then I outline and research some more.  The outline/ research portion of my novel took 14 months.  It took 4 weeks to write the book.

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      setarehposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds more excessive than me! (I never though it possible)
      What's your book about, if you don't mind my asking?
      I'm currently working on a novel of my own which needed a lot fo planning too. Every once in a while, I find something else that needs a little more research too, so really, it's possible my researching and outlining is less well done than yours.

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   Randy Godwinposted 11 years ago

   I use different methods.  Sometimes I write a tale in my head, or most of it.  Other times I start with a title and write a story to fit it.  And then again, I may simply write it as I go from perhaps a photo which caught my eye. 
   
   This is what I like about writing fiction.  The only thing necessary is to have a good imagination and the ability to put it into words.
   
   
                                          

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      setarehposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've seen tales in my head once, brewing like some sort of soup and even without my knowing it, msot of the plot has been engraved in my head. It makes it so much easier to start penning things down ebcause you already feel like the idea and hence half of the work is done.
      And you're completely right about fiction! It's why I love it so.

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   MakinBaconposted 11 years ago

   For fiction, I almost always have something like a video scene in my head and simply write down the visual transcript.

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   Shadesbreathposted 11 years ago

   For my novels, I always have an outline. It's just a concept outline, based on having thought about the characters, the choices I'm going to have them make and where I think that would lead them, but they do get pretty deep depending on how long the idea is incubating before it "gels" enough to write. I don't write them in stone, so the stories go where they will, but I find I get lost and write myself into yet another 20 or 50 thousand word corner that I then have to throw away because I didn't have at least a sense of where I thought I wanted to go.
   
   For the short stuff like I write on HP, especially the comedy and satire, that I just let come out. Which is also why I throw so much out and only publish irregularly, when I think I've finally come up with something worthy of being read. The one I put up yesterday is actually the product of three or four separate attempts, each about 2k words long, but that all failed. Then, somehow, I suddenly "saw" it, and was able to get it done and draw the appropriate pictures after.

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   The Writers Dogposted 11 years ago

   For my short stories and novellas I do a little prep work - main protagonist's name and a little history on him/her; setting and ending.
   
   When I write for HP it just happens.

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    Longhunterposted 11 years ago

    On my first book, I just started writing. It's now published.
    
    For the childrens book I'm writing now, I wrote down what the characters were and it's name, did a few hours of research, then just started writing.
    
    For the suspense novel, I'm doing an outline as I'm looking at doing 60-70 Chapters. There's no way I would be able to get it completed without one.

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    risalatposted 11 years ago

    Well, I am probably the messiest writer ever. Whenever I get into mood of writing - I start writing random stuffs (sometimes real weird stuff that I cannot understand myself at a later time) ... but yes, I am getting good feedback from my readers which is good for me

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    Randy Godwinposted 11 years ago

    Mysteries do usually require outlines because of the different clues and red herrings associated with them.  The pieces of the puzzle must match up completely and this often takes quite a bit of forethought and planning. 
    
    
                                     

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    Fuggyposted 11 years ago

    Depends on the length and details of the story. Some of my short, short stories just write as I go along. While more detail oriented short stories and essays require an outline and some planning.

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    TheInspiredLifeposted 11 years ago

    I research and outline first for nonfiction, including creative nonfiction. I allow my characters to take me wherever they wish to go on the first draft for fiction. Then I will come up with fresh ideas and angles, maybe do some research, and rewrite. When I think it is perfect I will let it sit for at least a few days and come back to it fresh. I always find things to fix and fresh ideas to make it even better at that point.

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