Snowflake Challenge Day Three

[turps]

In your own space, talk about your creative process - from what inspires you to what motivates you to how you manage to break through blocks. Does your process change depending on the type of creating you're doing? Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I wasn't sure what to write here. I don't have a muse or something special, I just write. But, I guess that urge to write has to come from somewhere.

Mostly I get inspired by thinking, what if? What if Chris lived on the streets? What if MCR went to space? What if Brendon was sent to an anti-gay camp? What if Frank was Mikey's bodyguard? Then what usually happens is I'll consider those what ifs for a while, and if they take hold, talk them over with other people. That always strengthens ideas for me, once I get them out there and people will listen to me babble on. Not that it means the stories will always get written. I've a few what ifs that I've outlined to various people and they've just languished.

Often those what ifs are inspired by picture prompts, but unlike many people I don't get inspired by music, which ties into how I write. When I do so I can't have music playing as it distracts me. I also can't have anyone else in the room, which means I only tend to write when I'm alone or when Corey's up in his bedroom. Not because I'm embarrassed about what I'm doing, as they both James and Corey know, just I get so easily distracted. I need near silence to get those words on a page.

I also write from beginning to end. On occasions I'll plan things out and briefly sketch out scenes that I intend to write, especially when I've a deadline to write to. But mostly I just start to write at the beginning and stop when I reach the end. Though I've discovered that what I consider the end often isn't what my betas consider the end. But hey, what's a few thousand missing words between friends?

I don't edit as I go on. I'm a bad speller, especially when rushed, and if I took the time to change stuff like that I'd never get things done. But I do read things over before sending to beta, and one of the hardest things I've learned is sometimes you have to delete whole chunks of text to make a good story.

How do I manage to break through blocks? With difficulty, and sadly the more you're behind a block the more it seems impossible to do so. But, talking things out does help a little, and like I mentioned yesterday, immersing yourself in the fandom you love can also help.

So yeah, that's my process. Idea sparked, silence, words on a page, a beginning and an end. Nothing fancy, nothing elaborate, but it suits me just fine.

Comments

[sperrywink]

Hey, if it works, it works. Writing without music seems so hard to me, though. I need a slight distraction in order to access my other creative side. It's a weird thing, but there.

No wonder picfor1000 has been your go to challenge if pictures inspire you!

[turps]

Pictures as prompts really do inspire me. I like looking at them and letting my imagination spiral out as I wonder how this snapshot of time could fit into a wider universe.

You'd think music would work the same way, but it just doesn't. Music is a very separate thing to me, I enjoy listening to it, but to me it's just not connected to writing.

I was just saying elsewhere how I've been enjoying reading the responses to this question. The creative process is so varied and wonderful.

[akamine_chan]

You and I are total opposites! But still, we both manage to create awesome things, so it's good.

[turps]

I was just thinking that reading your post. But you're right, the end result is awesome things.

Thank you for such a fascinating question. I'm enjoying all the replies.

[doctor_jasley]

What If's can be a GREAT driving force to spiderwebbing a story into something out of nothing.

Pictures can do wonderful things. It's fun to see what can be done with something so visual.

As Always, you continue to be Awesomeness and I gladly stand at your side cheering on any future endeavors.

Now I need to go do this...because I realize I actually have a slightly half-assed process....who knew ;p ?

[turps]

What ifs are great to think about. Even if they don't result in a story the pondering is fun.

You are awesome, and your cheering is always welcome.

Yes you do. I need to know your process, especially as I suspect it'll be a little different to mine.

[doctor_jasley]

I'm about to post right now....this took longer than I expected I rambled A LOT.

[turps]

I'm looking forward to reading. But first I must have a quick bath. Then all the DW entries will be mine!

[doctor_jasley]

The good thing about what if is that they ALSO make really great notfic premises. what if frank could erase memories from other people. Or if Gabe was part of a knife throwing act in a carnival.

What ifs will ALWAYS be a fav of mine.

[turps]

Which is good, because your what ifs are fantastic.

Gabe as part of a knife throwing act. The mind boggles! And wants more *g*

[doctor_jasley]

What can I say What If big or go home is apparently my motto :)

If I ever get out of this nonwriting puddle I will totally try to do that so you can see the glory of it.

[turlough]

It's so interesting to hear about people's creative processes and how different they can be. And you learn new things even about people you've known for years. I didn't know that you needed silence to write for example. (Which really resonates with me. I can't create - or really concentrate on anything - if I have too much noise around me. Music is particularly distracting for me.)

[turps]

I really do find the creative process fascinating, so many people creating in so many different ways.

Yeah, silence is a must for me when I'm writing. No way could I ever sit and write in a coffee bar or even around other people. I've tried before, but I need that total focus.

Thankfully I do get alone time, just me and the cats, that's the best time to write.

[turlough]

But cats can be a terrible distraction! Lancecat seems to know exactly when I'm busy and don't want to be interrupted because he invariably wants to play or cuddle Right Now :-)