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Jan. 25th, 2008 10:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsIt's so cold today, cold and blowing a gale, so I'm all wrapped up in a fleece blanket. Having a fluffy cat to cuddle helps keep the chill out, too.
For the first time this year we may have some good news. Earlier this week our fish filter started to break down, so we looked through the second hand ads and bought a job lot of fish stuff that included a really cheap filter. Also included were a few books, and when we looked them up last night we found one is rare, and worth a nice bit of money. So that baby is getting sold asap.
Ideas. Where the hell do they come from? Can you make those little fuckers show up?
I've no idea where they come from, they just do. Mostly I get a scene in my head, and build a story from there. For example, for my SeSa story I thought as JC as the music man, and that was the starting point. Having a group of good friends helps idea wise too. I tend to throw ideas at them, a lot don't stick but the ones that do grow nicely.
Wild horse-bunnies. When a story just gets pulled right out of you. Do you get them?
Heck yeah. It's like that Britney ficlet last night. I wrote it because it was tugging at my head and the words needed out. It's so cool when you're writing something where the words just flow, and all you can do is sit and go with it, your fingers flying over the keyboard. Some of my best stories have been written that way.
Writer's block. Have you been scourged?
Sure. Sometimes the words just aren't there, and if you try to force them out you end with something clunky and just plain bad. Then it's a case of just waiting it out, turn off Word and go do something else. I've found they'll always come back eventually.
Clean up duty. Do you like editing?
Not really. I like the actual process of writing, having to go back and change things is something that needs to be done but in no way is something I look forward to. Though I suppose it depends on what kind of editing is going on. There's a satisfaction in making a bad story better, changing and deleting and adding.
I've found editing is easier if you're using a good beta reader. Mine always make me laugh with their comments, but also point out the good, which helps when you read down and they're telling you something doesn't work at all.
The ending. Is it hard for you to find the ending?
Not so much the ending as a whole, but the last sentence is always difficult. I have a tendency to end weakly. It always happens.
The title. Where do you get yours? Do you have yours when you start the story?
I hate titles! My last story? The M and G Thing? That was its working title in my mind. Like, I'm going to work on that M and G thing now. When I was about to post I was stuck for a title so just used that. Which is what I may do from now on. The Timbertrick Kissing Thing, The Joey and Lance Eating Thing. It works!
Plot. If you plot out your stories first, raise your hand.
No hands. I don't plot. I sit and write and see where the story takes me. I never have anything planned.
POV. How do you choose your POV for a scene? For a story?
I tend to stick to one POV for a full story. I just find it easier. I also tend to use the POV of the person I'm most comfortable with, which in most cases is Chris.
Challenge. Do you like them? Do they inspire you?
Hello, challenge whore here! I'd say 85% of the stuff I write is for a challenge. I know, I'm sad.
Sex. Do you like writing sex?
I hate it. Hate hate hate it! If it were up to me all my stories would be set in a Pushing Daisies type world with chaste kissing and hugs. Now reading sex is another matter.
For the first time this year we may have some good news. Earlier this week our fish filter started to break down, so we looked through the second hand ads and bought a job lot of fish stuff that included a really cheap filter. Also included were a few books, and when we looked them up last night we found one is rare, and worth a nice bit of money. So that baby is getting sold asap.
Ideas. Where the hell do they come from? Can you make those little fuckers show up?
I've no idea where they come from, they just do. Mostly I get a scene in my head, and build a story from there. For example, for my SeSa story I thought as JC as the music man, and that was the starting point. Having a group of good friends helps idea wise too. I tend to throw ideas at them, a lot don't stick but the ones that do grow nicely.
Wild horse-bunnies. When a story just gets pulled right out of you. Do you get them?
Heck yeah. It's like that Britney ficlet last night. I wrote it because it was tugging at my head and the words needed out. It's so cool when you're writing something where the words just flow, and all you can do is sit and go with it, your fingers flying over the keyboard. Some of my best stories have been written that way.
Writer's block. Have you been scourged?
Sure. Sometimes the words just aren't there, and if you try to force them out you end with something clunky and just plain bad. Then it's a case of just waiting it out, turn off Word and go do something else. I've found they'll always come back eventually.
Clean up duty. Do you like editing?
Not really. I like the actual process of writing, having to go back and change things is something that needs to be done but in no way is something I look forward to. Though I suppose it depends on what kind of editing is going on. There's a satisfaction in making a bad story better, changing and deleting and adding.
I've found editing is easier if you're using a good beta reader. Mine always make me laugh with their comments, but also point out the good, which helps when you read down and they're telling you something doesn't work at all.
The ending. Is it hard for you to find the ending?
Not so much the ending as a whole, but the last sentence is always difficult. I have a tendency to end weakly. It always happens.
The title. Where do you get yours? Do you have yours when you start the story?
I hate titles! My last story? The M and G Thing? That was its working title in my mind. Like, I'm going to work on that M and G thing now. When I was about to post I was stuck for a title so just used that. Which is what I may do from now on. The Timbertrick Kissing Thing, The Joey and Lance Eating Thing. It works!
Plot. If you plot out your stories first, raise your hand.
No hands. I don't plot. I sit and write and see where the story takes me. I never have anything planned.
POV. How do you choose your POV for a scene? For a story?
I tend to stick to one POV for a full story. I just find it easier. I also tend to use the POV of the person I'm most comfortable with, which in most cases is Chris.
Challenge. Do you like them? Do they inspire you?
Hello, challenge whore here! I'd say 85% of the stuff I write is for a challenge. I know, I'm sad.
Sex. Do you like writing sex?
I hate it. Hate hate hate it! If it were up to me all my stories would be set in a Pushing Daisies type world with chaste kissing and hugs. Now reading sex is another matter.
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no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 12:03 pm (UTC)Congratulations on the book from the odd lot!
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Date: 2008-01-26 09:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 12:48 pm (UTC)I love those writing meme; I'm always curious as to how people write their fics and stuff :-) Not that I don't know of some of your habits, but still *g*
Plots? We don't need no plot! Well, maybe we do but we're doing fine without so far lol But I guess that might be why I never write long fics? If I plotted out me stuff, I could maybe change the way the story is told, I don't know... I'll have to think about it *nods*
I just love how our answers to the challenge question are so different. Mine is pretty much a 'eeekomgno!' As you know.
I know, I'm sad.
Dude, you're writing so that's always of the good. It doesn't matter where the story comes from. And as far as I'm concerned, writing for a challenge is much harder than not writing for one, so I'm always impressed.
We're totally on the same page concerning the writing sex thing? Omg, yes, I hate it so much too! Reading it is one thing, writing it? Is a bit of a nightmare. The result is fun, sure, but the process? Not so much.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 01:56 pm (UTC)Ideas. Where the hell do they come from?
I think it was Ursula LeGuin who once wrote that she used to answer journalists that asked her where she got her ideas from that she kept a little old lady chained up in the basement :-)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 03:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-26 10:15 am (UTC)Hee! A lady chained in the basement would be cool. Wonder if she gives gay porn ideas too? ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 03:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-26 10:03 am (UTC)I mean, if you're going to point out a mistake, making a joke about it is the way to go ;)
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Date: 2008-01-25 04:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-26 09:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-25 04:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-26 09:41 am (UTC)Dude, titles kill me! They shouldn't, but they just do.
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Date: 2008-01-26 12:15 am (UTC)btw, got the card. The scrooge card made me laugh out loud :)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-26 09:39 am (UTC)YAY!