I want to know: How do you write?
1. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter”?
Mostly a pantser. I don't usually know where the story is going until I'm there. Now, I will sit down and think out a very basic plot line and character arc, but I'm not an outliner. I have notes, usually about a sentence for what each chapter/scene will be about. Then I have notes on motivations for each character. That's all though, the rest I learn along the way, and nothing is set in stone.
2. Detailed character sketches or the character builds itself?
My characters always build themselves. And usually that happens before I ever start writing the novel. One day a new character will just show up in my head to chat. (That makes me sound like a crazy person!) I may jot down some notes about motivation, but that's about it.
3. Do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing? Or is that something you discover only after you're in the thick?
Yes. Always, always, always. They may develop or evolve as I write, but I always start out knowing what they want, why, and what is keeping them from it.
4. Books on plotting?
I don't know if I've read books on plotting exactly...I've read a lot of craft books, but not just "This is How to Plot". I've read Donald Maass's books, some style books, first pages books, etc.
5. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
I've got the itch. I think about it, wish for it, and crave the solitude of my words all day long. Then when I finally sit down to write it's like THANK GOODNESS, FINALLY!!! lol
6. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?
Short bursts. I never have hours to just sit and write. I'm not even sure I could handle sitting still for hours at a time to just write. I'd have to jump up every few minutes to do something I'm so used to the short bursts method. lol But with a full time job and a Super Spawn (who's always in the middle of everything, as you witnessed) the only time I have to write is done in short bursts. It works for me.
7. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
Time doesn't really matter. Probably more of an afternoon/evening writer, but I write in the morning sometimes too. Just depends on the day.
8. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
Well, I need noise. I write in restaurants a lot...a whole lot. See, I write on my lunch break every day, so if I want to eat, I write in a restaurant. That tends to be when my best ideas come. I also write with music once in a while, but it's either something like Brahms, Bach, or Celtic instrumental music.
9. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)
I wrote 3/4 of Emerald's Keeper longhand before I got my fabulous netbook. It was pretty arduous. Now I use my netbook all the time (I even carry it in my purse).
10. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One?
No, never. I tried that with my WIP, but then my imagination went wild, and it'll have a much cooler ending now. :)
11. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
No. I mean, I'm going to strive to write the most original stories I can no matter what the market says. If I see something identical to what I'm writing on the shelves, yeah, that might make me change it up, but I'll never write to trends. (I know, I know. Never say never. But really...I'm not a trendy type person.)
12. Editing – love it or hate it?
Meh. I love what editing does for a novel, but it's not the most fun thing in the world to do. lol I like that last round of edits where you feel everything clicking into place. Best feeling ever.
There you have it! Now you know pretty much everything about my writing process. Your turn! Answer in the comments, or post it on your blog and leave a link in the comments for me.
Come on, it's fun!
3 comments:
Ooh, this is fun!
1. I'm definitely a plotter. I need to have a rough sketch of a story before I attempt to write it.
2. I allow my character to build him/herself, but I make bios during revisions to keep me on track.
3. I know the general motivation of my protagonist originally, but then it usually changes once my story develops.
4. I don't think I've ever read a whole book on plotting. Maybe I should, though.
5. I tend to procrastinate sometimes, but once I get started, I remember why I love writing so much. :)
6. Definitely short bursts. I get antsy when I sit down for hours. This may be a problem during Nano...
7. I'm definitely an afternoon/early evening writer. I get up WAY too early for work so I wouldn't even attempt to type up a coherent thought.
8. I need just a little noise, like the TV volume on low. However, I don't usually listen to music until I'm in the revising stage.
9. I needz my computer! :)
10. I NEVER know the ending. That's the fun in writing!
11. Sometimes I get a little disheartened, but when I force myself to write "what's hot," I don't usually finish that project.
12. I'm gradually starting to love editing, but it's been a long, tortuous process. :)
Ill have to do this one next week! Tons of information, and it's interesting to see how others do it.
Awesome! I'll post one on Tuesday. Hopefully, I'll remember to come back and post a linkie :)
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