How do you write your stories?

[CoconutTequila]

I like to write the first draft on paper and edit it when I type it up. I also write scenes as they come to me rather than trying to write it in order, though that has the disadvantage of producing plotholes that would be noticed with the latter method if the piece is particularly long.

 

[6PrinceofDarkness6]

I start writing at the beginning with nothing planned out and don't usually finish.

Yeah, pretty much like me, too

 

[Jumping_Over_Fences]

I work out an idea in my head, basic plot (start, middle, end), things like that. Then I start coming up with my characters, ones that fit the action in the story. I create complete character bios for them, I include things that I would never need. All of this information I write down on 3x5 note cards. I also craft out the more subtle aspects of the story, different plot points and subplots all written down on note cards. Some of these get filed, some put on my cork board above my desk. Also, I have a dry erase board for quickly writing down ideas.

Basically I write down every idea, then go through it with a fine tooth comb. Then I construct an chapter by chapter outline. Finally I write. It is a long process, but it works for me.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

I don't really know now that you ask. I guess I just kind of type away and see what I can start with, then once I've got a template I visualise what comes next.

 

[The_Echo]

Well, for my work in progress Tempest (working title) I wanted more action in it, but as it turns out I ended up focusing more on the characters when I went and outlined the plot. Oh yeah, that's how I right. I find a concept, form ideas in my head, and if they seem good enough I start outlining the plot in sequential notes. (For those who care, I currently have 4 pages of said notes for Tempest.) I also love to imagine the scenes in my head, like a movie. I even imagine the letterbox format and everything.

 

[riskroWe]

The whole narrative/novel structure is so banal, especially when written from the 3rd person. Stories can be told that have no resolutions or main characters. Whenever I start to write something I constantly change directions and writing styles, and I get easily bored with my characters and their prosaic little quirks. So the more I write about them the more I grow to hate my own story, and the more I try to destroy what I've established by replacing all the elements with new ones.

It's safe to say that if I ever finished a writing project nobody would be able to follow it.

 

[Major_Sam]

I start writing at the beginning with nothing planned out and don't usually finish.

Same here. I have so many first chapters.

 

[Raddragon]

I start writing up what I feel like writing up.

Here's a tip:
I have realized a problem might happen while writing something.

You might have written that X character was doing Y action in place A.
After a while, you write up something that doesn't match what you said previously, and, thus, create a plot-hole. For example, X had to be in B because of something else.

In other words, you might write up a contradiction.

To avoid this contradiction, I though of a trick to use.
Either:
1- Check up on what every character is doing at that time and where he's doing it.
2- After you've written anything, check for flaws and correct them.

I don't really know if these methods are usefull but you should at least make sure you're not just writing up something silly and an obvious contradiction

 

[ElephantGuts]

With my words.

Sorry, I honestly don't know how to be any more descriptive than that.

 

[hannarr]

Well, first I get really high, and then I...I can't remember what I do after that.

/thread!

 

[PhantomCritic]

I mainly think first about the characters and their character traits, and how they fit into the storyline. One of the simplest and easiest way to go about it.

 

[Scobie]

DELETED

 

[la-le-lu-li-lo]

i write in spurts. i'll go a week and not do anything but write, and then i'll get writer's block for weeks.

and lots and lots of daydreaming. it's where most of my ideas come from. dialogue comes pretty naturally for me, as does most writing revolving around character thoughts.

currently i'm stuck in one of my books, [almost to that 200 page mark!] but i don't know how to write a war and make it seem epic enough.

and with the other one, the main characters are in a bit of a tiff and i literally don't know how to fix it. quite silly.

 

[la-le-lu-li-lo]

I start writing up what I feel like writing up.

Here's a tip:
I have realized a problem might happen while writing something.

You might have written that X character was doing Y action in place A.
After a while, you write up something that doesn't match what you said previously, and, thus, create a plot-hole. For example, X had to be in B because of something else.

In other words, you might write up a contradiction.

To avoid this contradiction, I though of a trick to use.
Either:
1- Check up on what every character is doing at that time and where he's doing it.
2- After you've written anything, check for flaws and correct them.

I don't really know if these methods are usefull but you should at least make sure you're not just writing up something silly and an obvious contradiction

i do spend as much time editing and rewriting as i do actual writing. /:

 

[iggyus]

I do it with some jam and pasta

 

[sidhe3141]

I make up the most unusual characters I can, run them through a few odd test scenes to see if they work, and then throw thim into a world and press Run. Then I read it, decide what the plot is, and slap it in at some point in the editing process.

 

[Aur0ra145]

I have character outlines I write for each character. So I may keep track of age, race, quircks and the like.

Having that established I generally start writing my book/novel/story from somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd chapter and move from there.

Also, if some awesome ideas I come across during the day, I'll write them down and expand, but they usually don't make it into anything.

Furthermore, I keep a dream log. Meaning, if I wake up during a dream I'll write down quickly what was in the dream, what was happening and who was there. Generally this will give me good ideas an such things for any sci-fi writing I have to do.

 

[Tesgami]

Usually I think of the what happens with my friends in my daily life, then apply that to the story. Throw in some conflict, action, and romance and you have my deary attempt at a bloody piece of literature -_-"

 

[Kroker]

I tend to form the characters and their relationships with each other in my mind first, writing notes about their separate personalities and histories. I tend to find inspiration from the unique settings of certain games. For the best part of a month now I've had this idea of an immortal character with separate stories based in different fictional universes. At the moment there are four, a medieval setting similar to that of The Elder Scrolls series, a modern setting that centers around conflicts between rival gangs, inspired by games such as Saints Row, Grand Theft Auto and APB, and two future settings. One is based around the Fallout universe whilst the other is based around human migration to Mars, inspired by Red Faction Guerrilla. The main problem I'm facing is how these two time periods can form together. If the world has suffered from a nuclear war then how would civilisation progress and migrate to Mars without there being a large time difference between the two? Human migration to Mars could not have taken place before then because the technology would have to have worsened over time.

I just had an idea. Nuclear warfare was soon to break out. Many fled to the vaults to escape from it while others traveled to Mars. Leaving Mars to travel back to Earth is forbidden now, as well as communication, and very few dare to. That can be used to explain why people on Earth are 'stranded' on Earth and few on Mars know of the fate of those left behind. This would also explain the technological differences. Technology has progressed far on Mars whereas on Earth it has progressed at a slower rate due to obvious limitations.