Hey folks,

For all of you who write creatively, what are some of the major elements of your processes? Do you prefer pen and paper over computer for drafts? Do you like to sit at cafes, or do you prefer the quiet? Do you listen to music while you write, or do you, like me, need complete concentration? How do you perceive the growth of your story, poem, or article?

The above, of course, are not specific points I want you to address per se, but I'm curious to know your thoughts on your own processes.

Favorite pen and inks, by the way, can be important players in a writing process, so don't forget to include those if they fit in with how you write.

Best,
Summer

The main element for me is the initial inspiration. After the first idea for a poem comes to me, the rest of the writing is often rather mundane. That is to say, my initial idea might be impossible to come by; I can wait for it for days and no amount of concentration or different situations can help, but when the right moment in time finally arrives, it's a pretty momentous occasion. After the first stanza or so, though, it becomes a matter of craft that (in some cases) seems to sap the "art" right out of the thing.

Mostly I need quiet. Location is less important, because poems often occur to me in random places. In fact, "quiet" may be slightly untrue. I can write when there's noise around me, and ambient noise is really no bother, but if there's something in the general vicinity that interests me or succeeds in distracting me, I can't continue.

I like writing first drafts out longhand mostly, because on the computer I tend to edit as I go, leaving no record of what I had written before. On paper, I can still read my crossings out and revisions, which can help me fine tune exactly what I want to say.

That's mostly it, I guess. I'll be excited to read others' responses on the subject. One never knows when a good idea will be shared.

Cheers,

Adam

Usually, when I am busy doing other things, like gardening, repairing the house, etc., I know when a major inspiration is coming because I begin to laugh about two days ahead. I have no idea what it is about. Then, I know to get my pens filled and the paper ready.

When the thing begins to surface, I have a pen and a pocket notebook ready and write down the bits and pieces as they become available. When I see the shape the idea is beginning to take, I sit down and write the first draft. Drafts are done double spaced so there is room to edit. Editing is done in a contrasting ink. More editing ideas go into the notebook to be transferred later.

I find music distracting, perhaps because I am a musician. I have tried to write outside, but that is distracting also; too much going on, what with all the birds, cats, and woodchucks.

Paddler

The more noise, distraction, action going on, the better. I keep the pen and notebook with me at all times, from beside the bed to in my shirt pocket at the grocery store. I can write in bar, shopping malls, across the street from a busy rail yard.

I'll sketch out an outline, a few characters that are key. Then work on a narrative of the entire story that may run into a dozen or so pages. After that, a bit more outline for some chapters and I'm off. At this point I flip back and forth between the pens/paper and the computer. The good part is I get an automatic second draft out of the bargain. The bad part is I spill plenty of ink on stuff that doesn't make it past the chopping block. But that's the process. You just have to get rid of all the bad sentences.

In fact, excuse me, I want to get something down just now.

My ADD does not allow me to be in distracting environments, thus I cannot be around busy places. Most of my work takes place at home. The papers I write for school begin as a hand written rough draft. I also hand-write philosophical theories and poetry in the same fashion. The color of ink depends upon my mood and to whom I may present the material to. I have twelve colors that I choose from and four pens at my disposal, so that when it suits me I can change colors, occasionally I may even change colors between sentences or paragraphs. When I write, I immerse myself completely into my work. To me, Writing is a sacred process, where I bring something into the world. Anything I write I judge to be worthy of being written. I subscribe to the idea, "If it's not worth saying, then it shouldn't be said". When I write in my journal, the pen pours out the insides of my mind, providing me with a cathartic release. It is the medium with which my thoughts can be exposed and then reflected upon. I may wake up in the middle of the night, because of a dream and begin writing about it. Or I may need to write some of my thoughts down so that I can sleep peacefully. I also continually work on improving my handwriting, I believe the quality of my writing should equal the quality of my thoughts. Is this what you were Looking for?

Hi,

I do a lot of small-time, for-myself creative writing. I generally write drafts and ideas by hand before I type them up. I find I think more clearly that way. Absolutely *NO* music (or any other distractions) when I do this. I can't concentrate on two things at once. I write in my room, with a notepad and a fountain pen or a dip-pen and inkwell. It's messy, but it's fun.

I find I enjoy my writing more if I use a dip-pen and inkwell. Not sure why, I just do. It's fun...

I prefer pen and paper over computer; I prefer to listen to music, but can function equally well without; I have several pens I prefer and I use only them.

There used to be a story about the way Mozart and Beethoven composed.

Mozart, it was said, drafted edited and finalised almost the whole composition in his head. At the end of a long journey, he could sit down and write a finished piece practically without mistake. Hence his manuscripts were pristine and without amendments.

Beethoven, on the other hand, did everything on paper so his manuscripts are a jumble of crossed out notes and phrases, bits of staves drawn in the margins and generally a mess.

I write the Mozart way, usually while walking and then handwrite or type it out depending on where the finished product will end up. Often I'll do both - making a handwritten version first to get the spirit of it then transferring it to computer (with minor alterations sometimes) for email to the client

When I was a little kid the backyard was on a slight incline. Sometimes my brother and I would turn on the garden hose and let it run while we "engineered" a system of streams, channels, lakes and reservoirs with the flowing water. We were masters of mud, and decided where we wanted a white water rapids, or a languid lake with an island. Not all a friendly country this; I recall island garrisons protected by moats and (toy) soldiers. We learned that water finds its own level and has its own means. We couldn't just will a rapids to appear, and our Netherlandish communities behind solid dykes often became inadvertent reservoirs. And in no case could we make water flow uphill. But by clever channeling some thriving mudworlds were created.

For me, writing is just like this, just like playing in the mud.

Doug

This has been evolving for me, but I will talk about my current process.

I use a journal to write down random creative thoughts or story ideas.

When I start to develop an idea into an actual story, I tend to use mind-mapping software to collect my ideas and create a rough outline. I like Freemind.

Once I actually start writing, it's back to pens and paper. Right now I am using Rhodia tablets which I then 3-hole punch and store the complete pages in a binder.

Great topic, I think. I've always been fascinated by the process of creating things, whether it be a painting or a sketch or a story, poem, etc. I could watch people work literally for hours.

I have only been writing for about four years now, and only three in earnest; so I guess I don't know much but I'll tell you what I do have.


When I write, I rarely have drafts. I write poetry for the most part, but I'll go into short stories or essays if I haven't been able to get the creative juices flowing for a while. For me, the change in "scenery," is refreshing, and I feel that it gives me a chance to address the same issues, (or different ones,) using different techniques in say, grammar and syntax.

Instead of drafts, I edit as I go; sometimes this means I will go back and change a line, or a word, or punctuation mark, at the very end, after I've surveyed the whole work. Usually I simply edit something immediately; when it works, I know it works. When it doesn't work, I know it and change it right away.


I could never write in public, I feel very self-conscious when I'm around people, (I have a lot of friends, but I've known them for years so it isn't so bad when I'm with them,) and when I write, I have a lot of almost pedantic habits because I have OCD. I have to have the paper just right, the pen has to be held a certain way, I have to shift around in my seat; and when not writing poetry I'll often get up and pace to help me think.
I don't mind being outside though, some of my "best," work, (as I said, I'm still a wee lad in the world of writing,) has been written in a simple lawn chair that I've had for probably a decade on the porch out back. It's a pretty calm neighborhood, a lot of elderly folks and the only real bother are birds that never shut up. They'll yell all day, ugh!

I definitely prefer to write in my bedroom, in a corner at my desk.


I like the quiet of night, and I'm a night person, usually sleeping in the day and writing at night, (I'm 17, and I thankfully don't have to work right now, so I can afford to be lazy, heh,) but again, some of my best work is done in the day.



As for music, I can write in silence, but even then, there is often music "playing," in my head. I'm not crazy, but I mean I'll get songs stuck in there. It kind of helps if I want to hear a certain song, because I can get a song stuck on purpose.

I prefer indie-type or anthemic music, or older stuff. The Moldy Peaches, Arcade Fire, Feist, Broken Social Scene, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan are frequent plays. I don't need them to write, but they help me. I like to get lost in a song, whether by just going with its' flow or by putting myself in its' story.



I don't really see my poems as living things, but rather as photographs. I view them as a "snapshot," of say, a scene or what have you. If I'm writing something that is long, or a short story or essay, then they definitely grow.
When they do "grow," it isn't in a linear fashion. I have a really branching idea of what is going to happen, or what I will say, and this creates problems later on when I have to figure out where to put everything. It is challenging work, and I thoroughly enjoy viewing the possibilities. I think it might be akin to raising a child, but what with my age, I wouldn't know.


I cannot write on the computer. I hate even copying things I've written by hand.


I'm new to fountain pens. Actually, I've only ever written with other peoples'. I just ordered my first pen and ink, Lamy Safari and Aurora Black. I went with fountain pens because I liked how they flow, or glide, across the page. I need to be able to put ink ONTO the page, rather than INTO the page as with traditional pens, even roller-balls.

If I can write quickly, with a smooth pen, then it helps me understand my poem as a snapshot, as a fleeting, if, (hopefully!) timeless, picture of life.


Sorry for going on for so long and for any grammatical/orthographic errors!

These days, most of my writing projects begin with pen and paper. I currently use a lap desk, one with a wide plastic top and a beanbag cushion underneath, to provide support for my notepad and lift it to a comfortable position. I almost always have some music playing; no specific type or artist, just whatever it is I'm interested in at the time. I always have a beverage handy (there's a thread about favorite writing beverages kicking around here somewhere), and maybe some pretzels or something easy to snack on. I used to smoke like a chimney when I wrote; snacks replaced smokes two years ago... two years ago to the day, now that I stop and think about it. Wowsers.

How long I stay with the handwriting depends on what I'm trying to create. I have one monthly column that I will usually capture 80% on the written page, and then take to the Mac to create the electronic copy needed by the publisher.

Short stories usually get 50% done in longhand. Once the idea is burning bright and alive, I take it to the keyboard where I can capture it faster than I can in longhand. Over the last few years, I have tried to teach myself to not worry about editing as I go with first drafts. The internal filters get in the way; they should be avoided until you are doing revisions. Writing and revising are all a part of the writer's skill set, but they don't need to happen simultaneously.

There are tons of different routines and schedules that work for different writers. Most of my writing is done in the evenings; the thought of trying to do creative writing first thing in the morning is almost nauseating. That said, many writers get most of their productive work done before noon. There is no hard, fast way that works for everyone: just some best practices and guidelines for how to reach that inner place where the words flow like water.

Cheers,
A.J.

I really enjoy writing 'story bibles' and first drafts by hand, with fountain pens---and adding little sketches or doodles. This is where Levenger pads come in handy.

My method is to have a general story idea (usually, beginning and end) and then slam it all down as fast as possible, and let it cool a bit, then take time to edit.

Ideas often come in dribs and drabs, unbidden. I throw down a lot of rough notes in my journal or even on odd pieces of paper. I do the main construction and editing on a PC; it's simply faster and more practical. I print what I have constructed and work on the hard copy, writing notes and corrections all round it, on the reverse side, even on leaves of paper stapled to the main one. Then back to the PC for the fair copy (unless it is a short hand-written piece).

I can never work creatively at a screen. Ideas always come more freely when I'm away from it. There again, ideas rarely flow when I'm staring at a blank piece of paper. If I'm working at a piece and I'm short of ideas, then I go out for a quick walk. As soon as I leave the house ideas start to flow (well, usually). I've read that the best way to kick-start ideas is to start writing something or anything. Don't believe it: it's a recipe for writing rubbish. I think it best to walk, or cycle, and let your mind wander. Then, when you return you know exactly what you want to write - at least, I usually do.

My desk is upstairs at the back of the house, it looks out of the village and across the fields to Mentmore Towers, a stately home that I think is about to be turned into a hotel. It doesn't help at all. Ideas come just as freely (or not) when I'm walking in the rain or the pitch dark as when I'm staring at a piece of architecture or something 'inspiring'.

Pen and ink? My favourite at present is a c1950 Wyvern Consul. A beautiful writer. I almost always use Diamine indigo ink. sometimes Diamine blue-black. Correction work in red is with Diamine brilliant red. However, I very much like cream/yellow paper, so I'm temped to try a dark brown ink, but I haven't yet.

In the PC I always use MT Baskerville typeface.

Heh.

The best way I've found to kick-start ideas, solve story problems, or whatever you please is to take a shower and be miles away from anything you can write with.

Works every time.

Well, if I sit down to write, I have a bit of a ritual that I follow.

1) Music. Creative, open, soaring stuff. Coldplay, U2, and some bands that sound a bit like them. Some British indie sounds. Some Older stuff (Pink Floyd and the Beatles). I have a whole playlist on my iPod for writing.

2) Location. Bedroom. Relatively free from unwelcome distractions.

3) Food. Some PB&J sandwiches must be on hand.

4) Writing Material. A Fountain Pen (Usually my Waterman Phileas with Noodlers Legal-Lapis) on a Legal-sized notepad. I don't know why I like legal-sized, They just seem to hold more info.

Now, I'm not really as picky as it all sounds like, but this is my preferred way of doing things. I'll usually lay out on my bed and start throwing ideas onto paper. Characters. Plotlines. Artifacts. Sketches. Names. It all goes down rather haphazardously. I'll tear off sheets and lay them around on my bed. I tend to start collecting related ideas after a bit, pooling things together so it all makes a little more sense. Then I will get down to actually writing the story. Usually I won't do any editing until I finish a chapter. If I start editing as I go, I tend to slow down, and I start to develop writer's block.

Once I've written a nice chunk, I'll go back through and mark up my draft. Usually just with the same pen. I'll have to get some different inks and try the contrasting colour idea. Once I've marked things up, I'll usually let the draft sit for a day or so. Then I'll grab the pad and sit down in front of my computer and write a new draft. This time I edit as I go, trying to get the flow right, changing whole paragraphs. But the creative part is almost all done already, so I can just fiddle with structure to make it come out right.

Then I'll look at that draft a while later alongside the paper copy and all my notes, and see if everything worked out. It usually works really well.

I can't seem to write directly into a computer. I enjoy using the pen too much! IT makes the writing more personal.

I write non-fiction, and just the other day I scanned in my first "cover", from November 1989. You can see it here. I managed to clean up the page and remove the bleed-through from the back, so it looks better than the archival copy!

I always write on the computer. I longed for modern word processors before they existed. I even wrote my own, back in the DOS days, to do what I wanted.

I can type much much faster than I can write with any pen. And I don't have to redo it all for the second/final draft.

--John

I need a quiet ambiance first. I also need a pen that enables me ambidextrous writing too and an original ink. The parker duofold Big Red filled with tangerine dream is my answer. I use this pen for writing letters to my family and friends. I also have other pens that I use but prefer the parker Big Red because it is very comfortable to write with both hands and ergonomic not to mention that its fine nib has semi flex.

I like writing with my Duofold. It's very smooth and it's thick and easy to hold, but without being heavy or tiring to use over long periods.

What's Tangerine Dream?

Tangerine Dream is the orange colored ink made by Private Reserve.

I wish I knew the answer to this question at the moment. I finished a novel in May and have writer's block. It used to be like swimming in a river. But now it's like hacking pieces off a granite cliff face. I finish a page and the sentences look like a useless pile of broken sticks.

(See what I mean? Just look at what I just wrote. Arg...I had no idea I had so many outdoors metaphors. )

I'm not a fan of the great outdoors, but I know exactly what you mean---so you must be good.

Lately (past year or so) I'll dedicate a journal to writing ideas/structure/characterization/etc. for a story. Once I reach a point of "Okay, I'm ready" I'll start writing on a computer.

Although for a series proposal I'm working on now, I added an extra step. After the journal, I'm outlining the story (with stickies) on cardboard presentation thingamajig that kids use for science projects, etc. I want to see the lay of the land before I start writing.

Ive just finished my Batchelor of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing (took 8 yrs part time as I am severely disabled and a motorised wheelchair user) and I got a first class honours which Im ecstatic about! In September I begin my PhD in Creative and Critical Wiriting (Oh, and did I mention Im a granny with 2 grown up children and three grandchildren? I always was a late developer!)
Anyhoo, over the course of my degree I developed the following process, which seems to work for me:

I have a cheap notebook and pencil (P45 propeller) tucked in a bag on the side of my wheelchair and in this I record absolutley anything, haphazard fashion, that I find interesting: Snatches of conversation, the physical appearance of someone who catches my eye, an unusual piece of wall decoration, the atmosphere in a hospital waiting room, unusual names for places and characters - anything at all.

I have another cheap notebook, which is never far away, where I write brief story outlines as they come to me. I usually allow a double spread page per outline, so I can come back to it and add further notes as it develops in my head.

When Im ready to really begin to write a story out in full, I choose a Moleskine notebook from my stock pile, a fountain pen and a colour of ink that "speaks" to me (usually brown, green, black or deep purple). I will then use these same three items from start to finish. During the hand-written manuscript process, I am often referreing to my "wheelchair notebook" for ideas and inspiration. Every day before I begin writing, I re-read what I wrote the day before, and often make changes.

I write notes and general observations anywhere, but when it comes down to the real deal, I have to work in my study, with no distractions whatsoever. I even turn off the phone and take the dog for a good walk first so he won't need the loo while I'm scribbling away. And I often write late into the night too, as I get a lot of pain. Writing helps me to focus on something other than the pain, and frustration of being unable to sleep, although it often makes little sense in the moring when I do a re-read.

When about half the story is written out by hand, I alternate between writing the next installment in my notebook, and typing out what has already been written, and this is a good oppotunity to do a proper re-draft for the first time.

When its all completed, both by hand and onto the computer, I then print the whole lot out and edit again. Then I get my university supervisor to take it apart with his ubiquitous red pen (ballpoint-tuh!), and then do a final drafting!

Its a tedious process, but thorough, and it certainly works for me.

Let's see:

Music--generally anything NOT with lyrics in a language I understand. I do like to use 'mood matching' music--if a depressing scene, slow, heavy, minor music, etc.

Where--doesn't matter. My 'Main' writing takes place on my laptop which is only ever used for that purpose, but background work--character work, scene description, worldbuilding--takes place anywhere from walking to class in the morning to doing the dishes.

How--I'm a 'character driven' story person, one of those nutjobs who believes that if you do enough character work--make up histories and lives for your first and second-tier characters, most of the 'story' will evolve pretty naturally. I like to have a vague idea where the story is going, but if I already knew how it was all going to end, I'd never write it. I need the surprise of what's going to happen next. I do a twenty minute freewrite/practice write every day (like exercising), which may or may not be story-related.

My favorite reference: Bickam's _Scene and Structure_. Best advice I've seen on keeping stories moving!

I'm loving hearing how other people write! Great thread!

HK

Hellkitty, I gotta say I love your avvy!

Since I 'retired,' I find that when a new idea hits me, I have to work it until I feel burnt out on it, even though it may not be complete at that point.

But when a story is complete---that is, beginning, middle, end in place, yet not polished---I do a new draft every day of the week till I either get sick of it or can't find anything more to correct. I also use up a LOT of ink and notebooks because I like to write by hand first (with room for sketches).

I also started keeping a 'story bible' with all pertinent notes about character development and setting and so on, especially after writing two very long fics where I'd literally forget who was taller than whom and what color eyes people had.