The Creative Writing Process

[Nina]

I've got a question for all you wonderful writers out there (both fanfiction and fiction), and I hope I'm posting this in the right spot

When you decide to write a story, what is your writing process?
For example, do you write an outline of your story first? Create and give life to your characters (background, personality, etc)? Or do you just write and go?

[A-RokzStalker]

I just write and go. I like to get all of my ideas down on paper to make room in my mind for more ideas.

[Julie]

OMG, a fanfic question?! It's been so long!

When I get a new idea, I usually type up a summary of the idea in a Word document, which eventually turns into an outline. I come up with a title, any original characters I need, and start plotting events. I rarely ever start writing until I have a solid idea planned out, unless it's just a short story. Then again, sometimes if the idea is really vivid in my head, I'll start writing without outlining. A lot of times it depends on the genre of the story and how much research is involved.

I also usually don't start writing a story until I have a title, and I will often make a banner as soon as I have a title because it helps me get a feel for the story. I made several story banners this summer for novel ideas that I was playing around with.

[A-RokzStalker]

I should mention that after I get some scenes down on paper (which usually consist of the opening scene where the characters are introduced and personalities are formed, and chunks in the middle of the story), then I try to continue off of the first scene and weave them altogether. My creativity tends to go straight out the windows whenever I've tried to make an outline first.

My writing is for ME though, so I rarely ever actually finish a story. If I do finish, then I consider sharing. I haven't written fiction in so long. My stories are often about my own life or at least based on my life. Write what you know, I say.

[Nina]

Thanks Amy and Julie for a peek into each of your writing's methods. I want to eventually get back into writing (haven't written anything since college), so I'm trying to pay extra attention to the little things. For example, my husband gifted me a book earlier this week and, instead of devouring the pages like I usually do, I'm trying to take it slow and see how the authors write out the story, the scenes, etc.

[A-RokzStalker]

That must take a lot of restraint not to devour that book. I know I would have trouble with it. That's really good though

[Julie]

Awesome!! I hope you do get back into writing!

[Nina]

Amy - You have NO idea! My husband has always been impressed with how fast I read books, considering they're not in my first language. And this particular book is part of a series that I absolutely love, so yes TONS of restraint.

Julie - Thanks! My husband has always been telling me that I need to get back to it. I guess I'm at the point that I want to do so too

Have either of you found that other authors/books influence your style of writing?

[Julie]

I am definitely influenced by what I read! Reading is one of the best ways to get inspired.

[A-RokzStalker]

I'm not sure if my writing is affected by my reading or not... I know that I become more creative when I'm actively reading, but my writing style tends to be drastically different from what I read, so I'm not sure.

[Julie]

I think my writing just flows better when I've been reading well-written books, but sometimes I can actually see the influence of an author's style in my own writing. I have my own style and never intentionally try to mimic someone else's, unless I'm writing a parody, but when I've been reading a lot of, say, Stephen King, I tend to write a little differently than when I've been on a Harry Potter kick or something else. But it also tends to change based on the point of view I'm writing in and the tone of the story, too.