rambles

[prillalar]

I'm in that stage with my WIP where it's not so much a WIP as a jumble of notes and despair. The problem with "just write X words per day" is that it doesn't really leave time for this part of the process: the ruminating and complaining and taking walks and creating the fucking outline, which, for character-driven stories, is so difficult for me.

Comments

[zortified]

I tend to barf words on a page and see how it goes. I tell myself that ultimately, if it sucks or is boring I can just never post it. Or I bribe myself into writing the story by writing a tiny prologue or ficlet set at some point that isn't in the story I want to write and share, as a way of checking to see if anyone cares. ;-)

Generally, I write fast enough that I can barf a thousand words or more and call it a contribution to society without ever having to buckle down and write a 10k thing with plot.

[prillalar]

I'm definitely getting better at barfing words out in most circumstances! I like that idea of writing a tiny extra scene -- I might try that. If I already do have an outline for something longer, I've had some success in doing terrible stick figure drawings of scenes before I write them.

[reposoir]

Sometimes a bit of word vomit is all you need to start! That, and a good cup of tea to get into the writing "headspace."

As for picking ideas, I usually think on ideas for a while, and when they've reached the point that I need to get them down on the page, then I start the writing for real.

[prillalar]

The word barfing seems to be working this time, more or less. But I had a Campari and soda instead of tea. :)

The thinking about the ideas is definitely the most fun part of the process.

[perkyandproud]

Having even a rough outline definitely can help :) I also like writing sprints. I write in a scene or something for 15 minutes, then I rest, then I do it again. Keeps me focused :) Sometimes I write out of order, but the trick is tying it all together :)

I also tend to keep an idea journal and have a folder filled with some outlines of things that hopefully I will get to some day :)

*hugs you*

[prillalar]

I've been doing pretty well with a chain of timers, 10 min writing, 5 min break, repeat for an hour. And I did manage to finally finish that draft today!

*hugs*