Writerly thoughts....

[cairistiona7]

I love reading author interviews, because, invariably, something they say will resonate.  In this case, I was reading an interview of a new writer, Mazarkis Williams, on Fantasy-Faction.com (a terrific website, by the way) .  I haven't read his book (he's a first-time author with one book out, called The Emperor's Knife, which is now on its way to

Comments

[scarvenartist]

Oh, THIS. Though actually, I find sometimes that I use precious little of what I daydream about. Typically, I indulge in all kinds of angsteh drama in my head that would never actually do any service to the plot...so when it comes to writing it down, I have to reign in all of these self-indulgent rabbit trails. A lot of what I imagine my characters doing in my head is just the boring facts of living, but I find this continual thinking crucial to actually conceiving of my characters as living people. And do I enjoy it? Why, yes. ^_^

[cairistiona7]

Yep, yep, yep... I hear you with both ears. Angsty rabbit trails, I goes down them, I does!

And yes, yes, yes... the whole idea of the boring facts of living is soooo important when it comes to writing a character. Somehow, even though it doesn't make it into a story, simply *knowing* the order that Character A puts on his socks and shoes helps bring the character to life. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN!! I NEED TO KNOW!!!

[dreamflower02]

Yes; stories are always churning away in my brain...getting them from brain to actual words on paper or computer is a different thing altogether...

[cairistiona7]

WHY can't it be easier?? Why oh why?? *sigh*

[dreamflower02]

It used to be. When I first started writing fanfic, the stories just flowed out of me like a river. Now I am constantly having to try and un-dam the flow just to get trickles...

[cairistiona7]

I liken that to a sort of "honeymoon" period. When I first got into fanfic, yeah, it seemed like I couldn't write fast enough. Now it's more of a slow but (mostly) steady flow. Some days I stare at the computer for ages and then finally throw up my hands with a muttered, "I got nothin'!" but usually after stepping away from a story for a day or two, the flow kicks back up again. For me, writing Tolkien fanfic is a passion and so there's always that fire there, whether it's in full flame or simply banked coals, and I'm learning bit by bit not to get too frustrated when it's in the "banked coals" stage.

[ellynn_ithilwen]

Not all day long. I mean, I am not mentally writing 24/7. There are periods when I am "out of writing", if you understand what I mean. Then, there are opposite periods - those in which I do write all day long. And finally, as for sitting and actually writing... well, it depends. On the topic, on my inspiration, on other things. Sometimes it's difficult, sometimes if flows easily.

I wasn't of much help, was I? Seems like there is no strict rule for me...

[cairistiona7]

I wasn't of much help, was I?

Oh, but you are! This post is about wondering how other writers think and what their approaches and thought processes are. That sort of thing fascinates me, so yes, your comment *does* help. :)

I suppose when you get down to it, I don't *literally* write 24/7 either, but in the quiet moments when "real life" isn't occupying my mind--that is, when I'm not chatting with my hubby or daughter or concentrating on fixing a meal or planning a trip or reading someone else's book etc etc etc--I do find stories and characters sort of living in my mind. And even then, I'm not really "writing" them so much as just... watching them. And saying that, I realize that I'm making myself sound quite mentally deranged! LOL

[mrowe]

I do find stories and characters sort of living in my mind. And even then, I'm not really "writing" them so much as just... watching them.

This.

[cairistiona7]

Yep. It's like having a movie in my brain. *g*

[vamp_ress]

Yes. Absolutely. I still distinctly remember that I was mentally writing my autobiography when I was about ten:)

[cairistiona7]

Wow! I can't say I've ever had any desire to write my autobiography, and ten or otherwise. I don't even like writing bios for things like LJ. *cringes*

But I do remember even as a kid imagining stories in my head, mostly featuring my favorite tv stars (which, um, I think the earliest ones would have involved Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees). Nowadays my head's population is mostly Tolkien folks, with the odd original storyline flitting through now and then, frustratingly just... out... of... reach....

*flails*
*misses*
*overbalances*
*falls out of chair*
Ow.

[vamp_ress]

Yes, I did that too. Also with my favourite movie characters. Which were Winnetou and Old Shatterhand back in the day. And if Hollywood really decided to remake those movies, you're in for a real treat. It's Aragorn/Legolas friendship all over again. Seriously! Fandom will love it.

[cairistiona7]

I looked those up because I'd never heard of them... German Westerns, or I guess "Eurowesterns". It does sound like a great buddy/friendship film. Who would you cast if you were in charge of a remake?

[nierielraina]

How eloquently put!! Yes. That describes me too, and getting it from head to paper has proven difficult enough that without a lot of motivation/incentive, I've given up. They just remain in my brain now, where at least *I* am entertained. ;p

[cairistiona7]

He did put it exactly right, didn't he.

They just remain in my brain now, where at least *I* am entertained. ;p

I have a lot of stories like that... non fanfic stuff, mostly. And a novel in a drawer that I did wrestle onto paper some 20 years ago nearly but didn't catch any agent or publisher's eye. Of course, looking back at it now... I can see why! :P