Getting away from it all

[jfinn]

There's another thread here about whether or not you listen to music to motivate you when you write. I don't do that, but it reminded me of something I do do that I think might be a little quirky.

If I'm starting out on a story and need to get the plot straight in my mind, or sometimes if I'm stuck, I'll go for a drive. I find the car is a great place to think without interuption and I can even talk to myself (within reason). I can't begin to tell you how many times I've just driven around and around the block working out a plot point. Thank God my neighbors don't seem to notice.

Anyway, my point is, where do you go when you just want to think about what you're going to write next. Do you take a bubble bath or go for a walk? Or am I the only one who seems to need foreplay before actually doing any real writing?

Jayne

 

[TheEarl]

I eat apples.

No, really. If I get stuck on a story, 90% of the time I get up from the computer say "Oh for Chist's sake," fling my hands in the air, go to the kitchen, get an apple and stride around the house eating it. I don't even think about what I'm writing. It usually comes to me when I sit back down at the computer. If it doesn't a chuck another mental and go get another apple.

Hey it works for me.

The Earl

 

[BigTexan]

Maybe that's what those idiots at the front of the line at the stop light are doing? I always wondered why they just set there. Don't they understand that if they would just go, more than two cars could get through the light during each cycle. Of course I kinda figured this is how it went.

Damn, Martha, did you see that? That there light just changed color. You think it means somethin'? Let's set here a spell and see if it happens again.

Now I know. It's just frustrated writers trying to figure out the plot to their next story

Me, I think while taking a shower, while in my car, while in meetings at work. Just about anytime my full attention isn't required, I'm off in la la land thinking about one of my stories.

BigTexan

 

[jfinn]

Maybe that's what those idiots at the front of the line at the stop light are doing? I always wondered why they just set there. Don't they understand that if they would just go, more than two cars could get through the light during each cycle...

Now I know. It's just frustrated writers trying to figure out the plot to their next story

BigTexan

LMAO Yup now you know. So the next time that happens and it's some dingy woman sitting there talking to herself, just smile and wave with all five fingers instead of just the one.

Jayne

 

[Chicklet]

i play roller coaster by ea. it sucks ass, has a million and one bugs, and after about ten minutes my system (not my ps2, my actual body) shuts down entirely so that i can think.

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

Funny you should mention bubble bath. When I'm bored or wanting to be alone to think I'll take a nice long, hot, bubbly soak in the tub. Maybe I'll turn on some music or I'll light some candles and just lie back in the water and think.

Wicked

My Stories

 

[Natural Born Eros]

I just need to be around water. Its where I've always gone to think about everything. Sailing, swimming, hot baths, showers, sitting on the beach, it doesn't matter. There is something soothing about water. Its why I gave up going to church after I moved to the coast. Its why I only had the courage to propose sitting on a beach. Its why so many of my stories involve water.

Is that wierd?

Eros

 

[gauchecritic]

I just need to be around water. Its where I've always gone to think about everything. Sailing, swimming, hot baths, showers, sitting on the beach, it doesn't matter. There is something soothing about water. Its why I gave up going to church after I moved to the coast. Its why I only had the courage to propose sitting on a beach. Its why so many of my stories involve water.

Is that wierd?

Eros

Yes

Gauche

 

[wildsweetone]

i go ANYWHERE! so long as i am alone it doesn't matter where i am. and so long as i have something to write with i'm in heaven

within minutes of beginning writing, i'm no longer in existence.

 

[SlickTony]

Oh, heavens yes, I do a lot of my "writing" in the car, before ever touching a keyboard. What're you gonna do at rush hour when the traffic's not going anywhere--fume?

 

[Guest]

dreaming

Lately, the 'story' parts of my stories have come to me while I have been in bed and unable to sleep. (Take that as you will )

I have to be able to "see" my stories, so being in the dark with the house quiet is conducive to "blocking" out scenes and checking for continuity... both emotional and physical.

This "exercise" also keeps me from being too frustrated that I am awake instead of sleeping.

The car doesn't work for me since I usually have four children all talking to me at once when I am driving and the Barney cd just doesn't set the right mood.

But, I think I'll try Earl's idea and get up and eat an apple...

 

[TheEarl]

NBE: I sympathise. I've lived on the coast all my life and IMHO there is nothing greater than sitting on the promenade and watching waves crash against the rocks. I've often lost track of time doing that. I realise 2 hours later that I'm still sitting there, it's now pouring with rain and the dog that I was walking is getting very nervous and whining, because I haven't moved for a while.

Total mental reboot.

The Earl

 

[gauchecritic]

Dwarves and sigs

I've studied your sig for some time now Earl and it looks like This is how much you could cut it to;

"Lister: Look, I don't want any toast, and he doesn't want any toast. In fact, no one around here wants any toast. Not now, not ever. No toast!
Toaster: How 'bout a muffin?
Lister: Or muffins! We don't like muffins around here! We want no muffins, no toast, no teacakes, no buns, baps, baguettes or bagels, no croissants, no crumpets, no pancakes, no potato cakes and no hot-cross buns and definitely no smegging flapjacks!
Toaster: Aah, so you're a waffle man!! "

It has the essence and is funny by itself. And it's just as obscure and non-sensical to anyone not au-fait with The Dwarf.

Gauche

 

[TheEarl]

Gauche: The sig will shrink. I've just put the whole scene up for 2/3 days to let people get the full effect.

The Earl

 

[English Lady]

I have to daydream. I know, i know that sounds like a phoney excuse but I do, I HAVE to daydream. I get my story all sorted out then. I see it in my head, see the characters, how they react and who's where doing what and it all comes together.

Once I have done that I can write! Very often my story changes from the original daydream, i might even indulge in a few more daydream sessions before i hit the end result, but thats how i do it!

 

[Svenskaflicka]

When I need inspiration for a story, I usually look in my dictionary. I can always find a word there that makes an exciting, inspiring title, and once I have that, the story just jumps into my head by its own free will.