How do you write yours?

[scheherazade_79]

I was talking with Mat last night and she was complaining she couldn't get in the mood to write. It was dead the opposite for me. There was a storm blowing outside - objects blowing across the garden, raining pounding against the window, and I was curled up in my black leather Mastermind-type chair, typing away by candlelight.

It made me start wondering what everyone else's ideal writing conditions are. Do you have a favourite room? Favourite weather conditions? A favourite time of day? Or even a drink or a kind of food you always have within arm's reach when your writing?




The Girl Next Door

 

[impressive]

Good morning.

Well, I prefer to be alone when I write -- free of unwanted distractions. Other than that, I simply wait 'til inspiration strikes -- like it did this morning -- and get right to it.

I like to do an entire story -- or an entire concise segment of a story -- in one sitting (then go back and edit after taking a short break).

Nice questions!

Back to writing ...

 

[rgraham666]

I'm trying to break out of having the required conditions around me. Which consists mostly of being in the mood and solitude.

I'm finding the solitude is still necessary. It's tough finding the discipline to write without being in the mood.

But I'll get there.

 

[Guest]

well... hrm.. interesting question. for the normal without sex stories, as long as im alone, im just fine. usually i find that when im ovulating i write the best steamy scenes... tmi? *grin* deal with it.

kidding... anyway... i like to have music playing or listening to my daughter play her guitar in the other room... rainy days are a bonus.. love to write on the lap top all snuggled in my bed... sets the mood..

 

[CrazyyAngel]

With me it solely depends on my mood. It can be in the middle of the night after a party or at daylight, doesn't matter. If I am in no mood to write, I don't not matter how the conditions are.

CA

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I prefer solitude, but that only happens when the mood is blue. Even when I try to write while in the tub, someone needs to use the bathroom.

If I'm writing on the computer, there is usually a tv on in the next room and someone needs my undivided attention for something. Sometimes I just sit on the couch, with my notebook and write, or when I'm waiting alone for an appointment or to pick up someone, I take that time to write.

I tends to be sporadic these days. However when all is quiet, I put on mood music, coffee and cigarettes nearby and I absorb myself in the story.

I work better under chaos I think.

 

[matriarch]

I'm a bit of a combination of all so far.

Firstly, I have to be in the mood, the writing mood. If the inspiration ain't there, nothing's going to get me writing. My main problem is the mood quite often pops in at the most inopportune moments.........such as when I'm taking minutes at a meeting.

I have a 'friend', a very long-standing 'friend', who knew I was going to be taking minutes at a long meeting, and sent me a mail that morning, describing me sitting at the large board room table, and suddenly feeling hands on my thighs, pushing up my skirt (I don't wear them, thank god), lips on my thighs, moving higher, then a tongue.......I think you get the picture. I was in dread for the whole meeting, and several times I was tempted to look down to make sure there was no face between my legs (you know who you are, wicked woman ). As a consequence, all that afternoon while taking minutes I was writing a story in my head. I just wanted to get to a keyboard and write it down!

Other times, like now, when I have the time, space an quiet to write...my head is empty. Very frustrating.

But if I have to write, such as work to a deadline, then I need quiet, no phones, I will have music, but only instrumental, I can't cope with the distraction of other words in my head when I'm trying to pull different ones out.

Storms, gales, heavy rain like last night are a complete distraction, because I'm constanly worrying that the house isn;t going to withstand the barrage, and the slightest bang or creak will have me scuttling away to check windows and doors. *sigh*.

I have had times, when I've gone out for a walk, quiet lanes and paths, and take a small hand held tape recorder with me. Then, if the mood takes me, I simply talk my thoughts and images into the machine. Very useful.

Mat

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

I am able to write (probably because I have to) catch-as-catch-can in the middle of a sports victory celebration so long as I have the plot down cold. Without I have my plot down, the sound of Heavenly Choirs and Nubian Slaves fanning me wouldn’t mean squat.

Rewriting and editing, I usually only attempt at home working off the coffee table, or curled up in bed. That’s where I try to translate it into an actually recognized language. Reduce the impact of creative spelling. Translate from Burley to English. Arrest the more flagrant syntactical crimes. And try to decide whether it makes any sense at all.

When not rushed, I usually let it sit a couple of week. Then I can come back to it (hopefully) fresh to find anything that I was too close to the forest to tree

 

[fogbank]

My ideal writing conditions are actually the opposite to most: a moderately busy coffee shop, lots of people moving around, lots of conversational background noise. When I'm alone, I have a hard time applying the necessary discipline--I usually end up surfing the Internet or playing Civilization.

But then I need quiet for editing, which is why I never end up getting any editing done.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I think my best work has been done very late at night. I find a great deal of comfort in writing when the house is asleep. I love writing in the dark with nothing more than candles to light my table and there must be music. A tall glass of ice water beside me and a little time will get much writing done, assuming I've got something on my mind to write about.



Mat, if you're reading this, the best way for me to find motivation to write is to try writing something completely out of my normal interests. I often find that when I get blocked or fed up with my normal genre or a story simply isn't cooperating, that when I finally decide to ditch the project (figuratively) and move onto something completely new and off the beaten path...all I can think about is the old story line and how what I'm trying to do now is not at all something I'm interested in.



One more thing that helps me is deadlines. I'm not a big fan of them, but each time I've had one, something's come up where I have to push it to the wire and that normally means I don't scrutinize my first instincts with words so much. Seems to be a positive thing.

~lucky

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Alone. Solitude is vital.

Usually have a vibe or other toy when I am writing sex scenes to keep me reved up.

I write my best when I am writing for someone. Those stories I do for freinds are always the most emotionally deep and well executed works I produce.

-Colly

 

[millennium_bard]

I do my best writing late at night.
It's quiet, no distractions, and I can often get into the writing mood much more easily.

For my longer works, I will often sit cross legged on my bed with my Brother ML300 electric typewriter on the bed in front of me.

For shorter stuff, and a lot of my work that I post here on Lit, I work at my computer, usiually with a pot of coffee close at hand.

 

[cloudy]

I'm another one of those that likes to write late at night. Somehow, daytime is just too busy for me to get much done.

I have to have coffee, or a coke, something to munch on, and cigarettes, and I'm set. Storms are great for inspiration...I wrote my Rainy Day Challenge story mostly while Hurricane Ivan wailed outside.

And I'm with Lucky on the deadline thing. I seem to work better, and not be so nit-picky, when there's a deadline looming.

 

[Belegon]

I wouldn't say that mood is a thing for me, but inspiration most definitely is. If the right inspiration hits me I can and will write anywhere.

But typically it is late at night while the rest of the house is asleep, with some jazz or classical as background music. I tend towards marathon sessions, rarely writing less than a couple of hours at a stretch.

I seem to be susceptible to writers block and I will try to "escape" the responsibility of writing sometimes.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I wouldn't say that mood is a thing for me, but inspiration most definitely is. If the right inspiration hits me I can and will write anywhere.

But typically it is late at night while the rest of the house is asleep, with some jazz or classical as background music. I tend towards marathon sessions, rarely writing less than a couple of hours at a stretch.

I seem to be susceptible to writers block and I will try to "escape" the responsibility of writing sometimes.

What he said, except for the music. I can't write with classical music playing, I can only read and study. Usually I go with silence with punctuated music intended to wake me up or inspire a mood change when its not coming. I've only written one piece completely with a background and it's my sad piece below.

I always carry paper and pencils with me so I can catch good ideas or inspiration when I need it.

 

[impressive]

I always carry paper and pencils with me so I can catch good ideas or inspiration when I need it.

Yikes! I am a computer snob. No handwriting for me. I compose at the keyboard. Until then, the ideas just stay in that dark password-protected attic room.

 

[destinie21]

I like to write when it's raining outside warm or cold drizzling or torrential it doesn't matter.

 

[oggbashan]

I prefer to write in my bookshop while waiting for customers.

I have the ideal situation - coffee and toilet available, music of my choice, a good writing position, hours with nothing else to do...

What will I do when I retire?

Og

PS. Customers interrupt the flow. They can be a nuisance.

 

[Belegon]

I prefer to write in my bookshop while waiting for customers.

I have the ideal situation - coffee and toilet available, music of my choice, a good writing position, hours with nothing else to do...

What will I do when I retire?

Og

PS. Customers interrupt the flow. They can be a nuisance.

I've gotten a few poems out at work, but to write prose there...I think the HR department of my already Sexual Harrassment-paranoid company would have a collective fainting spell...just before they fired me. If I have an idea during work hours I try to scribble some reminders in a notebook and tackle it on break.

 

[pop_54]

Best in my office alone with few distractions and a fag hanging out of my mouth, fresh cuppa, or beer, beer's not really good cos I get pissed sometimes and have to re-write it all the next day... but the main thing is, alone!!! Oh and in the mood of course, if I'm not in a writing mood, nothing will drag sense out of my attempts.

 

[LustyLovers]

I can write anytime night or day. I don't really have a preference. I have noticed that when a story grabs me and begs to be written, that I'm compelled to keep going no matter where I'm at. I have a spiral notebook that goes with me when I can't be in front of my computer and my muse is shaking me shouting write! write! write!

I get into writing frenzy's, it's really weird. I never really plan my stories, they take over my mentality and compose themselves. I never plan ahead I just go with the flow and let the carnality erupt. Most of the time after I write a scene, I'll go back and read it wondering where the heck that came from.

It's left me shaking my head quite often.

I wonder how many writers do that. Reread a scene and say. "Wow did I write that."

That might be a fun idea for a post. LOL

 

[SlickTony]

I think out a lot of my plots and scenes when I'm alone in the car. As for the actual writing, if I waited for all that stuff like being alone in the house, I'd get precious little accomplished. The computer is in the living room, with my husband and son there watching TV. However, they don't pay much attention to stuff that I'm writing.

 

[AchtungNight]

This is an old thread, but worth bumping.

I write alone most of the time too, although occasionally I have a friend (usually my editor) look over my shoulder and give ideas or critiques. I try to be free of distractions when I write, although occasionally I will have music or a good movie on. I have also played video games while writing at times. I usually have food and/or drink close at hand and a window open with some web data about my subject (I write adult fanfic).

 

[SeaCat]

Writing for me is usually done before dinner. If the idea is in my mind. Writing for me is almost as relaxing as woodworking or cooking. (During Hurricane Wilma I wrote most of a story while I was off duty in the hospital.)

For me, it doesn't matter where I am as long as I have a medium to wirte and the idea of the story in my mind.

Cat

 

[S-Des]

I do my best writing while driving. I try to work the entire story out in my head with the radio off. Once I get home, I transfer it to the computer and hopefully can see what works and what doesn't. When I'm struggling to get it clear in my head while writing, no amount of sitting around the computer seems to help.