Ruling House of Writing, real or imagined

[Recidiva]

How do you write? Are you primarily visual, emotional, tuned to sensation, dialogue?

I classify myself as mainly emotional, with dialogue key.

Plot and visuals, not so much.

 

[rgraham666]

I'd have to say visual myself. But barely.

I try to make sure everything is in there. I'm a big fan of balance.

 

[Recidiva]

I'd have to say visual myself. But barely.

I try to make sure everything is in there. I'm a big fan of balance.

What's your process, then, do you consult each sense, is there a little gauge?

I think I'm missing that.

 

[MagicaPractica]

I think I'm primarily plot oriented and that often uses dialogue to move it forward. Then I try to fill in with what the character was seeing, feeling, thinking, etc.

 

[Recidiva]

I think I'm primarily plot oriented and that often uses dialogue to move it forward. Then I try to fill in with what the character was seeing, feeling, thinking, etc.

I think I have an aversion to sustained conflict. (Which is interesting considering my confrontational style here, but conflict here is for its own reasons.)

I do like expressions of humor and forgiveness more than I do anger. I'm also more willing to express pain than I am hatred.

I'm really not sure I get hatred at all, which is why I try not to write it.

Lots of generated conflict to me in writing seems to come from people making a "bad guy" that they don't undertand, and can't really describe what's going on with them, like a shadow play cutout on the wall to suggest a shape. It's a lot less satisfying to me than three dimensions.

 

[MagicaPractica]

I think I have an aversion to sustained conflict. (Which is interesting considering my confrontational style here, but conflict here is for its own reasons.)

I do like expressions of humor and forgiveness more than I do anger. I'm also more willing to express pain than I am hatred.

I'm really not sure I get hatred at all, which is why I try not to write it.

Lots of generated conflict to me in writing seems to come from people making a "bad guy" that they don't undertand, and can't really describe what's going on with them, like a shadow play cutout on the wall to suggest a shape. It's a lot less satisfying to me than three dimensions.

Very true on three dimensional characters. Character development is something I've glossed over in many of the stories that I've written for here. I've tried to use broad brush strokes in a short format.

Conflict is an interesting question. In order to have a story, you tend to need conflict, either between characters or within a character. I imagine sustained conflict would be difficult. Is that something you are trying to do? If so, perhaps looking at it as something that ebbs and flows would help.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I've said it before, all my stories are Character driven. They make the plot run in whatever direction it goes, they determine their own relationships and they determine the ending. That makes them real.

Some are emotional, some not. Some are funny, some not. Some are intellegent, most aren't. Who cares as long as the story works.

 

[Recidiva]

Very true on three dimensional characters. Character development is something I've glossed over in many of the stories that I've written for here. I've tried to use broad brush strokes in a short format.

Conflict is an interesting question. In order to have a story, you tend to need conflict, either between characters or within a character. I imagine sustained conflict would be difficult. Is that something you are trying to do? If so, perhaps looking at it as something that ebbs and flows would help.

I've settled on a short story format generally. My October piece is probably the longest I've written that I've actually finished.

I find that when I watch or read so many current offerings, the plot fatigue annoys the hell out of me. Sometimes authors can't progress beyond a certain formula or starting point.

I love Harry Potter, but I end up swearing half the time. "Didn't we learn not to feel angry and alone last book? And the book before that? And the book before that?"

Or watching Smallville or Buffy, fantasy series. "Haven't we figured out weird things happen, why are we all pretending to be shocked and acting like morons when something odd happens?"

The fact is that conflict and huge reaction to conflict are common. But it is, at least after the second repetition of the second conflict...sorta stupid.

I like characters who learn or can handle themselves in a situation. It does appear as if in order to max out the conflict, people write...dumb characters, to make the plot seem bigger than it is when faced by a competent person.

A story can't sustain itself with calm people handling catastrophe. But calm people handling catastrophe is what life is about.

 

[Recidiva]

I've said it before, all my stories are Character driven. They make the plot run in whatever direction it goes, they determine their own relationships and they determine the ending. That makes them real.

Some are emotional, some not. Some are funny, some not. Some are intellegent, most aren't. Who cares as long as the story works.

I like it when characters have their own define shape and gravity well. They determine the space around them.

 

[rgraham666]

What's your process, then, do you consult each sense, is there a little gauge?

I think I'm missing that.

Basically, I have a scene in my mind. I move the characters through it, describing what they did and felt.

When polishing I run through it again and again, asking myself if I missed anything.

My creative process is in many ways a Socratic dialogue with myself.

I think that's why so many of my pieces are first person. I often end up looking through a single characters eyes. Even my third person stories tend to focus on a single person.

 

[Recidiva]

Basically, I have a scene in my mind. I move the characters through it, describing what they did and felt.

When polishing I run through it again and again, asking myself if I missed anything.

My creative process is in many ways a Socratic dialogue with myself.

I think that's why so many of my pieces are first person. I often end up looking through a single characters eyes. Even my third person stories tend to focus on a single person.

I tend to focus on the person who has the least amount of information (which is usually how many books go) to maintain mystery or wondering what element is missing.

That's the thing with conflict. I have to take away all the peace and happiness. And that's the thing with choosing to become an author and why I balk.

It seems inherently cruel.

 

[MagicaPractica]

I've settled on a short story format generally. My October piece is probably the longest I've written that I've actually finished.

I find that when I watch or read so many current offerings, the plot fatigue annoys the hell out of me. Sometimes authors can't progress beyond a certain formula or starting point.

I love Harry Potter, but I end up swearing half the time. "Didn't we learn not to feel angry and alone last book? And the book before that? And the book before that?"

Or watching Smallville or Buffy, fantasy series. "Haven't we figured out weird things happen, why are we all pretending to be shocked and acting like morons when something odd happens?"

The fact is that conflict and huge reaction to conflict are common. But it is, at least after the second repetition of the second conflict...sorta stupid.

I like characters who learn or can handle themselves in a situation. It does appear as if in order to max out the conflict, people write...dumb characters, to make the plot seem bigger than it is when faced by a competent person.

A story can't sustain itself with calm people handling catastrophe. But calm people handling catastrophe is what life is about.

Ah, but very often people don't learn. Or for some reason they choose to put themselves through the same pain over and over. And I've seen a lot of people who were far from calm handling catastrophes, or minor fuck ups, and making them worse. Remember not to just write characters you like. At least half the people are not competent but they're still in positions of power. It's a big world out there. Let it in to your writing.

 

[Recidiva]

Ah, but very often people don't learn. Or for some reason they choose to put themselves through the same pain over and over. And I've seen a lot of people who were far from calm handling catastrophes, or minor fuck ups, and making them worse. Remember not to just write characters you like. At least half the people are not competent but they're still in positions of power. It's a big world out there. Let it in to your writing.

Yeah, but they're no fun and I want to boot them in the ass and tell them to suck it up.

That's why I play good mean people.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Yeah, but they're no fun and I want to boot them in the ass and tell them to suck it up.

Go ahead, just do it in your story.

 

[TxRad]

I consider myself more of a story teller. Most of the time it starts with a visual, which sets a character or a scene. I apply a title to it which seldom changes by the end. It sets the feel or point of the story. After that, I write. My mind rolls out the story. How? hell if I know.

After a while the characters take over. This is when the story can take terrible turns. I try to aim for a point but most of the time it takes a twist and away we go again.

I don't really understand it so explaining it is almost impossible.

 

[Recidiva]

Go ahead, just do it in your story.

Oh, I do!

 

[impressive]

Primarily emotional. Then sensual, with vision bringing up last place on my hierarchy of the senses.

 

[Recidiva]

Primarily emotional. Then sensual, with vision bringing up last place on my hierarchy of the senses.

If I can invoke that little jump in the stomach or the tingle in the spine, I'm happy.

 

[impressive]

If I can invoke that little jump in the stomach or the tingle in the spine, I'm happy.

Or that little burning sensation right above the front teeth just before the eyes start to water.

 

[Recidiva]

Or that little burning sensation right above the front teeth just before the eyes start to water.

Yes, that one.

I like the emotions or visions that do evoke a physical response.

Goosebumps, hair prickling up at the back of the neck.

 

[rgraham666]

Or that little burning sensation right above the front teeth just before the eyes start to water.

That one I'm not familiar with, except eating Kung Poa Chicken. I lead such a cloistered life.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ah, but very often people don't learn. Or for some reason they choose to put themselves through the same pain over and over. And I've seen a lot of people who were far from calm handling catastrophes, or minor fuck ups, and making them worse. Remember not to just write characters you like. At least half the people are not competent but they're still in positions of power. It's a big world out there. Let it in to your writing.

That's true, but unless you handle this character correctly, he or she will make for a very unsatisfying reading experience.
We expect character change as part of narrative. So if the protagonist in a character-driven story consistently fucks up and never learns, the reader will be less willing to read your next effort.

Although, "Confederacy Of Dunces" just came to my mind... Now, there's an exception that proves a rule!

 

[neonlyte]

I'm largely scene driven (for my longer works). I see something and write backward and forward from that single scene. My erotic writing tends to explore other events.

 

[Recidiva]

That's true, but unless you handle this character correctly, he or she will make for a very unsatisfying reading experience.
We expect character change as part of narrative. So if the protagonist in a character-driven story consistently fucks up and never learns, the reader will be less willing to read your next effort.

Although, "Confederacy Of Dunces" just came to my mind... Now, there's an exception that proves a rule!

Confederacy of Dunces is more of a case study for me. Hard book for me to read.

But yes, it's basically the same theme, only escalating. Not entertaining for me at all.

 

[Oblimo]

The senses and dialog. I struggle with inner monologue; still learning the difference between third person limited omniscient and Telling instead of Showing.

I put characters into a scene with an idea of where it's going, then listen to snatches of dialog and watch flashes of visuals inside my head as they try to get there. I usually do this alone, or with just my wife in the room (since she knows I'm not having a seizure), in case their words start coming out of my mouth. Action sequences make me hop around the room, and my wife says she can always tell when I'm writing a sex scene. Apparently, I mime arabesques in the air with my hands above the keyboard.

"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!" - Robot Devil, Futurama