Writers Unite discussion

I apologize is advance if this is a topic elsewhere already, but...

What is the writing method that you find most useful?


For me, I generally take a linear approach to writing. An idea or scene will form, and i will sit down and brainstorm a bit, creating flow chart of where the story goes. Then I start writing A-B-C and so on. The benefit to this is that I can think ahead and revise some of the key scenes internally before getting there.

However, I find that what happens most often is that I get bored before getting to those scenes and usually leave my story for a new, exciting idea that I became infatuated with in my moments of boredom. Obviously, some of this just comes down to forcing myself to grind stuff out, but I'm thinking this method just isn't that great for long projects. In film making, for example, they will shoot scenes in no particular order, or in whichever order is most cost efficient, then put it all together later.

I was thinking of just writing whatever scenes and turning points come into my head and fill in the gaps later. I've come across a great writing program called Scrivener that seems to make this approach more feasible (compared to having a ton of random Word or Pages documents littering my computer).

What methods do you employ to harness the energy of your muse?

I have no writing method... instead, I just think it up. I keep on editing , revising and dialogue-ing in my mind. When it's perfect, I start riting :)

I tried brain-storming, or using bullet points but i just couldn't do it.

I actually use a similar method to yours, Chris. I like to visualize the key scenes in my had and jot them down to then later add all of the details and the less important stuff. That way I create an outline of sorts that helps me to keep my storyline pretty organized.

hehe, I nvr have it organized. M actually planning by the minute for my NaNo. sumtyms I feel like m gonna totally lose the stry because I have NOTHING to go on wiv. but then lightining strikes and i have sumthing major planned =)

My method of writing is....do I have a method?

My method is close to nonexistent, I just usually write lol.

Me too, lol.

Usually, when i get an idea, i jot it down furiously (even if most of it doesnt make complete sense) then re-write a better version of that idea on a "My Ideas" Document on Word.

As for the actual writing process, usually once i get an idea, the words and ideas start coming easily (well lately that is). I try writing an outline sometimes and usually write notes to myself about random ideas id like to incorporate into my story. In the beginning, the original plot is always basic, but the more i think and write about it, the more gaps begin to fill and more scenes begin to form.

When Im describing something, i always try to picture it in my mind, as if i were actually there or it was a scene from a movie. Being an avid reader also helps because Ive used it as a tool to build my vocabulary and learn how to structure sentences.

Other than that...sometimes i just get lucky LOL