{What inspired you to begin to write?}1
I've always written a lot, since the day I learned how to. I found the English language fascinating and loved the idea of being able to record thoughts and ideas; conveying stories and dreams in my mind to others. But I started writing novels about 5 years ago when I realised that doing so should not be so daunting. I had plenty of story ideas, but I always shrunk from the thought of doing something 'professional' like writing a whole novel. One day, I simply realised: 'It's like any other story, only longer. What will it matter if I do a terrible job?' But I learned quickly after completing my first novel, and now I'm proud to let others read my work.2
{What would you say is your main inspiration for writing?}3
My main inspiration for writing would definitely be my dreams. I dream almost every night, and each dream has vivid imagery, a complicated plotline and an interesting, original concept. Some of my short stories are entire unedited recounts of dreams I've had. I'm VERY grateful to my subconscious.4
{What method/s, do you use when writing? Do you have a time, a place? Do you like writing while sipping on coffee or are you do you prefer cool drinks?}5
I seem to write better at night, when the house is silent and I can really get absorbed in my work. But generally I like to write for long periods-- between three and eight hours straight instead of gradually writing a bit here and there. I have a large, comfortable desk chair that I lounge in while typing on my computer, though occasionally I use notepad paper and type it up later.6
{What genre/s do you prefer writing about?}7
I like writing about fantasy/sci-fi mostly. I like to create my own worlds-- I've tried to write fantasy based on the real world a few times, but I can never get as absorbed in it as usual. I also refuse to write about anything unoriginal (vampires, werewolves, witches, dragons, etc) and take a bit of pride in that fact. I've recently been considering an attempt to write romance.... it should be interesting.8
{How do you choose a name for your characters?}9
Usually my names are made-up. I choose them by thinking of the character's 'vibe' if you will, then using letters/sounds that coincide with that feeling. For example, Avalia, the female main character of Untitled is a quiet, shy person who can be quite spirited if she feels comfortable around people or if she really believes in something and wants to make it happen. The 'lia' part of the name sounded pretty (the shy, quiet side of her) with a soft 'L' sound to represent how reflective she is. The 'vah' sound is more representative of her strength and determination. The sound whips out at you in what I consider to be a graceful manner. And of course the 'A' at the beginning simply made the name, and the letter 'A' seemed to suit Avi perfectly.10
{How do you create your characters? Do they stem from a name? Do you dream about them? Do they appear out of nowhere? Are the inspired by people you know?}11
Some of my characters come purely from my dreams, but others are developed gradually from concepts I develop in my mind such as, 'this personality type in this situation' or 'this sort of power and this sort of childhood-- what would that do to a person?' I start out with a general personality and then the character becomes deeper and deeper as the story goes and they react to more situations. Occasionally my characters are inspired by people I know. I once wrote a main character based entirely on an exxageration of my brother's personality. I think that all of my characters have something of me in them though.12
{Are you a pantsy writer or do you outline before, while or after you have written?}13
I visualise the entire plotline before beginning the story. I plan everything out and write it down so that I can begin hinting at secrets from the very beginning. While I write, more characters and detail comes in, so I add to the plan as I go. Eventually it gets so detailed that every single sentence is accounted for.14
{Do you have any objects around you that inspire you to write?15
Describe your writing space.}16
Actually, I write in a very ugly environment! I have no office of my own, so the one I use has pictures of cars and whatnot on the walls. My dad taped the nest of cords to the wall and the computer monitor with brown packaging tape... and the place is really dusty. But I tune it out and my chair is very comfortable... it feels like home. Also, I have a wonderful large window to my right with a great view of the distant hills and the sky. I suppose the sky inspires me quite a bit, especially on cloudy days. I love clouds, but Untitled is actually set in a world where it's always cloudy, so it helps me imagine the constant ceiling that these characters have looming over them.
Author notes
My favourite animal is... Hmm, it's difficult to choose. I like meerkats and sloths because they're cute... giraffes and platypi because they're interesting.... big cats and wolves because they're mysterious and majestic... birds because they're so free and beautiful... snakes because they're all of the above... Oh, and crows! I love crows. ^^
Thanks for such a great contest; it was really interesting! ^^
Eph
A contest entry
- Questions About Writing by Prodigious.Mirth.
170 points, ended January 25, 13 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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When I first wrote down my novel it took me nearly ten days to have 100 pages and that was a scary fact that I was writing near 10 pages every night before I went to bed. In the long run it took me 28 days to complete the actual rough draft and a further 18 days during nano to complete my first actual draft. I never thought I could do it, but then one day I decided I was going to because it was not about how awkward it was, it was because the story needed to be written. Needless to say in the long run after my first novel was complete, i felt compelled to write more and was always proud of the attempt I made regardless of my other intentions.
Dreams are a brilliant source of inspiration for ideas, ideas that can turn into brilliant plots. One of my favorite stories is one about how my second and major novel came about from having a dream. I am still writing the novel and every now and then when the plot is draining I seem to have a dream that sparks something for the story.
I can relate to the long nights in silence, but I am astounded that one could sit there for that many hours. I am the type that needs breaks and sometimes I will write for a good three hours, but I must say I am very interested in your method of writing.
I love your writing space. I have a pretty modern office and I really like color and such but something like that would just be so beautiful to me to write in love the sort of grunge look, sorry if that's offensive but the sort of dirty yet beautiful look is so me.
thanks FOR ENTERING MY CONTEST
Good LUCK WITH WRITING IN 09 AND WITH MY CONTEST
Blair
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Wow, you were speeding along!! *feels a little ashamed that my first novel took a year to write* xD
Yeah, I love the way dreams can always give you such amazing ideas! And they always give you exactly what you were looking for. Weird, how your subconscious always knows so much more than your consciousness does.
I've never really got an impression of what methods the 'average' writer would use, though in most cases I seem to be unusual. I feel like there's a way that's most efficient or whatever, but I guess it's just different for everyone and you have to figure things out for yourself
Lol! No, I'm not offended
I know what you mean. Admittedly, I am very fond of my writing space, in spite of the 'grunge look' I kind of like being in a place that's lived in and stuff. And the awesome view from my window is really inspiring ^^
Thankyou so much for such a thoughtful comment ^^ I hope you have a great writing year too
Eph
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I don't love crows, after I saw one eat a bird. ;-; Traumatised.
Oh and isn't androids unoriginal? ;P
Nice discription of your working area. o.o
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Lol! Oh yeah, I wish I had seen that, it must have been eerie and disturbing
But I would still love crows after seeing that ^^ They're pretty <3 And they make a sound that always makes me feel happy. Makes my headaches go away, yes it does. *nods earnestly*
Why yes, androids have been done many a time, but I like to think I'm taking the concept somehwere new. Besides that, it's not really the main theme of the story; more like the background circumstances, you know?
Really? Thanks
Eph
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Dreams, you make referance to dreams a lot Eph. I can't even remember my dreams, well I remember the one I had last night... that was interesting. Finally someone who writes in long bursts like I do
. Good luck in the contest!
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Lol, what was the dream about??
Yeah, I don't really know what people have against writing in long bursts... You get so much more absorbed ^^ Thanks for your comment!
Eph
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