Comments on: How much do you know before you start writing? http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/ Watch my life unravel... Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:26:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: XUP http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-46224 XUP Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:52:16 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-46224 Ya, writing without ideas is tough. I would take the word "concrete" out of the equation, though -- those kind of ideas don't lend themselves well to writing. Go with more nebulous, fluid ideas and see what develops. And is there any reason you particularly want to write fiction if it's not working right now? You're very good at the non-fiction and/or opinion stuff, why not branch out in that area? And whatever happened to that short story contest you entered, speaking of fiction? Ya, writing without ideas is tough. I would take the word “concrete” out of the equation, though — those kind of ideas don’t lend themselves well to writing. Go with more nebulous, fluid ideas and see what develops. And is there any reason you particularly want to write fiction if it’s not working right now? You’re very good at the non-fiction and/or opinion stuff, why not branch out in that area? And whatever happened to that short story contest you entered, speaking of fiction?

]]> By: zoom! http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-45982 zoom! Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:44:59 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-45982 Thanks for sharing this with me. I love when I get to that place where my writing gathers momentum and the story writes itself. I find it more elusive with fiction though. I have a hard time starting <i>and</i> finishing. I'm not planning a book or any piece of writing in particular. I just want to be a little more productive, writing wise, and I'm not sure how to go about it without a concrete idea to start with. Thanks for sharing this with me.

I love when I get to that place where my writing gathers momentum and the story writes itself. I find it more elusive with fiction though. I have a hard time starting and finishing.

I’m not planning a book or any piece of writing in particular. I just want to be a little more productive, writing wise, and I’m not sure how to go about it without a concrete idea to start with.

]]> By: XUP http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-45795 XUP Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:25:48 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-45795 Mostly everything I write - fiction and non-fiction is already fully formed in my head before I ever get to the keyboard. Then I just type it out. Then I go back and edit a few times to make things flow better or sound crisper or whatever. Are you planning a book? Mostly everything I write – fiction and non-fiction is already fully formed in my head before I ever get to the keyboard. Then I just type it out. Then I go back and edit a few times to make things flow better or sound crisper or whatever. Are you planning a book?

]]> By: Lola http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44660 Lola Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:38:29 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44660 BOTH:) i write a lot of 'faction.' Fiction based on non-fiction. Write what you know and then get creative....:) BOTH:)
i write a lot of ‘faction.’ Fiction based on non-fiction. Write what you know and then get creative….:)

]]> By: Pearl http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44607 Pearl Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:09:50 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44607 I have characters and see how they play together. Plot comes out of the people as they tell me who they are. Once they and I know what they're about I can do the more detailed character profiles and the outline and timeline and bring all the research notes together. Write until I need to go back to storyframe or character and do tweaks or overhauls. I have characters and see how they play together. Plot comes out of the people as they tell me who they are. Once they and I know what they’re about I can do the more detailed character profiles and the outline and timeline and bring all the research notes together. Write until I need to go back to storyframe or character and do tweaks or overhauls.

]]> By: Oma http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44606 Oma Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:01:49 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44606 Most people have answered as I would. I create an outline after the fact adding to it as I finish each chapter. And like some of your other writer-readers I am often surprised by what the story and the characters create. Most people have answered as I would. I create an outline after the fact adding to it as I finish each chapter. And like some of your other writer-readers I am often surprised by what the story and the characters create.

]]> By: coyote http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44605 coyote Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:44:26 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44605 A single phrase or sentence will pop to mind and form the kernel. It rolls around awhile, it gathers either moss or mass, and characters and situations evolve around it as it rolls. Usually as they're being written. Eventually they begin to describe some sort of rudimentary arc, and things fall into place from there. It's usually a surprise. I like surprises. A single phrase or sentence will pop to mind and form the kernel. It rolls around awhile, it gathers either moss or mass, and characters and situations evolve around it as it rolls. Usually as they’re being written. Eventually they begin to describe some sort of rudimentary arc, and things fall into place from there. It’s usually a surprise. I like surprises.

]]> By: Jo http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44586 Jo Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:47:59 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44586 I usually have a few scenes in my head. The characters just arrive fully formed. It's weird. I usually have a few scenes in my head. The characters just arrive fully formed. It’s weird.

]]> By: Wandering Coyote http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44556 Wandering Coyote Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:53:33 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44556 I have a story and characters before I start writing, but nothing as specific as an outline. Once I start writing and have enough material to piece together, I might create a plot outline for myself just to see how to piece things together (I have, in the past few years, trained myself out of writing linearly). This is, of course subject to change. And inevitably, the story takes on a life of its own and things can change really rapidly. I have a story and characters before I start writing, but nothing as specific as an outline. Once I start writing and have enough material to piece together, I might create a plot outline for myself just to see how to piece things together (I have, in the past few years, trained myself out of writing linearly). This is, of course subject to change. And inevitably, the story takes on a life of its own and things can change really rapidly.

]]> By: Payton http://www.knitnut.net/2008/12/how-much-do-you-know-before-you-start-writing/#comment-44553 Payton Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:40:05 +0000 http://knitnut.net/?p=870#comment-44553 Sounds like you could use NaNoWriMo...at least if you want to wait for next November. http://www.nanowrimo.org/ Sounds like you could use NaNoWriMo…at least if you want to wait for next November. http://www.nanowrimo.org/

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