Cauldron writers! What method do you use?

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[Lily]

I just couldn't figure out where to put this, so I thought I'd stick it here. If it needs to be moved, I won't mind!

Anyway, It hit me today that I have odd methods for inspiration in regards to writing. My preferred and most utilized method is to grab a spiral bound notebook and a mechanical pencil and write. any other methods, such as typing, doesn't inspire me at all. I find myself staring at the screen, and when I do start writing, it doesn't sound as good as when I write it down by hand. I can actually see a difference in my writing style depending on the medium used. I'm just not comfortable writing from scratch on the computer. Rewriting, absolutely. I always type up my finished product, edit, rewrite, add to, depending on what's needed. But new projects for me always have to start on paper.

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

[Purplewitch]

But new projects for me always have to start on paper.

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

If you're weird and twisted, then so am I
Some things I do straight on computer, but mostly, stuff starts out on paper, always has done, probably always will.

[Malkin]

I usually only resort to a notebook when I don't have a computer close by - especially if it's particularly a fantastic snippet of prose I must write down. But normally I always write on a computer. I'm far too nit-picky about re-writing sentences as I go, so if I have a lot to write on paper, I never get anywhere! I'm not a real "stream of consciousness" sort of writer, at least not most of the time. At school, during timed essays I always see other student writing furiously as soon as the professor gives word - I really have to just sit and think for five minutes to plan out the structure of my essay, even down to sentence structure, or else I know I'll spend the whole time crossing out and re-writing things.

As for inspiration, it usually comes from a good visual image. I'm primarily an artist, so the right imagery always conjures up a vivid narrative for me. (I really like to employ narrative in my art as well.) I love random word generators - they get my literary motor going. 

[Melamphoros]

But new projects for me always have to start on paper.

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

For me it depends on what it is.  If it is notes on possible names for new characters, character's geneologies, skeletal plot outlines, ect. then I would use paper.  I mostly type up the work without writing it down first, but I always carry a spiral-bound notebook and a pencil for when I get the sudden inspiration for a scene.

Also, like Malkin I'm not a "stream of consciousness" sort of writer.  I normal re-write at least one sentence per paragraph at least once.  So writing directly on a computer does save me the trouble of going through all of the scratched out words.

eta: to answer the first part of you're post, I think it's fine here but it could also fit in the Art, Poetry, and Writing folder as that's where the Writer Role Call is.

[Star]

I just couldn't figure out where to put this, so I thought I'd stick it here. If it needs to be moved, I won't mind!

I think I'm going to move it into the folder with the writing, as suggested. 

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

I use what I have on hand.  If I'm at home or work, I'll type it out on the computer.  (Laptop at home, desktop at work, but just 'cause that's what's there.)  I really do prefer this somewhat, since I do tend to do the self-editing thing others have described, and a computer makes it so much easier to do that.  Also, my hands are better at typing for long periods than at writing for long periods.  But when I go on trips I'll take a notebook with me and hand-write stuff, usually in whatever kind of pen I can find, and if the notebook isn't handy I'll grab whatever is.    And that works pretty well too.

[Juni]

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes?

I can and do write with anything. I keep a small notebook and several pens in my purse at all times, and I can often be found scribbling madly when inspiration strikes. Generally, I write on the computer for the sake of editing ease and organization. I can't lose files on the computer as easily as I'll lose a handful of papers, and it's much easier for me to rewrite and edit when I type everything.

[Finn]

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

Like many others here, it really depends on where I happen to be at the time.  Like all good writers should do ( ), I carry a small notebook and pen with me wherever I go, and random quotes, snippets of character info, thoughts, musings and so on generally wind up there.

When I actually write, I tend to head for my computer.  I type much faster and obviously much more neatly than I write on paper, and keeping everything together in one file or one folder is a lot easier than trying to find everything.  That said, I've recently gotten some software--Mac supported only, sorry PC lovers--called Scrivener (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html), which is kind of proverbial "writer's desk" where all the bits can come together into one place in order to make writing out that first draft much easier.  I've been hunting down all my files and notes for several projects and putting them in Scrivener, and I have to say, it's been making my life easier.  And I've actually been writing more, instead of searching for writing or staring numbly at my notes!

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

I just couldn't figure out where to put this, so I thought I'd stick it here. If it needs to be moved, I won't mind!

Anyway, It hit me today that I have odd methods for inspiration in regards to writing. My preferred and most utilized method is to grab a spiral bound notebook and a mechanical pencil and write. any other methods, such as typing, doesn't inspire me at all. I find myself staring at the screen, and when I do start writing, it doesn't sound as good as when I write it down by hand. I can actually see a difference in my writing style depending on the medium used. I'm just not comfortable writing from scratch on the computer. Rewriting, absolutely. I always type up my finished product, edit, rewrite, add to, depending on what's needed. But new projects for me always have to start on paper.

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

Computer.  absolutely computer.  But I have to EDIT in hardcopy.

Until recently, I could not write if there was anyone else in the room.  I can now manage if it's Darius (thank gods) and *sometimes* if it's hubby, but never anyone else.  and NEVER anyone behind me.

And I'm very picky about my pens when I edit, and what's around me on my desk, and the *amount* of background noise ....

[Darkhawk]

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

For prose it doesn't matter; I use the computer because I type much faster (and more accurately!) than I write by hand.  When I just had hand-written stuff, too, I tended to write the same scene multiple times because I'd lose whatever I wrote on -- I swear huge fractions of my million words-that-suck were done in tenth grade English class on the same four scenes.

For poetry I can't get anywhere without being able to scribble the bits that are wrong out.  It's somehow much more tactile and kinesthetic than prose.

Editing I do with printouts; it's much easier to see the things that need fixing in a different format.  I know writers who do the same thing by changing the font.

If you spend much time talking with other writers, you'll learn that we're all twisted, weird, and compulsive, it's just that many of our twists are completely incompatible with each other, such that most anyone else's process sounds deranged and impossible to almost everyone else.

[Malkin]

Until recently, I could not write if there was anyone else in the room.  I can now manage if it's Darius (thank gods) and *sometimes* if it's hubby, but never anyone else.  and NEVER anyone behind me.

I'm just the same way! I can manage to write now with someone else in the room (if I'm absolutely sure they're absorbed in something else), but I can't stand anyone behind me or looking over my shoulder. It's just so private! It's like having somebody watch you relieve yourself. Only, y'know, more artistic...

(This may be why I can't watch people read or handle my work either. It's like, "But! THAT CAME OUT OF ME!!!" D: )

[Aster Breo]

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

Once I made the transition to a computer -- way back in the 80s -- I never looked back.  My handwriting is atrocious.  I find it so much easier to organize my thoughts if I can type them into a document, bullet them, move them around, bold, highlight, etc.

I heart my laptop.  Even with Vista.   

[SatAset]

So, for those of you who write here,  what is your preferred method when inspiration strikes? Computer? Laptop  or desktop? Paper? Pencil? Pen? Mechanical pencil? What gets the creative juices flowing for you? What works best, and what just frustrates you? Or am I just a twisted, weird writer with compulsive tendencies? 

I'm it's at home, normally I use the computer directly.  That said, sometimes I can tell a difference in my energy flow when I'm writing on paper and when I'm typing.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad.  Just is.

If I'm not at home, I bring a spiral notebook with me that I can carry in my purse or bookbag.  I write stuff down there when inspiration strkes and then put it into my computer once I get home. 

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

I'm just the same way! I can manage to write now with someone else in the room (if I'm absolutely sure they're absorbed in something else), but I can't stand anyone behind me or looking over my shoulder. It's just so private! It's like having somebody watch you relieve yourself. Only, y'know, more artistic...

(This may be why I can't watch people read or handle my work either. It's like, "But! THAT CAME OUT OF ME!!!" D: )

I can't stand having people behind me, but I NEED people to read my work.  I get antsy if there's no one pushing me to create.

I mean, I'll create anyway .. but I just NEED to have someone begging me to write more and waiting to see what I've come up with.  And then be nice about it.

[Ocelot]

I can't stand having people behind me, but I NEED people to read my work.  I get antsy if there's no one pushing me to create.

I mean, I'll create anyway .. but I just NEED to have someone begging me to write more and waiting to see what I've come up with.  And then be nice about it.

*Isn't addicted at all* Nope, I can quit any time I want. BTW have you started part two of ITL yet 

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

*Isn't addicted at all* Nope, I can quit any time I want. BTW have you started part two of ITL yet 

*basks* ahhhhhhhh

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