And we're back on writing again....

August 11th, 2010 (09:39 am)

One of the best things about writerconuk this year was wildecate's talk on Writer's Block: the reasons behind it, why it hits you and ways to get round it. Trust me, when the full text of it goes up, I'll certainly be linking to it as it was a thing of beauty.

But it also made me think. Everyone works in their own kind of way, the little tricks and tics that work for them. curiouswombat and myself for example, just can NOT do the type of writing exercise where you sit down and do stream of consciouness without regard to spelling, punctuation and self-editing along the way. We just can't. We have to go back, maybe a couple of words at a time, maybe more, just to keep the spellings right, the spacings and punctuations right, and the general flow still there. Even when I'm doing an entry like this for example.

The other thing that I've had, more or less, reinforced in my brain, is that I seem to need deadlines. Give me a good ficathon that I've signed up for, with a due-by date, and I'm golden. Oh, I'll probably panic and end up writing like crazy 24 hours before the deadline and begging for a beta to take an emergency look at it, but it seems to work for me. Those quickly written fics are the one that people really, really like and comment a lot on. Whereas, waiting around with a detailed idea of a fic in my head and no pressing time constraints, delays to no actual fic being produced.

So, the tl:dr version: I need to do more ficathons obviously. Maybe even plot_wout_porn....

Or how about this: The new kind of remix on the town: Remix Duello! Just like regular remix--you take someone's story and rewrite in your own words, different POV, different focus, different style, or whatever you like--except this time, the remixee picks the story. Sign ups go until August 29, the due date for stories is October 10, and I still haven't decided yet.

Comments

Posted by: Laney (

laney_1974)

Posted at: August 11th, 2010 09:54 am (UTC)

I'm like you with the need for deadlines. I've written more in the past two months then I have in years. I have two bigbang deadlines and I'm part of the twistedshorts and I'm writing like there's no tomorrow.

I also seem to like challenges lately, as well.

Edited at 2010-08-11 09:54 am (UTC)

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Posted by: tiger (

tigerlily0484)

Posted at: August 11th, 2010 11:30 am (UTC)

Remix Duello sounds like fun! I might have to think about that one...

'Course, my writing output is zilch at the moment and has been for longer than I like to admit. But I think the fic writing part of my mind works pretty much like yours; the need for deadlines which generally see me procrastinating until the last minute and then smashing out something that passes as a fic. That, or writing like a mad thing when I least expect it. Usually when there are a bazillion other things I should be doing. That's how Floods happened anyway.

It's also how I've spent the last four years of my university career. Some habits are hard to break, I suppose.

Glad you enjoyed WriterCon. I'll be keeping my eye out for that link. Please send with attached anvil. ;)

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Posted by: Sentimental yet sardonic (

booster17)

Posted at: August 12th, 2010 08:29 pm (UTC)

Please find attached ONE ACME ANVIL.

Kindly supply your own cartoon "Uh-oh" sign.

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Posted by: Denita (

menomegirl)

Posted at: August 11th, 2010 12:20 pm (UTC)

When the text for the writer's block goes up, could you please PM me the link, in case I miss it? I would appreciate it greatly.

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Posted by: Sentimental yet sardonic (

booster17)

Posted at: August 12th, 2010 08:30 pm (UTC)

Here you go! Strongly recommended.

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Posted by: darkhavens (

darkhavens)

Posted at: August 11th, 2010 09:57 pm (UTC)

curiouswombat and myself for example, just can NOT do the type of writing exercise where you sit down and do stream of consciouness without regard to spelling, punctuation and self-editing along the way. We just can't. We have to go back, maybe a couple of words at a time, maybe more, just to keep the spellings right, the spacings and punctuations right, and the general flow still there. Even when I'm doing an entry like this for example.

That's me too. I am a constant editor, of posts and fic and emails and even comments. In fact, the only thing I don't edit is IM messages, which come out very stream-of-conscious and often full of typos. *g*

BTW, that other canonical Marvel couple I was trying to describe to you? Not Marvel at all. *headdesk* They're part of the team in The Authority - Midnighter and Apollo. :D

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Posted by: Sentimental yet sardonic (

booster17)

Posted at: August 12th, 2010 08:31 pm (UTC)