I really dont have a creative process. I can write day or night. I write basically by starting with the first word, then I flow from there.
Nothing. When i start writing, i go with the flow. What comes to mind whilst i write is jotted down and put into the story.
I usually write with pen on paper first. But I don't have a ritual or anything. I just sit down behind my desk, move my pen over a piece of paper and words appear. It's strange, but fun, lol. Later, when I have a few pages, I E-write. But in my mind as any other author, the work always continues.
A lot of thinking happens. I need to get solid in my head enough of a framework in order to begin, and then once I have that I can start fleshing it out on the page. I generally make one writing pass and one editing pass on short stories. And then my longer works get a lot more attention because there's more to deal with. I don't actually sit down and map out where things are going: I know in my head the landmarks that I want to hit (which may or may not change) and then I just aim myself in that direction, getting fun distractions along the way.
An idea that has been battling around in my head for sometime becomes more concrete. I cannot or have ever gone to paper with nothing. I need a spark or there is no chance of fire. I write everything longhand on paper before going to word processor.
The creative process can be delightful, and it can be really, really difficult. The first thing that happens is procrastination: surfing the web etc before guilt or a deadline urges me to write.
I usually have a legal pad at my desk with random phrases, words, ideas and then I form them into something that I put into the computer.
First I think about a story for several days or weeks. Second I write a concised story probably in a couple of pages. Third I start developing it.
I spend a lot of time talking to bilingual parents to see what kind of stories they would like to read to their children and what kind of language/words they think are important to incorporate, and then I usually end up basing a story outline on a funny anecdote from one of the parents.
I wake up, meditate, go for a jog, eat breakfast, make coffee, sit down at my desk, start reading the end of what I wrote the day before and eventualy I start writing new stuff. If I have problems with writing something new I try to write something for another project and after some time I go back to my main project.
Generally I pull out the chair first.
As my current project is a blog, what happens before I sit down to write is I live. I have some sort of experience that is my catalyst. Then I sit in front of the computer (if I have it with me, otherwise I jot down a note), open my WordPress account, and write.
If I am writing for a publication or something else, there would be research and brainstorming, calling, interviewing, visiting, etc. all taking place before writing. The writing process would begin after, or maybe during, depending on when I have enough information to begin. I don't always write in order, and sometimes leave things out until I find what I need. So, my writing before it's finished could be compared to a slice of Swiss cheese, that is, a holey but complete structure.
I have always had a vivid imagination. I can block out everything around me and disappear into my story. As I work full time, my routine is fixed.
I wake up with the story in my head.
I have a shower and flick into "work mode."
I drive to my workplace and spend a busy day as the Process Development Manager at Telecom New Zealand.
At the end of the day I remove my work hat and drive home with the story back in my head.
I carry a notebook and pen everywhere I go.
I don't watch TV. I write from the moment I arrive home, till early hours.
Every weekend I write.
This is why my novel, 2012 The Final Revelation took me six years. LOL
I have learned to produce work automatically and rapidly (a benefit of many years as a reporter). I do not believe in either inspiration or writer's block; I simply keep producing work until the goal of the day is accomplished. Does this mean I do a lot of revising? YES. But you need a large pile of raw material to winnow and carve into acceptable shape.
I try to work in the morning, when my mind is most refreshed and active. IO usually work to music -- it helps a lot.
I mull over the story or next segment of story for several days, often waking up at night with creative approaches to it. Once the direction of the story is almost fixed in my head I begin to actually write. |
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