McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
writing habits of Dresdenarians
Suilan:
--- Quote --- How are we defining "strong female characters" anyway ?
--- End quote ---
I've always liked this definition -- http://www.tasteslikephoenix.com/articles/women.html
Adam:
Writing habits.
It's nearly 4 AM, and I'm listening to the 80s. Right now it's Orgy - Blue Monday. A bit of a classic. I usually write at night. Although now that I've graduated and need a real job, I'm sure that will change.
Strong female characters.
I grew up watching the Saturday afternoon adventure movies. The old films with a young hero, an older sidekick hero, a damsel in distress, and often a young guy in a sideways cap with a chimp. In EVERY such movie, the group would be fleeing some problem (a giant rolling boulder, a lava flow, a crazy giant jungle monster, et cetera) and the girl would twist her ankle and fall, forcing the men-folk to stop, pick her up, and almost die because the problem gained ground on them. I blame that particular piece of Hollywood stupidity for me hating the idea of weak women. I like women who are mentally and physically competent, the more so the better. If a woman has an engineering degree and can kung fu kick a robot's head clean off its shoulders, that's the woman for me. ;) So I guess in that regard, you might say those stupid old films were a positive influence.
Adam:
I've just written a truly disgusting scene. Vomit-worthy.
blgarver:
Hey everyone, I have returned from my lenghty absence...
-Use a computer, old-fashioned typewriter, or pen and paper?
Computer for the writing, pen and paper for the brainstorming
-Set aside a time every day to write?
I try, but due to Real Life it doesn't always stick. My writing schedule comes and goes in random clusters.
-Force yourself to write something every day, even if it comes out stilted?
If I'm on the productive part of my writing cycle, yes, I make myself write no matter what.
-Have an outline, or just start with an idea? If an outline, how detailed is it?
Thus far, no outline. But I'm edging toward the use of one for my next book since my current book is so disjointed. Editing this thing is going to be hell.
-Have a room or area specifically for writing?
I usually write at Borders or Perkins Restaurant (I have a table there), but I recently got a new place with an office that I turned into my writing/creative room.
-Play Queen or Queensryche to shut out the world, or do you need complete silence?
Music is a must. Usually moody stuff like Tool or dramatic movie scores like Braveheart and Gladiator.
-Start with plot, or with characters?
Usually plot. Then it switches as I start developing the characters.
-Edit and re-write as you go, or when come to the end?
I try to keep moving forward, but if I've been away from the story for a while I usually go back a chapter or two and read up to where I left off, during which time I make changes here and there along the way.
-Show your rough draft to others, or re-write first?
I have select people that get to test read my rough stuff. It's both a confidence booster and a practical audience test.
-Struggle most with dialogue, exposition, action scenes, or bridge scenes?
I wouldn't say struggle. Sometimes the action and exposition comes out a little clunky, so I have to take some time to smooth it out, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I struggle.
-Talk about what you are writing to others?
Absolutely. I mean, my writing is at the forefront of my mind every second of the day, so it's inevitable that I talk about it. I try to reign it back with non-writers, but when I'm around my fellow wordsmiths, we talk about the craft all day long.
BLG
blgarver.tripod.com
SailorYue:
off topic: LOL on your icon. If Harry lived in South Park XD
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