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Tyree
07-11-2008, 05:50 PM
For the record, I am not a professional writer nor have I had anything published. I write for school, for my website, and for personal enjoyment. The two tips I am about to share help me when writing my fiction and I thought they may help some of you.

Tip #1:
Always put down a good idea you have as quickly as possible. Even if you can't immediately add it to your work, I find it a good practice to either jot down my ideas or record them with a digital recorder. I know the feeling a creative writer gets when they have an idea and forget it when it comes time to implement it. I sometimes have my best ideas when I am lying in bed, drifting off to sleep. To keep the ideas fresh, I keep a digital recorder on my night stand so that I can record the idea when it comes to me. With modern digital technology what it is today, small, hand-held digital recorders are fairly inexpensive. Besides, even if they weren't, and you are serious about writing, they are worth the investment. You may not necessarily forget the idea while waiting to add it to your project, but you may lose some of the panache of the original thought.

Tip #2:
This contradicts DWT's tip on silence. Personally, I have a hard time writing my fiction in silence. To combat the block, I arrange a series of playlists in my mp3 player that may motivate me. When you're cooking you sometimes have to stir the pot. Well, I use music to stir my creative pot. Since I write medieval fantasy fiction, I have a huge playlist of soundtracks to films and video games of the same theme. Every time I start writing I launch my mp3 player and start my personal soundtrack. Next thing I know it two hours have passed and I've written ten pages! If you're finding yourself having trouble writing in silence, try making a custom playlist themed after the work you're writing. Perhaps you will get some inspiration. Naturally this will not work for everyone, but it never hurts to try it out. We learn what works for us by experimenting.

I hope these tips help you as much as they've helped me. *Tyree clicks on his Conan the Barbarian soundtrack. Now back to writing!

DanielScocco
07-15-2008, 09:46 PM
Hey Tyree, I completely agree with the first one. I use a notebook, a white board and my computer to jot down all kinds of ideas and thoughts. Usually when I say "Oh I no need for, I will remember this later" I end up forgetting them!

For the second tip, though, I think it is a matter of taste. Personally I can't write if there is sound around.

Ali
07-17-2008, 01:21 PM
Both great tips. Like Daniel, I prefer working in silence, but I know music helps a lot of people. I'll occasionally put on something that fits the "mood" of what I'm writing (I too do some medieval fantasy, and found the Lord of the Rings film soundtrack worked well...)

I don't use a voice recorder, but I tend to have a notebook and pen on me -- just in case inspiration strikes!

Ali

Tyree
07-17-2008, 06:44 PM
For the second tip, though, I think it is a matter of taste. Personally I can't write if there is sound around.
Absolutely, Daniel! I personally cannot work in silence, so I need some form of ambiance. While I use music, I make sure the volume is low in most cases. There are times, however, where I'm particularly inspired by the soundtrack playing in the background and I crank the volume.

The important thing is that writers create an environment conducive to successful writing. Whether that environment includes silence or a soundtrack, it is, as you said, based on taste. My hope in sharing the second tip is to offer an idea to writers who find themselves stuck when writing in silence. Sometimes a little inspiration is all a writer needs to get over a hump.


I don't use a voice recorder, but I tend to have a notebook and pen on me -- just in case inspiration strikes!
I personally found the recorder more convenient for me due to its small size and storage space. I have a mild case of carpal tunnel and freehand cramps my hand after only a few minutes. Unfortunately for me, I can't invoke the traditional habit of jotting things down on a pad anymore. Regardless, the pad is just as useful. Any recording device handy is ideal for a writer. I would say the key here is to keep some means of recording your ideas with you at all times.

Thanks for the positive support!

Vivid_Dreamer
07-19-2008, 06:27 AM
I couldn't think of working on any writing project without my digital recorder. It helps me find awkward-sounding sentences as well as keeping track of pacing and flow. There's an old saying: "When in doubt, read it out."

I listen to ambient mood music while working on writing (or just on the computer in general), but I'd love have perfect silence. Living in a small house with thin walls and too many TVs has its drawbacks... Occasionally I'll have to put earplugs in to block most of it out. One day I'll have an office of my own (I hope) with a 'do not disturb' sign on the door.:D

Tyree
08-07-2008, 01:01 AM
I listen to ambient mood music while working on writing (or just on the computer in general), but I'd love have perfect silence. Living in a small house with thin walls and too many TVs has its drawbacks... Occasionally I'll have to put earplugs in to block most of it out. One day I'll have an office of my own (I hope) with a 'do not disturb' sign on the door.:D
I am also distracted by ambient noise. A television in the background would drive me nuts. A lot of times I have music going and my volume is super low. For me it's a constant scaling battle. Sometimes the music helps and sometimes I have to shut it off. If I start writing in silence I only add background music when I get stuck. Otherwise, I stick to the silence. However, I tend to plan my writing sessions and set the mood with a little music before I get going. Other times I'm browsing the net, get an idea, and just start writing. In those rare cases I start writing in silence and introducing any music kills my momentum. I spend most of my writing time with intentional ambient noise, yet there are those occasions where silence allows my brains to focus. My silent writing tends to be better, but it is always accidental. I'm sure most writers are as finicky as I am when it comes to writing. We all have to find our balances.