Pre-writing....

[PrincessaMiranda]

Ok, so what are the most effective ways you use to pre-write? Outlines? Character sheets? ...other...


I have trouble pre-writing because I get carried away in my story and want to get it out before it falls into the abyss of my memory.

I'm not asking for secrets, or a magic fix. Just something that me help me a little bit with my horrible disorganization.

[Ravana]

Brainstorming—that is, lists of ideas (I've come to realize not everybody uses that term in that way). The descriptions of which tend to become progressively longer until I'm effectively writing sentences or paragraphs.

The nice thing about lists is you can easily go back through and number them to put the ideas in order when you're ready to start the organization phase. Or, if you're doing it on a computer, cut and paste them in order.

The important thing is to get the ideas down, regardless of form. Outlining can—should—come as a later step.

[Jess A]

I brainstorm. I have a few notebooks around and I always carry a notebook and a pen when I go out, in case muse strikes. My notebooks are full of ideas and timelines and lists. I usually start a scene which is strongest in my mind, and then I will work around it and go back and fill things in. I don't write beginning to end, either. I write a lot of scenes out and scene ideas, too - they can be cut and pasted into the draft.

Other times, I sit back and I daydream for a bit before putting pen to paper. I get a sense of the setting (busy city sounds, bird calls, rivers, battle, forest smells, visual etc) and the characters' emotions (etc) in my head and then I try to put it into words. I also try to write with the knowledge that I can always come back and edit.

Best thing to do in the end is just write otherwise you may never start. As Ravana said, get the ideas down in any shape or form or you may forget them!

[lovecow]

I start with a voice recorder. Once you get past how odd your voice sounds it's great. Then move my idea's to pen and paper.

[Taro]

i never pre-write i just cant do it and i cant seem to try.

[ShortHair]

There's no magic system or approved procedure. If you feel the need to write first and organize later, that's the way you should work.

[Steerpike]

I have trouble pre-writing because I get carried away in my story and want to get it out before it falls into the abyss of my memory.

If you get this impulse or spark of inspiration, just sit down and start writing and don't worry about the pre-writing. You can take care of any problems during the editing process.

[Benjamin Clayborne]

I write stream-of-consciousness-style brainstorming about what's going to happen. It's sort of a dialogue with myself because that's the only way I can remember anything.

[Telcontar]

An outline very much helped me actually complete my first novel. I always knew where the plot was going, even though I changed it on the fly often.

I also tend to write important scene snippets and dialogue as they occur to me. No sense in losing the product of true inspiration.

[T.Allen.Smith]

I outline but I keep the structure very loose, lots of wiggle room so ideas can be moved, expounded upon, deleted, etc.

I will outline until I get that urge to write that you speak of.... When that's happens I don't stifle it by continuing to outline. I let it run free. When that spark tends to slow or dwindle, I know I need more structure so I return to outlining.

Regardless my daily word goal doesn't change. I've noticed though that it's a lot easier getting to that word count when I have the structure of an outline to guide my writing.