Throwaway stories or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Writing Junk

[barrowyarrow]

I'm sick today and feeling a little goofy. Through my delirium I was wondering if you guys ever write junk? Maybe there's a better word for it that I don't know yet. However, as an example of what I'm talking about I have a lot of unused characters I've written just for fun (and maybe that itself if junk writing). Sometimes when I have nothing else to do I'll pick two characters and write three or four pages of those two characters just doing stuff. I don't have any ideas for them I just want to play with them like dolls. Am I crazy or do yall do this in some form as well?

 

[pmmg]

I does not make you crazy to enjoy writing out things you enjoy.

Some of my stuff has become junk over time (specially my early stories). I don't really write (and have never really wanted to) fan fiction, RPG's or 'shipping stories.

Must of the 'Junk' I write is for amusement, or to create activity on websites like this, such as my 'orange' poem yesterday.


Many people come to writing by writing out fan fiction. That was not my route.

Sometimes I write stories just for an individual. Kind of as a gift. I never make them public. I did send my Snallygaster poem to the snallygaster museum as a freebie. No idea what happened with that.

 

[Incanus]

Instead of 'junk', maybe call it 'side-writing', or something.

It seems like a more or less good practice. You never know what may come from it.

That said, I don't really do this sort of thing. I'm far, far too slow a writer to spend time this way. The stuff I do write is done with some kind of purpose in mind, text to be used or revised.

 

[Stace]

We only have so many hours in our lives, and it's up to us to determine how to fill them. If writing "just for fun" makes you happy, then I think you should do it. If you need to think of it productively, then it's practice: you're improving your craft even if those words are never read by anyone else. Sure, you have to balance the time spent on purely fun activities with those that support your goals, but when the balance sheet is totaled at the end of your life, what's the point of having worked hard for a goal if you didn't also have fun along the way?

 

[Avery Moore]

I haven't written any junk in years, but this thread kind of makes me want to start writing junk again.

 

[Mad Swede]

In my view there is no such thing as a throwaway story or writing junk. The only thing that matters is that I as a writer have the self-discipline to write when I sit down to write. For me what I write is secondary. Sure, I'm usually sitting down to write more of the latest novel or short story. But occasionally I'll write something else, driven or inspired by something I've seen, done or heard. That sort of text usually ends up in the random text file for later consideration, and quite often the forms the basis of a scene in a short story or a novel. But if my inspiration really is on song then writing on spec like that may produce a finished short story or, in one wonderful evening session, complete opening and closing chapters together with all the key scenes and most of the dialogue for my second novel. Yes, that was a very late night (or maybe early morning) which did rather distract from making some final changes to my first novel at the behest of my editor...

 

[ThinkerX]

Anymore, I don't start a story without solid notions of the beginning, middle, and end - with one exception.

That exception is very short 'think about it' stories, where I explore oddball characters, concepts, or settings. I write these little tales...and then think about them, moving pieces around.

 

[Dylan]

In my view there is no such thing as a throwaway story or writing junk. The only thing that matters is that I as a writer have the self-discipline to write when I sit down to write. For me what I write is secondary. Sure, I'm usually sitting down to write more of the latest novel or short story. But occasionally I'll write something else, driven or inspired by something I've seen, done or heard. That sort of text usually ends up in the random text file for later consideration, and quite often the forms the basis of a scene in a short story or a novel. But if my inspiration really is on song then writing on spec like that may produce a finished short story or, in one wonderful evening session, complete opening and closing chapters together with all the key scenes and most of the dialogue for my second novel. Yes, that was a very late night (or maybe early morning) which did rather distract from making some final changes to my first novel at the behest of my editor...

Love this mindset! Writing is never wasted it’s all practice, inspiration, or potential material. Those random bursts of creativity often lead to the best ideas. Late-night writing sessions fueled by inspiration? Pure magic. Keep going; it’s all part of the process!

 

[Karlin]

Dr. Strangelove?

 

[JBCrowson]

I definitely write junk by your definition, but like others have said, I do not think of these snippets as such. Last year one of the folks on here did a weekly writing challenge and i wrote pieces for several of those. They were set in the world of my WIP and so expanded the lore of my world. One or two of them in modified form may get into later books in the series. I also write 'junk' when I get stuck on what I'm 'supposed' to be working on. Keeping the creative wheels turning while my subconscious gets stuck into whatever is causing the bock in the main project.

All of that justification aside, if you enjoy doing it, and it hurts no-one else, why the hell not?

 

[barrowyarrow]

I realize now that the head fog has cleared up that my calling it "junk" might sound negative. I'm kind of using the word endearingly here. Not to say it's bad to write for no one, just silly little toss away stories that you put in the corner when your done with them. Maybe they sit in a folder like a decoration. Nothing bad about writing junk. I was just curious if anyone else did it or had a way they liked to do it.

 

[skip.knox]

I don't do this because I am so jealous of the time I do spend writing. I have several stories that need telling and I have a constant fear that I won't get to them all. So even when I do get an odd notion that could turn into a short story or whatever, I push it away to stay focused on my current WIP. I confess I rather envy those who can find or make the time (and aren't both those notions strange?) to write out "side stories". I do recognize that doing so can be good for the spirit as well as for one's craft.

 

[Prince of Spires]

I'm like Skip in that I have too many large stories I want to tell. And any time I'm in the middle of one, then I already want to write the next one. Either a sequel or a completely different story set in a different universe. So I don't find any writing time to pursue these kinds of throw-away snippets.

With that said, there's nothing wrong with them. For most people here, writing is simply a hobby. And then compare writing to any other hobby. There's nothing wrong with playing a 20 minute game of football or basketball with a handful of friends with no stakes other than the eternal glory of winning that specific game. Or turning on your computer for a 10 minute gaming session. Or reading a comicbook. Or just taking a walk round a park. Or any other hobby that has little to show for it after you're done with it.

Not everything we do needs to lead to something. It's very healthy to have some downtime. And if writing is that for you, then it's a great escape.

 

[Dylan]

I'm like Skip in that I have too many large stories I want to tell. And any time I'm in the middle of one, then I already want to write the next one. Either a sequel or a completely different story set in a different universe. So I don't find any writing time to pursue these kinds of throw-away snippets.

With that said, there's nothing wrong with them. For most people here, writing is simply a hobby. And then compare writing to any other hobby. There's nothing wrong with playing a 20 minute game of football or basketball with a handful of friends with no stakes other than the eternal glory of winning that specific game. Or turning on your computer for a 10 minute gaming session. Or reading a comicbook. Or just taking a walk round a park. Or any other hobby that has little to show for it after you're done with it.

Not everything we do needs to lead to something. It's very healthy to have some downtime. And if writing is that for you, then it's a great escape.

This is such a refreshing perspective! Writing doesn’t always have to be about crafting the next epic novel, it can just be for fun, like a quick game of pickup basketball or a casual walk in the park. Not every story needs to be a masterpiece or part of a grand plan. Sometimes it’s just about enjoying the process and letting your imagination run wild. And hey, if it brings you joy, that’s all that matters. Hobbies are meant to be freeing, not stressful. Keep writing for the love of it!

 

[Fidel]

I'm sick today and feeling a little goofy. Through my delirium I was wondering if you guys ever write junk? Maybe there's a better word for it that I don't know yet. However, as an example of what I'm talking about I have a lot of unused characters I've written just for fun (and maybe that itself if junk writing). Sometimes when I have nothing else to do I'll pick two characters and write three or four pages of those two characters just doing stuff. I don't have any ideas for them I just want to play with them like dolls. Am I crazy or do yall do this in some form as well?

Nah, you're not crazy that’s just creative play! Writing "junk" (or let’s call it experimental fun) is a great way to keep the gears turning, especially when you’re sick or feeling goofy. Playing with characters like dolls? Totally valid. It’s like a sandbox for your imagination, and who knows it might spark something brilliant later. Keep having fun with it!