Linda Said:

Should the SAS include creative writing as part of their selection process?

We Answered:

They should all be tested for alcoholism...

Since every pub seems to be filled with ex-SF members...

Rita Said:

Musicians, what is your song writing process?

We Answered:

Sit down at your piano and begin playing. When I write I play little tunes as they come to me until I form them into a song - I do the writing for lyrics later until I've accomplished the actual melody.

Felicia Said:

Reading Literature and Its Affects On the Actual Writing of Literature?

We Answered:

I think any person who writes well devotes time to reading. I also think that most of those people read prolifically, and not within the confines of any genres or styles.

I've never read good literature that didn't cause me to think about another piece of good literature either by allusion or similarities, and I don't think that is done on accident or by coincidence.

I definately think writers should read, probably in a two to one ratio. Yeah, you should read twice as much as you write. There's several benefits to it, I'll list the first few that come to mind:

1) You know what's already been done.

2) You know what works.

3) You know what doesn't work.

Yeah, to suggest that one could write well without having studied *at least* other works of fiction in their given genre is, in my opinion, absurd.

And my personal observation is that my writing gets more heavily influenced by the music I'm listening to than any books I may be reading. And that's across all realms of writing: fiction, activity logs at work, literary critiques at school....

In fact, I can't imagine a situation where I'd have the convenience of deciding that I wasn't going to read anything for a couple months. I doubt many successful writers would give that advice. I agree with TM, it seems a bit ridiculous.

Jennie Said:

Survey - What Is Your Creative Process For Writing?

We Answered:

I pretend to shot up heroine count how many days I have been alive. Yell at my demons, wrestle my demons. Then my dog tells me to put mash potatoes in my mouth gargle it. Then I have a heart attack. Then my doctor only I can see brings me back to life. Then I am ready to write. Stephen King look out.



EDIT you have to follow the order of events if you want my writing style.

Margie Said:

Does anyone know what Langston Hughes' creative process for writing was?

We Answered:

check out eNotes.com. They have a great study guide on Langston Hughes that I used a few weeks back, I'm sure it has some info on his creative process.

Ross Said:

I'm stuck in the creative process of writing?

We Answered:

There's a lot of techniques you can use to get past writers block and I can give you first hand assurance that they all worked at one point or another for me.

First, where are you stuck? What doesn't feel right? If you are stuck in terms of not liking something about your story or the direction its going then do the trash can test. Take your manuscript and throw it away. Then ask yourself what you would take back if you could. Just one thing. And when you have your answer then that will always tell you what you're supposed to be focusing on and you'll usually figure out where and why you went astray.

Try looking at visuals for inspiration. Digital art, fantasy art, paintings, even landscapes and stills of nature. If you're more audibly inspired, pop in some music. Celtic music and irish ballads, I find, are the best for me if I'm writing fantasy to get into a specific mood.

Read something from another author in the similar genre to get your muse flowing. Or read several books in that genre.

If you're a particular fan of someone's work, try re-writing a scene of their book just to get your muses flowing. You already have the story laid out for you, just write to get back into the rhythm.

If you're having trouble in your outline then you're probably stuck on plot and character. I suggest making sure you know your characters thoroughly before even beginning the outline. Give them likes/dislikes, quirks, pet peeves, goals, ambitions, flaws. Keep a journal and write a journal entry in their point of view. Throw them into a random situation and see how they behave. Basically get to know them.

If you're having trouble with plot then its likely because you havent decided on your theme/themes. What are you trying to say with your story? If you figure out your theme you will have a better frame work to start hashing out potential ideas to illustrate the message you went to send across. You might want to check out famous quotes about the subject matter or theme you're interested in to give you inspiration, or read poems.

Also, try freewriting. I find that my BEST details, from the very minute to the vague were all created when I just put pen to paper and wrote randomly. If you have no outline constricting you, if you have no destination and only a character and a scene, then you will be forced to rely entirely on your creativity rather than having ugly mr. left brain critic nagging you to fix grammar, to reconsider plot ideas, etc. This could apply to the fan fic writing I suggested earlier. Just write something. If you see a particular scene that you're interested in, then write it. Don't worry about preambles, prologues, or describing anything beforehand. Just write it and see what happens. If you developed your character well then he/she will lead you down surprising paths and the details and ideas will just flow.

You might also want to try not using your outline at all and to write only the scenes that excite you the most (if you see a particular scene or character in your mind that sparked it all in the first place). Ask yourself why it interests you and just free write. See what you come up with. You don't have to write your novel linearly. You can write from conclusion to beginning or sporadically, as it comes to you.

Just be sure to turn off the editor inside of you. That left brain critic and to turn on your right brain creative word painter. Write as though you never intend anyone else to ever see it. No restrictions, no limitations, no expectations.

Hope one of these might prove useful and good luck hun :)