Pre-Writing

[Comic Book Boy]

What do you fellas do to get in the mood to write/draw? Sometimes I want to write but am not in the mood I am usually in....and my work suffers.

What do you do?
Where can I ask a professional?

[Roughneck]

Personally, If I am not in the mood I just dont. Cause, as you said, my work will suffer if I am not in the mood. But generally when I am not in the mood to write I am more than open to brainstorming so I'll do that for a while, figur out my next project(s) and after brainstorming for a while I am generally in the mood to write after that.

[Roughneck]

I doubt that helps at all.

Go to www.eastoftheweb.com/uncut and sign up there. Ask there and they will have some great answers. Actually the whole site rocks for getting feedback on short stories and ****.

[The Spider-Bat]

Most ideas acctually hit me in the shower, so go take a shower and ideas will fly into your head. And no I am not a pervert,

[Sentinel X]

I just write whenever I feel like it and also it is very important to be as comfortable as possible and dont do it if you dont like it. For example I like it when its cold and I listen to my favorite music and I basically wirte away :)
My ideas come when im about to sleep and Im in my bed because there is nohing to do and thats usually when I think of my stories.

[The Spider-Bat]

That works for me too. I like to listen to classicals when I'm writing, but sometimes I just like it quiet.

[Detective Flass]

I get ideas for my scripts right before I go to sleep. I get them while I'm caught off guard sometimes.

I guess you can maybe read a few comics or watch a few movies similar to what you're writing to get ideas if you want.

Sorry if this doesn't help.

[Rambo, John J]

Depends what kind of a writer you are. If you write for a living (i.e. author) then the King says that you should get into a habit of writing 1000+ words a day - even if only to get into the habit of writing every day. Granted, it may be pure crap, but you may still wind up with something useable.

(By 'the King' I mean Stephen King. Check out his book 'On Writing', it has a few answers to your questions)

As for me, i get ideas and scenarios in my head at the most inopportune of times so i've taken to carrying around a pen and small notepad with me so that I can get the actual idea itself down. The finer details can be worked out later when i'm at the computer, and actually writing. And as far as drawing is concerned, I put on some music and start straight away, even if i'm not in the mood. If I don't, I could wait from now til the end of time to 'get in the mood', but if I actually start, I find myself getting swept up in things, and before I know it, 4 hours have passed.

[The Spider-Bat]

Trust Rambo, he's the man!!!!

[Sentinel X]

That works for me too. I like to listen to classicals when I'm writing, but sometimes I just like it quiet.

Same with me!!I listen to movie scores...I dont listen to it for fun but when I listen to scores it makes me invision my story better.

[Castle]

i normally stay up for a day or two. My writing is at its best when i become lazy and leave words out. The sentences make sense but have more impact.

[Detective Flass]

Also with me, when I write I listen to music that gets me pumped. I don't know why Heavy Metal etc doesn't and music from like the 70's and 80's pop does.

But it seems to work...I suppose.

[JTIZZLEVILLE]

i noticed that i get ideas from watching movies and TV's shows. i mean it may be something off the way that just triggers a thought in my head and later becomes a story.

also, the best thing for a writer to do is....write. even if you don't feel like it or you don't even have a clue what your writing about, do it. it may be crap and unusable but atleast your getting the added practice you need.

[tomahawk53]

Music usually works for me too.

But honestly if I'm not in the mood I just don't do it. It's not like I have a deadline or anything.

[Comic Book Boy]

Cool pointers. I also find taking a walk will help you get ideas and not get stuck when writting.

[Alexia Dark]

I personally listen to music which reminds me of my story. I like to think about future ideas for later in the story, and go over the last few chapters so I can focus on what happens next.

[Abaddon]

Most ideas acctually hit me in the shower, so go take a shower and ideas will fly into your head. And no I am not a pervert,


I wondered if I was the only.

[WuTangDisciple]

Music. For different scene or parts of a story, I listen to different kinds of music to get me in the mood.

[Rambo, John J]

I wondered if I was the only.

I have the unfortunate habit to get really great ideas while i'm out getting drunk, then forgetting them.

Picture the one guy on the dance floor who stops dancing, pulls out a notepad and starts writing. It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.

[Roughneck]

Picture the one guy on the dance floor who stops dancing, pulls out a notepad and starts writing. It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.


I've done that. People looked at me.

[Rambo, John J]

I've done that. People looked at me.

Worst thing is, for those few minutes of frantic scribbling I am completely oblivious of anything and anyone around me. I could be getting some serious come-ons and I wouldn't even know...

[owen_2006_294]

try and brainstorm. that's what normally gets me in the mood to write. i usually spend a hour or two brainstorming then i'll be able to write for 4-5 hours if i want.

[The Spider-Bat]

I find it that the hardest thing to write is the beggining. On my Last Laugh story, I must have gone through 30 different begginigs! Once you get the beggining out of the way, it gets easier.

[owen_2006_294]

yea i'd have to agree with that. i once did a Ultimate Daredevil story and I went through at least two or three beginnings before i finally came to the one that i liked. i might end up redoing that story and posting it here on the boards.

[dpm07]

You just feel it. Everyone's muse is affected differently. Sometimes I'll wake up at 3-4 in the morning, and have to write something down. Sometimes I'm on the road, and I'll see something, or I'll think of something, and I will relate it to whatever I am writing about.

Everyone has a different way of expressing themselves with the written word, and you just have to ride the wave when the moment hits you.

[Comic Book Boy]

You just feel it. Everyone's muse is affected differently. Sometimes I'll wake up at 3-4 in the morning, and have to write something down. Sometimes I'm on the road, and I'll see something, or I'll think of something, and I will relate it to whatever I am writing about.

Everyone has a different way of expressing themselves with the written word, and you just have to ride the wave when the moment hits you.
Yeah, I know what you mean.

[DC/MARVEL]

I usually sit down, put on some headphones, and listen to some music with the volume cranked up all the way. Usually, I'll get an idea and have a notepad sitting nearby. Also, I just read books or other people's scripts, watch movies, or come on here. Also, when I'm not in the mood or don't have any new ideas, I won't even think about writting. As someone else previously stated, your work will sufer if not actually getting into what you are writting. Well, that's my two cents anyway...

[ShaneHelms]

Music a definate for me and Movies. Music helps me think of cool scenes and Movies give me idea's.

[DC/MARVEL]

Music a definate for me and Movies. Music helps me think of cool scenes and Movies give me idea's.


Me aswell.

[Elektra_Kirigi]

Depends on what I am writing. If it is an action movie/action sequence, I watch some, read how they are written and etc.

[JTIZZLEVILLE]

when i first started writing i used to depend heavily on music, now i don't use it at all. it just seems to distract me more.

also, if your struggling for new story ideas, watching a really great tv show can help. i mean i saw a commercial where there was a guy in a straight jacket and BOOM, a entire story popped into my head.

[RaZrEsHaT]

I too find music to be infinitely helpful. But also it is useful to fuel the creative process to let yourself be bored sometimes. I use mass transit to get back and forth to work. I listen to my Ipod, but other than that I do nothing to entertain myself and use the time to think through stories and plots. The boredom of not being "entertained" forces your imagination to do some work and therefore become more vocal.

[Kevin D. Comicboy]

whenever I see something on tv, or a movie, I think of a way I can flip it and make it into a story. Or, I just think of one kool thing I want to Happen in a story, then I'm so excited that I'll write up until I get to that part. Or, I think about my stories while I'm trying to get to sleep. Or, I talk about my Ideas with my friend to see wht he thinks. Or, I just write the b**** down and post it somewhere.