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.