Writing Habits

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by BillyxRansom, Aug 9, 2008.

  1. BFGuru

    BFGuru Active Member

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    Jazzabel, this is the first I've ever even suspected you were not American, and we've chatted a lot in the past. All good authors have something that makes them stand out. Something that sets them apart. Embrace it. Enjoy that you have made people think of something differently. It's not an accent at that point. It is your literary magic. It is what will draw readers back to your work. Run with it.
     
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  2. Dils

    Dils New Member

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    The fear of completely losing it has been a great motivator for me recently. Forgetting the daily drudgery of life to escape into my writing isn't that hard anymore once I start seeing what I can accomplish.
     
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  3. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

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    Thank you so much, this is the highest compliment my English could've gotten. I really appreciate it, you totally made my day :)
     
  4. BFGuru

    BFGuru Active Member

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    Do I get to ask where exactly are you from? Because damn it, I DO adore an accent.
     
  5. AbleArcher

    AbleArcher Member

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    So many great things in this thread, and when you do decide to write how do you go about it typewriter/pen/pc???
     
  6. BFGuru

    BFGuru Active Member

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    Able, all of the above? Not as much typwriter, but definitely pc/ iPad or straight up pencil and paper.
     
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  7. NanashiNoProfile

    NanashiNoProfile New Member

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    How's the iPad to type on? I'm thinking of getting a tablet to carry around as I'm always making notes on my phone, but I've not really spoken to many people who use a touchscreen to type on regularly (unless of course you use a keyboard - in which case I may go for an Asus Transformer!).
     
  8. BFGuru

    BFGuru Active Member

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    Well, the iPad doesn't play well with others so I generally use it to proof read from googledocs. Or I may collaborate with a friend I'm co authoring on. I type 80+ wpm when I can feel the keys, but make many typos on the tablet. The nice thing about the tablets though is they can sync with a wireless keyboard. I just don't have one. LOL
     
  9. PensiveQuill

    PensiveQuill Senior Member

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    Typing on an iPad is an exercise of frustration if you are punching it out with any speed. I type at around 60-80 words per minute and the iPads auto-detect feature is something I hate. I know I can turn it off but it seems worse then. In any case battering your fingertips against unyielding glass isn't a pleasant sensation. I bought a bluetooth keyboard that allows me to type better but the whole two seperate pieces, something to lean the iPad on and then of course the limitations of writing via an App instead of a proper word processor just makes you want a laptop instead.
     
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  10. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

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    I gave up typing in my iPad screen and went to a keyboard case. With that, it's adequate for writing first drafts, but not so great for editing. I did get some software that syncs files between iPad, iPhone, and Mac, which has greatly reduced the number of "I know I wrote that somewhere; where is it?" incidents.
     
  11. CMastah

    CMastah Active Member

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    I don't know about writing every day but it was this comic that started me writing in the first place:

    [​IMG]

    I do NOT want to have that regret.
     
  12. NanashiNoProfile

    NanashiNoProfile New Member

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    That's pretty much how I feel while typing on my phone, a smaller object but still pretty annoying! That said, I've become quite adept at filling pages of notes on it. I've almost convinced myself now that I'll plump for the Transformer, then at least the keyboard is there. My laptop is far too bulky to be carrying around, but I get most of my ideas out and about - that's frustrating! :)
     
  13. AbleArcher

    AbleArcher Member

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    I just got an old typewriter from the 24 hour thrift store down the block I do not have a lot of cash and they always help me out and its done wonders for my writing just another medium to put it into
     
  14. AbleArcher

    AbleArcher Member

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    But w/e works for you....let the words roll
     
  15. Link the Writer

    Link the Writer Flipping Out For A Good Story. Contributor

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    ...And with that I shall leave the internet now and write.
     
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  16. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    Lol yeah typing on the phone is frustrating - stupid typos! But I've written a page or two on my phone before - it's not so bad, but I infinitely prefer typing on my laptop!

    As for the OP's original question - I've found collaborating is great for making yourself write everyday because you know you're letting someone down and preventing someone else from writing as long as you're not!
     
  17. Wynter

    Wynter Active Member

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    I try to grind out at least 100 words a day, because every little bit counts.

    Waiting for those spurts of inspiration is hell, but toiling away helps me out. If I had a deadline then I'd probably be able to vomit my story late one night over Loads of Red Bull and Depressing Music as I weep at my current circumstance.
     
  18. LeighAnn

    LeighAnn Member

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    I've heard a lot about the tips and tricks people use to get themselves writing, but I've never used any of them. For me, I simply place my butt in the chair, write 2500 words, take a nap, switch projects and write another 2500 words, then edit until the kids get home from school.
     
  19. terminalfrost

    terminalfrost New Member

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    I write because it's my hobby. I just do it, I don't set goals or word counts, I just write when I feel like it for however long I feel like it.
     
  20. Poet of Gore

    Poet of Gore Member

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    i have written every day since october (well, except for reading over the 1st draft and taking notes and doing a outline for second draft).

    I am going to tell you how to write every day and it is easy. WRITE EVERY DAY. that is it. I have written with a migraine. i have written exhausted, sick, drunk, bored, miserable, etc.
    you have to write every day . even if it is 1 SENTENCE. many times i thought i could only do 1 sentence and i did way more. maybe 3 days i did one sentence. it keeps the story fresh in your mind.
     
  21. elynne

    elynne Active Member

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    for a while I used the "750 words" page, and I got a good streak going. I'm not using it currently, and don't have a daily writing goal. I'll probably go back to having one, and writing ferdamndure daily, while I'm on this writing sabbatical thing, because that's the whole point of taking three months off work.

    I tried to stop writing once. it didn't take.
     
  22. Annalise_Azevedo

    Annalise_Azevedo Member

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    I write every night. If it's not my original story then it's my fanfictions but I won't be able to focus on the original story until I'm home alone again. Because I honestly can't focus with other people during the day. It just sucks that I go to bed early and get lazy xD

    When I do write I give myself some set goals. 300 words if I'm getting my muse up again or forcing myself through the chapter. A chapter an a half if I'm into the story.
     
  23. ChaosReigns

    ChaosReigns Ov The Left Hand Path Contributor

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    i used to be able to write every day (anything from 200 words to 7000 words,) and it used to depend on what i was doing at the time as to how much id write, now with college and work fighting each other, its looking like ill be writing a couple of times a week (i expect to be getting very irate with this)

    if i planned my time better (AKA pushing bed time back to 1am again) i may get a little bit done each night
     
  24. PensiveQuill

    PensiveQuill Senior Member

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    I've made myself sit down and write 2,000 words a day for the past week. So far, so good. I think it needs to be a matter of habit as much as inspiration. Once you make yourself put something down more idea's come. The big blocker for me seems to be if I try and plan the whole scene out before I write. Nope, doesn't work for me. I'm better off to get a few ideas in my head then let it rip and evolve from there. Strange because I'm a planner in other aspects of my life. But applying that strategic part of my mind to writing just serves to shut down creativity for me.
     
  25. HoraceCombs

    HoraceCombs New Member

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    I don't write everyday, actually it depends on my mood. Mostly I write when I am free and nothing more have to do.
     

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