1. Do you write fiction or non-fiction? Or both?
I write almost anything. My fictional posts are based on real life situations. Although my poetry is generic, they too border on personal feelings. To put it briefly, I can write almost anything.
2. Do you keep a journal or a writing notebook?
I do have a journal where I jot down my observations. I also write poetry if something suddenly strikes my mind. However, nowadays my PC is more my journal!
3. If you write fiction, do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing? Do you find books on plotting useful or harmful?
As I write short pieces of fiction, I don't really need to develop my characters. However, sometimes what I have in my mind might turn out complete in my writing. It depends how the piece forms.
4. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
Both are true for me. Sometimes, I get the itch to write down as I can't settle if I don't do so. At others, I do keep putting it off! I am trying to inculcate the habit of sitting down and write everyday, no matter what.
5. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time? .
This too depends. I can write for long periods or not at all. Or maybe in short bursts. But when the feeling strikes, one has to sit down and write. Nonetheless, I have felt bored writing for longer periods. I do need breaks in between.
6. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
I can write at anytime. I am an evening person but for the reason, I work in the day!
7. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
It does not matter if there is noise, music or any other distractions. I can close myself in and write away to glory at any place.
8. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)
Long hand, and on computer.
9. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One? Or do you let the story evolve as you write?
No, I definitely do not know the ending when I start writing. It simply goes with the flow. Many a times, it has ended in a complete different way from what I had intended.
10. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
Not much. If I did, I would be writing porn, which sells!
11. Editing/Revision - love it or hate it?
I truly hate editing/revision. Once I write/finish anything, I want to move on to the next. I might came back later, much later to revise it!
Like you, I very rarely edit. Over the years I've learnt to get it as good as it's going to get first time.
ReplyDeleteAs I write short pieces of fiction, I don't really need to develop my characters.
ReplyDeleteIn a creative writing class many years ago in college, the professor made a distinction between novels and fiction: A novel develops character, but a short story reveals character.
What's difficult about short fiction, I think, is that the characters have to be just as complete and complex as in a novel. But you have to reveal them all at once through the single episode. If your characters aren't complete and complex in short fiction, you end up with cliched, cardboard stories.
pjd, I understand what you write here. What I meant was, I do not give my characters a background as that would detract one away from short stories rather than attracting them. Characterisation is important, be it for a novel or short stories.
ReplyDeleteEditing is my downfall too. I write for fun so when I make mistakes it becomes funny and I learn from them.
ReplyDeleteI envy you being able to write in the midst of noise and distractions - I'm too easily distracted, I guess :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'm all for "going with the flow."
I love to edit; it's my favorite part! I admire those who can write fiction -- I think I'm plotless! Very interesting to get to know you through your post!
ReplyDeleteI hate editing/revising too :) I mean, I love to edit other people's work, but not my own. I feel like I need an editor to do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd you weren't as late as some other people... like me O:)
excellent questions g...
ReplyDelete1. both... like you i write about anything, especially like to learn abt subjects i know nothing abt and write...
2. writing notebooks. try not to write on pieces of paper that drift into space...
3. hmm. i have no idea who the character is.. as a beginning writer i have no discipline or plan... it happens as it evolves until then it's smoke. then i try to detail specific ideas/action/characters. prefer short, short stories. don't get lost... ReadWritePoem had some great ideas abt writing that i am now trying to put into action.
4. oh my gosh, it's an itch that i gotta scratch... sometimes i'll almost be asleep and then somewhere between asleep and awake there comes an idea... like you, no matter what... though it is not easy...
5. hmmm, short bursts, otherwise i get too loaded with thoughts and can't make a sensible sentence for nothing.
6. anytime... morning is calming, refreshed... evening, quiet, thoughts linger after a full day, put them into words/story/poem.
7.music is heaven..cafe, it is mostly jotting ideas... at home on my front porch under a tree...at my kitchen table looking out the window... windows are a biggee for me..
8.longhand mostly, sometimes computer...
9. starting to branch out to tiny short stories have yet to get past page 1... and i never know abt the end till i get there...
10. no...
11. edit/revision... sometimes the story/poem flies upon creation... others cross outs, edits galore..
thank you g,
Interesting! I, too, call it done when I finish. Not much for re-writing. Enjoyed this post!
ReplyDelete