[Bardos]

FitzFlagg said: Sometimes I have a tough >time and I don't even know what I am going >to write until I get in front of my computer >and start typing.
>If the idea comes in your head, jot it down >somewhere.

I agree with you. I can remember a couple of scenes I didn't know how I would write, but, when I got in front of the screen, it all came natural.

KATS said: Bardos, I think we’ll just have >to agree to disagree. But they say that >diversity makes the world go round.

I agree with that. All people can't have the same methods of work, nor can they be the same. That's what makes the world interesting, after all: variety. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

And, Pluvious, I also think that writers should be payed more. But, in the end, you don't write for the money, but for the enjoyment of it. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Solero_58]

Bardos, I think if you can write 10 pages a day, while producing writing of a high standard and developing the plot as well, then thats great. You must be a fine writer. I know when I started writing a novel it took me long time to get of the ground for reasons that KATS mentioned earlier, researching the worlds, characters and setting while incorporating them into a interesting plot. Once I started writing, I started writing quickly, which was dangerous because I hadn't thought the longterm plot development through. In the end I had to scrap the first few chapters and start from scratch. The moral of the story... ummm... oh yeah... quality over quantity!

[PENTIAK]

Just a short thing, just logged on 'ere a minute ago, posted a message I hope somebody can reply2. As I was nosing around, paging down, speed reading, I read a comment on leaving the 9-5 slog. Yes, it is a terrible thing, I've been there- the horror! the horror!- and, because I don't want to lounge around like the AL Bundy of cyberspace I'll return to sed slog again. However, I've found that working is an outlet, if you're sitting in front of your monitor all day you'll never write a thing. Inspiration can't be forced. And that even the most boering, menial tasks one is asked to do from time to time, (and I've had my fare share!) can be benificial. I've done time in factories as a financially decrepid student. Things like making up boxes and packing them with crap helped my clear my mind, meditate if you will. (Chopping firewood is another good 1!) The monotonous labour helped give me a Zen-like clarity and this is when inspiration comes. (repeated phrases and tasks have been the staple of hypnosis 4 example) Before long some strange image or notion is recieved by my cerebral anntennae. Almost certainly a vague entity, like something that slips gently into your head between states of sleep and consciousness. I soon develop a sort of narritive, talking automatically in my head. It's kinda like that irritating kid in the wonder years only without the accent. Perhaps this happens everyone, perhaps not. One final thought is walking, I'm fortunate to beyond the talons of suburbia and being sans auto have to rely on my feet (as we all know one can never rely on public transport) so it ain't that I like walking as such but I have to. I do however think that a remote, rural location, free of people or traffic etc. (of which there are an abundance over here) can clear your mind likewise.
Right, I'm off, I've ran up quite a phone bill since I installed this damn modem!

[Megan Dale]

Hi all, well, I'm a newbie around here ... I've actually never really been into forums, but this is certainly a topic I love, and this particular thread has to be the most interesting of the few I've skimmed.
I'm working on my second novel. I finished the first one a year ago, but so far it's been sitting on a shelf waiting for my boyfriend to read through and critique it. I don't write fantasy, generally. The only short fantasy story I wrote will hopefully be posted under short stories in the next few days. January 3rd saw the start of a new one novel.
Just wanted to comment on the amount of writing per day, as my last novel took over 2 years to finish, and part of the problem was that I left large gaps of time between writing, which meant I had to review what I'd already written to refresh my memory--pretty time consuming in the long run.
Anyway, with this novel, I was advised that at least half an hour a day would be good. Of course, I haven't stuck to that, but the few times I have succeeded, it has been refreshingly easy to pick up the thread. Of course, not that I type up a whirlwind or anything--so far I've only gotten three or four paragraphs out of one sitting. But hey, it's like stopping a movie at a moment of suspense: I'm eager to get back to it the next day because the ideas haven't run out.
Okay, sorry for the very long comment. I mainly wanted to say hi to all of you and that I look forward to more exchange in future. Cheerio!