You what?

[soulstar]

Everyblobby on my flist is doing this, so, wheeee bandwagon!

How many times has someone on your friends list posted about something and you were really confused, but you didn't want to ask because you knew you SHOULD know? How many times have you felt guilty asking a close LJ friend a question that should be obvious?

Well, here's your chance.

If you've missed a few things, missed an entry and are confused, ask me anything. Even something EXTREMELY basic, like where I live! I'm not allowed to get even slightly irritated at any of the questions - we've all missed things before.

(Or even if there's just something random you vaguely wondered about... or have burning curiosity about, whatever)

Having said that, the amount of RL I splurge on this thing, you probably do all know most things about my life anyway and have no desire whatsoever to learn any more.  Which is fine too.

Comments

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

Mmm...

...no one has left a comment. I want to leave you some sort of comment, so I will ask you something.

I'd like to know more about your writing. When did you start writing? Were you any good at writing at school or was it something you came to later? How do you get your ideas and how do you write, do you list your ideas or do you just type and hope the muse will guide you?

How's that? :o)

Writing Pt 1

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you! Like I said, I ramble about so much on this, I would be surprised if anyone who's been on my friends list for any length of time had anything to ask!

But, ooo, that's a good question. OK, here goes:

I started writing... before I could write, really. I've always "had my head in the clouds" as Mum puts it, and I remember right from a very early age that I would be narrating a story to myself in my head about whatever I was doing at the time. In fact, I still catch myself doing that from time to time. (Louise walked across the room and stopped at the computer desk.... no, *paced* across the room, and *paused*... no... argh, I'm doing it again! Stop! ...she said to herse... ARGH!) It gets a tad insane. *g*

So, as soon as I could write, I did. And did, and did. I remember, in both infant and junior school, whenever we were given a creative writing thing to do, I'd go way over the top with it - it'd end up much longer and more detailed than the teacher had been expecting. Usually it was some kind of fantasy-adventure story. I was always very influenced by the type of thing I was reading at the time, and from the age of six I was addicted to Enid Blyton - Famous Five, Secret Seven, that kind of thing! Then by the time I was ten or eleven, I'd moved on to spy stories (Alaistair MacLean, Jack Higgens... Mum's bookshelf was never safe again). In a way, you could say that I've always written fan fiction, because I'd invariably write in the genre and style that was my current favourite.

This carried on through senior school - in the lower school (1st-3rd year) I had a very encouraging English teacher who got me into writing poetry as well as fiction. That was when I wrote my first - and so far only complete! - novel: a teen fiction type spy story, which of course I wrote all by hand. Can't imagine doing that now!! However, once I went up to the upper school and started on my GCSEs, my focus moved more to music, and I think most of my creativity went into that rather than writing. Well, it's a different kind of writing - composing and arranging. And the fact that GCSE and A level English concentrated more on Literature than Language / Creative Writing sort of squished my fiction writing. I found the Literature and essay writing much harder!
(As to whether I was any *good* at it at school... I wasn't bad. I got good marks for creative writing, but less so for essay writing - I got a D for Eng Lit A level in the end *g*. But I also did the Scottish Higher (our head of English was a Scot) which concentrated much more on the Language side, and got an A, so who can tell really?)

So anyway, I wrote very little - mainly only noting a few ideas down - during that time, and then not at all for about five years until I discovered fanfiction and got inspired to try writing again.

(this comment got so long that I'm having to chop it in two... and this is the most logical place to do that)

Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

How I get my ideas.... I don't know. I suppose, like it used to when I was reading specific genres of book, it depends on what I'm most obsessed with at the time. (The last original thing I started is a sci-fi time-travel vampire regency victorian modern-day not-romance. Erm. Yes, it's about someone who gets knocked back in time and freaks out, started long before LoM! D'oh.) Sometimes I get a single line pop into my head, which then sort of grows into an idea for a whole story. Sometimes I get a concept, and then add details later. Always, though, once I start actively thinking about the initial thing that sparked off, it's like.... I don't know... unpacking a box that's bigger on the inside than outside? It's like I take out the initial idea, and other things start unfolding and growing around it and out of it. Does that make any sense? And once I start writing, as well, that generates more and more in my head.

I think I've changed my method of writing over the years. Or perhaps I've changed *back* to the way I used to do it originally. At the moment, I get an idea, maybe mull it over for a little while, then write it down. Depending on how well-formed it is, that might be a note, or it might be more detailed - like that first section of "Touch" I showed you, for example. When I started writing fanfic, I'd just keep the idea in my head, and write it down only as the story itself. But now, I tend to make more detailed notes if I have the story planned out in my head, so I can leave it and go back to it later if I want to. But as I said, sometimes the idea grows more as I write, so it is a case of typing and letting the muse take me along as well. I do try and have an overall plan as well, though.

I used to do that a lot - I have several notebooks full of ideas, and background info - that spy story I wrote, for example, has a ton of detail about characters backgrounds that wasn't in the story, but that I "knew" and wanted to write down for my own info. I think doing that works better for me, so I'm going to try and keep it up! (Obviously I don't need to do background stuff for fanfic, but writing down story plans and notes definitely helps).

How's that? ;-) Bet you're sorry you asked, now! *g*

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

I'm not sorry I asked at all! Very interesting, as it's nice to see how others approach writing.

And guess what grade I got for A Level English? Yes - D! Spooky!

Right back at you:-

I myself never shone at writing at school (I will have to dig out my old school reports - shocking grades for English!!!), but I always liked reading and spent a lot of time daydreaming and making up stories, to the point where they are like films in my head. I can go to any part and it's like I'm watching it play back - and if I am thinking of writing anything I just let it play out in my mind. Sometimes I can set up things and the thing writes itself. When I write, I have it all planned out in my head, scene for scene (sometimes word for word), and I just write it, as it is on the computer.

I used to think I would never be able to write my stuff down, and for years I didn't want to, because my fantasy worlds were mine for me to play in (I still have loads of original ones that I might turn into books one day). But I forced myself to start writing my stuff down because a lot of things I read annoyed me - I thought I could do better. It's taken my years to get a writing style that is natural, and I'm still working on it.

There you go! I'll have to set up a post where you can ask me anything in return!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

And guess what grade I got for A Level English? Yes - D! Spooky!
*Twilight Zone music*

I think I was very lucky to have teachers who picked up on my enjoyment of writing (and let me get away with reading books in class when I should have been, oh, doing my Maths *g*) and encouraged me.

they are like films in my head. I can go to any part and it's like I'm watching it play back - and if I am thinking of writing anything I just let it play out in my mind.
Yes! Me too - and you know, I think this is partly why I have trouble writing about the way the characters are feeling. Because I'm essentially recording / narrating what I see happening in my head. I know how they're feeling, but it feels odd to put that down on paper along with the 'action'.

You know, how I got the idea for "Tigers on Vaseline" was that I was playing an argument scene between Gene and Sam for another fic (the looooong one) through in my head, but then Gene suddenly went off-script and came out with the bit about Sam not existing according to Hyde. *g* Couldn't use that in that fic, but I liked the idea, so turned it into something else altogether :-)

Sometimes I can set up things and the thing writes itself.
Yes, that's the kind of thing I mean when I say the ideas unfold. Like, I start at a certain point and the story kind of generates itself from there.

It's taken my years to get a writing style that is natural, and I'm still working on it.
I reckon that's one of those things that's always a work in progress! Certainly is for me.

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

Yes - you were lucky. I never really shone at school. I tried hard, but never got as far as I would have liked. I was once told I would probably do okay in the world because even though - in this one teachers opinion - I wasn't an intellectual, I worked hard. Not the best thing to tell a young girl at school who liked reading and thinking!

Guess it just made me withdraw more and more into myself and my imagination.

I think this is partly why I have trouble writing about the way the characters are feeling

I get the reverse - I get into the heads of the characters and play the scenes back and forth from different perspectives.

Can't wait to read your long fic! My current one looks like it could be a long one. I'm a bit tired tonight and so I'm finding it difficult. I'm not going to give any hints away though, cos I want you read it fresh, without any ideas as to where the story is going before hand. Might go to bed soon and think on it some more!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Heh, in a way I had the opposite problem: I coasted along for far too long without trying. Which worked OK for a while, but once it got to having to do GCSE coursework.... oops! That required actual work, and I was much too busy daydreaming.
Sounds like your teachers didn't look much beyond you being quiet. Bah! But then again, *mine* didn't look much beyond me being quiet to notice my compulsive skiving off doing work, either.

I get into the heads of the characters and play the scenes back and forth from different perspectives.
Ah, that's something I need to do more. I used to, with my original stuff - at least, I usually had one main protagonist that I was very much 'in the head of', whether it was written from first person perspective or not. But writing in third-person, I find it a lot harder to express the emotions and so on, even though I know what the characters are feeling. Something I need to work on!!

Can't wait to read your long fic!
Ahaha - you might have to. *g* I've got a feeling it could be some time. I'm tempted to show you the first bit I have, but the trouble is, I've written several scenes from various parts of it, so as a whole at the moment it's incredibly disjointed and makes no overall sense to anyone but me! Also, like you say, I'd rather not tell you what it's about (er, I haven't already, have I? Or have I?) so that you can read it fresh when it's all done.

My current one looks like it could be a long one.
Oooo! :-)

I'm a bit tired tonight and so I'm finding it difficult.
I know what you mean - I'm having awful trouble with my ficathon, and I don't know why! If I can't get any done tomorrow, actually, I might post the beginning on the beta filter - perhaps I need to talk about it with someone to kickstart my brain on it again?
(Actually, I do know why: I've been stressing about %£"%&*%^$%£ javascript and cookies all day, which are DOING MY HEAD IN, and now my brain has shut down for the night! *g* Ahem, sorry, had to rant.)

I want you read it fresh, without any ideas as to where the story is going before hand.
Good idea - that way I can read it with no expectations. Good luck with getting it done, though!

I'd better get some kip too - off to the vet first thing tomorrow.

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

If you want to show me any scenes of want anyone to talk about ideas, you know I will be happy to help. I think going to bed early last night and thinking about the bit I got stuck on I worked, by just thinking about it while relaxed, before going to sleep.

off to the vet first thing tomorrow

Hows your cat? Is he okay?

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'm kind of struggling with a dream sequence at the moment (I hadn't originally intended to have one, but then it seemed like a good idea... *g*). I think I'll try and get that done, then maybe post it to see what you think.

I usually find that laying in bed thinking about it helps me a lot too... I think I was still too wound up by my OU project yesterday! Had weird dreams about it too and woke up with a headache. D'oh! Much better now, though :-)

Hows your cat? Is he okay?
He's a bit narked off with me now! The vet pulled him around a lot, and even though he doesn't complain verbally, he looked like it hurt. He's got to have an x-ray tomorrow to check he hasn't got a fracture or even a break in his leg, because it's definitely not working as it should. Hopefully it's just ligament strain, which can take this long to get better. Poor moggy!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

Ooooh dream sequence! Sounds good. I'm hoping to get more of mine written tonight. Hope your headache has gone.

Aww bless your little moggy. They always get mardy with their owners when they go to the vet don't they?

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Oh, I vanquished the headache with Anadin Plus. And I'm trying some more dream sequence now. I'm wondering whether to put something completely mental in it, quite randomly, or whether to keep it just doing what I need it to for the fic. Hmmm.

They always get mardy with their owners when they go to the vet don't they?
I got the back treatment until we got back to the car - he had to turn around then, or risk landing on his nose if I braked suddenly, cos the car seat slopes slightly. I've been getting reproachful looks since we got back. Hate to think what he'll be like tomorrow, since I'll be abandoning him at the vet to be knocked out for the x-ray!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

I'd like read it - sounds wonderful!

I love it when cats get moody. They really do sulks well don't they? They leave it just long enough, they get hungry and then its all back to normal again. If only people could be like that!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Heheh - well, you'll see!

My cat hardly ever sulks - he's ever so good-natured. But my Mum's cat... she holds grudges for hours and hours! She waits until you've forgotten about whatever you did to put her back up, then attacks you from nowhere. And then you have to feed her. *g*

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

We used to have a cat who was mental. She was so angry all the time - it was like she had permanent pms! She'd sit on your knee and you'd stroke her for a while, then she suddenly dig her claws into you, and hiss. She was so narked off and scary she use to chase the dog. He was a soft little westie and was scared of her.

Put me off cats for many years, but I have since started liking them again cos a friend of mine had one that I really liked, and it used to like me. So it was okay!

Re: Writing Pt 2

[soulstar.livejournal.com]

Eep - I can see why that would put you off cats! Some of them really do just hate the world! Mum's cat, at least, is also cute and affectionate half the time.

Re: Writing Pt 2

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

Yep - she was the cat from Hell!