[Galadriel8891]

Interesting responses. For too long I've been thinking that my creative process was really weird, but after reading this, I guess it isn't so unique after all.

I use different methods when it comes to writing different styles of fics. Humorous fics are the more "let flow" type ones, and they often come when random thoughts drift across my brain well past midnight (see my story "Amon Sul" and you'll know what I mean). More serious fics take a little more development, as I try to really consider each character's manner of speech and personality.

The length of a fic also plays a large role in deciding which process to use. Most of the fics I have posted are one-shot types or drabbles, and usually sprout from an image I have in my head. Some sligtly longer ones begin the same way; however, my much longer ones (especially the LOTR/HP crossover "Alone Facing Darkness") need quite a bit more thought.

I don't really use an outline; I begin with a plot bunny that's bouncing around madly in my head and figure out where I want it to go. I actually have the ending to the crossover written. I won't be using that for a very long time, but it gives me a final goal (that and it was just dying to be written and my muse wouldn't leave me alone until it was). For the rest of the story, I imagine scenes as they go along. Essentially, I write whatever comes into my head (that's one of the best ways to squeeze humor out - just let it flow naturally) and edit it later. If I'm stuck on one scene, I move on to the next and come back to the one I was puzzled about later on. Usually I figure out how to wrap that one up. I have this file on my computer where I have bits of scenes written, waiting to be incorporated into the story (once I get there).

(Random thought: How exactly does one figure out whether one's muse is male, female, or other, as well as its name? Yes, I know, very random...And maybe it's even a stupid question...)

It also helps to bounce your ideas off another person, either a beta reader or a good friend who is fairly well-versed in the canon of Tolkien (or in some cases, another fandom as well). Before I even send my work off to my betas, I ask a friend to read what I have to see if I've constructed the various characters' reactions properly, made them far too Mary-Sue-ish (something to avoid AT ALL COSTS), and gotten their manner of speech right. Ron Weasley and Legolas would sound completely different, for instance. One thing that has been bothering me is that I have Boromir greeting Legolas by saying "Good morning." I can't put my finger on why exactly I don't like it, other than it just doesn't sound like him. The problem is I can't figure out what to replace it with.

Hope this post helped.

~Galadriel8891

[NancyBrooke]

[SilverMoonLady]

Oh, Nancy, I *so* know what you mean about that precious perfect line!! I've had that happen so many times, there's actually a file on my computer called Beloved Bits for all the things I could no longer use because the story ran away somewhere else!

[SpaceWeavil]

[Neniel]

Hey, mine is called "snippets" and it's actually where many good stories can come out of later on! Of course, it's getting ridiculously long, so I should do something about it, but still, it beats having all kinds of stray document files on your PC!

[NancyBrooke]

I actually have different ones for each story, and then I (usually) delete them when I'm all 'done', along with preceeding drafts etc. Can't stand the loose ends lingering once I've committed to a final form.

I know there's a tidbit from "Autumn Hunt" lingering, however: the conversation between my OFC and Faramir as they danced. Good, but not needed, and not applicable elsewhere ... I just like it.

Nice to have the commiseration, Gals.

[ghettoelleth]

Hehe, my file is called, Oh Crap...

[Neniel]

Sorry, off topic, but I just HAD to comment on this one...

Ghetto, where the heck do you come up with those pics? Caranthir?! Man, I don't know if I sould thank you for the umm... nice view over here in the forum, or if I should hate you for leaving me drueling afterwards... *shakes head* You're cruel, you know that?

[Ivy]

I'm a bad writer sometimes. I start a story and forget about it for a month or two. Or three... or even a year. But the thing that always works for me is that during that month (or two or three... well you get it) my mind has subconciously been working on the story... and I never realize it until I sit down, feel guilty, and start writing it again. Some of the stuff I'm most proud of has come out like that. To sum this up = Let it simmer for a while. Most wines taste better after they've sat in your basement for a few years.

Every time I've tried to plot out a story the whole way through at the beginning, I drop it. I don't know why, but thinking that far ahead and knowing *exactly* how a book is going to end kind of takes the fun out of the creative process for me. Because I let things "simmer" I never know what might come out of me, and whether I'll like it or not. Most of the time I do. When I begin writing a story, I have a very rough plot, mostly the beginning of it, and then I vaguely know what will happen at the end of it. What happens between is "anyone's game". Any one of my characters could randomly snatch the plot away from me and win over a couple dozen fans.

So there's my two cents. I let things simmer, and I tend to go with the flow of not knowing entirely where the ride will take me.

[Isadora22]

When I write something, I have clear ideas in my mind and they all flow to match together to have my story build. I like to put myself in it because when I read something, it's like if I enter into another world and the story of the main character becomes mine. So, I like to put myself in it, making me like somone who do not fear Saûron of the Nazgûls. They are the characters that I use often. In my next story, I will try to put Melkor/Morgoth with his return and the rebuilt of Angband under Thangorodrim into Beleriand. When I use the Nazgûls, the one who is always talking is the Wtch-King. He's inter-acting a lot with his master. I write in French most of the time because it's my first language but I'm able to do it in English because I have a level Secondary 5 in English. I will start soon a new story in which one it's gonna be crazy because everything will begin into time of Today and will bring me to Middle-Earth with all the great evils back. I like to put actions like fights and I'm use to put sometimes a humoristic touch into my speeches. It's because I'm always blasting my enemies and play with the fire.

[NancyBrooke]

[Isadora22]

Thanks to wish me luck. I work with microsoft word, so, I don't have problems of symbols when I copy something and glue it somewhere. I don't know what's a beta, sorry. It's just my second day participating on this forum. From now, I really enjoy to stay on OSA. I read guidelines yestherday and I think that before to start my story, I must have to say where I'm taking my sources. I think, I'm not sure, it's hard to understand it because there's lot of words that I don't know meanings.