What do you need when you write?

[Trebia]

I´m writing a Ys fanfiction, and I´m with it since this august.
It´s getting long, because, when I write stories(my manga, fics), I want to stay relaxing and concentrate on what I´m doing, when no one´s at house(what it is a little difficult. XD).
That makes me ungry, because, for me, it´s getting interesting and funny.

So... What do you need when you write a fanfiction?
Do you need to listening music, to relax, or what?

[Jason X]

For me, it's about getting into the right frame of mind. Thankfully, this is fairly easy when it comes to fanfiction. I'll just think of the type of story I want to write, then think of moments from established continuity that resemble it. Then I'll put on some game or movie soundtracks with songs that reinforce those same emotions. The rest sort of works itself out.

I really feel you on the whole needing time to yourself in order to write, as well. My wife moved in right at the beginning of our relationship, and I've been basically unable to write ever since. Hope you're able to make some progress on your story.

[Raison D'etritus]

I agree, something with a heavy mood will really bring itself out in your style. Like Kentaro Miura, I used to write to Susumu Hirasawa, and especially the OST for the PS2 Berserk, as they help evoke a mood both dark and dreary, and dramatically forceful.

Lately, I require silence to focus though.

One thing that might be of benefit to you, setting the mood BEFORE writing; it can make a big difference just to read something written in the tone you want to evince beforehand, to establish a criterion.
I realized this after learning that reading phenomenology before writing is a generally bad idea. Same with Feist.
Reading iambic pentameter will help establish a rhythmic tone, reading blank verse will help establish a lyrical prose, and reading a loquacious style rife with metaphor ( )will have you thinking, and thus writing, likewise.

[Trebia]

I never did that, but I´ll try setting the mood the next time. Thank you.=)

[Gamemusicfreak]

I think about my Batman & Megaman story constantly, at work, riding the bicycle, all the time. It's basically complete in my head, though I'm only about to post page 3. Sometimes I change the events if something more interesting pops into my head. While working on it, I like to be alone and listen to game soundtracks. Once in a while if I find a cool song on youtube I'll just keep repeating that while I work.

[Jason X]

Jan 3, 2012 17:43:00 GMT -5 Gamemusicfreak said:

I think about my Batman & Megaman story constantly, at work, riding the bicycle, all the time. It's basically complete in my head, though I'm only about to post page 3. Sometimes I change the events if something more interesting pops into my head. While working on it, I like to be alone and listen to game soundtracks. Once in a while if I find a cool song on YouTube I'll just keep repeating that while I work.

Batman...und Mega Man...?

[Gamemusicfreak]

Here it is!

This has been in development a long time. I will make some changes once I post page 3, but for now what's up there is the beginning.

[Jason X]

Not seeing any Batman just yet, but maybe that's for the best? I'm a crazy-ass Batman fan, and this sounds like mixing chocolate with gunpowder. Sure, something unusual will probably happen, but I can't say I'd be first in line to test it out.

Then again, so long as none of them are having sex with each other, it's probably all harmless fun.

[Gamemusicfreak]

It's a pretty long story, and the two won't meet until after chapter 1, but I won't say when. I'm really excited because I'll be on a weekly schedule with it once page 3 is up.

[Ghaleon]

Jan 3, 2012 18:00:11 GMT -5 Gamemusicfreak said:

Here it is!

That is some kinda crazy.xD
I love the flow of it so far, and the art's pretty accurate too.

[Raison D'etritus]

Then again, so long as none of them are having sex with each other,
it's probably all harmless fun.

♫nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana Scatman! ♫

And GMP, that's a pretty snazzy comic you got goin' there. Looks professional quality.
. . .so I hope you don't get a CAD from Capcom.

[Trebia]

Jan 5, 2012 9:50:21 GMT -5 Raison D'etritus said:

Then again, so long as none of them are having sex with each other,
it's probably all harmless fun.

♫nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana Scatman! ♫

And GMP, that's a pretty snazzy comic you got goin' there. Looks professional quality.
. . .so I hope you don't get a CAD from Capcom.

Why the heck I always laugh when I hear that song? XD

Game: I have to write several episodes abou mine. Really I don´t know when I will going to finish it.
Anyway, the hand writes by itself. Usually, I don´t need to think so much.

[cercia]

I write a small summary at the bottom of the story file and every time, just keep working on that. I think music etc. is distracting but maybe you can choose some music which might be good in your story?

[Mandored]

Well... I usually hire some grammar Nazi's to read over my shoulder while I type to make sure I don't make any mistakes and authorize them to use deadly force in case of failure to meet their strict guidelines precisely (for motivation, of course).

I also set up a bomb on my desk that has a 5-minute timer on it that has a reset switch linked to ctrl+s. You'd think Microsoft would have something that auto-saved, right?

Other times when I'm having trouble coming up with inspiration, I get live-action actors to act out some scene ideas that are going on in my head just to see if it's too ridiculous to be a real-life scenari-- HEY WAIT! WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING? I'M NOT FINISHED YET!

[Ascended Mermaid]

What I need is brain food, and exercise. Fruit, yogurt, bread, fish, tree nuts, etc. are all helpful. I haven't had any of those this week, but I'm looking for ways to improve myself in all things; mental capacity and fortitude, energy, and productivity.

[Trebia]

I agree with you.
Sometimes, I need to eat something before draw, or write.
If not, my brain doesn´t think well.

Cercia: you mean a little brief? I tried that, but I really must to stary alone, and in silence when I write.

Mandored: sometimes, I try not to forget one phrase that comes to my head when I´m not writing.
I usually don´t have errors on my writes(when I write in Spanish), but sometimes, I´ve got them. Anyone is perfect.

[Ghaleon]

I usually use music as a tool to help write. Also, oddly enough; I find myself writing more at night than during the day. For some reason my inspiration seems higher at night, usually around the hours of 2 and 5 am, when my exhaustion levels are higher.

I also seem to write better when i've had some good interactions with people, as much of my work's inspiration is drawn from daily events.

Another catalyst i've discovered can be found in nature. A lot of it including the mood is set by weather for me, and much of its emotional impact can be derived from that.

Taking breaks and time to reflect is another good option. Try not to feel any pressure to write, as that adds a time constraint to the mind and a sense of haste, which can degrade your creativity and add frustration from time to time.