B&A Writers: Questions for you?

I always love your questionnaires :)

1) I just write flashfiction mostly. I write up scenes that I enjoy and get my brain pumping. If that doesn't work, I just leave and come back later.

2) Homework. Friends. Anything really. Sometimes Yahoo! Answers aswell.

3) Sometimes I'm just struck by an urge to write, but to get myself in the zone I usually listen to music or drink coffee :)

4) I read in the same genre I write in (fiction and dystopian fiction), and I read A LOT. I've read all the major books in those two genres and I always try to put my own spin on things as well.

5) If they're just trolling I usually ignore it. If it's constructive criticism I take it and work on it.

6) I make a note of it, so I know what worked well with the reader.

7) If I've got a really, really bad case of writers block, I might ask one of my friends or family to read what I've written so far. I find that hearing what other people think also helps with writers block.

8) I'm terrible at editing. It's just so BORING. I know this sounds weird...but when I've been writing a story for months/years or whatever and I finish the first draft, I always feel so caught up in the story that it's impossible for me to read over it. It's all just a jumble. I usually leave it for a period of time (it could be anything from five days to five years) and come back to it later. Or ask somebody else to edit it.

Enjoyed answering, as always :) Thanks for posting!

~Soph xx

1) How do you conquer writers block?

I typically get "writer's block" when I'm feeling particularly anxious about a certain section. If I avoid writing, the problem gets worse, so I just keep writing. I often tell myself "this isn't going to be the real draft; this is just a placeholder until I figure out what to write" but the placeholder often ends up working out just fine.

2) How do you procrastinate?

Watching YouTube, playing Minecraft... things that I can't do while writing.

3) How do you get in your creative zone?

I go to a local cafe. It's my favorite place to write and it seriously brings on major Creative Zone vibes. It has just the right level of noise and there are super friendly people there.

4) How do you ensure your work is original?

I tell a few people what it's about and see if they say "that's so interesting" vs "that sounds like x book or y movie"

5) How do you respond to negative comments?

I don't really share my work with people who I think will give me negative comments just for the sake of being critical. Any time my friends who have read my novel have a criticism, it's often something I'm already aware of, such as a pacing issue or an awkward "character motivation" issue.

6) How do you respond to positive comments?

It makes me want to write more.

7) When do you ask for criticism on your writing?

When I'm feeling anxious about it.

8) What do you do once you've finished your first draft of a story/poem?

Leave it alone for a little bit, and then reread the whole thing.

1) How do you conquer writers block?

Ever since I decided writer's block doesn't exist, I don't really get it anymore. Every now and then I'll hit a part in my story where I'm not sure where to go next and I feel a little stuck. It can be a little unmotivating, but I find the best thing to do is to keep writing. Even if I write something really drastic, or kill a character, or create a random dream or battle sequence, as long as it keeps me writing, that's the goal. Sometimes I keep what I wrote, and other times I edit it out, but it usually eventually puts me mack on track.

2) How do you procrastinate?

Any way I can. When I procrastinate, everything is fair game. I might be browsing the internet, watching tv, reading, hanging out of forums, or even cleaning my room.

3) How do you get in your creative zone?

Normally I just start writing and that puts me into my creative zone. Sometimes answering writing question, talking about writing, or listening to music can help/

4) How do you ensure your work is original?

I don't. I get an idea that I love and I run with it. I don't fret about the little things, I just write. If I start feeling like my idea is too much like everyone else's I'll switch it up a little bit. Even if it's not an original idea, the way I write it makes it original.

5) How do you respond to negative comments?

I take them with a grain or salt, depending on who said it. If it is negative in the way that it is just meant to put me down or cause an argument, I ignore it. Obviously they're not worth my time so I don't take the comment to heart. If it is negative but supposed to be helpful, then I take it into consideration and do what I think is best in the end.

6) How do you respond to positive comments?

With a thank you.

7) When do you ask for criticism on your writing?

When I've finished the story and looked it over once or twice. I ask for critique when I feel like I can no longer spot the rest of my mistakes and I need a fresh pair of eyes.

8) What do you do once you've finished your first draft of a story/poem?

Celebrate? Haha. Normally I just let it sit for a month or so, and then I go back to edit the more obvious plot and grammar mistakes. Then I start looking for someone to read it over and help critique it.

1. I write little things, prompts, romantic scenes, until my flow comes back. It can take a while though.

2. Every way, space and from possible. Oh, look, hairbrush in the room? I'll just sit there, brushing, to get out of writing for a while. XD

3. I start to imagine the characters and a vivid emotion, and from there, I go.

4. I've learned not to care as much as I used to. "Everything that can be done has been done, and there's nothing new under the sun." I chose now not to focus on originality, but on execution and my voice.

5. I take into consideration their words but also look into their works. It's a bit conceited, but I look at their work to see if they have a credible opinion and the quality of their work, to see if I should take them seriously or let it fly over my head.

6 . I thank them, mostly.

7. Rarely XD

Honestly, when I've written a piece I really enjoy and like, I want criticism on it to improve it even more. If it's just a joke piece, I'd rather leave it the way it is.

8. Sleep, because I write at night. Then I read it the next morning and revise and review.

:)

1) How do you conquer writers block?

By sitting down and writing.

2) How do you procrastinate?

By answering questions here.

3) How do you get in your creative zone?

I live there. It's where I get my mail.

4) How do you ensure your work is original?

By making it up myself.

5) How do you respond to negative comments?

I don't. Responding in any way whatsoever is called the Author's Big Mistake.

6) How do you respond to positive comments?

"Thank you very much. The next book will be even better."

7) When do you ask for criticism on your writing?

After it's completely completed, revised and rewritten.

8) What do you do once you've finished your first draft of a story/poem?

Put it aside to age for six weeks.

1) How do you conquer writers block?

I watch a bunch of drama's. For some reason seeing people act always makes me think of different personalities and why people do certain things and then it makes me reflect on my characters.

2) How do you procrastinate?

I watch videos, name my characters, look u people who looks like my character (idk why i do this but it's obviously me wasting time lol...)

3) How do you get in your creative zone?

I'm stuck in that zone cause i'm always in my own head.

4) How do you ensure your work is original?

I don't think anything will ever truly be ORIGINAL anymore but i know that my work is from my own thoughts because i sat there in front of my desk and wrote everything down on my own.

5) How do you respond to negative comments?

I dont.

6) How do you respond to positive comments?

:D (inside thoughts: Their totally lying)

7) When do you ask for criticism on your writing?

When i get the feeling that something just isnt quite right. Or normally i don't ask cause i don't usually shar emy writing but people feel the need to express their opinion to me anyway.

8) What do you do once you've finished your first draft of a story/poem?

Rewrite it again.

1) How do you conquer writers block?

I plan out EVERYTHING before I even start writing. Now, I almost never get writer's block.

2) How do you procrastinate?

Going onto YA while I'm supposed to be typing up my manuscript .-.

3) How do you get in your creative zone?

MUSIC! MOUNTAIN DEW! SUUUUGGGGGAAARRRRRRRRR.

4) How do you ensure your work is original?

I have a bunch of writing friends. I sometimes send drafts to them, and see what they think. I read A LOT of books too, and I would know if it's original or not.

5) How do you respond to negative comments?

Honestly, I beat myself up. I tell myself they're trying to help me, and I'm working on that.

6) How do you respond to positive comments?

I jump and scream, sometimes resulting in my brothers yelling at me.

7) When do you ask for criticism on your writing?

When I send drafts to my friends of manuscripts, I tell them at the end: THOUGHTS. GO.

8) What do you do once you've finished your first draft of a story/poem?

I'm insanely ecstatic. I jump for joy. I re-read it, and I stop jumping for joy, because it normally needs a lot of revisions.

1) I let stories marinate for weeks or sometimes months before I start them. When not working on a story, I crit things for my friends or write tutorials at my job. By the time I start chapter one, I have the first several chapters planned out.

2) Mostly by either answering questions on Yahoo, or playing Free Cell on my laptop.

3) I lock myself in my office with a bottle of Coke and complete silence. I can't have any music or distractions when I write. When brainstorming ideas, I tend to go out for a walk or drive to the park to be alone.

4) I watch a lot of movies and TV shows. I've also read a lot of books, old stuff and new stuff together. Sometimes my coworkers think I'm weird because I make references to shows they've never heard of.

5) Depends on the source of the comment. If someone who hates paranormal fiction reads a paranormal story of mine just to get crit points, I'll discount their opinion. If someone in my target audience has a negative opinion, I welcome it as needed feedback.

6) Also depends on the source. Praise from my husband, though appreciated, doesn't have as much weight as from a stranger who bought my novel. It all comes down to what your intended audience thinks.

7) My stories are usually ready for feedback after the second draft.

8) I either pitch it to my publisher or think about putting it in the Kindle store. I have a story right now that's about 12,000 words, too long to be a short story but too short to be a novella. I'm doing a final rewrite as I prepare to turn it into an ebook.

1) if you find the answer please tell me.

2) youtube,wattpad,YA! pretty much the internet altogether.

3) reading/listening to something to by an author/artist that I love often inspires me.

4) I'm not sure you can

5) if they offer constructive criticism then I try and take it on, if they are just hating I ignore them...or imagine throwing a glass of water in there faces :)

6) thank the person.

7) whenever you feel brave enough

8) go over it again and again re-wording almost every paragraph and agonising about tiny faults.

and that's how i roll :)

1) Have a break and listen to music

2) I have a writing schedule.

3) I put my spotify on shuffle,open Microsoft word and surround myself with coffee and food.

4) I write whatever pops into my mind.

5) If they're constructive I take it to make my writing better, if they're not I laugh and move on.

6) I breathe a sigh of relief.

7) When I need it, other times I just write for myself.

8) I go back and edit.