katallison (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
katallison) wrote2005-06-12 05:20 pm
katallison) wrote2005-06-12 05:20 pm
(no subject)
So I posted something earlier today about getting back into writing, and in a comment, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cesperanza pointed out that I'm really a "Method" writer, one who (like a Method actor) spends a lot of time upfront thinking through characters' emotions and motivations, and then has to struggle to figure out what the characters should do to express those; whereas she writes in what she calls the "British" method, analogous to the great British actors who stand *here* and say the line and then walk over *there* and do that piece of business, and work back from there to discern and build in the emotional underpinnings.
And now I'm fascinated by this, because I just assumed that everyone goes about writing in the same way I do, more or less, and I'm having fun trying to get my head around what it would be like to simply have some scenes in mind, and write them out, without having already done a lot of sort of preparatory emotional outlining to guide the process. And because I have a ton of other stuff I should be doing, I thought that instead I'd -- that's right, do a poll!
[Poll #511623]
cesperanza pointed out that I'm really a "Method" writer, one who (like a Method actor) spends a lot of time upfront thinking through characters' emotions and motivations, and then has to struggle to figure out what the characters should do to express those; whereas she writes in what she calls the "British" method, analogous to the great British actors who stand *here* and say the line and then walk over *there* and do that piece of business, and work back from there to discern and build in the emotional underpinnings.And now I'm fascinated by this, because I just assumed that everyone goes about writing in the same way I do, more or less, and I'm having fun trying to get my head around what it would be like to simply have some scenes in mind, and write them out, without having already done a lot of sort of preparatory emotional outlining to guide the process. And because I have a ton of other stuff I should be doing, I thought that instead I'd -- that's right, do a poll!
[Poll #511623]
no subject
*g* I'm "a little of this, a little of that", and "something else" -- something that even I don't have a handle on.
Usually (with a couple of exceptions), I have a vague idea for a story, and an even vaguer idea where I want it to end up. When I'm ready to start, I sit in front of the computer while whisps of 'where to start' ideas float through my head. Eventually, something in me says, "That's the one!" and I write a line to fit that idea and keep writing.
This continues for pretty much the entire story; I'll write a spate (anywhere from 2 - 6 paragraphs), then sit and ponder more floating whisps of ideas. Generally, I write from beginning to end, backtracking as I find it necessary to expand on some points or clarify others. Mostly, I start the characters talking, then try to keep up and write down what they say. Frequently, there's a minimum of description in that; when each 'spate' is finished, then I go back and add the "blocking". (I minored in theater, and that's how I think of it.)
I seem totally unable to 'plan ahead' what will happen in the story, which is somewhat frustrating. I have a 20-minute drive to and from work each day, most of it on open road. It would seem ideal for turning over plot points, dialogue, whatever, and I've tried, but nothing happens. Creativity only seems to blossom when I'm actually sitting in front of the computer, fingers poised to strike the keyboard.
My stories tend to be short (less than 15 pages), heavy on dialogue and/or narration, and light (VERY light) on action. I'm pretty sure that this method of writing (if it can be given so high-falutin' a name) won't work very well if I try to write a case-story or more action-oriented fic. However, I guess I'll change my style if such a story demands to be written. At this point, that doesn't seem too likely.
.