(Not just confined to fanfic-writing, so DON'T SHOOT ME, DUX, THIS THREAD AND THIS BOARD CAN BE GOOD FRIENDS.)
Ahem.
I'm wondering about how everyone goes about rounding up assorted odds and ends and squishing them together into something roughly resembling a story.
I find that my writing process for fanfic is completely different to that for my original fiction. This is because the majority of my fanfics are three chapters at most. Since I generally write humorous oneshots, I start from a punchline and then build a small scene around it- similar to a sketch show on TV. Generally, the punchline is some form of mental image; any one-liners prefer to show up fashionably late (ie: as I write them). I don't plan much beyond a vague ending point, which frequently gets changed.
For my original fiction, however, everything works differently. Not only are countless notebooks filled with my illegible scrawl (frequently annotated with such eloquent comments as, "NO THAT IS STUPID WHY DID I THINK THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA PUT THE PEN DOWN NOW"), but my room is steadily filled with mindmaps, small sections of dialogue written on random scraps of paper, and, of course, the drawings.
All my OCs start as drawings (I do the same for any large fanfic OCs, come to that, but then I tend not to use large OCs in my fanfic). As I draw, I get more ideas for the character (and plot), which in turn affect the drawing, etc etc etc. I doodle different versions until I arrive at something I can roll with. If I'm stuck, I use the character-creation mode on Soul Calibur to get ideas. I can only write about a character once I have a clear idea of what they look like, and pondering about their likeliest underwear and fighting-style can lead to some interesting insights. I try not to let my bias towards rapiers, ring blades and elbow blades influence this. I generally fail.
I also draw items which are important to the plot, rough maps (as in street maps, so I know how far a character has to travel to get from A to B, for my own reference. Large maps of fantasy environments tend to please the author more than the reader, so I avoid drawing them unless necessary), and anything which isn't too big, since I'm dreadful at drawing landscapes. Well, I'm dreadful at drawing most things, but a landscape drawn by me can look like anything from a watering can to a sheep.
Also, I get to experiment with characters' clothes without emulating the writing style of the much-loved Tara Gilesbie.
TL;DR: I start with 'concept art', and I can't imagine trying to write without doing so. What about the rest of you?
I get an idea, if it's a oneshot I write it as soon as possible. If I don't like it, I don't post it. If it's a multichap, I ponder it for a few days, then write a prologue/first chap to see if I can write it. If I can't write it, it's abandoned. If I like the start, I'll develop the plot and twists in my head and get a basic idea of what'll happen in the story. Then I write a few chapters beforehand, and post the story, updating every few weeks. Once I run out of pre-done chapters, I just write and post.
I've never used an OC in my fics, but I have a few drawings of possible ones lying around in the house. Same as >>1, I always draw first. And if I like them, they're a keeper and I don't stuff them into the recycling bag.
For my original stuff, I don't really have a style. I get an idea, and write a bit of it, and if I like it I'll continue. Most of the original things I have on my laptop have been abandoned, however. Right now, T'm just mostly writing fanfiction.
I am new to fan fiction writing. However I have been writing original fiction since childhood.
As a little girl I used to draw my characters first. However, from my mid-teens I stopped. I began to write out intricate storylines instead, it was a real necessity as I went through a stage of writing crime stories and very long fantasy epics. I found I needed to be quite specific in knowing exactly where my characters were at any given time and/or exactly what was happening at each stage of the story.
More recently I have relaxed in this process. I have tried to branch out into other genre's (I'm trying to see what I can and cannot write. I fail at comedy as I have no wit, but I'm doing ok so far on drama.)
I tend to have a lot of story ideas, before I would jot them down on a notebook and then try to flesh them out into a story. Now, partially due to time, I simply write them down and then think on them. If I can flesh them out in my mind and make the story coherent, I start writing. If the story is too "dream-like" i.e. incoherent or vague, I leave it for a later date.
I do this one, because, as I said before, I have many time constraints. I don't want to spend time trying to write a story that isn't going anywhere or is to light and meaningless.
The second reason is where before I used to just write a story, nowadays my stories tend to need a lot of research. I have a clear idea of what my characters look like, but ultimately I don't care that much (not like in manga's where they will tell you a characters height and blood type, as if it matters.) More so, I need to make sure the context is accurate, the accents, the historical setting and so on, depending on the genre.
Therefore, writing is a long process.
For fan fiction stories I research a lot but I am more relaxed. I tend to just Google things rather than go to a library. Originally I didn't plan very much for them, sort of like when I was a child. However, the stories really suffered, so now I plan them in as much detail as my original fictions.
For writing a new story or one shot, I get an idea, then sometime that day I have to start writing it or I will lose interest in it.
Normally for writing a new chapter, I sit down, play some music and start writing it, not caring too much about the quality. Then a few days later I go back and edit it, making it as good as I can and then a few more days later I read through it one more time for typoes and other small problems.
Step 1. I get an idea and write it down in one of my many notebooks
Step 2. I copy it from the notebook onto a word document on my laptop
Step 3. I either finish it, or write the first paragraph or so, then bullet points, and abandon it
Step 4. When I'm really bored, I will unearth and play with it for a while
Step 5. I get a different idea, and repeat the process
Step 6. One day I will get them both out and think 'hey, I could make these a lot better by combining them!'
Step 7. Repeat steps 1-6 at least once more
Step 8. Write out first chapter
I will do any and all research as I go along, generally speaking.
I've once drawn a map for a story, as well as a move list and a set of character bios. All of this is for my own original story, which is still on somewhat of a hiatus. I've planned out the entire storyline, and if I need to visualize I resort to using my old K'nex creations. (I created mannequins by joining three of the body thingies together. They look like shit, but that's what imagination's for.) Using those things I enact scenes, despite looking like a complete ass while doing so.
All of this, however, is just for that one story. Generally I come up with an idea, wirte three lines to start it off, shut down the word processor and start imagining. I think of plot points and background info while I'm doing my paper rounds, usually in the form of dialogue between the two main characters. In the end I write down the useful stuff and try to come up with ways to get the story flowing. Any research that needs to be done is done on the fly.
I frequently go too far with my imagination, however, and end up fantasizing about how my story will be a bestseller.
For my fanfiction, I tend to draw off from real life or what I read - that is, news or TvTropes or Wikipedia or...stuff. Not other people's fanfiction or writing (although I'm afraid some might have seeped into them subconsciously). Most of my ideas go into fanfiction, as most of my ideas are too simple and/or boring for an original piece. (And I'm too lazy to create my own world OTL)
For original pieces... it tends to change with every story. Several I'll write with the character first, the setting and plot and whatnot building itself around the character. Others I'll have a vague, sketchy plot and a vague, sketchy character to work with. And yet others I write with the mindset of "HURRDURRDURR LET'S SEE WHAT MY BRAINDEAD BRAIN CAN PRODUCE AT FIVE IN THE MORNING". These ones don't turn out very good.
My fanfictions are usually short and I write as it goes. Meaning, I rarely think it over and start writing right away. Long story short, things get weird really easily. I don't control my ideas and once, I was told that my stories look like I tried to put as much stuff in it as I could. My imagination doesn't know when to stop...
The problem with my current original is that I got the idea while working on a RP. Created two main charas, a basic plot... then things got complicated, all my potential ideas went in it and I would be hard pressed to tell you how I am going to deal with it. And I'm too lazy to even start.
Another story is set in 14th-century England. Needless to say that for once, Uni work helps me a lot getting my facts straight. But I can't get myself to write it.
Normally, I write using music as a basis and the problem is, that when I get bored with the songs, or the story, I leave it at that and never manage to find the 'spirit'... It results in my blackening several notebooks - I start a new one with each 'brillant' idea I get, opening countless word documents and spending too much time deciding on the timeline, character design or just pointless banter between my charas that I write just to avoid writing the real thing.
I have been making up stories for a long time but those days, I just can't anymore. (Having to write essays all the time kills my brain...)
Hmm...
Get idea. Write idea until I can't think of anything else. If finished (and typed), edit three times and post. If unfinished, save and wait for a later date to see if anything new has popped up. For ongoing stories, I usually have some plot points that I say 'okay, I wanna do this' and then connect the dots as I can. Lately, I've been doing research for my writing, which is quite entertaining.
It can be summarized as: Make shit up as I go along.
I sit down, get a laptop/pencil and paper, and WRITE. Even if I have nothing on mind whatsoever, I just do.
My fanfiction tend to be short as well. Plot is difficult for me.
For fan fiction, I usually try to imagine what the characters would do in certain situations, as I have done in http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6198031/1/.
The first chapter came together quickly. Once I had that, I started to work on how I want it to end. Then everything else is just filling.
For original fiction, I have to work on figuring out the character. I haven't done too many of these. I'm finding it will be an aspect of my desires.
Does that make sense?
And that's basically how it works for me, with both fanfiction and original fiction. Can't say that NaNoWriMo helped with that process. I have never been one to write scenes and then go back and put them together like a puzzle, though once in awhile I just HAVE to write down a scene if I've come up with a really good line or witty dialogue. But those are only usually a paragraph or two, then back to linear writing.
What can I say? I'm spontaneous, and my stories can definitely attest to that. There are things in them that I NEVER would have written if I had plotted it out beforehand...
I usually get a sudden idea while I'm watching TV, reading, or basically doing anything.
I'll think about it and expand the plot, and basically go to town on it lol. As of late, I've sat down and written out a short plot summary, then worked on characters. Once that's out of the way, I normally write somewhat detailed summaries of what I want to happen in each chapter.
Then I'll fill pages up with certain ideas that would work and wouldn't work. If it's for something as big as a novel, I put a lot of work into it.
But, for fanfics, I will usually start writing the story once I get a general idea of where I want to go. Once it takes off, I begin plotting out the rest of the story. Though, I've been known to do the summarized plot before the fanfic.
To help me write, I usually listen to music which ends up inspiring the events of my story.
If a scene comes to me, but I haven't gotten to that part of the story, I tend to write it down.
At the moment, I have several pages of books I'd love to write, but don't know if I will ever get to them.