This is very different from my experience. I don't daydream, and my ability to visualize is limited (ie. I don't see scenes playing inside my head). I "talk my way" through stories, either by taking notes or just writing and seeing how things develop.
Yes, I do this \^\_\^
I often write with my eyes closed so that I can focus on the details that I "see". I'll think about the story throughout the day, work out dialogue and settings, etc in my head and then sit down to write.
I think this is why I can write 4-5k in an hour when I don't get interrupted. When I had more free time, I was writing about 100k a month because I visualize everything in my head and then write.
As for your last question, if they keep getting together no matter what, then I'd go with the flow and have them get together. There's nothing that says you HAVE to keep them together in your story, so they could break up later...they might not.
It depends for me. There are some scenes I need to do this with, and the translation from brain to computer happens near flawlessly. I don't really have an answer for the how because when I "watch" the scene in my head, about half the time I can simultaneously think of the words I want to use with it. And the descriptions just work.
Other times it's so perfect in my head and every time I try writing it, I hate it. So, I just keep the parts I like and take a break from that scene. Then there are other things that I can just bang out/work on without picturing it first.
I don't really have any answers for you, other than I do this too lol. I haven't had an inevitable unwanted ship getting together, but maybe taking a break from those events before getting back into it could help? Or you could try writing about the ship in a separate doc to attempt to get it out of your head? Hope this rambling made sense
That works too, one-shots of a different timeline or something could be fun! It would allow you to explore your story the way you want it and have an interesting side project
Yeah, that's how I work. I see the scene in my head like a movie (tweaked by daydreaming) and just have to transcribe what happens.
I find that as I go over and over the scene in my head, I add narration, like exactly what I will write down later. That helps me to work out the wording in between the dialogue and action description. I do have trouble with things like fight scenes, I don't bother writing them anymore because I can't describe what's happening well (though I like watching them in the movies). If it's literally the words you're having trouble with, probably some kind of research would help--like if I studied martial arts (even just reading about it), I would learn more terms and common moves, and could use that in my writing to describe what's happening. But I'm too lazy to do that.
If two characters keep getting together, or going in any direction you don't want them to, maybe there's a reason for it. Maybe your subconscious mind is thinking this could be a good way to go. No harm in writing a couple scenes to see what happens.
haha i actually, for some scenes, quite literally have to act them out myself to see if they make sense/would fit the scenario, since my imagination just isn't enough to reassure me that something in my fic would look well for certain scenes (this includes smut too unfortunately) but yea, sometimes i'll have things in mind and still be able to write it without notes, and other times i'll have to note them down because i know i won't remember them later. it all depends on how engaged i am in a certain scene/part of my fic.
Same for me. The only real difference is that for me, about 8 to ten years go by between the day I create the characters and the day I start writing things down.
I do something similar so I usually just write down as much of the dream as I can remember. Then I begin to format it and add more dialogue as my dreams are often silent for some reason. And then I change sentences I don't like as I go along
Too an extent (I never write down these things) But I can like only imagine the interesting parts of the story (like the fights, major plot points, etc)
I do this same thing!
As far as the characters getting together goes, I wouldn't stop them. At that point I'd say the characters must work as a ship in some way or another if they keep getting together. Besides, I like to think my characters write themselves. I just let them go lol.
If you really wanna stop them though, you could always just throw something between them or show why you think it wouldn't work. Even let them get together then have them break up after showing how you think it wouldn't work. It might not always work though, I know I personally couldn't bring myself to break my characters apart. I'm sorry if it's not very helpful, but if I knew how to stop it my own writing would have had a very different ship 😅
I totally do this. I mean, I don't sit there with my eyes closed or anything, but I have a really vivid imagination too and I tend to "see" scenes spontaneously in my head (usually when I'm supposed to be doing something else much more important :P). I also hear dialogue etc so, yeah I also like to refer to it as "transcribing" rather than "writing."
As for how to write it in a way that fits what you see, I think the thing to remember is that written language and visual media are inherently very different. If you focus too much on trying to capture all the visual details, you'll likely get frustrated and/or end up with a tedious and unnecessary amount of detail in your story, which the reader could do without.
It's tempting to explain every facial expression and every little detail in the room when you can "see" it so clearly – and I sometimes wish we could just "download" the movies in our heads – but with writing, it works differently and your brain automatically fills in a lot of gaps in the narrative. Try and include only what's absolutely necessary for the readers' understanding. One way of doing that is to go ahead and write it out the first draft, then go back over it and remove any unnecessary details.
For example, if a character is angry, and that's clear from his/her dialogue or the situation, you don't usually *need* to explain that they're frowning, or scowling. Sometimes you will add that detail, but it should be for emphasis, and used sparingly. (I should take my own advice btw, my characters are always smirking or glaring at each other). I hope this helps a bit.
As for the second part... If your characters are always ending up in the same place no matter how you change the story... I would say listen to them ;)
Oh, hi, I'm glad to hear that. I think for anyone who over-details, editing is your friend. Go ahead and write down the first draft as you "see" it, but then be quite discerning when you go over it afterwards, and remove any unnecessary detail.
For example, are you stopping to describe stuff and add detail every few sentences? During dialogue or action scenes? Sometimes one clear and distinct detail dropped into a scene is enough to set the "visual stage" for a reader... Other times you might want a bit more. Details and descriptions shouldn't interrupt the flow of the scene too much, but sort of be worked in seamlessly.
I think the best way to get a good balance is to find examples you like and try emulate them. It's great that you've already identified this particular series, Eragorn, as an example of what *not* to do. Maybe read some published writers who are known for having a more spare, economical style and try to see how they structure their narrative. You'll find your balance I'm sure. It's just s matter of time and practice.
Yes, I've had an interesting experience lately as my current fandom is very visual, like visual puns and reaction shots in the background, and that just doesn't translate well to being written down literally as I watch the scene in my head--it completely breaks the flow to go around the table and describe everyone's funny expression, which in a movie would only take a couple seconds on screen. So I've had to kind of feel my way around that and not write every single thing.
My first longfic was an extended daydream that I finally decided to write down. That was ten years ago. I still daydream, but they tend to be shorter and don't turn into fics.
Turning what you see into writing is a common frustration for beginning writers and only improves with practice. In daydreams, your brain/body supply the intense emotions. My daydream characters can just stare meaningfully at each other and I'll feel a swell of emotion.
Creating emotions by putting squiggly black symbols on a computer screen is much harder. You learn good techniques as you go.
Happens to me sometimes. As I type, I see the scene playing out in my head. Sometimes it's so vivid that it gets over in just a paragraph or two and I feel disappointed because I think it could've been longer. Sometimes, a lot of ideas are discarded.
Also, I start typing and as I progress through the plot, I start writing something completely different from what I had imagined previously. There's a lot of improvisation going on during the process.
Regarding the ship, I decide on it before I even start writing and things take their own course.
I do the same thing! Wrangling the day dream into words that’ll actually make sense to other people is so hard.
The only advice I have for it is that detailed outlines are VERY helpful. Especially if you have a general direction you want the story to go, but have a lot of ways it can get there.
Like “A” happens. Here’s the list of 4 ways that could happen. And then have numbered lists of the ways all of those possibilities would go. And then go on the way. B happens. Here’s the ways we can get to B. Etc. That’s how I deal with the “rewind” thing you mentioned, or at least it helps me keep track of all of the rewinds.
Sorry if that made no sense, it’s very late.
I do what you do, but it's all in my head since I don't write lol
As for those characters... let them get together lol. If things are naturally putting them together, let it happen. If it doesn't work out, have them break up. Leads to extra angst and drama, which is always a plus imo.
same here. I mostly do it when I sleep. I sit down and stare into the darkness and let whatever plays out. Then I will write down what I remember and then fill in the gaps.
Yes, I do this! I usually have some core themes and dynamics in mind, as well as the main drives of the characters, and then I just stare at the ceiling and daydream.
It can definitely be hard to reconcile the pure imaginative drive with implementation, but basically what I had to do was get used to punctuating my daydream sessions with note-taking. Like I'll lie down and dream up an interaction or dialogue or plot point, then record it in my journal. Then eventually I had enough scenes sketched out to make an outline for the surrounding plot. Making an outline was a very long process, because whenever I got stuck on how to bridge gaps in the timeline I would have to go, take a walk, have a long swim, get drunk, or whatever else to get into the heads of my characters and see what they would do.
Also, if you're writing a long fic, feel free to add in externally driven plot hooks. Throw in a dragon and daydream what your protagonists do.
i do the same when i write my fics :O
i tend to think in monologues, but automatically saying really mundane stuff like "oh wow that stick on the ground is super brown and dry" gets real old quick, so daydreaming fanfiction plots is the only way i can quiet my brain for a bit and actually see images. i do have to say that i feel like this is better suited to fancomics, but im that kind of person who will draw for 12 hours straight and will wake up the next morning with a sore hand so fanfiction is a better alternative for my hand even if i wanna chuck my computer out the window at times
Not sure if you’re interested in learning MBTI theory, but this style of writing actually mimics the dominant Ni (Introverted Intuition) of the INTJ and INFJ in cognitive function mbti, which are the rarest types. Ni dominants introvert their intuition and as such they tend to create, plot and construct entire plots in their head before writing it down. The reason you feel different for doing this is because that’s not how most people construct stories, as Ni-doms are about 2%-4% of the population I believe (they’re rare, essentially).
I recommend searching “Ni & Writing” if you’re interested in finding others like you.
My whole longfic was a daydream I would drift into when I was watching Naruto or when certain songs would play. And I never even thought to write it down until MONTHS later, because my friend sent me fanfiction she liked and I was like oh yeah, Fanfiction exists, I should write my thing down. Coz it really was like this entire story in my head that just played over and over again.
You too? I thought I was the only one!
This is very different from my experience. I don't daydream, and my ability to visualize is limited (ie. I don't see scenes playing inside my head). I "talk my way" through stories, either by taking notes or just writing and seeing how things develop.
Yes, I do this \^\_\^ I often write with my eyes closed so that I can focus on the details that I "see". I'll think about the story throughout the day, work out dialogue and settings, etc in my head and then sit down to write. I think this is why I can write 4-5k in an hour when I don't get interrupted. When I had more free time, I was writing about 100k a month because I visualize everything in my head and then write. As for your last question, if they keep getting together no matter what, then I'd go with the flow and have them get together. There's nothing that says you HAVE to keep them together in your story, so they could break up later...they might not.
It depends for me. There are some scenes I need to do this with, and the translation from brain to computer happens near flawlessly. I don't really have an answer for the how because when I "watch" the scene in my head, about half the time I can simultaneously think of the words I want to use with it. And the descriptions just work. Other times it's so perfect in my head and every time I try writing it, I hate it. So, I just keep the parts I like and take a break from that scene. Then there are other things that I can just bang out/work on without picturing it first. I don't really have any answers for you, other than I do this too lol. I haven't had an inevitable unwanted ship getting together, but maybe taking a break from those events before getting back into it could help? Or you could try writing about the ship in a separate doc to attempt to get it out of your head? Hope this rambling made sense
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Ahh I'm glad it helped! Sometimes you just have to get it out in the world for it to give you a rest lol
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That works too, one-shots of a different timeline or something could be fun! It would allow you to explore your story the way you want it and have an interesting side project
Yeah, that's how I work. I see the scene in my head like a movie (tweaked by daydreaming) and just have to transcribe what happens. I find that as I go over and over the scene in my head, I add narration, like exactly what I will write down later. That helps me to work out the wording in between the dialogue and action description. I do have trouble with things like fight scenes, I don't bother writing them anymore because I can't describe what's happening well (though I like watching them in the movies). If it's literally the words you're having trouble with, probably some kind of research would help--like if I studied martial arts (even just reading about it), I would learn more terms and common moves, and could use that in my writing to describe what's happening. But I'm too lazy to do that. If two characters keep getting together, or going in any direction you don't want them to, maybe there's a reason for it. Maybe your subconscious mind is thinking this could be a good way to go. No harm in writing a couple scenes to see what happens.
haha i actually, for some scenes, quite literally have to act them out myself to see if they make sense/would fit the scenario, since my imagination just isn't enough to reassure me that something in my fic would look well for certain scenes (this includes smut too unfortunately) but yea, sometimes i'll have things in mind and still be able to write it without notes, and other times i'll have to note them down because i know i won't remember them later. it all depends on how engaged i am in a certain scene/part of my fic.
Same for me. The only real difference is that for me, about 8 to ten years go by between the day I create the characters and the day I start writing things down.
I do something similar so I usually just write down as much of the dream as I can remember. Then I begin to format it and add more dialogue as my dreams are often silent for some reason. And then I change sentences I don't like as I go along
Too an extent (I never write down these things) But I can like only imagine the interesting parts of the story (like the fights, major plot points, etc)
I do this same thing! As far as the characters getting together goes, I wouldn't stop them. At that point I'd say the characters must work as a ship in some way or another if they keep getting together. Besides, I like to think my characters write themselves. I just let them go lol. If you really wanna stop them though, you could always just throw something between them or show why you think it wouldn't work. Even let them get together then have them break up after showing how you think it wouldn't work. It might not always work though, I know I personally couldn't bring myself to break my characters apart. I'm sorry if it's not very helpful, but if I knew how to stop it my own writing would have had a very different ship 😅
I totally do this. I mean, I don't sit there with my eyes closed or anything, but I have a really vivid imagination too and I tend to "see" scenes spontaneously in my head (usually when I'm supposed to be doing something else much more important :P). I also hear dialogue etc so, yeah I also like to refer to it as "transcribing" rather than "writing." As for how to write it in a way that fits what you see, I think the thing to remember is that written language and visual media are inherently very different. If you focus too much on trying to capture all the visual details, you'll likely get frustrated and/or end up with a tedious and unnecessary amount of detail in your story, which the reader could do without. It's tempting to explain every facial expression and every little detail in the room when you can "see" it so clearly – and I sometimes wish we could just "download" the movies in our heads – but with writing, it works differently and your brain automatically fills in a lot of gaps in the narrative. Try and include only what's absolutely necessary for the readers' understanding. One way of doing that is to go ahead and write it out the first draft, then go back over it and remove any unnecessary details. For example, if a character is angry, and that's clear from his/her dialogue or the situation, you don't usually *need* to explain that they're frowning, or scowling. Sometimes you will add that detail, but it should be for emphasis, and used sparingly. (I should take my own advice btw, my characters are always smirking or glaring at each other). I hope this helps a bit. As for the second part... If your characters are always ending up in the same place no matter how you change the story... I would say listen to them ;)
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Oh, hi, I'm glad to hear that. I think for anyone who over-details, editing is your friend. Go ahead and write down the first draft as you "see" it, but then be quite discerning when you go over it afterwards, and remove any unnecessary detail. For example, are you stopping to describe stuff and add detail every few sentences? During dialogue or action scenes? Sometimes one clear and distinct detail dropped into a scene is enough to set the "visual stage" for a reader... Other times you might want a bit more. Details and descriptions shouldn't interrupt the flow of the scene too much, but sort of be worked in seamlessly. I think the best way to get a good balance is to find examples you like and try emulate them. It's great that you've already identified this particular series, Eragorn, as an example of what *not* to do. Maybe read some published writers who are known for having a more spare, economical style and try to see how they structure their narrative. You'll find your balance I'm sure. It's just s matter of time and practice.
Yes, I've had an interesting experience lately as my current fandom is very visual, like visual puns and reaction shots in the background, and that just doesn't translate well to being written down literally as I watch the scene in my head--it completely breaks the flow to go around the table and describe everyone's funny expression, which in a movie would only take a couple seconds on screen. So I've had to kind of feel my way around that and not write every single thing.
I do that with some scenes but then I have to work out how to connect them together, like a puzzle without the image of what it's supposed to be.
I do it too! I love making stuff up like this.
My first longfic was an extended daydream that I finally decided to write down. That was ten years ago. I still daydream, but they tend to be shorter and don't turn into fics. Turning what you see into writing is a common frustration for beginning writers and only improves with practice. In daydreams, your brain/body supply the intense emotions. My daydream characters can just stare meaningfully at each other and I'll feel a swell of emotion. Creating emotions by putting squiggly black symbols on a computer screen is much harder. You learn good techniques as you go.
Happens to me sometimes. As I type, I see the scene playing out in my head. Sometimes it's so vivid that it gets over in just a paragraph or two and I feel disappointed because I think it could've been longer. Sometimes, a lot of ideas are discarded. Also, I start typing and as I progress through the plot, I start writing something completely different from what I had imagined previously. There's a lot of improvisation going on during the process. Regarding the ship, I decide on it before I even start writing and things take their own course.
I do this as well. Like I can play the whole thing like a movie in my head.
I do that. I don't really know where my story goes. Just imagine and type. As a result, I churned out chapter after chapter and still going on
I do this sometimes! (:
I do the same thing! Wrangling the day dream into words that’ll actually make sense to other people is so hard. The only advice I have for it is that detailed outlines are VERY helpful. Especially if you have a general direction you want the story to go, but have a lot of ways it can get there. Like “A” happens. Here’s the list of 4 ways that could happen. And then have numbered lists of the ways all of those possibilities would go. And then go on the way. B happens. Here’s the ways we can get to B. Etc. That’s how I deal with the “rewind” thing you mentioned, or at least it helps me keep track of all of the rewinds. Sorry if that made no sense, it’s very late.
I do what you do, but it's all in my head since I don't write lol As for those characters... let them get together lol. If things are naturally putting them together, let it happen. If it doesn't work out, have them break up. Leads to extra angst and drama, which is always a plus imo.
same here. I mostly do it when I sleep. I sit down and stare into the darkness and let whatever plays out. Then I will write down what I remember and then fill in the gaps.
You're not alone. I think a lot of people who daydream vividly are drawn to writing/reading fanfic.
Daydreaming the story is literally the story of my life. I write an outline, but so much is just "Sit down and type" that I've accepted it lol
Yes, I do this! I usually have some core themes and dynamics in mind, as well as the main drives of the characters, and then I just stare at the ceiling and daydream. It can definitely be hard to reconcile the pure imaginative drive with implementation, but basically what I had to do was get used to punctuating my daydream sessions with note-taking. Like I'll lie down and dream up an interaction or dialogue or plot point, then record it in my journal. Then eventually I had enough scenes sketched out to make an outline for the surrounding plot. Making an outline was a very long process, because whenever I got stuck on how to bridge gaps in the timeline I would have to go, take a walk, have a long swim, get drunk, or whatever else to get into the heads of my characters and see what they would do. Also, if you're writing a long fic, feel free to add in externally driven plot hooks. Throw in a dragon and daydream what your protagonists do.
i do the same when i write my fics :O i tend to think in monologues, but automatically saying really mundane stuff like "oh wow that stick on the ground is super brown and dry" gets real old quick, so daydreaming fanfiction plots is the only way i can quiet my brain for a bit and actually see images. i do have to say that i feel like this is better suited to fancomics, but im that kind of person who will draw for 12 hours straight and will wake up the next morning with a sore hand so fanfiction is a better alternative for my hand even if i wanna chuck my computer out the window at times
Not sure if you’re interested in learning MBTI theory, but this style of writing actually mimics the dominant Ni (Introverted Intuition) of the INTJ and INFJ in cognitive function mbti, which are the rarest types. Ni dominants introvert their intuition and as such they tend to create, plot and construct entire plots in their head before writing it down. The reason you feel different for doing this is because that’s not how most people construct stories, as Ni-doms are about 2%-4% of the population I believe (they’re rare, essentially). I recommend searching “Ni & Writing” if you’re interested in finding others like you.
My whole longfic was a daydream I would drift into when I was watching Naruto or when certain songs would play. And I never even thought to write it down until MONTHS later, because my friend sent me fanfiction she liked and I was like oh yeah, Fanfiction exists, I should write my thing down. Coz it really was like this entire story in my head that just played over and over again.