When You Get A New Story Idea...

Usually I'll daydream about the characters or the world, whichever came to me first - usually the characters, but sometimes it's different - until I've got enough worked out inside my head that I can start writing. I don't usually write the actual idea down before starting the story, though, 'cause I don't find it very useful.

I tend to either write it right away or start "playing" with it. I'll have conversations with my characters, fall asleep wondering about the plot, smoke cigarettes in the mindset of my character.

I'll think about it and try to develop it as much as I can, seeing what I could do with it. Sometimes, I might just forget it - anything I forget can't have been a strong enough idea for me to write. But I've had ideas in my head for a very, very long time before. In fact, 8:23 was in my head for about a year until I wrote it when I was presented with the oppourtunity. During that time I was manipulating the idea over and over, thinking of ways I could present the scene I had a desire to write about, and chose something quite experimental for me, and I really enjoyed doing it and finally getting it out on paper.

I write down the idea, so I won't go off track with my current story, then go on with my story. I try not to make up the characters and stuff in case I change my mind about something in the future (like if something inspires me).

Sometimes I'll just write the idea down, sometimes I plot out the story chapter by chapter until I run out of ideas, and then there's other times where if I feel strongly about the chapter, I start writing the story out right then and there.

I have the bad habit of making a new story for it, regardless of how many unfinished stories I already have. I'm trying to get into the habit of writing down my ideas, but I hate having an idea and letting it go to waste. If I have inspiration I want to use it, not leave it for another day.

I write it down immediately. Or else I forget it. Then I think of a plot, then form characters.

I write down the summary in my Bob Marley notebook and if it becomes something - awesome. If not - don't mattaaah.

I write the basic idea down in my commonplace book.

I got an idea for a fic in the middle of Physics a few days ago so I started writing it in my exercise book along with the notes I was making at the time. Good thing I don't have to hand it in, I don't know what my teacher would think of the notes about werewolf!Gwaine intermingled with the notes on Fleming's left hand rule.

Usually I think it through a lot before I try and write it down, though. I like things to be clear in my head before I put them into words.

I write the idea down with as much detail as I have originally thought of. Then either during when I'm having a shower or as I'm about to go to sleep (prime thinking times) the characters/plot will start developing and then I'll go abandon my homework to expand on the idea while listening to calming music.

Write it all out on pad paper then edit it on MS Word. Problem is nothing ever gets finished, and every chapter I make ends up sitting on one another until I've accumulated a folder filled with unfinished stuff.

I normally just write it down on my list of story ideas and don't think about until the time comes where I can start writing it. xD I always pre-write my stuff, but I'm working on this story that I'm not pre-writing and I haven't updated in like two months

I don't plan at all. When I want to write, I just do it. I type out whatever grabs my attention, and as I go I make new things up that fit the holes I have already, so that's how I get my twists. Normally, about halfway through the story/novel I have a unifying theme in place and can resolve all the conflicts from there. Storyboarding is for suckers!

spacejunkie:

I don't plan at all. When I want to write, I just do it. I type out whatever grabs my attention, and as I go I make new things up that fit the holes I have already, so that's how I get my twists. Normally, about halfway through the story/novel I have a unifying theme in place and can resolve all the conflicts from there. Storyboarding is for suckers!

Took the words out of my mouth.

I got one the other day, actually, and so far I haven't done anything with it because I don know whether it would work in terms of plot. The one I got about an hour ago isn't good enough to be a story on its own, so I'll write into a current story I'm planning. It depends how well formulated the idea is before I do anything with it. If its full when it comes to my head, I'll write it straight away. If not, I either plan it or scrap it, or try and maneuver it into a story already.

If it's a really big fic, I'll set up a word doc with whatever I have on the plot and characters so far, label it 'notes', and start fleshing it out.
The oneshots just get written as they come.

Jonne Aaron.:

If it's a really big fic, I'll set up a word doc with whatever I have on the plot and characters so far, label it 'notes', and start fleshing it out.
The oneshots just get written as they come.

That sums it up for me pretty much

Recently I just started writing my ideas as a draft. Then I'd carry on to my current work.

First I'll make a note of the idea and who I want the idea to be with (if it's fanfiction) in my phone. I'll think of a good characters to go with, some good scenes, and come up with some stuff to use for it.

that same memo might be stored in my phone for weeks. I might keep adding to it.

When I think I have time to finally start it, I go over it a thousand times in my head and decide if I really want to use the idea or not.

I'll also keep the idea in my head for future stories or f I ever decide to change it up or twist it around.