What are your writing quirks?

So glad to hear I'm not the only one who can't change main characters' names after I've created them. I thought I was the only one with this problem. My excuse is that, since I have no character notes, I use their names to keep track of all their traits. If I change the name, I begin to forget all the traits that went with it.

I just said something about this the other day too. I can't exactly remember where (it may even have been another forum) but...

When I start a story, throughout the duration of writing on that particular story, my ashtray has to have the same (not exact same, but it has to hold the approximate amount of) ashes and butts as when I started out... until I type the end. My coffee cup has to be in the same spot as when I started. And yes, this means emptying my ashtray if I switch to a story that had no butts in the beginning, or waiting until I've smoked enough stogies to build it up where it needs to be--and moving my cup around accordingly. And no, I didn't realize I did this until someone pointed out. Their pointing it out did not change it.

In the text itself, though... it seems my pinkie is obsessed with the apostrophe key if there is an "S" nearby and I use parentheses far too much.

I write everything longhand first. Everything.

My brain just can't function when looking at a computer screen.

I don't like writing in public and I don't carrying around a small notebook or pamphlet to scribble down ideas. Sometimes I remember the ideas and sometimes I don't. It's not a big deal to me.

Typically my first draft is hand written.

I love to use repetitions.

I write run on and long sentences.

I'm so happy to know that I'm not the only one who can't write with someone else in the room! Unfortunately I also can't seem to get past my first chapter or so on any WIP because I have the annoying urge to go back and edit or totally rewrite. >>;

I'm either too wordy or concise.

I always write best when I have too many things to do and no time for writing.

Whenever I have all the time in the world, my writing suffers

Mel...

I always pick out celebrities or photo bases for my characters before I even start writing. And then I have a folder with saved pictures of each "character" and when I feel stuck, I often turn the pictures on a slide show on my computer. I don't know why, but for some reason it makes me feel closer to the characters and I could write better when I "see" them.

Crazy? Yeah, I think so too lol

jennifer williams said:

I always pick out celebrities or photo bases for my characters before I even start writing. And then I have a folder with saved pictures of each "character" and when I feel stuck, I often turn the pictures on a slide show on my computer. I don't know why, but for some reason it makes me feel closer to the characters and I could write better when I "see" them.

Crazy? Yeah, I think so too lol

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I do the same thing. Not always a celebrity, just a photo. The visual does wonders for some reason.

thethinker42 said:

I do the same thing. Not always a celebrity, just a photo. The visual does wonders for some reason.

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And is also an excuse to have piccies of hot men adorn my walls

Like I need an excuse. Yup do the same too.

Rowan said:

brokenfingers: As a pagan, I'm curious. Are you taking a piss here or what?

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I think it's obvious by my line about "sacrificing a Walmart worker" that I'm totally serious.

brokenfingers said:

I think it's obvious by my line about "sacrificing a Walmart worker" that I'm totally serious.

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I have to say you've got it totally wrong and are completely representing my faith


I only sacrifice MacDonalds workers.






Mostly

Heretic.

Actually, no.