- I cannot write novels single-spaced. It drives me up a wall. Everything looks so cramped, and it makes my head hurt.
- Times New Roman, size 12. It hasn't failed me yet.
- I must have cheesy popcorn and a caffeine-free carbonated beverage nearby. I don't care what it is, it just has to be fizzy. Lately it's been Mug diet rootbeer.
- 95% of the time, I write in bed. Two pillows.
- I stole one of my dad's plaid shirts a while back, and for some reason it's turned into a writing uniform of sorts. If it isn't in the laundry bin, I'm probably wearing it.
- Hair must be tied back.
- I write out a rough query letter with each project I start.
- Every first draft I finish means a new moleskine purchased. They're for revisions, I promise!
- Even though I'm a music whore, I can't write with music on. Even instrumental. Though I still make a playlist for every book I write, even if I end up abandoning the project.
Now I know you've all got your own quirks, so give 'em up, folks!
I can't write double spaced o.O Not even my essays for class. I need everything together so I can see it all at once.
ReplyDeleteI write in bed too!
My hair has to be tied back to or I'll get distracted brushing it back every five seconds.
I need the T.V or Pandora playing the background, but I can't have people around me. Even if they're just watching the T.V. They can't be there >_<
If I get up for something to drink, for example, I'll never get back in the zone. So I always stock up before I write, everything within hand reach.
Although, ironically, I need to have the freedom to get, walk around aimlessly for a minute and come back.
I also cannot write with music on! Instrumental music distracts me way too much. I do, however, listen to music while I edit.
ReplyDeleteI can't write double-spaced! It's like some sort of trick I play on myself, that I keep the thing in single-spaced until it's done, then it's magically the length it should be. I did this in college a lot.
My quirks...maybe how flexible/varied I am is a quirk. I don't like writing in one place too long--one session in one room and I'm over that room for awhile, so I bounce someplace else for the next round. I get much more done outside my house, because in my house the things I need to clean taunt me.
When I write, I generally write random sections. So I always have to have the other parts of the story with me, even if it's only a few pages.
ReplyDeleteI like the write everything out by hand once. I don't know why but if I can't write it by hand then it usually doesn't become part of the chapter on the screen.
I always, always have to have music. Part of the reason why my music is so varied is because I need stuff that will inspire and support the kind of scene I'm writing at that moment.
All of my characters first initials are very, very carefully chosen. Then, if I don't immediately get a name from that initial right away, I will spend hours scouring Etymology of Baby Names for a name that starts with that initial.
I will typically make a mug of tea to get me into a zen state. I usually use that time to make it to take a little break from what I'm writing.
I've always written best with just my head (and sometimes back) propped up against a hard surface behind me, and my lower back and butt well cushioned. So bad for my posture, but there you have it.
I can't write double spaced. It annoys me. Then I get mad when I go back to revise and get lost like ten times because the words are so close together.
ReplyDeleteI prefer writing at night or early in the morning. Basically when people are most likely asleep/not around. It has to be completely silent in the house, minus the music I may be playing.
I tend to adopt the same facial expressions that my characters have while writing them. Whenever I realize what I'm doing though, I laugh at myself...and then make a face that matches the expression of the character I continue to write. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to only be able to write in Arial, size 10, with spaces between the paragraphs (a bit a la FictionPress format), but I think that's been changing. I'm not so picky about it any more, but maybe Calibri has become my new Arial.
I work best with purely instrumental music, but not with music with words. If I listen to music with lyrics, I have to turn the music down so I can just barely hear it, and then it sort of seems like instrumental? Hahaha.
Oh, we writers and our quirks. Hahaha. :) I love 'em.
- Kristine
No double spacing. Nothing looks right and I get all weird. I actually wrote a blog post about that XD
ReplyDeleteMusic, tv, whatever. It's all just background noise. I generally don't like full silence. I get freaked out by the noises my house makes.
I'm not good at writing while someone's around. Don't know why, I'm just not.
No one reads the first draft. Ever.
I write best sitting in the chair I'm in now, but that's just because if I write in bed, I get stiff and sore.
Chapter headings must be Times New Roman, 18, everything else must be Times New Roman 12. Three lines after the chapter heading. I used to be really weird about indents, but I stopped doing that.
Every project has a playlist. If the playlist isn't that long, I'm probably not connecting with the characters well enough.
Twitter. I use windows snap shamelessly so I can tweet and write at the same time.
Every project has a binder where my notebook pages can go. The notebooks themselves have to be a certain type or I don't use them. I'm big on handwriting things, it helps me be more fluid. I don't do everything longhand, but at least 75% of my scenes have longhand skeletons.
Candy helps. :D
@PS: I totally stock up on writing munches. This week it's been Reeses and rolos, heh. Talk about unhealthy eating habits.
ReplyDelete@Rowenna: I'm amazed you can listen to music while you edit. I just can't do it, no matter what I'm writing. A story, editing said story, a paper for class... No music allowed. Or TV. Or anything that makes noise, basically.
@Mika: Have you got a copy of COOL NAMES by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz? That's my go-to baby name book. I fucking love it. My copy is so beat up, haha.
@Gabrielle: I think it's funny that almost all of you said you can't write double-spaced. I think you're all nuts for writing single, but who am I to judge ;-)
@Kristine: I do the facial expressions while watching TV! LOL. Not so much when I'm writing. I think I usually just look pained :-p Or frustrated. Or overly concentrated.
As for music, you should check out the scores for The Village and Coco Before Chanel. Those are my go-to instrumentals.
@Laina: I've got a playlist for every project, too! Like, a really detailed one. Sometimes a chapter could have 10+ songs, depending on mood, or a certain line that's spoken. I'm so messed up, haha.