As I was thinking of further ways to procrastinate coming up with a plot or outline, I started to wonder if I was the only one that had a ritual of sorts before writing.
It's pretty boring but it goes as follows:
Obtain Mountain Dew - Keep three within reach at all times.
Browse the NaNo forums.
Bother dog, make sure he can't sleep. If I can't then that fugly lump sure as hell isn't going to.
Begin bargaining over how many words must be typed before playing flash games.
Play flash games anyway.
Feverishly write for a few minutes, generally ignoring general writing mechanics.
Repeat.
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43,543 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 09 21
I use the act of brewing a pot of tea as my method of getting into the writing zone. If I'm not going to write, I will only make a cup, not a pot, of tea. Usually it works. I'm very Pavlovian that way.
If it's after my noon caffeine cut off hour, I will sometimes go to Starbucks for a decaf latte. Why Starbucks? They do not have free wifi and I consequently will be unable to procrastinate on the NaNo forums, Facebook, or Wikipedia (under the excuse of "I swear I'm doing novel research!"). Works for me as an antidote to internet addiction, though I really have to bring my ipod there since their eclectic mix of music occasionally makes me cringe.
----------"I never thought much of the courage of a lion tamer. Inside the cage he is at least safe from people" -G.B. Shaw
50,041 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 18 17
I don't know if this is exactly what you meant, but I felt it was relevant. During NaNo, at least, I run on a pretty tight schedule, so when I sit down to write I don't do much (if any) procrastinating. I might check the forums here and there between paragraphs, but if I haven't hit the day's word count (I try to do at least the minimum each day, even if I'm ahead) it sucks to be me. I have to move on and work on the next object on my to-do list, because usually that object is due the next day. That being said, there are a few things I like to do while writing. . . .
-The time I write is important. I like it to be dark: dark outside, dark in my writing area, etc. That means I tend to do best either, ironically, during the early morning or late night hours (the late daylight savings time change this year is going to murder me).
-I have some sort of food nearby. If it's not mealtime, usually a stash of chocolate and some flavored water does wonders. I don't usually end up eating anything, but it's nice to know it's there.
-All story notes and writing-related material is within arm's length. The last thing I want to do if I have to check a random factoid is spend half an hour searching for the notebook I wrote it down in.
-No music, TV only if I'm feeling the need for background noise.
Other than that, I'm pretty flexible. Wow, this ended up being quite a bit more detailed than I intended. Guess that's what I get for doing NaNoWriMo five times.
----------NaNo 2009!
And look!! I have a halo!! :D
31,509 / 50,000
Okt 21, 2009 - 19 38
I'd say my biggest writing ritual is that whenever I get really, really stuck, I go for a run. Usually a long one, and usually at an odd hour or in dismal weather. Anyone who sees me at this time will find me mouthing words to myself and holding long conversations with my characters. As the cross country season ends in October, this is also useful for offsetting the increased amount of junk I eat and the decreased amount of running that I do.
69,601 / 50,000
Okt 30, 2009 - 23 35
Lots of caffeine, a few gigs of MP3s, and a box of snacks. That's my ritual. I also usually have my plot outline on dead tree format.
If you're still plot-challenged, Joe Nassise, who writes SF and fantasy novels, put up an excellent novel/NaNo planning guide for plots here.
----------Respectfully,
Guy Anthony De Marco
http://www.guyanthonydemarco.com
Member, Horror Writers Association
I recommend http://www.critique.org
54,033 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 06 05
I love the mornings, not so much for writing but thinking about what my characters were doing while I snoozed. Then of course I need some type of warm beverage in hand. The weather is also a great inspiration to me, nothing like a big window, or warm step for me to think up goofy ways to annoy my characters. Yeah for LOCO FOCO!!!!