Curate, connect, and discover
I've been re-reading a lot of your fics and I really enjoy seeing the development and how everything seems to flow so well, you're a huge role model for how I want to be as a writer in the future! If you're willing to share, what's your process and where do you get the inspiration to do certain AUs and plots? And what usually sparks your motivation as it seems your fics consist of very long chapters and are just generally very thorough?
Thank you so much, Anon. I’m very happy you’re rereading my fics and that you enjoy them so much! It warms my heart to hear that!
I’m more than happy to share!
My writing process usually goes like this:
I think up a basic idea for the fic. Sometimes it’s just the idea. Sometimes it’s a specific scene or line that sticks in my head. Then, I start to write. I am not a big “planner”. I generally don’t plot out every step of my fics though I do have scenes planned. Those are written in jot notes in my document, usually spanning for the entire chapter.
My inspiration for certain AUs and plots usually just come from what I want to see in a story. For example, most of my “canon” fics (ie: those that adhere to canon) come from my desire to see certain scenarios that I thought of when I was reading/watching/playing the series. For AUs it’s a combination of “I want to see this” and me being influenced by other media/posts. I’m also a big sucker for visuals and sometimes I have an image/sentence stuck in my brain that I think “I can work this into a full story”. Other times I just claim “I want to write a -insert ship- fic” and then I get to work thinking of the dynamic/tone I want to write.
As for motivation it’s one of two things. Either the fic is floating in my brain and I HAVE to get it written and out (to which I write like a speed demon). Or, I just push myself to finish a fic. Motivation can be challenging to find so sometimes I set mini “goals” for myself, such as a specific scene/image. I find that helps ground me in writing and staying focused.
For example, with Hitman Hajime I had the image of both of them frozen in the alleyway, about to attempt killing one another. That was my sort of “end goal” for the chapter. Then, I just wrote the beginning stuff to lead us to that scene. Writing is all about leading your reader to a destination that you want them to go to, making them believe the journey is realistic and fleshed out.
My biggest concerns when I write are: “Did I lead up to this moment well enough?” “Are there enough scenes that fleshed out the character(s) motivation(s)?” “Have I missed out on any details that may help explain why a character(s) are acting in a particular way?” and “What are the characters doing to help solve/ complicate the plot?” These questions are actually why my scenes end up so long. I mull over making sure I have fattened the plot (so to speak) that my end goal/scene is sustainable.
In truth, though I am so flattered you say my stories are thorough, I’m usually stringing things along as I go. If I was to equate my story telling to a performance I’m improv. I always have a scene/idea/plot in mind but nothing is set in stone and everything is mutable and liable to be shifted around.
I hope this answer makes sense to you. Again, I’m so happy you sent in this ask. I’m always happy to talk about my writing! Thank you!!!