Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

What inspires you? Do you need a good plot idea first, or do characters come into your head, pull up a chair and just start 'talking'? Do you base your characters on people you've seen, or are they all your own? Looking forward to your answers!
I may post this in the romance forum too, just so interested in what people have to say!

Characters pop into my head and the story line follows. My books are humorous and don't follow insert tab A into slot B kinda romance. I think sex scenes that go on for pages gets boring. What's the point? Where's the plot? I've noticed a lot of writers just write sex scene after sex scene with no story. Ick!

Gail

I know....ew....that's called smut. Well, in my opinion. I'll probably get smashed for saying 'ew' again...(bad, bad, Fifi)

Yes, that's the way I joke. Please I hope no one takes offense.

I start off with my MC and usually have a start and finish in mind, but it takes a while for me to work out how to get the two to meet

I love to write 'loin tingling' romance, but I'm kind of a dim the lights person when it comes to the actual event. I think Charlaine Harris generally handles her intimate scenes quite well.

I get inspired when I get a character's voice inside my head. Over the weekend, I heard a female character say something that I *had* to write down. Next thing I knew, I was deep into a new book, lol.

You know what...I have desperately tried to get organized with writing; to plot out and outline. And I end up spinning my wheels. The moment I pop in the earbuds and open the Word doc, the ideas just flow. Characters materialize out of nowhere. Music is the catalyst for me.
As for sex scenes, yeah, they're in there too. But I like to have a story built around them. I don't mind longer sex scenes as long as they hold my attention. Depends on how they're written. If I can immerse myself in the character and the moment and feel those sensations building up, the length of the scene doesn't trouble me ;)

Michelle L. wrote: "I love to write 'loin tingling' romance, but I'm kind of a dim the lights person when it comes to the actual event. I think Charlaine Harris generally handles her intimate scenes quite well.

That's the same way I get inspired as well. Someone just starts 'talking' to me, and won't leave me alone until I write down at least some of what I want to say.

Hmmm...so we're hearing voices inside our heads. Should we be scared? ;)

I tend to focus on plot first, then character, dialogue, setting, and theme. I find if you start with an outline of the structure of a story before you start, it stops you from writing yourself into a corner half-way through the book.

And while I might like to read the hot and heavy action, I don't like to write it, so I fade-to-black over the actual mechanics.

Michelle L. wrote: "Hmmm...so we're hearing voices inside our heads. Should we be scared? ;)"

Nah, I just write what they tell me to ;)

Lol, Anne. I want a bumper sticker that says that!

I agree with you, Arshad, about how annoying it is to get stuck in a corner. I've had it happen a time or two! Personally, I don't like to begin with an outline since that mskes me feel too hemmed in, but I know that a lot of writers find it helpful. There are as many different ways to write as there are writers, lol.

True. And there are as many ways to outline as there are ways to write, be it as detailed or as vague as required. Personally, being a very visual person, I created a flowchart diagram of the various key scenes in MS Powerpoint, connected by arrows to delineate simultaneous plotlines.

It's funny that you said that because when I get towards the end of my first draft, I use different colors of markers to make a kind of chart that diagrams the different plot threads. Actually, I just like drawing with pretty colors, lol.

The nice thing about doing it in a computer program, is that you can move the boxes around and reconnect the arrows in a different order as the story develops, without having to redraw the map.

Too true! I remember the old days when I had to write my books using a typewriter :p

I get the story idea first then develop the characters as I go. The dialogue comes later after I get the two main characters to mix it up. Usually after the first time they meet, the dialogue comes easier, whether it is bumping heads with each or pure attraction.

If anyone is interested, I posted a writing prompt on my blog. I try to do it monthly. All for fun :)

http://www.kerilake.com/2012/01/09/wh...

I love writing and reading sex scenes, but I get why some people don't. And it annoys me when I read books where the sex is just dumped in and it's not necessary for the plot.

As for how I write, I try to get to a place in my head where the characters take over. I've got some pretty messed up characters up in here so it gets interesting. ;)

It's interesting how others write. I find I have the first chapter and last chapter of my novels written with random ideas / scenes in between. It's all very loose and changes several times before the end.

The dialogue comes to me before everything else. I need to write how the characters interact / react to each other before I focus on details. the setting, to me, is a crucial part of the dialogue.

And sometimes ... I write for hours and have to go back and why my characters ended up in such a pickle.

I don't write linearly, meaning I don't write a story in order. I jump around, and work on whatever scene inspires me at the moment. I hope, that when I'm done, I can fit them all together.

When I write it may come from a dream and then then everything else just falls into place as I start to write. When I'm done I go back and reread and add changes and description. :)

Characters definitely whisper in my ear. I had one minor female who literally demanded I change her whole character, and instead of killing her off, she's now instrumental in my trilogy. She's the 'bad girl' and turned out to be almost more fun to write than the protagonists.

I tend to start with scenarios, which may or may not have a primary character defined. But by the time I'm doing actual writing, the characters are so well defined they're practically breathing down my neck. They definitely grow as I'm developing the story.

I tend to "daydream" about plots, characters, their situations, their conflicts, etc. I am not a plotter by nature. For a majority of my stories I let it flow cause I've thought about it so much I know what I want the charcaters to do. If I get stuck I start plotting.

Scenes come to me first. Everything is so clear, the setting, the characters, the dialog. Then I have to figure out how my characters got there.

When I'm writing I try and get to know what the character is thinking and like Juliette I daydream alot about my plots and characters. I write with a partner and we do a lot of bouncing ideas off each other for things. Usually we get together and start talking because I usually write first, I'll tell her where I'm stuck and where I think the character should be heading/doing and get her input/ideas. What usually happens is we start talking and one idea triggers another and by the time we are finished we have more of an idea where we are headed with what I am working on at that time. We usually end up doing this while having coffee at Tim's (Hortons for those non canadians) I swear that people must think that we're crazy if they listen to only parts of our conversations but it works for us.

I'm like Juliette in that I will start thinking about characters, plots throughout my day. I carry a little book in my pocket and write down anything really good in point form. I like to develop my characters before I start to write just so I know what they would say and do in every sentence.
I want to be able to feel them as I write. Is that possible? lol

Hey all, I'm a newcomer to Goodreads and this group in particular. Anyway, this is a great question. I think I'm sort of a hybrid: I tend to come up with plots and characters simultaneously... mainly because my plots tend to rely on the characters' histories or personalities/flaws, so one can't really develop without the other. Of course it greatly depends on the genre I'm writing at the moment. For mysteries I do think I come up with the "howdunnit" first--e.g, some good murder or crime method I read in the news that piques my interest--and from this I develop the characters of the victim(s) and perpetrator(s).

Meanwhile with romance/romantic suspense, characters and plots are linked chains that refuse to be separated. I think that's why I prefer the romantic suspense realm; I'm fascinated by WHY things happen to my leads/supporting characters, and WHY the leads are drawn together, and the solution to the mystery (whether it's a crime or 'just' a dark secret that's been plaguing my characters) always relates to who the characters really are -- or who they think they are. Even in my paranormals, the supernatural aspects of the plot (heck, even the type of supernatural being that's involved) are related to who the character is, and vice versa. I can't separate the two.

Um, so, yeah. Sorry for the babbling on. :)

Characters! I always get the idea for a character, often based on his or her supernatural power, and then the plot sort of builds from there -- other characters for him/her to interact with, love interests, specific scenes and random moments. Usually, I find myself day dreaming about it for hours and hours when I should be doing other things! haha

For me usually and idea pops into my head, then the characters spring forth screaming for their tale to be told.

Totally agree, sometimes sex is written in just to be there. I want angst in mine.

I want the DANCE! LOL

Currently though, my 1st story, isn't so much the drama between my characters, but more so the drama being thrust at them. But they were so alive. They made me laugh and wish they lived next door.

When it gets scary for me though is when you finish that chapter and realize, you didn't foresee any of it. Where did it come from? Wow, that twist came from whom?

Makes me wonder if I suffer from split personality or something. LOL.

:)
Dana-D. Dye

Mmm....

For me, it's all about music. Music inspires me, but you really can't listen to all this new pop music (Except for Adele, who has provided me with inspiration for hundreds of story lines) to write a story.

If you listen to Wiz Khalifa, chances are, you'll end up writing a story about jail...

So, what I do is listen to cabaret Goth bands, such as: Creature Feature and the Clockwork Dolls.

Goodness knows how many times I've written a story based on Creature Feature music (To those who like to write gothic horror, listen to them. NOW.)


For example, I once wrote this story 'The Greatest Show Unearthed' inspired by the song.

Second, is the characters. I ask myself 'What type of character would be singing this and who would be the audience'.

So I ended up with an abusive ringleader and a girl who's run away from home to join a carnival- the carnival of the dead, that is. Not original, I know.

Next, comes the setting. I ask myself 'Hmmm... what year and place would this song take place in?' (Of course, rock music didn't exist in the 20's, but use your imagination, people.)

So, I ended up with the year 1926 in an abandoned farmhouse in Idaho.

Then, I listen to some more music and start writing different plots and such.

Then, before I write, I do my research.

Then, I pick up my pen.

And that, my friends, is my entire writing process.

I start with the idea... a lot of my ideas actually come from my dreams. Some from other books. The ones I conjure up myself don't usually turn out lol (I have several unfinished stories). I usually build the characters around the situation. I always write on the female side because I'm a woman so I can identify better with the character. The characters seem to develop themselves. I don't like to write too many factoids about them at the beginning, I'd rather their personality be shown through actions. (Sometimes that can lead to rather flat character development). But, I'm still a novice, so I'm learning. What I find the most interesting about how I write, though, is I'll just start typing, and something will spring forth without any forethought on my part. I'll just type and type and suddenly I have this cool bit of story on my hands and I really enjoy it when that happens. Right now I'm in severe writer's block and I haven't written a word in weeks. *sigh*

I looked at that picture and I said, "Is that MY Amy"? And it is!:P (Let me just clarify that we're exceptionally good friend off of GR). I've been having writer's block for weeks, so you're not alone! Hang in there!

Amy & Anne, I totally know what you mean. I've been stuck at the point I'm at with the story I'm working on for over a month. I keep telling myself it'll go away, but so far I haven't had it break. My writing partner keeps telling me to relax, that when it's sorted out in my head it'll come, but it frustrating when you want to write and it won't come and when you don't have the time it comes so easy. At times I just want to scream. I've been doing lots of reading looking for something that might trigger something within me and get the words flowing again, but so far nothing.
I know we'll all get over our blocks and our fingers will be flying over the keyboards once again very soon. :)

I hope so. I've been trying to work on some short stories that I'm writing just for fun, but even those are c..r....a....w...l...i...n...g along. :(

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Anne! I've been working on 3 main stories, and not one of them have I got an idea to continue, yet. When I'm on a roll, I'm really on a roll. I took part in NaNoWriMo in 2010 but didn't decide to actually DO it until Nov 10th, when I had this awesome dream. And I wrote 50,000 words by the 29th. And did the same thing in December. Now, my well has dried up! :(

My ideas usually come from totally random thoughts or really weird dreams. I used to work as a prison guard, and during an exceptionally slow night at work, I thought, 'Hey, I wonder what would happen if there were zombies running around here.' Yeah, I'm strange. That idea became Dead Man Walking.

In another situation, I had a dream about bristly little black pigs with red eyes and bat wings. Those weird little beasties show up in the upcoming Little Demons.

Usually, I start with a scene - complete with characters and dialogue and everything - and I wonder what events came before, and the "memories" start pouring forth and I understand. And then I have to figure out where the characters are going with what has been shown - and sometimes I have to figure out how to get them from point c to point z. The hardest part is when I know where I want to go with my characters and they are not being cooperative and I come to a dead end. I've had to go back several pages, delete everything that had been written and take a new direction that turns out being a thousand times better. It's just hard having to cut those words....