A plea for help: what inspires you?!?!

[ZOMBIE USER 12232]

I'm so happy to be back!!!!!!! ^-^!!!!

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

I'm so happy that you are back! *climbs back up on Kitty's back*

Never leave me again. ;_;

[ZOMBIE USER 12232]

*runs around laughing insanly with jibaku on her back * ahahaahahaahahaahaahaahahaahahaahaaha!!!!!

[Salem]

Let me post while it's still fresh in my mind.

I'm finishing up a story for school, and I actually like it. It's well written, and it came from an idea that just popped into my head...

I'm sure you get a lot of those, right? Well, it wasn't the <i>plot,</i> but just an idea. A what if type thing... "How do people get out of abusive relationships?"

And lo, my mind, being demented, said, "Let's write a story and kill off the husband. Muhahahahaha!"

Sooo, I had the ending, and then once I had the ending, I started from the begginning.

But I think the most important thing to have in the ending, and the characters. 'Cause if you know how your characters are, and you know where they'll end up, then isn't getting them to the ending going to be fun to write? :D;

...And no, I didn't read any of the replies. I wanted to get this up while I remember how I wrote it. ^^;

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

*rubs his chin thoughtfully*

Thank you for your contribution. Yes, that is exactly what happens to me all the time. I have entire notebooks overflowing with little "what-if" concepts. And sketches littered everywhere of original characters who have no story to go with them. And interesting little scenarios and very provocative pieces of dialogue with two characters debating one issue or another. But it's developing it into a complex and layered ongoing plot that I kinda seem to suck at. Or maybe it's just inexperience. Gambate, me!

[RubyD]

I didn't read most of the replies, either, but that last one caught my eye:

"But I think the most important thing to have in the ending, and the characters. 'Cause if you know how your characters are, and you know where they'll end up, then isn't getting them to the ending going to be fun to write? ;"

It's a useful way to think, and you know where you're going with a story - not just randomly wandering around forever.

For me, though, how I get inspired... it begins with an image. Along with an emotion. Something that grabs my attention and makes me think - why these people? How did they get there? And that usually involves a lot of plotting from then on.

Like, an image of one lone red feather falling from a broken glass panel on the ceiling, highlighted by a beam of sunlight as it floats slowly towards a young woman standing sadly beneath it.

So, I pack a story around it. ^^; Hence, Clipped Wings webcomic. The shounen ai is just a side bonus for me, personally... *hearts*

Also to add, how many others have Webcomics around here? What is it about? How did you think of it in the first place? *insert pimp space here*

~RubyD

[ZOMBIE USER 12232]

rubyD, I LOVE YOUR COMIC!!!!!!! it has great drawings!!!

[RubyD]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, if you're looking for inspiration - try listening to music. Any kind of music. Pop in your favorite CD or MP3 and just see what moves you.

That is all.

~RubyD

(Quick edit: to the above Kitty, thank-you so much for your comments ^^; You're very kind.)

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

is there a nipple? tell me theres a nipple and I'll love you forever *searches for nipple pierciing*

Tsk, missed this post somehow the first time around. Of course there's a nipple ring! Silver, left side. I'll have to draw another picture once I get my scanner fixed.

[ZOMBIE USER 12483]

ah, was waiting for that *glomps Jibaku, toying with his nipple ring* you do realize your never getting away now, and Kitty's gonna have to share, right? heh

[Kas]

I didn't read most of the replies, either, but that last one caught my eye:

"But I think the most important thing to have in the ending, and the characters. 'Cause if you know how your characters are, and you know where they'll end up, then isn't getting them to the ending going to be fun to write? ;"

It's a useful way to think, and you know where you're going with a story - not just randomly wandering around forever.

For me, though, how I get inspired... it begins with an image. Along with an emotion. Something that grabs my attention and makes me think - why these people? How did they get there? And that usually involves a lot of plotting from then on.

Like, an image of one lone red feather falling from a broken glass panel on the ceiling, highlighted by a beam of sunlight as it floats slowly towards a young woman standing sadly beneath it.

So, I pack a story around it. ^^; Hence, Clipped Wings webcomic. The shounen ai is just a side bonus for me, personally... *hearts*

Also to add, how many others have Webcomics around here? What is it about? How did you think of it in the first place? *insert pimp space here*

~RubyD

If you insist...
http://siliconcherry.keenspace.com/

Oh, and since I only had time to quickly glance at your comic...I like the art! Interesting contrast, too.

*kicks himself for not drawing well enough (by own standards...)*

^_^

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

ah, was waiting for that *glomps Jibaku, toying with his nipple ring* you do realize your never getting away now, and Kitty's gonna have to share, right? heh

*falls on the ground*

Oof. ^^ Hey, I'm comfortable with that...

*painstaikingly stands back up with Lil'Wolf still attached and proceeds to the next thread*

It's not that you're heavy - I'm just short. ^^;; But make yourself comfortable, my nipple ring was feeling neglected. ^__^

[Caitirin]

Well... my fiction writing professor says that when writing a story you've got to get the conflict going and get it going fast. She also says to write in a physical surrounding that you know...

Seeing as I hate writing about things around me (because I think my own life to be rather dull) I tend to toss those out the window. (Probably why she's not too thrilled with what I've been writing this semester).

What I like do when I write is pretty much... just go for it. I get a character running around inside my head and then I watch them to see what they do.

A really great way to make it easier to write characters is to try to find out EVERYTHING about them. Like with my favorite character Taylan... I know that he's exactly five foot one (and a half) inches tall, he likes coffee with LOTS of cream and sugar, he loves to play Final Fantasy, but he doesn't like the PS2. He's scared of the dark just a little but would never admit it and secretly would love to climb a mountain though he'd never actually do it.

The more random details you know about your character the easier it is to write about them. Even if you never use the details in the story, it gives them more depth that the details are there.

^_^

Okay... I am done rambling now.

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

Hmmm... massive character details. I can see how that would be helpful.

On another subject, I didn't know you needed an account creation code for dead journal too. What a pain. And I really liked their site, too. But where the heck are you supposed to get a free code? I can't afford to buy one. I'm having a major financial crisis as it is. >.<

[LutinEuphorique]

Hmmm... massive character details. I can see how that would be helpful.

On another subject, I didn't know you needed an account creation code for dead journal too. What a pain. And I really liked their site, too. But where the heck are you supposed to get a free code? I can't afford to buy one. I'm having a major financial crisis as it is. >.<

I believe I still have another invite keode if you want it.

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

Truly? Don't know if I deserve it though... >_> I could do a drawing for you. n_n;;

[LutinEuphorique]

Please. You're my friend. I'd willingly give it to you in exchange for nothing.

Not saying "no" to that picture offer, though.

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

Oh, Lutin is so sweeeet!!!! ^____^ I will happily do a drawing for you. Although my own scanner is on the fritz at the moment... Been pissed off about that for a while now now... But I'm going to try to get some things scanned in at the library or somethin'. I have an Arcana fan art that I did weeks ago that I've been dying to share. ;_;

[LutinEuphorique]

Aww... Thank you. It really is nothing, heh. A friend gave them to me. Not exactly a friend. Someone I hate. With a passion. A burning passion. Someone I will force Kelly to kick out, should he decide to make an account on the forum.

:: beams :: I'm such a happy person.

[ZOMBIE USER 12076]

Hmm, well if he did come I don't think he'd enjoy it. Since he'd already have enemies here... *Jibaku is Lutin's ally*