[shadows_light91]

I don't know. Like I said, different stuff works for different people. You just have to find your style and go from there.

[Syera]

I think I tried to write a 'to-do' type list out once, but the story demanded I deviate from the original course.

[shadows_light91]

Well, I can tell you the only thing drawing does for me is depress me. lol. I can't draw...

Anyway, VampireNaomi's suggestion of listening to music often works for me. Certain kinds of music help me write different situations. Disney music works really well!!! lol.

"To Do" lists are wonderful. What I do is I sit down on my bed with my notebook, and start to brainstorm of what I want to happen in my chapter. (Currently, I'm doing this for When I Lived in the Palace.) Then I make bullets and put those ideas in order. That way I have a nearly complete outline of what I want to happen in my story. Then I work on each separate scene (whichever one I think is most interesting) until they form that chapter. Since you do a lot of different scenes in your stories, that might be the best way for you to go if you haven't already tried "To Do" lists.

I think it's all in what works for you really. Just think about what you like to do most, and then think of how you're going to write your scene while you do that. Or if you have a favorite place to go and think, go there with a pencil and paper and try to write there.

[dazzeling diamond]

that could be a whole new topic

I also find drawing my characters, is good inspriation, I just draw and draw and draw! I find it really helps.

[AlJasLover]

No not dreams but like right when you get under the covers and your brain is still going a million miles a minute ...well mine usually is... I can't even imagine dreaming about Aladdin stuff! I usually don't remember my dreams and I definitely have no control over them =(

Speaking of which, what's the craziest Aladdin dream you've had??

[Syera]

Huh. When it comes to my dreams, I'll sometimes wake up with an idea I think is really good at the moment, but as the day progresses and my brain fully activates, I realize that it's actually a pretty dumb idea.

[dazzeling diamond]

Yeah, I think it about it beforeI go to bed as well, some of best ideas come at that time! But my problem is more sitting down to write the CURRENT chapter. I have this fabulous scenes I've had in dreams and epiphanies, and they are like, at the very end of the story, but I've typed those out before I've even reached there! lol! Now that I've written that chapter...I think I'd better start the next one...alhough I don't like to start writing until I have all the reviews from my regulars up there.

[AlJasLover]

Since I just started my first fanfic I always find myself thinking about what to write right before I fall asleep... so much that I end up getting out of bed and writing stuff down... Needless to say I've been staying up pretty late these past couple of nights =)

Oh and I get inspiration when I'm in the tanning bed too (bad habit I know!) ...so basically those are the only two times during the day my mind isn't busy thinking about something else!!

[Mariposa79]

Haha. I am on the same road as you are. But do what I do. Go play with your Aladdin dolls until something of an inspiring idea comes up. Or Just keep watching episodes, and movies.

[dazzeling diamond]

I did it! I shrugged of my LOM even though it was hot and humid and the ari conditioner upstairs (where the computer is) wasn't working! I did it! and I did school work! *snaps for me* thanks guys!

[Emmlei]

I don't always write the story out in chronological order. I've written the scenes that I knew were right, then I'd write to those scenes. It can be helpful.

This is a suggestion I've read about, great if you have the discipline or not: make an appointment to write. Set aside some time, doesn't have to be everyday, could be once a week if you're really busy. Get a timer and set it for no less than 15 minutes, a half hour is supposed to be good. For that time, you cannot leave the desk. You have to write something, preferably the story. When the timer goes off and you feel like continuing, keep going; if you don't, stop. Either way, you've got something to show for the time.

[Syera]

Bah. If you have a future scene in your head, write it out. Don't worry about writing the story chronologically; you can fill in the gaps as you go along.

Just try to keep tabs on what goes on where so you don't end up with plotholes along the way.

[dazzeling diamond]

Would you believe I've had several epiphanies in my dreams, as to the end of the story and I've already typed those up (didn't want to lsoe the creatie essence while it was still ripe!) And now all I can look at are those fabulous end scenes, instead of concentrating on whats ahead *whinges for a moment*

That's it! I gotta finish it! I may have English and Art drafts due, as well stacks of homework, but I gotta finish it! This weekend...and if I haven't posted it up, VampireNaomi, please remind me!

I must conquer the dreaded...LOM (although i think it has a transferance side effect, its buggin my schoolwork now, I'm so OVA school and it's only halfway through the first TERM of yr 11)

[Emmlei]

I suffer from LOM a lot. It annoys me very much. If it's not school or work related (right now, the two are one and the same), I have to remind myself that I want to right this story and I'll feel better when I have stuff written down than I do simply dwelling and fuming about it. I've found that this has helped a bit of late.

Also, I have to recognize that I'm bored and I should be doing something. I go through my list of the umpteen projects I have and pick one I can work on right then and there.

In the end, it's mainly an exertion of will and recognizing that the bad habits (watching TV for the sake of TV, for instance) are not helping matters. Still, hard to maintain the good habits if they aren't set yet.

[VampireNaomi]

Music inspires me, so I always listen to something good when I want to write. I've also noticed that sitting in a bus while there's catchy music on is really inspiring; I get all my best ideas then.

I've realized that I have one of Mechanikles' character traits; I make "to do" lists all the time, and I think they help. If I simply write down "finish next chapter today", I usually get it done.

Of course, my best trick is to turn off the Internet so I can't be distracted with anything when I write.

I don't know if these help, but hopefully they do -- I'd like to read more of your fic soon.

EDIT: I can't believe I misspelled music. Must have been thinking in Swedish.