How does a writer write?

My analysis and opinions:
Note: I’m not trying to put down the stories here. This is just an analysis of the methods used to write a story.
 
 
Quite often I do a bit of “browsing”, for a lack of a better word, around the site randomly picking out stories to read; just curious as how other authors write and about their methods. Many times I find stories that don’t hold my interest. Not because the story is a bad story but the writing just isn’t luring enough to draw me in. I know there are many talented writers here, and I dare not say I’m one of them. But sometimes I am disappointed by what has potential, however, was not written in a way that would entice the reader to continue reading.
 
 
Someone told me once that all the “Love” stories that this person reads on this site were nothing more than “bubble gum teenage” stories. I tend to concur to some degree. I’ve read so many stories that were nothing more then “A day in the life” and had no twist, surprise, or meaningful expression. The reader is left with a “So what!” feeling at the end. I realize that some are modeled around true events and I can appreciate that. But the reader wants to be entertained. Unless the “true events” are extraordinary in themselves, the story may need to be spiced up to make it entertaining.
 
 
Other’s I’ve read fall way out of context. The story moves along and suddenly events take place that would never actually happen in real life. (I’m not considering fantasy) but for drama, the story must be realistic to the reader, right? I started reading a story about a person who had a fatal disease with only a few months to live and when the person’s sibling found out they both decided to take a trip to South America for fun. “What?” That’s a bit out of context, don’t you think?
 
 
In regards to context, the author should do a little research on the subject matter they are writing about and consider how the characters would realistically react to the given situation. Thinking about fatal diseases, the author should research on what happens and what a person goes through when they have a fatal disease. If one has only a few months to live then they would be way to sick to go on a vacation. And for character reality: I read a story about a teenager whose friends tried to kill her because of her will (Last Will and Testament). The main character convinced her father not to go to the police after the attack (This is a teenager doing the convincing). Two things: A teenager wouldn’t normally have a will and (knowing how a parent would feel) I would definitely call the police if my kid were attacked!
 
 
Of course there’s the grammar issue. I get the feeling that this is a bit controversial. I’ve seen many authors (and many were preferred) that stated no concern for grammar but content as being important. I agree that content is the essence to any good story; however, grammar has to play a role. The reader will loose respect for the author if the story has spelling, syntax and grammar errors. Try getting published with a poorly written work. Some may think I’m not trying to get published! and so be it. But why would you write a story that you wouldn’t want to be published. My meaning is that in what ever you do, shouldn’t it be the best that you can do? Regardless of the level you plan to take it, your effort should be at the highest standard, if for at least self-gratification.
 
 
I am very poor at grammar. I hate to admit it, but I make mistakes and miss them even if I would read the story a hundred times. So I encourage and enjoy when my readers point out my grammar errors. I immediately fix them and reply with many thinks. I would hate to think that someone would read my work, become disgusted and move on, simply because of my poor grammar. As a matter of fact, at each new posting, I request critiques from the review forums and even point out my weaknesses so that they will keep an eye out for them.
 
 
 
My methods:
My inspiration usually comes on unexpectedly. As a matter of fact, I’m not really sure what inspires me. Maybe I hear, see or feel something that brings me to an idea. But somewhere an idea gets popped into my head. My first thought is to design the main meaning of the story. What feeling is it suppose to relay? What purpose will it serve? What am I trying to say with this story?
 
 
After I answer these questions I decide on a theme or style. Will it be first person, past tense or omniscient? Will I use over descriptions or straightforward speech? This is pretty simple for me because I generally use one style. Not always, be generally.
 
 
Now I consider the main character. Who is he or she? What is his/her background, personality, problems, etc? And there is always a “problem” taking place. All my stories have a conflict. I want to bring turmoil to my readers. I want to make them feel the crisis. And the main character is usually the one who has to face this problem. The character’s background and personally must all fit with the events that arise because of the conflict. Example: If the person can make legal decisions in the story then he/she must be old enough to make those decisions and not be a minor. It the character is dying but cheerful then the characters personality must reflect a strong background otherwise a miserable person wouldn’t have the mental strength to be a cheery person, right? But considering this, the character would also reflect anguish because he or she was dying. Think about it, if you were truly dying it would scare the crap out of you!
 
 
After the main character has been developed (where as the story revolves around the main character) then I work out a basic ending. I love to leave the reader with a powerful ending. This is where I attempt to put a “twist”, strong point or emotional residue. I want the reader to end the story thinking “WOW!” I believe this is very important. The ending can kill the story. I try to have the ending reflect the “message” of the story.
 
 
Next, I work on the title. The title is very important. It couples with the ending. The title is the first thing the audience views and the ending it the last thing they view. Therefore, I try to come up with a title that also reflects the “message” of the story. In this way, the title and ending both enforce the message. See the correlation?
 
 
Finally the other supporting characters are developed and the writing begins. Since I have an idea how the story will flow, I just start writing. Quite often I must go back, re-read and rewrite to adjust the events to support the meaning and flow. I try my best to take my time. I have a problem with wanting to “get the story out” as soon as possible but I make an honest effort to resist this urge to post it early. I find myself writing, at times, until four or five in the morning. I just can’t stop. But, I force myself to wait and leave the story alone for a day or two so I can “get away” and come back fresh minded. It makes a difference. For me, writing a short story can take several weeks. I do a lot of research and a lot of “just thinking” about the story. I find that it greatly helps me to construct a proper plot.
 
 
Well, that’s it... Did any of this make sense? How do you do it? Tell me how does a writer write?
 
 
Take care,
 
Kactus Berry