When I begin to write, having thought of the period etc, I begin by wanting to move my main character from A to B, so to speak, and then I think to myself, "How the hell am I going to do that?" Before I know it, this transparant movie screen moves inside my head, whizzing past, showing movements, conversations, and problems. I hit the keys, and then after a while, look up at the screen, and wonder where on earth it all came from. And at times, another screen flows behind, revealing more events, or totally different stories. It's a weird experience, something that I can't fully explain. I get this kinda high: a shear drive of exhileration that urges me on to write and write.

Am I going bonkers, or do others experience something similair? Please tell me I'm normal, oh, oh!

Steve, no, you're not going bonkers. or at least, not outside the writing kind. I have that same feeling very much, especially when I'm writing for screen- sometimes I can't even work out how to move on to a different time and place without all those logical inbetween bits. If that's what you mean, but I think I share your feeling anyway. It's taken me years, and working with good people who know their stuff, to free me up and move stories/characters/scenes on.

Anna,

That's good to know, for when I relay ideas etc at work, my mates stare at me as if I am barking mad. Perhaps we are sane, and actually the rest of the world is mentally unstable.

Steve

Steve, that'll be it, then. And of course, that's exactly what this site is all about- being in the same bubble of creativity, struggling with some of the same challenges, and knowing that someone- usually several someones- will identify.

You're right, Steve. It's them - not us.
I can relate to your screen. When I'm writing I can visualise the scenes and the characters in great detail. I have practised creative visualisation and self-hypnosis for many years now so I can just drop into a scene and experience it. Then all I have to do is describe what I'm seeing, feeling and hearing. It works for me and I know of at least one other writer with 4 published novel to her credit who does it too.
Cheers
Dee.

Wow!.. creative visualisation AND self-hypnosis. Dee, I had two friends and I am sure that they each suffered from this. One ended up in prison and the other as an Alcoholic. The first creatively visualised being very rich, but the Rozzers arrived at the Bank before he had time to scarper.

My second friend hypnotised himself on the basis that every 'other' drink would be for his alter ego.

Seriously, would this not make a wonderful base for a story?

As a more constructive comment I think I visualise everything as I put pen to paper... don't we all?

Len