2026 snowflake Challenge#8

[pattrose]

Challenge #8

Talk about your creative process.

I love making moodboards for different fandoms. First I find at least 5 pictures and 10 quotes. Like if it's slash story, I can put quotes to go with pictures. To build one moodboard it takes about 4 hours. So, if I make three or four, it will take me all day. But they are worth the work.

For the creative process of writing fan fic, I make lots of notes and start with those. I start at the beginning and work my way to the end. I play Jesus Christ Superstar. To put me in a good frame of mind.

But I have been known to write the ending first and the middle part, second. Then I have to find my beginning. Once I have written the entire thing, I send to betas.

I can only work on one thing at a time. Even if it's just artwork. I wrote two stories for the Small fandom big bang. I had to finish the first one, and once done then I started on the following one.

Comments

[scribblemoose]

I've always wanted to try moodboarding but didn't know where to start (I'm more of a word than visual person!). Thank you so much for sharing your process!

[tinnean]

I'm a pants writer. I have an idea, know how I want it to end, then start writing. I do try to keep track of the characters I've introduced, their physical features, and any ideas that I suddenly get, and which I may or may not include. LOL

When I'm on a tear, I'll write all morning or afternoon or evening. When things slow down, I'll pretend it doesn't exist and go down the black hole that is You Tube.

I know, it sounds chaotic, but 9 times out of 10, I get it to work. And that 10th time, I shove it in a WIP file, let it marinate a year or two or three, and see what happens when I get back to it. :-)

[pattrose]

Whatever works for you. 😁😁

[tinnean]

:-D

[yarnofariadne]

I also love making moodboards!

[pattrose]

Moodboards are a little addicting.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 15, 2026, at 7:09 AM, yarnofariadne - DW Comment <dw_null@dreamwidth.org> wrote:



lady disdain (yarnofariadne) replied to your Dreamwidth entry "2026 snowflake Challenge#8" in which you said:

Challenge #8

Talk about your creative process.

I love making moodboards for different fandoms. First I find at least 5 pictures and 10 quotes. Like if it's slash story, I can put quotes to go with pictures. To build one moodboard it takes about 4 hours. So, if I make three or four, it will take me all day. But they are worth the work.

For the creative process of writing fan fic, I make lots of notes and start with those. I start at the beginning and work my way to the end. I play Jesus Christ Superstar. To put me in a good frame of mind.

But I have been known to write the ending first and the middle part, second. Then I have to find my beginning. Once I have written the entire thing, I send to betas.

I can only work on one thing at a time. Even if it's just artwork. I wrote two stories for the Small fandom big bang. I had to finish the first one, and once done then I started on the following one.

The reply was:

I also love making moodboards!

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[lucy_roman]

I sometimes wish I could work on only one thing at a time. I bounce around. It's the same with books. I can't just stick to one.

I like your process though. I've never made a moodboard. Is it connected to the theme of the story or is it making the moodboard helps you develop your ideas?

[pattrose]

It has to do with the story. I. Just love them.

[brumeier]

It's very cool that you put so much time and thought into the moodboards!

I appreciate anyone who can write their fic out of order and then put it together. My brain won't let me do that.

[kitarella_imagines]

Oh yes, I can only work on one thing at a time. FAR too confusing to go from one to the other back and forth, my brain doesn't work like that.

[pattrose]

I think a lot of people are like this.

[kitarella_imagines]

I'm glad I'm not the only one 🤗

[stillheremydear]

I love making moodboards, too! They're such a fun way to be creative and participate in fandoms. Takes me 4-5 hours too usually! Really interesting to hear that it's the same for you, cause I'd been wondering if I'm just too pedantic with it 😅

[pattrose]

It s something fun to do. I love them.

[snowynight]

Thanks for sharing! Moodboarding is very cool!

[pattrose]

Thank you.

[melagan]

I can only work on one thing at a time

That's the boat I'm in. I may want to work on more than one thing at a time, but I'm not very successful at it.

[potentiality_26]

Very cool!

Great choice of music, too <3

[mekare]

Wow, I never knew how long moodboards take!

[pattrose]

Ii take my time. If I’m just making a cover for a story it’s a little quicker.

[mxcatmoon]

You do moodboards for fic? That sounds like an interesting idea! I've been thinking about trying my hand at them, but I never thought of doing them for a specific story. Right now I'm using screencaps to make title banners. I think it would be fun to try and come up with images/words that relate to the fic.

I listen to different music, depending on the story I'm writing. Often, they will have their own playlist of songs that are inspiring me for that particular fic.

[pattrose]

I do moodboards for anything. It’s quite fun.

[dreamersdare]

Ha, my brain cannot settle to one thing at a time and so I tend to have multiple projects going at once. Its fascinating how different we all are

[pattrose]

And I’ve always wanted to do this. Maybe I can practice. 😁

[dreamersdare]

Well, you never know until you try? (I have tried working on one project at a time, but I get distracted and it never works out the way it's meant to. So, its less a choice than an obligation :D)