writing question

Query, for the writers (particularly of longfic or plotty fic) on my flist:

When you write, do you need someone to bounce ideas off or do you typically work on your own, with a good idea of what you want to happen in your head? Do you think it's generally better to have one, in order to get a second perspective/opinion, and just in terms of encouragement and new ideas?

Qualifier: I don't mean a beta, but just a friend who can listen while you talk about your writing (or complain about it, or whatever).