Podster
I find that they certainly work. I tell my self the story as i write and always keep the meaning of the radicals in the order which the character is written. as best as i can. As an example.
壞 huài The DIRT is a LID on the NET in the WATER and my CLOTHES are (broken)
this illustrates the order is intact and the meanings are all there, but you will notice that CLOTHES is actually not right, there are some strokes missing. I have just taught myself that is is a variant.
I try to visualize the story as i recite, or before or after. Using the mnemonics is easy, making them is the exhausting part. Especially since most of my Skritter time in on my Android app, and i need to swing over to Pleco to break down many characters to check Radical/component meanings.
Apomixis
How is your writing effecting your conversation. The Mnemonics I use are just used to practice character writing. I don’t visualize characters at all when i am talking. I don’t even use the Mnemoics when i am reading, unless it is a character i currently studying the writing of at that time. I might do i quick Mnemonic refresh.