I thought I would start an account here on account of I like writing and whatnot. I'm 22, I like writing short stories and poetry. I'm also a dude. I would actually like to FINISH something one day, that's my main prob
Hello Logik, Welcome to the Creative Writing Forums. Please read How to Use the Writing Workshop before you post there. Posting your own writing for people to comment on should not be among the very first things you do here. It is worth taking the time to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. Also, be aware that posting a piece of writing on any public site, including this one, will greatly diminish your chances of selling it for publication. Removing the writing later does not alter that fact - once posted, it is irreversibly considered published. So do not post anything more than a small excerpt of any piece you are planning to submit for publication. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Writing Workshop, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Writing Workshop, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize constructive critique as a vital writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. We also impose a two-week waiting period before you may post writing for critique, to give you time to become familiar with what is expected and how the site operates. The Writing Workshop forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Writing Workshop forum). Also, please use the same thread for all revisions and additional excerpts from the same piece of writing. See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out the RPG forum for improvisational fiction. Also try our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Hi Logik, I also seem to have the problem of many unfinished pieces. I recently began to warm up with a free-write that relates directly to what I am writing. I question anything underdeveloped; many 'whys' and 'hows.' It helps to keep me engaged while working to prevent holes and events that are too convenient and take away from the realism. The free-write leads me into continuing my story. Sometimes, I don't realize I switched from answering my questions to continuing the narrative! I also allow my characters to be in my thoughts all day; it keeps me excited about them because I am constantly creating new ideas and allowing the characters to evolve realistically. Best
Hey, Logik! Nice to meet you. When I first began writing, I always felt like I had to have everything perfect. I'd start out super inspired with an idea, and pound away at the computer for a few hours, but then I'd have a really hard time finishing the strand of thought. Have you thought about planning ahead of time how many pages you plan to write and giving yourself a brief timeline of events before putting pen to paper so that you can pace yourself with development and not forget your original inspiration? I know it sounds like very "teacher-ish" advice, but it doesn't have to be an elaborate outline--just a few scribbles--in order to capture that original inspiration and harness it into a plotline that works. You can even include some notes about characters and motivations, etc. along with it while the spark of inspiration is there and then it will help you develop your train of thought even if you've had to leave it for a few days. Another thing that worked for me was just scheduling an hour into my day dedicated to just writing--even if it was absolute crap, just having a quiet moment to brainstorm and type. Resist the temptation to facebook and internet surf, and maybe you'll do it! I never thought I'd finish an entire manuscript, but I outlined what I might want to get at in each chapter ahead of time and paced myself through the word count of a traditional novel manuscript in order to do it. Then I just typed away. If my storyline got away from me, I would just adjust my timeline a bit. It would help me not give away too much too soon. Cheers! And good luck!
