The Writers Block Thread

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by Sapphire, Sep 21, 2006.

  1. Elven Candy

    Elven Candy Pay no attention to the foot in my mouth Contributor

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    If you can write more than two sentences after a day of staring at the computer screen you're already leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at when I was 17. That said, there was a time when I, too, felt like my writing was getting worse instead of better. The problem came because I was researching how to write well, and all these "rules" popped up that changed my focus from the story (my imagination) to how the story was written (prose, grammar, etc.). My new stuff felt dry and boring whereas my older stuff felt free and fun when I reread them.

    If this is similar to what you're going through then you need to find a balance: write the first draft first and don't worry about any of the "rules." Always remember they're more guidelines than rules. For probably every writing "rule" that exists there's an author who successfully broke that "rule" and wrote a well-loved story.

    Find your story first, and then worry about how well it's written.

    When you get to the point that you need to write it well, one of the biggest things that helped me was lurking on this forum and reading EVERYTHING. Reading others' critiques and the pieces they were critiquing helped me tremendously--even more than doing critiquing myself.

    I also echo the ideas of others that writing shorter stories can help a lot. My first completed work was a short story and I learned A LOT from writing it and from the critiques I received for it.

    Good luck, and keep working at it! I couldn't write worth squat when I started, but through hard work and determination I've gotten to where I feel like I can actually write a decent story.
     
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  2. noobieneiux

    noobieneiux Banned

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    At 17 you are a long way from being as good as you can be. You need to finish your schooling. Read a lot and write more. But focus on basics not trying for the great american novel right away. Hone your skills for plotting. Learn how to plan and organise your book. Study creativity techniques. Get life experience.

    I would not say that the uni would teach you to write but you should get a degree anyway. elhi taught me nothing useful and tried to teach me some stuff that was dead wrong. The uni did not teach me how to write at all.

    What all that schooling did was teach spelling and grammar and the basics that are a given. Then I had to learn how to write on my own. Literally, I had to come up with a writing process in order to keep my job. But it worked. I made a living as a professional writer for business for a number of years. And writing was always part of any job even if not the job itself.

     
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  3. Jensen

    Jensen Member

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    That actually makes a lot of sense. A few years ago, all I really cared about was writing something that pleased the mind and evoked emotion, and then I would have people read it to see if they enjoyed it. Lately, I've been looking up writing tips, tricks, do's and dont's, etc. I always end up checking to see if I'm following rules and I always have something in my head telling me that I could be majorly screwing something up, that there's a rule I might not be following. It often leads to a lack of inspiration.
    My brain is always racing with the craziest ideas. Every thought I have has the potential to turn into a story. Maybe I just need to forget about the rules and write it the way I want to.
     
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  4. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    At your age, reading is at least as important as writing. It's how you learn what good writing looks like, sounds like, feels like, smells like. It's how you discover what combination of words, what kinds of stories, form a bond so strong you can't put it down no matter what time it is and how early you have to get up in the morning.

    Also, remember that nothing about you at 17--physically, emotionally, intellectually--is exactly what or where you will be in ten years. We all change and grow. At 65, that, I know.
     
  5. Elven Candy

    Elven Candy Pay no attention to the foot in my mouth Contributor

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    Do that. The first draft is called a rough draft for a reason. Its primary purpose is to get the story onto paper; once that's done you can focus on perfecting it.

    On the subject of writing tips and "rules": Don't ever think of them as something you have to follow. Rather, think of them as suggestions that you choose to follow (or ignore) for that particular story. Try to learn why they exist; what is their purpose? Once you understand those two things you'll be better able to decide which ones you want to follow and which ones you want to ignore--and that can change for each story (or even character viewpoint).

    Good luck, and have fun!
     
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  6. noobieneiux

    noobieneiux Banned

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    You first need to learn the rules.
    Then you can break them but only if you know why you are doing that.

    The rules are there to help not hinder you.
    Like my bookie said: The battle is not always to the strong, the race not always to the swift, but
    that is the way to bet.

     
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  7. XRD_author

    XRD_author Banned

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    This gave me the urge to write a short story where the much-derided head-hopping is pervasive and intrinsic to the narrative. Ah, yes, I know who it's about, and why that happens. So now I just need an arc. Let me jot this down ...
     
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  8. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    1. It is possible that reason for that feeling is that you are improving.

    When your ability to estimate the level and style of your own writing is poor, everything you write looks better than it really is.

    When you start to see with more matured eyes, you find out that it's not that good.

    This is important stepping stone in developing.

    2. You are in age and stage of fast development. Your style might be in motion. If it is in motion, it's hard to say what it is.

    3. "Cool ideas" is a prison many wanna-be's put themselves. It is good to get out of it.

    Executing ideas is the main thing. You must have a lot of practice to do it well. And you need read a lot, get more independent life experience, widen and deepen your narrative and mundane thinking to rise the level of execution.

    Good writing is based on brilliant execution. It's rare. It needs time and obstacles to develop.

    4. Well...

    You are 16. You told that you have been writing few years. Let's imagine a bit...

    a) Someone is 13. He has just started writing as a hobby. He shows me his texts. I respond by seeking good things from that text. He is 13 and a beginner and that is why I estimate his writing by seeking what is good. He needs encouragement and I give him that.

    So he gets nice wordss.

    b) He is 15. He has written 2 years. I estimate his texts by seeking what is good, what is bad and what is promising. He needs both encouragement and critique and I give him that.

    He is much better but my words are not so nice.

    c) Now he is almost 17. He has been writing nearly 4 years. What he needs?

    He needs to find out his flaws, his mannerism, his lacks and his developmental needs. He needs to get ready to confront the real adult world of writing in years to come.

    So I point what he needs to find out.

    He is now much better but critique is harder. That is because he has advanced and the level and substance of criticism is made according to his writing level.

    5. Live life. Read books. Learn things that interest you. Confront obstacles. Self reflect your thinking. Read about writing. Talk and write with writers and artists.

    Write what you like to write. Write what you know emotionally. Make writing fun.

    And watch this.

     
  9. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    1. It is not only about writing skills. It is also about what you have contacted, confronted and learned.

    Think your life experiences as a warehouse. You put things there and you can pick them for your writing. Let's compare two imaginary dudes.

    Alf is 17 and lives at home. He meets his friends and family and relatives. He have read 50 books.

    Bert is 55. He lives with his wife and kids. He has went through hell several times. He has lost both his parents and more than 50 of his friends. He has met price fighters, scientists, career criminals - including several killers, worlds number one sharp shooter, people who are professionals in some gray or asymmetric areas... He have studied several different topics. His personal and virtual network includes professional writers, top and mid level politicians, top scientists, drug addicts, mental patients, blue collar labour, farmers, unemployed, artists... He has been illegally in two muslim countries... He has read 1 500 books - or more or less. And...

    Let's suppose Alf is as good writer as Bert and Bert is as good writer as Alf. Then they both reach to their personal Warehouses and seek what kind of inspiration, knowledge, characters, world building tools... they can find...

    You see my point?

    3. Kill your darlings.

     
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  10. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    I like this post a lot. You've made it clear about how it's wise to tailor writing advice to the person's stage of development. And you've also made a good point regarding the person's own assessment of their work.

    If a person questions their own work (on the basis of the work itself, rather than just a general lack of self-confidence) that means they're seeing what's not quite right. And that is definitely the first step towards making improvements.

    Well said. I believe you've hit a couple of nails on the head here.

    (I loved the Gaiman speech, especially near the end where he deals with how the transmission of art is changing, and how we can't predict how it will 'be' even in the near future. And that while it can be scary, that there are no longer the same 'rules' to follow, it's also liberating.)
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2019
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  11. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Improve your workflow. Hone it to suit your style, your thinking, your way to live life, your rhythm, your needs, your...

    You do it by writing, thinking and organising your writing and writing conditions and tools, by testing different things, by listening and reading tips from other writers and artists.

    If you get yourself a good workflow, a routine to write, a life that gives you things to write about and deep inner need to write, then possible success comes - or not - later.

    There is and should be a "success delay" of several years. That delay protects you and helps you to improve.

    You can find good examples of difficulties where good workflow is needed and helps writers to go on in progress journals. And you might also see what and how happens if workflow is not well honed and life offers obstacles big enough to stop an 18-wheeler.

    And you can keep your own working log or progress journal if you want to. I have found it helpful and so have many other writers.

    Here is a tip:

    When writing feels fun, easy, enjoyable... there is something right in your workflow. When text goes forward, when you long for sitting to your chair to dance your fingers in your keyboard... Then something os ok.

    Seek for enjoyment and easiness to tune your workflow.

    Use tools that you feel good and can get. (Programs & operating systems, table, chair, keyboard, monitor, light, acoustic solutions, earmuffs, pens, notebooks, books, music or silence, relaxing or stress handling methods, weights to give you some physical stimulation...
     
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  12. LoaDyron

    LoaDyron Contributor Contributor

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    Hello, friend! :superhello:

    It's very frustrating when you desire to write something, but nothing happens. Maybe the problem is you are trying to get inspiration somewhere, hoping that will give you a start. And to add more to your problems, you are concerned about your style, which with all these issues gives unnecessary stress. My suggestions will be to read more, go to meeting with writers (if your city does have any), watch videos on youtube or another website, search for YouTubers to help you, and the most important one don't stop writing.

    When you received harsh criticism, is because something is wrong in your story. It's good for you to listen to harsh criticism. This helps you to grow as a writer and individual as well, so in the future, you will be a strong person. Of course, not just accept every harsh criticism, because as you may know, someone just wants to put you down and that's not criticism. A good criticism will be to point out your mistakes, but also tell your good points.

    To answer your question about motivation, I will post here one video:


    I hope this helps. Keep on finding your writing, and don't give up! You have a life to live. :superagree:
     
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  13. Tea@3

    Tea@3 Senior Member

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    Jensen you are very young. Right now and for the next few years there is only one rule you need to adhere to: STAY POSITIVE.

    I'm not saying don't be analytical, or don't be critical. I'm saying you must realize that for a certain number of years (10, I'd say) you will have to function at 98% intake, and 2% output. Be a sponge. Absorb everything. And STOP focusing on ANY achievement/outcome details. I truly think that is what messes with individuals' confidence. (especially young people) Get it out of your head that you want to write the 'Next Great Dystopian Series' or whatever. Thinking that way will ruin you, and it will PREVENT you from ever discovering who you really are as a writer.

    Again, focus on INTAKE not your own output. Meaning, read others' writing. Read good writers. Learn. Absorb feedback without letting it affect your feelings. Take advice IN... then regroup and attack your work on another day. IMO if you are disturbed by what readers are saying about your writing that means that you are too deeply invested, subjectively, and that you should objectify more, and perhaps examine what these readers are saying about your work. Could they be right? Maybe. In a few years you will look back on your own writing and likely see that some or a lot of what they said is accurate, about your writing.

    All writing can be boiled down to two things: content, and presentation. A writer can have good content which is poorly presented, or vice versa. When these readers have responded to you, have their comments generally been about your content? Or have they talked more about your style and grammar? That is something to consider because if the grammar/style/presentation is sluggish or confusing, then a reader may never get to enjoy the content because the writing itself interferes with them getting there. Just something to think about. ;)

    Again, your only job right now is be positive, and continue learning.

    Be a sponge. Not a faucet. The rest will take care of itself.


    Best,

    Tea
     
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  14. Jensen

    Jensen Member

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    I just want to say I really appreciate all of the advice from everyone. I'm reading through all of your responses and every single one is helpful. It's helping me get the motivation to write again, and I'm actually starting to enjoy it. It's been a long time since I've written something that I really liked. I've been too critical of myself for a long time.
    Over the weekend, I managed to write the first chapter of my book. It's a rough draft, and it's absolutely horrible. All I did was tell the reader what was going on, what everybody was doing, how everyone felt and gave very vague descriptions. I wrote it in under an hour.
    This helped tremendously with inspiration. I re-read it today and as I skimmed through the sloppy outline of the chapter, my mind started to generate entire paragraphs, beautiful sentences, and more ideas than I can count. I started rewriting paragraphs, adding more dialogue, and giving the chapter some feeling. It went from bland and unoriginal to flavorful and exciting. I haven't enjoyed writing that much in years.
    If I hadn't gotten so much advice on this thread, it might've taken me a while to do that. I might've never worked up the courage to write something the way I did. Thank you all.

    Also, I'm still reading all of the responses to this thread. So, if you have anything more to add, please do!

    EDIT: I'm adding even more to this chapter and I've got this happy feeling in my chest. I can't wait to go through and edit this to make it the best chapter I've ever written. I even want to show it off to my friends, that's how happy I am writing this. I feel like I did when I first discovered the joys of writing. Thank you guys, so much.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2019
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  15. DarkPen14

    DarkPen14 Florida Man in Training Contributor

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    Don't feel bad if you're having difficulty keeping up with your stories or if your ability is starting to decline. I'm sixteen myself and I've been writing since I was ten, and I usually charge headlong into the metaphorical brick wall that is a good idea with writers block waiting as soon as you hit chapter three. Sometimes you have an awesome idea, sometimes you don't. But keep at it. Worst case scenario no one wants to read it. Try writing something you don't usually do. I typically do fantasy stuff, when I got stuck on one, I started writing a sci-fi, and the stuff from the sci-fi helped me come up with stuff for the fantasy, and vice versa. There's always something you can do.
     
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  16. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    Easy habit to fall into. Important habit to break.

    That's terrific. You've written what a first draft Chapter One is supposed to do...get you started. Now, move on to the rest of the first draft. And keep in mind that when you've finished it, and then taken a long respite from this particular project (say, 4 to 6 weeks), come back to it with a fresh perspective and be prepared to seriously revise your first chapter. Because only when you've finished the story, including all the nuances that occur to you when you write it, will truly understand just how and where it needs to begin.
     
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  17. labelab

    labelab Member

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    This stunt in my writing has been happening for so long that I feel like giving up.

    Writing has always been something I love and am good at, and a source of inspiration and release. But, then, something happened, rather, someone- I'll call him Rick.

    Rick is my incessant sense of overthinking and over-analysing: I can't think of the last time I wrote something that felt free! It feels as if, whenever I write, Rick is right behind me, telling me this isn't good enough, or putting so much hatred in me that I can't stand to write anymore.

    I miss loving my work. I miss not comparing myself to others, looking at my writing and feeling like it could take me somewhere, someday. But 'someday' is meant to be any day now, and I'm nowhere near

    Do I give up? Am I just meant to accept that I'm not meant to be a writer, no matter how much I love it?

    I've given up on a dream before, and it was liberating, but I feel as though I can't give up on another, because then I have no passion and, well, that sucks.

    Please help me out here. Just... get Rick to chill the fuck out.

    Thank you :)
     
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  18. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Disclaimer: I don't know enought about you and your life to target my words reliably. So... Sorry if I'm totally wrong.

    Pick what is good and useful. Throw the rest to garbage bin.

    Writing is my childhood dream. It is my dream profession. I'm on old fart and I have started to seriously make writing my career about 13 months ago.

    1. I might know what's going on. Rick is taking control of your emotional life because you might be substituting a real need with something that does not fulfil that real need.

    You might be substituting your self, your inner essence, your core with different kind of identities. Or you might be substituting the idea of doing with goals. Or you might be substituting your needs with your dreams. Or...

    Rick does not have a voice if you don't invite him. And probably you don't know if you do.

    2. Do write. Don't try to accomplish anything with it. Write yourself to your papers and files. Write bad. Have fun with bad writing. Let your imagination fly.

    If your writing takes you somewhere, there will be a delay first. It will be several years. Don't spoil your fun and writing by trying to avoid that delay.

    If you write well, you'll get readers. And you get them after several delays.

    3. Someday is nowhere near any day now.

    4. Don't. Absolutely don't. If you love writing, if you have loved it, if it has a place in your hear - don't give up writing.

    You might need to give up Rick and the way you invite him. But don't give up writing.

    5. That love is what tells you what you are. And you should become what you are, what you do and what you select.

    6. Giving up wrong things is liberating. Giving up your soul makes you a walking prisoner. Search yourself.

    7. I'm trying. I'm really trying. But all I can do is to motivate you to search your problems and the answers to them.

    Not any of us can walk the walk. It is your job in your life.

    8. We can't. You can. We can support you to do it. And we can give you an outsider view but you must remember that we can't see your life well from that distance.

    9. You are welcome.

    I give you an example of what I mean by this substitute thing...

    The Expectation Life Theaft

    I have seen tens and tens of talented people getting crushed. Some are dead. Some have alcohol or drug problems. Some have mental issues.

    When they were young, other people saw they potential. Teachers, parents, peers... And these people gave them this mission: "You are talented. You'll become this-that. You'll be famous. You'll achieve things we can't." And that is how those well meaning folks stole that thing from those kids. Those well meaning folks put saddles to the back of these kids and tried to ride.

    After that it was not so much "my own thing" but "something is expected from me".

    And there we mean kids and adults. Non creative, envious... Folks that live in Mediocricitypolis. And they did what they could. The better the kid, the meaner and exclusive against his talents and love the Mediocricitypolis was.

    Those kids were crushed by contradictory and ambivalent expectations.

    What could they do?

    This is one answer: They could have failed and keep doing what they loved.

    You succeed. Then there is a busload of folks sharing that. It's not yours. It's shared, so shared that you start to feel like outsider.

    And there is another busload - The Envy Bus. They put you pay what you can and they can't.

    But when you fail, you don't have so much riders in your back. And Envy Hammer does not hit you so hard. And what is most important: That fail is your own thing. It belongs to you. It is your life and nobody tries to steal it because it's a failure.

    It's your backdoor and you need it. It's good for you. You get Your Own Thing back to you.

    If you do any kind of difficult things, you'll make all the mistakes that are possible and some more. Every master has done that and will do it. So... What is the difference between masters and wanna-be's?

    Alf makes all the mistakes. He practices a lot. He does things just for fun. And he let's himself to do all these mistakes while having fun and practicing.

    Bert tries to be good. He tries hard to proceed fast. So... He makes the same amount of mistakes. But he does not do things for fun and practice. He tries to accomplish. So his mistakes will be in his works, not his playing or his practicing.

    If you write, you'll do all the mistakes in the world. Those mistakes need to have their own playgrounds where they can stay.

    Don't write a book. Write a SFD. A Shitty First Draft. You put all your mistakes there. Later you edit them away by rewriting - and rewriting and...

    Don't write an article. Play with ideas. Seek what you like to seek. If that play starts to ggrow it's own life, then you can rethink what to do with it.

    Have fun. Make mistakes. Make good art.

     
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  19. labelab

    labelab Member

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    This was such fun to read. It rung so many truths- the envy bus? I know her. The most liberating thing about giving up a dream was the banishment of envy.

    Reading this, it feels as if you know me, because it hits so close to home. Bert? Might as well have been me.

    Anyway, thank you so much for the advice- I'm going to go and write something, and hopefully Rick will take the hint!!
     
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  20. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    I checked your profile before I wrote it. I noticed how young you are. I tried to be very careful in what I say.

    Think what I said. Seek how you call Rick to your life.

    And never loose your self. Don't chance your essence to any identities, agendas or goals. You is the only part of you that is truly yours.

    I know that situation.

    Situation is not you. It's just a minefield. You should fly over it. Don't walk there if you can avoid it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
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  21. labelab

    labelab Member

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    I've been struggling for quite some time with my writing. I'd say the most prominent issues are:

    • not having an engaging plot/characters
    • awkward sentence structure
    • a story that isn't vivid or realistic
    • producing work that i absolutely hate
    I feel as though, reading this back, there really is no point in me trying anymore. But the thing is, I don't want to give up. Writing has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I used to love doing it so, so much. Something changed. Some anxiety and perfectionism crept in and stole it all out from underneath me.

    So I've decided to focus in on one issue: making my writing better. More interesting. Having a project that I'm excited to get back to. There are so many techniques and consideration for writing, between word choice and narrative intrusion and balancing action and thoughts and dialogue and that's not even the half of it. Where do I start?

    Overthinking my writing= trash
    Free-writing= slightly better, but still trash

    Where's the in between? Should I free-write and then circle back to all these considerations during the editing process? And when do I grow out of this novice stage that I've been stuck in for ten years??

    Oh, man, what even was the main question here? Sorry for this absolute hellhole of a forum, but a sincere thank you to anyone who helps me out.

    Tam xx
     
  22. LoaDyron

    LoaDyron Contributor Contributor

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    Hello, friend. :superhello:

    The fact that you said that you don't want to give up, it means you are meant to be a writer. So don't give yourself a hard time, and don't be so negative about yourself. Now about the problems you are facing.

    First I recommend to read. While you are doing so ask yourself, why do you like the plot? Who is your favourite character and why? What makes the story you are readying realistic and engaging? (And keep in mind a story doesn't necessary mean to be realistic or vivid.) But the way you describe the world, the culture of your story is what the reader is going to be immersed. And while you read you can see how the writer balanced action, dialogue, and etc etc.

    Search for you tubers that write. See their videos and play attention to the advices they give to novices like us. Participate on workshops, and go to events about writing. Believe me, you're favourite writers had been in your shoes, but they got the books they did because they kept working hard on their projects. Get inspired.

    And speaking about writers, see how they work. For example, Stephen King, awakes at 8:00 o'clock at the morning and starts writing, no internet, no mobile phone, or any distractions until he finishes. Believe it or he actually keeps writing even eating. But keep in mind this is method that works for him. And in your case you will have to figure a way for you.

    Next step is of course write. Is going to be your first draft and is going to be trash, believe me, mine was as well. And that's alright, because is an idea that you want to explore. Keep in ind this is your first ideia so later you will edited. The action and dialogue isn't balanced? The characters are flat with no personality? Keep writing, because while you do so you start to ask questions. Was the scene really necessary? How can I make John a better villain? How will my MC find out about her betrayal? Here I'm afraid the only way for you to improve is to keep writing.

    To sum up, don't give up and keep find ways to make you excited. So my friend, keep writing and let your imagination flow. Have fun with your project. :superagree:
     
  23. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    If you haven't already read it, I'd suggest you read Stephen King's On Writing. Even if you're not a fan of his books (I'm not a fan of his books) this book may well inspire you. I think it would prove to be quite inspirational, given what you've said about the problems you are having.

    His overall advice is : get the story out there.

    Don't worry about ANYTHING else. Just get it out there.

    Don't stop to second-guess if what you're doing is 'good.' Just get it out there.

    Take yourself as deeply into the story as you can, and write honestly. Don't worry about whether people are going to like it. Just get it out there. Setting, characters, interactions, feelings, thoughts, actions. Get them all in there AS YOU SEE THEM. And do see them as vividly as you can.

    Get all the details in there ...what your people are doing, saying, how they say it, how they walk, their body language. The setting ...what's it like? What's the time of day, the special light coming through the window, etc? Get as much of this down as you can, so the whole thing comes to life. Write without fear. You can take out any extraneous or badly written stuff later, if it needs to go, reshape events, etc, after you've finished. But while you're writing, stay in the story.

    There is nothing you are writing that can't be changed once you begin the editing process. And you will be changing stuff. Even a successful writer like Stephen King makes (sometimes major) changes to his story and the way it's told, once he's in the editing phase. Don't expect perfection beforehand. You won't get it. But what you do need is enthusiasm and belief in your story itself.

    Don't worry about techniques and tricks while you write your first draft. If you are a reader, you will know what stories 'sound' like anyway, so just write your own. Specific tricks and techniques come later, as you learn more about how to write. Don't lose confidence, and don't fall into the trap of editing as you go. (Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.) That's obviously an approach that doesn't work for you.

    It does work for some people, of course. King mentions one, Kurt Vonnegut, who, when he was 'finished' with his first draft the book was 'finished' and ready for the printer. But that is very unusual. Most people create a bit of a dog's breakfast with their first draft, and then have a lot of work to do later. Especially with their first few attempts at writing. As you get more experienced, you make fewer 'mistakes' first time.

    King recommends at least a 6-week break, after you're finished writing a first draft, before you go back to read it again. He says to read through it quickly, as if you are reading it for the first time, and resist the impulse to tinker with it. Obviously you can correct glaring SPAG errors, etc. Beyond that, however, just make quick notes (in the margins or in a separate notebook) of what doesn't seem right to you.

    Then think about it for a while. What can you do to improve the story? Are there plot holes? Are there places that drag or go off-topic? Have your characters changed? If so, is that change warranted? If not, you can start to remake them so they develop the way you want them to. Once you're satisfied that you know what the structure should be, and how characters should be seen to develop, and whether things end up in a way that satisfies you, then go back and start revising the prose for real.

    After you've got your second draft done as well as you can, THEN show it to a few trusted people and get feedback. And make more changes if what they suggest makes sense to you. King is very adamant that you shouldn't show your work to anybody till you've reached this stage, though. I believe he's right.

    Good luck! :)
     
  24. labelab

    labelab Member

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    thank you so much. this is advice i'll keep circling back to when i feel stuck, i promise, and again, thank you!! :)
     
    LoaDyron likes this.
  25. labelab

    labelab Member

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    book, ordered. me? inspired.

    thank you so much for this; i am ready to buckle down.
     
    Shenanigator and jannert like this.

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