I have bouts of this myself. The longest I went without writing was 2 months and I was deeply depressed over that time. You're right it is like breathing and exercising. So you're a little rusty and out of shape with writing. But rest assured it has never left you. You're post has some cool metaphors in there...so you have it in you. Here's the thing, don't try to top what you wrote before in the past. Like Maia said, write new. Try different genres if you have to, real non-fiction for a while. Write whatever you are in the mood for. You don't necessarily have to write fiction. Maybe even dabble in a children's story. Sometimes (I know this is weird) but when I read a book, I do a book report on it to get the ideas flowing. It is a good exercise like in school, good structure too incase you don't know what to write. Good luck to you.
Hey guys I'm new here. All my life I've wanted to write. I absolutely love the idea of it, and in the last 2 years I've been trying to put something down on paper. I really really want to write a novel or novella, and I have tons of ideas for them (the ideas usually stem from a Dark Comedy / Drama type of thing, because that's honestly my favorite type of genre) and I've gotten so far as finishing a chapter, but in the end I will read it back and just get frustrated, I feel that I do not have the ability to produce good quality writing. When I read what I've wrote, I feel like I've wasted my time, and I end up literally just throwing it away and trying to start a new idea all over again. This has been going on for a long time and it's really starting to grind my gears. I guess my question is what are some good ways to get started, and also how could I get over this feeling of insignificance?? How can I possibly gain confidence in actually starting to write a great novel? (well, HOPEFULLY great hahaha)
Start small. Work on short stories and then work your way up. Also, don't worry about being frustrated with your writing. Try to complete the novel first and worry about edits/revisions later. Just remember that you won't get instant results. Writing well takes a lot of practice and dedication, but if you have the necessary qualities, I'm positive that you'll be able to eventually produce some great pieces.
I am on the same level as you are. I mean, my writing is so terrible that even my teacher doesn't understand. She would probably tell me "Do you know what a thesaurus is, because you keep on repeating the same words." (Like I'm doing on this post probably). So, yeah, I don't know how to write like I'm supposed to. One time, my editor asked me to look up the word "Dictionary."
I second the advice of starting with a short story. As an experiment, just think of a simple scenario, and just write it. The important thing is to try and finish it. Just keep at it. If you wish you can then post it here, to get some feedback.
OK I started writing completely unplanned - last February a doodle of a character called Angus grew into a YA length novel. Which has spawned three other novel length stories about his brother Socrates. Next one is about a relationship between Alice in Wonderland and Merlin. I have written a few short stories as well. Tried my hand at flash fiction which is improving but is a skill all of its own. Oh and for fun I am writing a play. I don't personally find writing short stories any more satysfying or more likely to complete a novel for you. I do find them useful for exploring ideas for my novel though and I can put them up to be reviewed without endangering my chances with a publisher. Personally when writing I don't look back until I finish the first draft - I now know the first draft will be rubbish. I could edit my socks off and make it wonderful but to be honest very little of it goes into a final draft. The characters tends to be a little flat (I don't know them very well yet, they don't know each other), the story will be completely out of order and usually has too much magic, sex and talking to dead people as filler lol (I take all that out once I know the story better - sometimes I just find it easier if my fairy Millie comes and zaps my characters where I need them to go in a first draft - she is a great character that never makes it past first draft). My advice is don't look back or you will turn into a pillar of salt
Starting with short stories is an excellent idea. If you've never really done any writing before, starting with a novel is a pretty tall order. If you allow yourself to be overly critical of your in-progress work, you'll never get anything done. You need to just write out the entire story (or novel), and then go back and worry about polishing it. Nobody produces a perfect first draft. I would recommend getting involved in a writing or critique group, either online or in person. One site online that I'm familiar with is CritiqueCircle.com. Not only can you get unbiased feedback about your writing (and suggestions to improve it), but by critiquing the work of others, you'll start to see what works and what doesn't work. Another suggestion is to buy some books on writing and take the time to read them. Writing (well) is a craft that requires practice and dedication--it's not something most people can just automagically start doing right. Some of my favorite writing books: On Writing by Stephen King, Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, and Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott. I hope this helps.
Ernst Hemingway once said, "The first draft of anything is sh!t." The trick is to just write. Write down everything that comes into your head. It doesn't matter if the scenes are out of order or the writing is not your best. Getting everything on paper, where you can see it, is your goal. And remember is easier to delete stuff you don't like than to add stuff later. Once you have all your ideas written down, then make them into a story.
Write notes. I carry a small notebook around just in case I get ideas. Also, one thing that helps me is music. I have a playlist I play when I am writing my current novel (which i have been working on for almost ten years so don't feel bad). The music inspires me.
ditto the start small advice! and most important of all, READ!... read constantly the works of the best writers of the kind of stuff you want to write... not the most popular, but the best... that is how one 'absorbs' what good writing looks/reads/sounds/feels like... it will help you to learn how to write well, if you have the talent and/or the capability to learn the skills that it takes to do so...
I am a huge reader, but I haven't read a lot lately due to college taking up all my time. But I also find that I end up copying a lot of ideas and tools that the writers use without even noticing, and honestly I don't want to do that too much, so I almost feel as if I shouldn't read much novels while I'm trying to accomplish this... am I right in thinking that?
I struggle with my own writing. You can't worry though if it's good enough or not though. Especially if you've only got one chapter of what ever it is down. I want to write a novel. So instead of setting out on that daunting task, I wrote a short story. A complete full short story. Start to finish. You have to work through an entire project. If you don't you won't have a good base for working on a novel. So take your one project, no matter what it is.. and see it through. No matter how bad you think it is. Because from personal experience... Just because something needs work, doesn't mean it's bad.
I don't call myself a great poet, but my poetry took a HUGE step forward after a period being obsessed with Coleridge. I couldn't write anything worthwhile till I had deeply read something worthwhile. Since then it's been a slow climb, writing some, editing, reading when I'm worn thin by writing, writing when that reading starts inspiring me. Think of it like athletics. A young athlete does two things - practices, and watches/listens to experienced athletes & coaches. -Frank edit: Forgot I wanted to comment on this. "I end up copying a lot of ideas and tools that the writers use without even noticing, and honestly I don't want to do that too much" Whyever not?! I guarantee that if you asked the writers you're reading, they'll admit to borrowing tools/ideas from other writers. If you search for something new, you'll only find that which is new TO YOU, and then not know the pitfalls or heights of your "new" thing. Instead, try to either become good enough to make those tools/ideas your own by writing better than your influences. If you insist on doing something new, then find a new audience for an old idea/tool.
The good news is that hating your work becomes second nature! I think the biggest hurdle for first time writers is the fall after the initial rush of enthusiasm - i.e. realising your writing is pants but having the will to continue anyway It would be very strange if you thought your work was amazing because the likelihood of a first timer's writing being great is so very slim.
Judging by your chosen handle, I'm guessing you are a musician? Being a guitar player for more years than I'd like to say, in the world of musicians, being 'influenced' is not only acceptable but is expected. You play and learn the music of someone that you love/enjoy and as part of that exercise, you learn and develop yourself. The point being, you will be influenced and that's ok. You won't become that writer but you will learn from their writing. When reading others writing, don't read it for style. Read it to understand how they made things happen such as developing a unique character voice or how did they move the plot forward. Also, I've written this a few times on this site; don't try to project a style of writing because you think it's cool. That is to say, people want to write in a style because they think its cool. Truthfully, we all want to write in a 'style' so there's nothing wrong with that. I do see that so many people be come enamored with the style that they forget that the story is about people and not setting. Story's are invariably driven by the reader's being engaged in a character and not a writing style. First learn to develop well rounded characters. Then you can add 'style'. As an exercise, write brief, flash fiction type of scenes where there is only one character doing something of a monologue. Make it a very simple scene about doing something mundane as walking to the store. Make observations about what the character is doing/experiencing. Maybe even write via the voice of someone you know like a sibling or parent. As an exercise, it could help understand how to write 'people'. Read Steve Martin's 'Pleasure of My Company'. It is a kind of depressing story but is extraordinarily written with great character development and has those kind of detail that make a character whole. As you see, my point is to get how to write a character first. Get how to write dialogue. How to write the kind of information that makes them a 'person' and not a caricature. If you can't develop people, your story is going nowhere. Also, post what you write on this site. Don't be afraid, this is a great site for advice and reviews. It's helps you know what others do and don't see.
Sounds like a gripping story there Python. I have to agree with your thoughts. Keep writing, even if it doesn't sound good, you will eventually get to a point where you will start writing quality words. Sometimes, writing takes time and with that time many different ideas can spawn in various parts of the day. Good idea to keep a notebook or some medium to write done these ideas that come to mind. You don't want to forget them. Write down your dreams too, could help.
That's what happens to me! While I was working I thought of this vague idea that these two people connected with each other in a dream, but their dream is actually an alternate universe, only a few people have this power and there are these bad guys that are called dream snatchers (or something like that) that want to kill off these people that are interrupting the alternate universe. So obviously that doesn't really go along with the story I'm writing now. But I thought about it for a bit (it was a long shift at work haha) and I changed it so that it can fit into my story later on: like one of my MC is going to have the ability to tap into other people's dreams, but they can't be seen by anyone because the dream snatchers can sense when somebody is actually in the dream or if they're tapping in. So it's a very dangerous power. What I do is just try to tie in that random idea I get by tweaking it to fit the story I'm writing now.
Sorry for the delay in replying: Yes it was intense. Unimaginable. Devastating. It is a story of endurance and mind control.
Exactly! That is where I am getting stuck and it is difficult to move forward every day. Different format?
First of NORMAL human need to have water , its imposable to go three days with out ANY water in your body they can live i they have any in them once they run pout they got three days , how ever it is not unheard of as for six days... but highly rare and this is not the case for you and here is why if you cant move you don't waste as much "fuel in your tank" as such the water did not run out which is why you survived (thats how some people coverd in ruble survive for so long) much like how a camel survives so many weeks with out it your body stored it because you where not moving since you where under ruble with no light/heat it was probably cold means water stays longer you where stuck your body shut down none impront parts less water needed and with no light/heat meant there was no evaporation (well not fast anyways) as such you hard water to burn that being said going to the bathroom and all comes in to effect but the human body (male) can hold bladder for a long period of time but its not heathery plus have you ever tried going to the bathroom when your stuck? its not easy as such you properly did not urinate as much as you would have but man oh man it must of stung i mean we are talking unbarbale pain down there, enough that you might have passed out once or twice (guys imagine getting hit down there with a sludge hammer) girls its pretty close to giving birth (I might be off on this i got not exsprince with this ) Once again sleeping helps you keep energy which is how you can go to bed and not be hungry eight or so hours later but when your awake you start rumbling about 3 or so hours so its possible to go six days its hell but very possible still it takes a LOT of will power as a side note by the sixth day you may be walking but its highly unlikely you where "ok" much like how someone who has a broke bone can still walk on it with out knowing and still what hapeind was you where numb the impact or the long hours made you numb (probably because of so much pain your nevus just overloaded ) so you walked but inside you where dying and im sure you drank all the water in a twenty mile radius I was not there nor can i say for sure thats why you survived I'm not a doctor but i do study health and think I'm quite good at it so if you put something in the book ask a real doctor\recurse (they probely delt with it before) but anyways to your point this might seem kind of cheesy but odds are you reflected in those times\thought of loved ones those can be great for the "real" feeling and they will relived the border of being under ground for six days did your life flash before your eyes? go back and think (if its not to hard) add what you thgout it was six days your mind must have wondered some where
Your theory sounds right. But in a few words this is what I can tell you: I was in a position to sprint when I came out. I was not even willing to go to the hospital. I sipped half a bottle of water after the ordeal. I did not eat anything even the next day. I went through it.. I know. Will power..yes. It was super will power. I have the video footage of my rescue. I was evacuated from a concrete coffin(that is how much space I had) Yes. Mind wandered everywhere. It is a story of mind control and the will to win.
Hi Kitzen, I'm sorry to hear that you've been through such a traumatic experience. Wolfi's comments make sense to me. Haven't we all heard about people whom against all odds survive some remarkable experience or other. You obviously do not have a 'death wish' for if you did I would not be replying to your post now. Speaking as a reader, what I would like to know is what kept you motivated to survive. Do you have children or dependants? -was that your motivation? Do you have an unfulfilled ambition? -was that your motivation? What thoughts went through your head? Did your mind wander off into flytes of fantasy? did you remember the good times? Did the lack of food and water make your thoughts , odd or delusional? When things were getting you down- did you give yourself pep talks (in your head or out loud)? Was it your state of mind e.g. positiveness that proved to be your greatest strength? I maybe wrong but I think that, what was going on inside your head is the key to how you overcome the external situation. When you write your piece try to answer the questions you think people would ask. Hope this helps. You have a unique and intriguing story that a lot of people would be interested in reading. (I know I would) Good luck! Trilby
might be worth reading the likes of Terry Waite etc Also tell more about yourself before and after don't just make it about being buried.
Very true. I agree with your suggestion. In short I can tell you that it was beyond a miracle. Luckily enough I have the video footage of my rescue, and the news articles in most papers.. otherwise none would even believe it... Really none would. No. No family. I had to be alive to rescue them safely. None survived. I was neither scared nor I was tired. I have a very strong mind which went against all odds. Against all odds for days.. and nights. Now regarding the problem in the story : Repetitive thoughts of hunger / waiting / thinking / killing negative thoughts etc.. cannot keep the reader interested for 50-100 pages. That is where I think I need some inputs. I am weaving my thoughts, but would the reader be interested in someone doing the same thing on page 27(day 1) and and then on page 127(day 3)?
