Much of my story has also come from dreams, but in reality, what I've actually used is a tiny fraction of what I've dreamed of. If you counted every single story I've started, you'd have something in the low triple digits. if you count just what has survived more then one or two years, or that was written recently ( <1 year) but has remained fairly strong, you'd have something in the low to mid double digits, (20-40, depending on if you count stories that merged as one as a while, or each one on their own. This doesn't include any of the 200+ Identification Databases (written blueprints) whose background sections often become stories in their own right.) All I can say is think about it. Look at the idea, see how long you can keep writing on that idea. If you run out of steam very fast, it probably isn't going to be worth trying to keep alive. That being said, that isn't a reason to ditch it entirely- I keep all my story ideas, weather they be dead or alive, and I've often rifled through the pages and found something I wrote years ago that works perfectly into my plot. (Even now, the original Project One Man War still offers up its depths of unwritten storyline to the revised version. I don't 'write' stories, I discover the words. The original OMW bears little resemblance to the current version, yet I can look back on the pencil-smeared pages and see what happens next, what happened before, what might happen.)
Try keeping a notebook with you and when you have a few minutes (waiting at the doctors office or on a lunch break) scribble down the scene that has most recently been playing in your mind/dreams. Later you can type it up but it will be much easier (and take less time) with written notes. If you keep doing that eventually you have enough plot points to start really constructing a story.
I think that's something most writers struggle with to some extent. Jhunters advice about outlining is actually a really good advice. Plus always keep a notebook close to the bed so you can write things down that comes to mind when you're about to fall asleep or when you wake up and had a vivid dream that you want to make sure not to forget.
Live more. Your dreams provide an alternate reality which allows you to experience things which you would otherwise avoid, miss, or not encounter in real life. For example, if I dream about being mauled by a bear, and I remember it when I wake up (an important point), then I might be better suited to write about a bear attack then someone who has never dreamed the same or even thought of the same although I've never been attacked by a bear. Ultimately, the more you think about something, the more you'll have to say about it. I refer to this as 'incubation'. Your mind will work on problems even when you're not thinking about them, allow it to do so by simply relaxing and focusing on other things. It seems that you're lacking the discriptions you require to communicate your thoughts, which means that you need to get closer to what your imagining in any possible way. An author in a movie stood at the top of a building with her hands stretched out over the edge, after a few minutes she jumped. She jerked violently, and then woke up at her office desk. Her assistant walked in and asked, "what are you doing?", the author replied, "I was imagining what it's like to jump off buildings." For you to write about anything you have not directly experienced requires that you possess a strong imagination to begin with and then a great control of the language. It's not easy, and it makes sense that you're struggling with it. Sometimes the words work at their own pace, as a writer, a good one, you can only wait for them.
I've found that it's not always the 'idea' of a story that's difficult to come up with. It's deciding on your writing style and being consistant with it. Maybe you should decide on a style of writing that you have seen that has inspired you and use it to motivate yourself.
we all get excited when we have the urge or an idea to start writing a story. what things do you look forward to when you start compiling/creating a story?
Cacian, I enjoy the 'what ifs'. I think they are fun. Also, when you sit down to write a scene and unexpected ideas or characters come to mind. It's as though something takes over for a while and you know that is the way to take the story. Although, it usually means some rewriting is needed. The whole process really. Except for working out timelines (that is a tedious task) and the blank spaces. You know the ones where you need to go in a certain direction but inspiration has taken a holiday.
the entire story haha! but sometimes i write bits faster than other bits such as fighting scenes and certain talking scenes so i guess they're my favs
that is something one can focus one first because younejoy them the most. I think maybe concentrating on the 'what ifs' and perfecting them then expend from that. It is always easier to focus and grow with the favourite, then move on to the easy then to the less easy, it makes writing easier. it sounds like you would do even better at writing plays first.
I particularly like coming up with characters, I prefer characters that are both good and bad in their own way. I also enjoy coming up with the settings and the Antagonists, I've come up with some pretty evil beings from my Energi Mind to the High Ascendants of Osuna. It's fun to be evil. I also enjoy character relationships, one thing that makes it writinh fun is the conversations between characters. Some can be pure genius.
i enjoy the writing, period!... all of it... but i don't consciously 'look forward' to doing it, i simpy do it... as writing is what i do full time, there's no 'looking forward' involved...
I am looking forward to uncovering the dark sides of my brain. When I write, all kinds of unexpected verbiage come out of my head. Well, I like re-reading this some days later, because it almost never looks like something I wrote, rather something written out of unknown.
I don't just write i try and look at all the different possibilities. The 'what ifs' people are taking about. I like creating my characters best, i like working with a plot, i enjoy doing research (probably more than i should) The first blank page when you come to start the first chapter. Twists in my work that will shock people, the frightening and suspenseful moments, but most importantly the Relationships my characters create with one another. But i HATE editing with a Passion
For me, its the creation process that I love. Creating characters, building worlds, and having a story come to life in my mind is the best part. The actual writing I hate (probably why I've never completed any projects).
I guess I'm different from a lot of you. I love rewriting my paragraphs until I think they're beautiful. I want to be able to read my work aloud and love it. I love my stories, of course, and my characters, but I get a charge out of writing a beautiful paragraph. I get a charge out of being able to use language to manipulate the mood of my readers. I want my words to sing. That's what I look forward to in writing.
I love going back & re-reading what I've done and be like, "Dang. I'm a genius!" (But that's just me, I'm conceited like that.) It allows me to enjoy a good story. I don't find books a lot that I like, because I have such distinct, unique taste in literature. Reading & writing it. I will sit and re-write the same chapter & spend 30 minutes to an hour on it. I am the same way.
I second that! Nothing beats a good night of re-writing. But it seems I always look forward to the conversations between characters. I find they run smoothly for me.
The end. I love it when I come to the end of whatever I have writtern and it's just complete. The overall piece feels like a glimpse into something and everything feels solid. By the time I actually start writing I've relived the scene in my head so many times from so many different perspectives that when it's finally down on the screen and brought to life I feel peace.
@minstrel you sound you have the nack for editing. Not many writer like to go over and over something they wrote because it is draining at times. May be a position of editor for you would be ideal.
I just look forward to my imagination comming back at the moment, because I'm completely "dry"... Well, usually, I look forward to writing everything in my novel, because everything is important and so everything is enjoyable to write and read, in my opinion!
try poetry for a bit..even if it is random..you should get you words/imagination but trying it different style of writing like plays/speeches/letters/shor scripts/interviews/braisntorming topics/ideas...
