1. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    I'm New - Say Hello To Me :)

    Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Ariella Bear, Apr 20, 2016.

    Hi everyone, my name is Ariella Bear and I love to write! My goal is to one day become a best selling author. I am in the process of developing a couple of ideas into stories, but never seem to get past the first few 100 words or so. I am going to change that though! Joining this site was just the first step. I have a question - what is your way of over coming writers block?
     
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  2. Wayjor Frippery

    Wayjor Frippery Contributor Contributor

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    Hello, Ariella!

    Welcome to the forum. It's a good place, full of odd but helpful people. :)

    By writing.

    I'm not being flippant. Just write. Anything. There is no other way.

    See you around!
     
  3. Mocheo Timo

    Mocheo Timo Senior Member

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    Welcome Ariella!
    Your particular question, like others you may have, are shared by many aspired writers in this forum.
    I can't give you sufficient advice as to writer's block.
    But the people who shared on this sure can:

    https://www.writingforums.org/threads/writers-block.15171/

    Have a look around the forum. There's lots of other interesting things and a bunch of crazy people.
    Enjoy your stay. ;)
     
  4. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    Welcome to the madhouse! @Mocheo Timo is correct. :p:p
    I find you just need to get that one point where you're really motivated, full of ideas and energized. And then just bash the fuck out of your keys. As much as possible. Anything good comes to mind, write it. Then fiddle more later, when you're editing. And if you have good ideas and aren't writing it down in full form; takes notes. For example; if you come up with a nice quote, write it down. Otherwise you will forget it. And write out plans for your structure. That and note taking can sometimes cause brain sparks as you copy it down from your head. Hope this helps. I feel you. Cheers!
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  5. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    Hi.
    Welcome.
    We've all been there.
    Make a plan for the story with all the major plot points listed. Find a character who needs something and push them into the story. Then pants your way from plot point to plot point.

    Perhaps that's too simple (your question really is a big one). My advice is to read a lot, especially books on writing (see my sig for my constant recommendations) and dissect novels to see their structure and techniques. It helps if you have someone else who's doing it too and you can hash out your findings over coffee. But if you don't have that, you can always ask questions and make observations here on this forum.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  6. BruceA

    BruceA Active Member

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    h
    Hi, and welcome. Wayjor has just saved you a lot of money! No need to waste time and money reading "how to" books. Read other books, though, and short stories too. Read and vote in the Flash Fiction and Short Story competitions, and have a go yourself. The trick is to keep on wtiting (past the 100 word mark). Even if it is crap. You can make it better when you edit it (and keep editing it). But first you need to finish it. Look forward to reading your work :)
     
  7. KaTrian

    KaTrian A foolish little beast. Contributor

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    Hello! Welcome to the forum. :)

    Here's our New Member Quick Start Guide to get you started around here. What is your current story about? :)

    See you!
    -Kat
     
  8. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    Basically, when it comes to writing, my approach is harness my chaos with a little bit of order.
     
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  9. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    I have a couple of stories happening at the moment. Mostly they are Castaway adventures and who-dunnits :)
     
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  10. RavenHeart

    RavenHeart Member

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    I would have to agree that the best ways to over come writers block is to write and to read. I know it's not easy to do and it sounds a bit like Dory in Finding Nemo ("Just keep swimming, just keep swimming") but that's the advice Stephen King gives in his book "On Writing" and it so far it seems to be working for me too (not that I'm a best selling novelist... yet!!). It seems its just a case of keep throwing words at the page and hoping something sticks.

    Are you looking a writing a novel or something shorter? Just wondering, if you're looking to turn your stories in to novels, whether starting with short stories or flash fiction might be a good way to take the pressure off and get past the block. I found that just being able to get something finished, even if its short, gave me more confidence to try bigger projects.

    Good luck x
     
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  11. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

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    Hunter Thompson avoided it by taking something that somebody else had written and typing that out on his typewriter. At some point, the block would go away and he could write his own stuff.
     
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  12. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    I am sorry I don't do requests. :p

    Hi.

    Put on some tunes and wait for inspiration to hit you like ton of bricks. Works for me. Or hang out on the forum long enough, and I am sure something will spark your creativity. Good Luck :p
     
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  13. Brindy

    Brindy Senior Member

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    Hi Ariella, welcome.

    I find having a rough full story outline allows me to dip into a future part of the story if I am stuck at a point, so I can jot a few thoughts for later on, and often it gets me back on track. I actually had a big issue over a certain part of my story one time and spent three or four weeks trying to get past it. When I sat back and re-assessed the situation, I decided I really didn't need it in the story at all and got past it in a paragraph. I had wanted this bit in since day one and suddenly, it wasn't necessary and the rest of the story began to flow again.

    Enjoy your writing.
     
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  14. zoupskim

    zoupskim Contributor Contributor

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    Welcome to the Forum! You will find so many wonderful people here, and a lot of good advice.

    Just force yourself to write! It's easy to be creative, but a bunch of random ideas aren't a book. You have to flesh one out, and be disciplined enough to stick with it. You have to work hard!
     
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  15. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    That's something I have not thought about. I do want to write novels however writing short stories may increase my confidence. Thanks RavenHeart
     
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  16. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    Interesting! Thanks :)
     
  17. Lilith Addington

    Lilith Addington Member

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    Hi!
    Writer's block is tough. I agree with the others that the best way to get past it is to....well, write. NaNoWriMo really helped me - my novel from NaNo (which I am actually still working on) is currently around 60,000 words, whereas my previous highest wordcount was only around 7,000. Stick with it! :) Set yourself some goals, and maybe start a progress journal on here. I've found that to be really helpful too.
    I hope you post some of your writing on here along the way, I'd love to read some of it!
    Good luck, and see you around the forums! :D
     
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  18. TimeLadyLexiWrites

    TimeLadyLexiWrites New Member

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    HI, I like potato. I am a fellow newbie too.
     
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  19. DeadMoon

    DeadMoon The light side of the dark side Contributor

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    Welcome aboard!
     
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  20. ace.1991

    ace.1991 Member

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    Hello *waves awkwardly from the back of the room.*

    I find I have a similar issue after I get the first 500 words done. so as far as getting passed writers block; if you figure it out, please let me know ;)
     
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  21. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    Look for new ideas in everything you experience.
    You see a people crossing a road... ask yourself what would happen if a dog knocked one of them down in the middle of the street. Play with that image.
    Move onto something else.
    Something will eventually show up to inspire you.
     
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  22. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    Thanks Lilith! 60,000 that's awesome! What's your novel about?
     
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  23. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    Sweet potato or normal potato? ;)
     
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  24. Oscar Leigh

    Oscar Leigh Contributor Contributor

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    Thanks for the follow! Seeing as I can't comment on your profile.:bigmeh:
     
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  25. Ariella Bear

    Ariella Bear Member

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    Hmmm I wonder why. I'll see if I can change that.
     
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