Hello, I've battled, and still am, with the urge to write but my lack of confidence and the inability to concentrate on one thing for more than 2 weeks always stops me dead. I can single write scenes quite well but I can't seem to do anything with a story line; beginning and end. I'm currently reading 'The anatomy of Story: 22 steps to becoming a master story teller' by John Truby. I'm on the 4th chapter I think and it's getting rather complicated - slash boring (plus my concentration levels are low with this book). I love writing. But I wish the research and building of characters, world, plot, theme etc was a tad quicker/easier* (*delete as appropriate). Anyway, hello everyone! Z
Welcome sir. Rule#1 You have to write, a lot. Sure their are more rules, but that is the main one you need to work on. Good luck, and hit the keys.
Just realised I joined here Jan 2016 and I've only just posted my first post! See what I mean about concentration span!!
totally understand, i'm a little adhd, very hard for me to concentrate on building my novel- i'm very good at the beginning and end, but can't ever seem to write the middle- but still holding out hope!!
Fellow London resident here, hello! Personally, I love developing the world and characters, it's getting past the middle and creating a full-length novel I have trouble with, doesn't help that I'm my own worst critic XD. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Write-Novel-Mistakes-avoid-Costs-Ever-Published/0141038543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499593581&sr=8-1&keywords=how+not+to+write+a+novel This book is sarcastic as heck and definitely nowhere near as dry as some textbooks.
Hello and welcome to the forum, I was born and raised in London but am now living far far away. From everything I have read and researched about writing I think I can safely say that everyone does it in a very personal way. Some start with structure, some with energy and some with 3 trillion post it notes with one liners on them. My advice is, f you tend to the short burst / post it note end of the scale then that's fine. Just write MORE in this way. Write just 1000 words every day. If you can manage 2 or more that's even better. The important point is that you do it every day. It doesn't all have to be related. Each day can be a piece of writing about a completely different idea or inspiration. Just keep at it 1k+ words every day. Bang, bang, bang. Once you have developed this habit you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll generate a base from which to build your story/book. The bigger picture will begin to gel and then you should be able to slowly focus in. Just 1k+ EVERY day. This is NOT the way I do it myself. I am a thoughtful strategist that lays everything out in detail before I start on the story proper. The point is that's just me and I'm not you. Furthermore, I haven't finished any books yet either.
Charles, I've started so many stories & scripts it's crazy. I can't plan and strategise like you because I get bored of the planning. If I can try and pinpoint my basic structure, I.e. What is the main characters issue / what's holding him back from life, where does he end up at the end of the book and what is he after, what's his goal then I can wing the rest (this is a new technique I've learned through reading a couple of writing books so late - I just took some great pointers from them and mounded it into my style of writing). I don't write every day, as I like to do other things also (photography and sketching) - my sever lack of concentration disallows me to solely stick to one interest. Many thanks for your reply! I'm currently writing the 2nd episode of a web series I'm writing for my blog, whilst also working on my first novella. I am DETERMINED to see both through to the end, even if they end really bad and turn out awfully. At least I can say I've finished something and then start something new with a fresh blueprint.
