The beginning paragraphs are so important to the finished book that you may want to hold off until the rest of the story is shaping up. You'll probably rework it a few times anyway to get it just right, as a finishing touch
To offer a voice of dissension, skipping around is okay at times, but try not to make a habit of it. You could fall prey to writing all the interesting, easy parts and leaving all the "boring," difficult parts for later, which will definitely not help the writing process. Or, even worse, you could end up with a patchwork story you have to try to stitch together, full of plotholes because you wrote everything out of order. Sometimes you can only just brace yourself and force yourself through the hard parts. You're going to have to write those first lines sometime anyway. --from one of those people who HAS to write the whole thing in order
First, I agree with Tehuti, in the sense that it's better to avoid skipping around if you can. Unless you have a really good outline. Second, if you are stuck at the first line, then maybe you are starting in the wrong spot? Further, nobody ever said the first line had to be right the first time. Just write something. For instance, I had a similar problem with my most current project... so I just wrote something I didn't like, and ended up with two thousand words that were at least decent on the whole.
writer's block As always, I'm stuck at the third chapter. Now that I've written the first two chapters, I don't know how to go on with the story. It's not that I don't have ideas...it's that I have too many and I don't know how to put them together into a story which makes sense. I've started writing a sci-fi war story and now it has turned into a spy story. I'm so confused!
Have you tried writing an outline? That could help... A story which makes sense? What exactly are you referring to? A story that flows well? Easy to read???
Yeah, I would really do an outline. And stay open to possibilities. Lets say there are two different ways you could go in chapter three. Write an outline that would go each way. Each time you find that more than one thing can happen, make an outline and see which path works the best. I could be a writing dichotomous key...possibly splitting off more than twice every time...
I'd say both, that flows well and it's easy to read, but also a story that doesn't leave the reader asking himself "what is this writer writing? (story-wise) this doesn't make sense!". I'd like to avoid leaving behind this kinda questions as much as possible. Unluckily, I'm not really good when it comes down to judging my own work and when I read it aloud to my mom, she said: "You're writing's very good, but I couldn't follow the story." It didn't really came as a shock since my mom's kinda bad with sci-fi/spy stories in general, since she's a little, well, let's say absent-minded, so when it comes down to following flash-backs and flash-forwards she just gives up halfway through. But it had me thinking about the way I write. Anyway, thank you both. I'll try writing an outline and maybe I'm going to post it here to see if it works. Oh, two more things my mom pointed out that had me thinking are that she maintains that I write too much action and dialogue, too dry and short descriptions and almost no feelings at all. This is kinda troublesome, since I pretty much hate lenghty descriptions and I'm no good when it comes down to describe feelings. Should I stick to my own way of writing or should I try to put in more descriptions and feelings?
My advice, for what it's worth, is to just write without over-analysing where you're going. Let the characters and initial plotlines suggest options from the action and their consequences; how your characters react to what is happening. From my experience, if you worry too much about every twist and turn, you'll end up like a ball of twine, generally stuck in a dark drawer. Write and let it happen as it happens. Enjoy the process and worry about it later. In my opinion there's no better way to learn.
Be open to possibilities and make several outlines. Looks like it'll be funnier than trying to write all down in a single draft. Okay, I'll buy another one or two notebooks and give it a try, then I'll choose what works best and I'll assemble it pretty much like a director does after shooting a movie. Thanks for the advice. I think I can at least try to go on now.
Some people find it best to write an outline and try to follow that, while others feel this holds them back. The later tend to simply write and let the story work itself out. You need to find which method is best for you. The best way to do this is trial and error. I also encourage you to continue to get feedback from your family, friends, and perhaps this forum. The best way to see where you can improve is to have others tell you. Good luck.
I hate being stuck on what to write next - and how to go about writing it. I guess knowing beforehand where the story is going will be useful, but I try not to write an outline or summary that's too specific because I'll end up changing it around completely and have to write a new outline, which defeats the idea of an outline.
I can see not having an outline, but a general theme seems like a must in a traditional narrative. If not the story's just going to float around and not be about anything. I can think of several authors who do that, but they aren't for me. I believe that writer's block can be defeated if you stick to your theme.
Okay I still can't write. I have writer's block. There is probably a thread or two about this topic already. II can't just begin writing right now. I don't know why but it feels like I'm thinking too much or another reason. Should I just write or do some prompts? I don't want this to keep holding me back as it does for some writers.
here is i idea, i tried it it is perfect for breaking the writers block. i don't know if it's because it give that physical effect, idon't knw. but any how, take your ideas and write them down on different pieces of paper, get a gallon sized baggy and stick it into the freezer when the ice gets like crunchy frozen where there is still water in the bag and you can break it just by the touch. Place your ideas in the bag and let it freeze the rest of the way. once frozen, take the bag out side, throw the bag as hard as you can to the ground, when it breaks your writers block should be gone. then you go in house and sit down and see if you can write anything. i hope this works for you. it works for me everytime.
I have come to 4/5 of my book (started January 2007) and I've been stuck for 2 weeks wondering if it's good, if it's well written, if the characters are believable enough, if the whole project is worthwhile... In almost 2 years I went through many problems and crises but this one seems to be worse than everything I've experienced so far... What do you think it's happening?? Any suggestions on how to proceed?
If you want to proceed, then do so. Stow these questioning thoughts until you've finished the first draft, then you can unleash your inner critic. I know from experience that critiquing while writing the draft makes for slow progress; I've even been stuck for several months because of that, and I just recently got over that block. Besides, you'll never know if it's worth the effort unless you actually get it written, will you? I was in much the same boat as you just a few weeks ago. I had this story I had been writing since... 2006, 2005, can't be sure of the date...I had gotten quite a lot done and was nearly finished when I realized that I had been going about it completely the wrong way. Almost all of my chapters were gigantic pieces of text with few breaks, and none of the chapters flowed with the others. I realized that I needed to do a complete rewrite. Disappointing, but I was fine for a while until that inner critic got to me again. "What's the point? You'll just have to rewrite it again." "You know what happens in the story, so why bother?" Things like that. It was enough to stop me dead for several months. I eventually got over it. How? I finally had enough and told Mr. Critic to just shut up until I needed him. It worked. He hasn't quieted completely, which is good for preventing me from making another mistake like before, but it isn't slowing down my progress all that much either. Basically, I ignored his criticism and continued on working. Get it under control now, or as quickly as you can. The longer you go without writing, the worse your writing will be once you get back into the practice, and the more easily you will be discouraged again.
I don't think there is a writer out there who hasn't experienced what you are talking about. I think the best thing to do though, is right down all your ideas down as they come. If you see anything wrong with it later you can fix it then, but if not you'll most likely just forget what you wanted to write, and then you will never know if it was what you wanted or not. It's worth continuing to find out.
You might just be scared of getting the climax/ending wrong, after all the building up to this point. What if the ultimate result of all that hard work is a big failure? I notice that, now that I'm nearing the climax of my own (very long) serial, I keep stalling as well. I worry that the main point of the entire story, after all the work I've put into the rest of it, might fall flat or not be "impressive" enough. The only advice I have is to just keep working on it and see how it goes. Maybe you can fix it if it doesn't turn out right. *shrug*
In teaching there is the concept of the medial summery. This step is a reflection of that which was covered, with the intention of creating an effective ending to the lesson. I think this technique might also be helpful for you. In other words, take a break, but have a plan for reviewing you draft. Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of where you came from and your ultimate goal.
