I've been at points like this too, not at 35k words, considering I've never written that much ever, but getting stuck and not wanting to continue can be really hard. I just say try to read over your stuff, fix what you think is confusing and try to proceed. If that doesn't work, stop it for a while and then go back later and see if a new idea is sparked. I hope I helped Z
I think I figured out a major problem. My book is told from 4 different viewpoints, all ongoing different stories. This I guess is why it's getting confusing. But I like having different viewpoints. I may consolidate them to just 3.
Glass of wine + brainstorming session dont think just write words. This always helps me as its a bit naughty but its still work! the words seem to come from nowhere then ideas come up, then another glass of wine, then im flying! Though i do not condone the use of alcohol whilst operating machinery (computer) it really does work for me..its like chillin whist doing something i love (drinking...just kidding writing) x
I love stories written like this, but I do understand that they are extremely difficult to write. Yes, I think bringing it down to three might make it easier, and also maybe sit down and sketch / map out the story from each person's perspective? It's easier to write when you know exactly where your destination is, in my opinion.
Promise yourself one more sentence. Maybe it will turn out into one more paragraph, then possibly one more page. And so on.
I also know a good writer who the second he gets stuck on one story starts to work on another one. he has multiple projects going but he swears it works great when he comes to dead ends on certain stories try it out perhaps
I am crawling along with my short story and it is getting worse. I know where I am going with it but it is taking so long just to get anything on paper. I had to switch gears and come up with a little story but I figure that is better since it is asking a lot to read so much and many people don't have much time on their hands. Hopefully, I will have it ready by the end of this month. I guess I am just whinning a bit because it is taking so long. Getting frustrated with myself cause it is taking too much time.
Don't worry, it happens to many. Sometimes it takes a really long time just to write a small amount. Not everyone's writing just flows out It's happening to me right now. I've been working on something for 2 years, but only have around 25k words. Just have more patience with yourself.
I can't really tell without seeing some of your writing myself, and yes, it sometimes takes a long time. But if you're short story is under 5000 words... And I don't want to come off sounding rude, but I can put this no more delicately: Suck it up. Get your butt off the internet forums, and write. Sorry if that seems a little harsh. But really. Stop making excuses. If you are making excuses, I mean. I can't really tell without seeing your writing. But yeah.
I have a rough draft right now and I will not be able to put it out for review until I can get one or two more reviews done. Right now, I am helping my daughter with her homework.
Well...writing, like anything you work at really hard, isn't supposed to be easy or quick. Even if it tends to come easily to somebody (like me--I'm not saying I'm good, just that I normally don't struggle with it), it still takes a lot of time and patience to finish things. If it were quick and easy, then anybody and everybody could do it. *shrug* Finishing things, no matter how long it takes, is the key, and what separates writers from non-writers. So keep on plugging along. Most of us get that feeling at times.
I have no idea how old you are or where you live, but I suppose it'd be just as useful no matter what if you can take a creative writing class. I always do better in writing while in a creative writing class, both during and after class. It's also a great way to get new ideas if your teacher gives you assignments. For instance, yesterday she told us to use a particular line (someone saying, "thank you, it's just what I hoped for.") and after writing for a few minutes without knowing where I was going, I got the beginning for another possible short story. Other than that, you'll just have to wade through the slow times. It happens to everyone, and it always goes away eventually.
If it were easy everybody would do it. There are valleys and peaks in every activity. You'll be fine, just keep on moving. Good luck.
I suggest you write till you finish. Once you are done proofread your work and see where you can improve. This is all I can suggest. Writing takes practice so just keep at it and you will be fine.
Have a pretend interview with Oprah. O: "Now how did you write this book? It's so complex!" Me: "Oh, it was really frustrating at times. I found that converging the two main plot lines complicated the integrity of my two main POVs and it was very hard to sort them out in my head." O: "Why yes, that was such a suspenseful scene!" Me: "Yes, well Polly had a choice to make, and Drew was being such a complete whiner that I completely cut him from the last chapter." O: "I never saw that truck coming!" Me: "Yeah, I was getting tired of him. Enter 16 wheeler with a drunk driver-" O: "What a great statement about the importance of highway safety!" Me: "Can you stop talking for like five seconds? Anyway, he was annoying me so I had the driver come in to symbolize Polly's final revenge." O: "Can I talk now?" Me: "Sure." O: "I just want to say that I was completely blown away by this book, and I'm so glad you agreed to have it on our book club list... Really, that giant truck was completely amazing... I never thought there would be cars in space... especially after you introduced the flaming dragons of hell." Me: "Well, yes, that's why I'm the literary genius and you have a talk show."
Is this just a phase I'm going through? My writing technique up until two or three years ago was to write down what came out of my head. I'd get my story done then forget about it. I'd go back to it a month or so later and show it off but it would be an unpolished mess. Now I can't even write. I spend most of my creative time planning stories out in excruciating detail, but I'm never happy with what I write when I get round to it - if I get round to it.
I actually do the same thing write everything in my head out on paper. Though I don't forget about it I kinda become obsessed with it and want to finish it badly. Well my question would be: What does it feel like to you? Have you lost inspiration? Does this feel like a phase to you? Has there been something stopping you from writing? Sorry if I'm not very helpful.
I'm definatly not out of inspiration as I'm always full of ideas. One thing I do a lot is make a story up on the spot to entertain my girlfriend of my son in the good old fashioned oral style. If it is a phase then it's an annoyingly long one.
Well, this happens to most people at sometime or other even if it's not to do with writing. I am currently going through that 'phase' that's partially the reason I joined the forum, and I'm starting to write again (although barely) but most people I hear of eventually come out the other side. I realise that that wasn't very helpful so my advice would be to get give an assignment type thing, have someone help you develop an interesting storyline and get given a time to complete it and possibly get them to effectively force you to write. Now I doubt you'll get satisfied with it as you haven't had completely free reign, but if you do this several times and with a strong will you might get back on track.
I'm finding more and more you're like me. I am never ever out of ideas either. I'm like an idea machine coughing out ideas 24/7. Could this be by any chance, idea block up?
Do you mean where I have so many ideas that I'm constantly re-starting my stories? I've always been like that. When I was writing more than I do now I'd have three or four stories on the go. Now I seem to focus more on just planning my stories. I can't get past that stage.
No. This is different idea blockage. You have good ideas and you want to work on them, but of course their are other ideas in your head. So instead you write down your ideas or tell people your ideas, but never get on writing them. And the next day you have a new idea and repeat the process.
