I have this problem when I try to write, I worry I'm starting wrong or if I don't start at the beginning...well I don't even know what I think might happen... Anyway, does anyone have any advice on how to get around this?
I'm similar in that I can't start a story unless I start from the beginning. I don't think it's so terrible. However, I did go through a phase where I would second guess everything and then I'd get nothing written. I'd revise a sentence countless times and still it wouldn't seem right to me. Finally I realized that it didn't matter. All I needed to to was write, write, write. You can always go back and revise if you don't like the beginning. You can change it entirely. But it's always good to keep writing and look over it later.
Well, I guess I have a problem with thinking what other people will think about my writing. Plus I feel pressure to write in the correct order and in a set way.
Ah, understood. 1) What other people think Contrary to what might sound like the expected answer, it does matter what other people think, but not in the way that we normally think about the question. The end result is that one day someone is willing to lay down money for what each of us has written, right? For them to do this, they have to make a choice: Do I like this book more than I like my $7.99? The person making this choice, well, their opinion matters at that decisive moment as they juggle going to the cash register to pay for your book or instead going to the food court and getting some chili cheese fries. 2) Writing in a correct order or set way. Poppycock!!! No such thing!! My process is my process and while it may be similar to many other people's process, I have zero expectation that all people will follow my process. I pray they don't! Seriously. How boring if it was all the same. Have I made sense or have I confused the matter?
As to thinking about the audience--I take Kurt Vonnegut's advice and write to just one person. He wrote for his sister, I write for my wife. Whether anyone else will like it, I am just now getting to that point--so time will tell. As to process, I agree with the earlier posts: do what works for you. I tend to do better if I am well organized and start from the beginning, but ideas don't often start from the beginning. I might get an idea of a middle or an ending and try to sculpt the story around it. But when it comes time to write, I start at the beginning. I have met writers who will write the ending first and then figure out how the characters got there to come up with the rest.
audra|june , Just go ahead and start where you think it might be the correct spot in the action or story. Finish the first draft. Once it's complete, go back and reevaluate the beginning. If you never start, and fret over the beginning, you'll never get to the end. Good luck! Terry
I say write for yourself. I don't write for other people's reactions, but for personal therapy or understanding, to get something out that's in my head to help myself. But, as another member stated, you could write for one other person. Me, personally, I don't have anyone else to write for, really, besides my parents, and frankly what I write just makes them worry about my mental state more than anything. All things aside, your work will find an audience, but don't worry about it while writing it. Also, don't be so concerned with format. Write reasonably well-formatted, but don't be overly concerned with it over the content. I always think of this poem written by Charles Bukowski: "As the spirit wanes, the form appears".
E.E. Cummings didn't write in a set way, and he wouldn't want you to write his name like that. It goes like this: e.e. cummings. Check this shiznit out yo: Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town by E.E. Cummings. (It's a love story between "anyone" and "noone") anyone lived in a pretty how town (with up so floating many bells down) spring summer autumn winter he sang his didn't he danced his did Women and men(both little and small) cared for anyone not at all they sowed their isn't they reaped their same sun moon stars rain children guessed(but only a few and down they forgot as up they grew autumn winter spring summer) that noone loved him more by more when by now and tree by leaf she laughed his joy she cried his grief bird by snow and stir by still anyone's any was all to her someones married their everyones laughed their cryings and did their dance (sleep wake hope and then)they said their nevers they slept their dream stars rain sun moon (and only the snow can begin to explain how children are apt to forget to remember with up so floating many bells down) one day anyone died i guess (and noone stooped to kiss his face) busy folk buried them side by side little by little and was by was all by all and deep by deep and more by more they dream their sleep noone and anyone earth by april wish by spirit and if by yes. Women and men(both dong and ding) summer autumn winter spring reaped their sowing and went their came sun moon stars rain And this, this is even better. She Being Brand New by the same. (This is about having sex with a virgin.) she being Brand -new;and you know consequently a little stiff i was careful of her and(having thoroughly oiled the universal joint tested my gas felt of her radiator made sure her springs were O. K.)i went right to it flooded-the-carburetor cranked her up,slipped the clutch(and then somehow got into reverse she kicked what the hell)next minute i was back in neutral tried and again slo-wly;bare,ly nudg. ing(my lev-er Right- oh and her gears being in A 1 shape passed from low through second-in-to-high like greasedlightning)just as we turned the corner of Divinity avenue i touched the accelerator and give her the juice,good (it was the first ride and believe i we was happy to see how nice she acted right up to the last minute coming back down by the Public Gardens i slammed on the internalexpanding & externalcontracting brakes Bothatonce and brought allofher tremB -ling to a:dead. stand- ;Still) Now. Are you still convinced people will judge you if you choose to write in a strange or unconventional way? Even your greatest weaknesses as a writer well help, when challenged, to make you a better writer. Expect nothing but enter in to it as something you hold dear. In time you will see your future grow towards it or change towards something else.
