Struggling Writers discussion
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Heather Farthing
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The hardest part about writing a story
Heather I feel your pain. I've started & stopped so many times. Right now I'm writing for a class and I want to give up! I think for me it's finishing as well. I do exactly what you're doing. My perfectionism gets in the way, and I put way more pressure on myself than is necessary. I'm thinking about taking a step back and allowing myself to breath a bit.
Yup, then I get bored, and start a new story. It's why I like short stories so much. They're my favorite of Stephen King's works, and with a single good idea, I can crank one out in an afternoon and have it on Amazon by the morning. My concept is better than my execution often, though.
Me too! I get bored or I end up not liking the story so I shuck it. I don't write short stories... everything has to be a novel LOL I just found out I have AD/HD so the boredom thing probably relates to that? I took this class to discipline myself but it moves at such a breakneck pace and I'm making my stuff up as I go along. I don't want to quit I just want it to slow down :-(
I'm not a short story reader for some reason. But, hey maybe short stories are your niche' you know? I mean just go with how you're feeling. At least you've accomplished a short story :-D
Try writing a short story once in awhile. It'll help you pace yourself. Sometimes I get ideas that really don't need to be 200 pages long, and often the characters aren't named.
won an award.
I'm also terrible at writing descriptions of my own stories. I'm great at describing them, just not at writing a blurb that makes people want to read it without giving too much away.
Hello, I'm new here but I can relate a little here. I have a bunch of unfinished stories. I know what the end would look like and the start is okay too. I just get stuck in the middle.
Kolapo wrote: "Hello, I'm new here but I can relate a little here. I have a bunch of unfinished stories. I know what the end would look like and the start is okay too. I just get stuck in the middle."A famous author once told me a book has a beginning, a muddle, and an end! It took me a while to figure out what he meant...The middle of the story is always the hardest bit of the book to write, keeping track of the plot twists and turns, just like knitting!
I just tried to rework and edit a short story that was years and years old. Every time I sat down to write, the story kept expanding and expanding out of control. This went on for like four weeks...I got really frustrated and finally got some advice to abandon it and move on. When I did this I initially felt completely blocked and couldn't write much of anything. I kept feeling guilty about not finishing the short story. After a day or two I started to find my groove again on a different story. It was mentally grueling for awhile.
For me, the hardest part is trying to find an original idea that is interesting enough to keep me dedicated. Then it becomes even harder when I start criticizing myself over certain aspects of the concept to the point where I just decide to scrap the whole thing!
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My Amazon reviews don't help, either. I feel like 99 cents is a bit too much, but I can't drop them lower. People buy them and don't realize they're short stories and feel jipped. Often they like them, they're just...short.
I've had writers block on a major project, but I think I'm getting it together. It's an idea I've had knocking around since 2007 or so, and it didn't get off the ground until recently. Then, BOOM. I understood the plot, the characters, and everything that wasn't working with the original version. Tying it all together is just stressing out a bit. I had hoped to have it finished in time to enter it in Amazon's breathrough novel award. We'll see.
Heather wrote: "I've had writers block on a major project, but I think I'm getting it together. It's an idea I've had knocking around since 2007 or so, and it didn't get off the ground until recently. Then, BO..."
I bought a hypnosis recording to avoid writers block, but so far I haven't used it as I haven't been blocked by writing, just a lack of time!
I'm kind of suffering some writer's block right now because I'm trying to come up with a new story idea to prep myself for NaNoWriMo. When I used to write, I would just shoot from the hip...but for the one story I actually published, I actually spent a good month just planning out characters and figuring out the beginning, climax and end of the story. I didn't start until I had all of those things. Once I did, I was able to write and let the little "blank" spaces that I haven't planned just fill themselves out :)
Jessica wrote: "I'm kind of suffering some writer's block right now because I'm trying to come up with a new story idea to prep myself for NaNoWriMo. When I used to write, I would just shoot from the hip...but for..."I don't am actually really successful if I don't plan things out like you before hand but I know how you feel about NaNo! I figured since I am going to be an insane person and do it this year I might as well get something planned and my ideas seem to have all ran away.
Exactly! I think the hardest part of writing is definitely fishing for ideas.
Jessica wrote: "Exactly! I think the hardest part of writing is definitely fishing for ideas."Not exactly ideas in general but ideas that will flesh out into a good story.
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I'm more like Jess. If i can create my world in my head from a sentence plot or so, then i feel ready to begin my story. But i have never started from the beginning of a story even after hours of plotting. i just jot down a scene that i feel is right, stretch the plot to fit the scene and then write more scenes until they become chapters. it's super messy but in the end less duressing than a blank manuscript with no continuation to complete it.
Ingrid wrote: "Irene wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I'm kind of suffering some writer's block right now because I'm trying to come up with a new story idea to prep myself for NaNoWriMo. When I used to write, I would jus..."Yeah, I find I am a bird of my own kind because most people have to do some planning. I will jot down ideas as I write but outside of that I don't actually plan and I am pretty successful (I just don't like sharing my writing).
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I mean I have this rather massive piece that I could easily make into a trilogy if I just tied off all the loose ends and filled in a couple gaps, but I know I wouldn't ever be okay letting someone else read it. (not to mention editing it would be a huge undertaking)
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I started it one summer about four, or so, years ago now and seriously wrote pretty much every day (it was my "ah ha" moment as far as realizing I really like writing longer pieces). I think I ended up "quitting" on it when I started to really have to focus on school during the year and it got set aside until the summer. On one note though, I think one of the hardest parts of writing is editing/revising.
Irene wrote: "On one note though, I think one of the hardest parts of writing is editing/revising."Also my issue. By the end I feel if it wasn't perfect to start then I shouldn't have written it that way to start. Although I'm getting better. I've noticed a flaw in my current novel that will be rectified...as soon as I figure out how. Which is the other reason I hate editing, excising parts that don't work and replacing them with ones that do without creating continuity errors. -_-;;
Today, I just want to scrap the 13K words I've written and start again. I know there's some good stuff in there but I just can't seem to make it work. The worst challenge I face when writing is that the next book always seems more exciting to write than the book I'm currently writing. So frustrating...especially with deadlines fast approaching.
For me, it's filler and figurative language. I know what i want to happen, and even have certain scenes written out in my mind, but I hate having to write a bunch of seemingly boring stuff to get to it, and it feels dry.
Heather wrote: "Try writing a short story once in awhile. It'll help you pace yourself. Sometimes I get ideas that really don't need to be 200 pages long, and often the characters aren't named. [bookcover:Secre..."*** Thanks Heather for the advice. I'm thinking of writing a short story to submit to my local writer's group - they love the shorts :-)
Jessica wrote: "I'm kind of suffering some writer's block right now because I'm trying to come up with a new story idea to prep myself for NaNoWriMo. When I used to write, I would just shoot from the hip...but for..."I can usually map out a story (sometimes) but this writing class is kicking my butt - I mean writing character sheets, plotting out each chapter with a chapter name (never done that - I use a school report outline), now I have to write an opening (which is to be 2-3 pages long) and the full epilogue - and this is only week 5 out of 12 LOL
Maybe I can use all this stuff I'm writing in my class and actually do NaNoWriMo.
Ingrid wrote: "Same. I've had friends and family edit my chapters but after the second revisions i feel like it's a completely revised chapter. and i lose the flow of working how i like, at what pace i like, with..."That's what happened with my writers' group. They critiqued one chapter, so I revised it, gave it to them again and they told me I edited out all the emotion LOL
Irene wrote: "I started it one summer about four, or so, years ago now and seriously wrote pretty much every day (it was my "ah ha" moment as far as realizing I really like writing longer pieces). I think I ende..."Time always gets in the way. I read about an Amazon author who only writes one hour a week. But, he sets that time aside just for writing. He has about five books out now. It's just finding time to schedule it and then sticking to it. I have a hard time with scheduling writing in as well.
As for editing. I used to be an editor and this trips me up. I always need my paragraphs to be polished before I move on to the next. No wonder I haven't finished anything :P
Michelle wrote: "Irene wrote: "I started it one summer about four, or so, years ago now and seriously wrote pretty much every day (it was my "ah ha" moment as far as realizing I really like writing longer pieces). ..."Well, I have committed to writing 750 words every day (just in general) and that has seemed to really help me get an understanding of how much is a reasonable amount for me to write in say an hour.
Irene wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Irene wrote: "I started it one summer about four, or so, years ago now and seriously wrote pretty much every day (it was my "ah ha" moment as far as realizing I really like writing..."I don't set aside specific hours in my day for writing, I write when I feel I have something worthwhile to add to my story, and I too edit on the hoof. I can't open a story with reading at least a chapter before I start and I nearly always find something I'm not happy with!
I have just come from a friends, she wrote a book and tried to find a publisher, only trouble is she did it all in single spacing and justified it, the margins were two narrow, header and footer too. You should have seen her face when I explained what the publisher probably did with her manuscript. Poor thing was horrified, but I told her what she needed to do last year before she sent it off, she obviously thought she knew better...
I'm glad this thread has turned out so well. I was afraid it would get called negative, but everyone needs to grouse once in awhile.Me, I can't wait to finish my story, send it to Createspace, and do a give away. I even have some ideas for freebies to send with the book.
I would have to say that the hardest part of writing for me personally has been finding the idea, the 'great' concept that is basically strong enough for a full-length novel/ series. Weak storylines and flimsy plots don't make great stories, or at least anything that is strong enough to turn into an entire novel (rather than a few pages or chapter). I began writing my first novel with a weak storyline/ idea that only took me through fifty pages or so, before i was unable to continue writing anymore. The foundations of the story have to be so convincing, sound and substantial that you are able to write thousands of words without difficulty, with it being interesting and engaging enough for a reader to want to keep on reading until the end...and on to the next book. I am hoping that my second attempt is better, and that i have learnt from my mistakes in forming the basis of a novel. I have already written 1/4 (over 50 thousand) words of book 1 and so hopefully the concept of the story is strong enough to maintain through many other books within the series. Upon reflection of published authors, i have noted how it is such origonal ideas that makes their work so memorable. For example there is Hogwarts or Middle-Earth. Origonality and a totally 'different' idea for the story unlike anything else within its particular genre, i certainly feel is perhaps one of the most if not the most important element of writing a novel.
Another issue is endings. I often have a concept, so after I figure out how to start a book, fluff, details, character development is all cake. It's getting from the first chapter to the last that can be a pain.
I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result is just as much a surprise to me as the reader.
Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader."That tends to be how I do it, but I find myself wondering, "...okay, but when do I know I'm finished?" Especially on an idea I've had since 2007.
I think for me, the hardest part about writing a story is fitting it in around work and a young family. There have been times where weeks have gone by without returning to the story telling process. I can't wait to retire and dedicate all that free time to just writing.
Chris wrote: "I think for me, the hardest part about writing a story is fitting it in around work and a young family. There have been times where weeks have gone by without returning to the story telling process..."Snap, everything stops when the kids are home or my hubby and self editing is a pain when you need to go through the story step by step.
Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader."That tends to be how I do it, but I find m..."
A lot of Author's struggle with an ending, have you considered a series?
Not everything is suited to a series, though. Sometimes a story just has to end. An expanded universe wouldn't be a terrible idea, though.
I know what you mean, some series ruin a good story because they can't end it. Try thinking of the ending first and work back. Does't work for me but I know it does for some
I feel like I'm pounding my head against the keyboard. Chapters, link together! Ending, just happen already!
Heather wrote: "I feel like I'm pounding my head against the keyboard. Chapters, link together! Ending, just happen already!"Heather, sit back, take a deep breath...and then go back to the beginning of your book and read it through, thoroughly, not speed reading. Look for loose ends, and when you find one write it down note chapter and page and then resume your reading. Only by doing this will your chapters link together, and once they link your end will become clearer.
It works for me, I have 3 finished books, 2 published and one doing the rounds of publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts, and I am sending House of Death to an Agent too, if you don't ask, you don't get!
Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader."That tends to be how I do it, but I find m..."
I just get the feeling that I know that i'm done, a sort of "this is it" feeling. I also have to have all my loose ends tied up, which gives me that finality feeling.
Irene wrote: "Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader."That tends to be how I do ..."
I'm getting there, which is why I'm stressing so bad. I can practically taste reviews, cover reveals, sales, freebie days, giveaways....
Heather wrote: "I feel like I'm pounding my head against the keyboard. Chapters, link together! Ending, just happen already!"I feel your pain Heather. I had to write the first scene of chapter one, and the Epilogue for a writing class - all without really knowing where my story is going! It's tough but it will work itself out. Hope you're doing better today :-D
Struggling Writers
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Secret Admirer (other topics)Shipwrecked (other topics)
For me, it's the finishing. It's the getting the reader from the beginning to the end, and editing the whole thing so the journey makes sense. It's why I have ten short stories on Amazon and nothing full length...yet.