Writing Rants - Will I ever write successfully?

[drewsome83]

Warning: I am about to start a rant about my writing and yes, I have said some of this before in previous journal entries, and yes its totally a first word problem. It's just on my mind at the moment and I need to vent lol. Feel free to ignore if its not your thing

Comments

[beauty_forashes]

I really wish there were a magic pill against writer's block! I have a work in progress I've had stalled for a couple of years, and I doubt I'll ever finish it, as much as it niggles at me. And I have an idea for a new story that I haven't found the discipline (or time) to start beyond an outline and a few notes.

I think it's true, once you start, you might really get into it again. But starting is the hard part, at least for me.

What I've found helped jog my brain in the past is to practice with drabbles. Drabbles are a concise story, or story snippet, told in exactly 100 words, and it's a fun exercise for me. Sort of like a verbal jigsaw-puzzle, where every word has to fit just so.

Good luck! :)

[drewsome83]

Cool thanks for the advice and I'm glad I'm not the only one is this position. I hope you get going with your projects again soon :)

[beauty_forashes]

Thanks, I hope so too. :)

[bow_mcarrow]

I totally know what you mean, I've spent too much time staring at blank documents and not actually writing anything.
I know it's easier said than done, but I've found in those situations it's worth just forcing yourself to write something. Even just an outline of a scene/chapter, then gradually go more in depth with it? The hardest part of a story is starting I think.

[drewsome83]

Yeah it definitely is. Once the words are flowing it all goes swimmingly but getting it started is the problem. Thanks for the advice :)

[tx_cronopio]

So, here's the thing.

There's no secret. You just set a schedule and you write. Even if you write crap. You just write. And you don't deviate from it if you're tired, or not in the mood, or sick. You start writing at the same time every day and you write for an hour, or whatever you can afford.

I learned this from my ex (40 books published and counting) who learned it from the year he spent as a research asst to a popular schlock author who will go unmentioned, but whom you all have heard of. No I never liked the guy's books, but he published a ton of them, and it's because he got up every morning at 7 and wrote for 5 hours. Period. Now, not all of us can do that, but it's good to remember that there's no secret, no mystical muse...just butt in the chair.

Good luck!

[rockingthemike]

exactly all of this.

[drewsome83]

Tough but fair. I know you are totally right I just need the discipline to do it. I wish I had someone to kick my arse and keep me in that chair for an hour day never mind 5! Thank you for the advice, now I just got to take it lol :)

[breakon87]

I sometimes think it helps to give yourself either a certain amount of time every day to write or give yourself a certain amount of words every day. Even if you don't like everything that your writing, it can help clear and just get back into the habit of writing every day.

I think getting into a regular habit really helps with writer's block. Also the more you do it, the better it'll be.

Good luck!

[drewsome83]

That seems to be the general consensus here. Thanks for the advice, I'm going to start doing that I think :)

[carriea31]

I didn't read through the other comments, so I apologize if this is a duplicate, but I've read that authors force themselves to write at least one thing every day, even if it is only just one single sentence, and that sort of powers them through the block, and helps them get back in the groove. It might be worth a shot!

[drewsome83]

Thanks for the advice, it seems like the general consensus here so going to follow it soon :)