I have trouble with writing (sort of)....?

Question

The problem with me is that I have all these great ideas for writing strories and novels and stuff, but when it comes to actually writing it down on paper, I always get bored with it. So, I always start over with a new idea.

What I am asking is... anyone know how to keep me writing and to not keep stopping in the middle?

I also forgot to say that I sometimes spend hours planning and planning how I am going to write it out. But then it all just sort of goes to waste.

Answer 1

Ask yourself: Why am I writing this story? If your answer is good enough, then continue, and keep that question in mind. If your answer is pretty bad or you have NO answer...just stop, and maybe try again later when you actually have a motivation.

Answer 2

you have to find whatever engages you. otherwise you'll -sort of- turn out bs - kind of - you know? the stuff that only goes so far & then you hate it because it is meaningless. I hope the preceding sentences conveyed the futility of trying to keep focused on writing something that does not capture your attention.

Perhaps you should take all of the suggestions presented here, rank them in the order most meaningful to you, and try that way.

Or perhaps you are someone who needs to make a specific time for writing every day, and to write for that time period, no matter how bad - or good - the resulting product is.

Everyone has ideas aplenty. Everyone can imagine scenes between their characters - some of them might actually be good. But unless you write them down they are ephemera - and you can't sell people plugs that attach to your imagination.

There are many different approaches to take. I am certain you will find yours; just do what Admiral Farragut did (said, actually)

Damn the Torpedoes, Full Steam Ahead.

Answer 3

It's OK to start and stop, and start and stop and start, just keep all the things you write, no matter how short or what direction the words go. It is my experience that eventually the fire inside will ignite your creative juices and the day will come when you will not be able to stop, and you can draw from past inspiration to further what you put down, Good writing takes time to evolve, your mind continues to work an idea even after you put down your pen and paper. If it helps when you get bored work out an ending and put it away...The words will be there to build upon another day... Keep writing....

Answer 4

I used to have that same problem, before I found a pretty cool way to solve it.

For one thing, if you're not already doing this, write all your ideas down in a notebook or something. I reccomend keeping it somewhere close by you, so you don't have to search for it.

Also, don't just start writing your story. Brainstorm ideas for plot, characters, setting. Try to write a few different outlines for the story, then choose your favorite or do a combination.

Give yourself time to think about your idea. When you're in a car, think about it. During commercials, think about it. While you're falling asleep, think about. Think, where am I going with this idea?

Get to know your main character. You'll be less likely to get bored with them.

Also, don't try too hard to make every idea a winner. Most authors have a drawer full of rejected story ideas.

Answer 5

Start by drawing a very basic diagram of your idea. Perhaps a "spider web" kind of shape. Draw lines outward from the main idea, and put other ideas on them, where they fit with still other ideas. Just put brief comments, not sentences or paragraphs.

Begin writing, but if another idea pops up in the middle of a paragraph, have a separate document on which to put it. Keep all of your "pop up" ideas on that doc, and look them over periodically.

You don't have to write from beginning to end. You may write several paragraphs or even several pages that will come later. Just keep them on a separate page, and cut, paste and edit them into the main doc where appropriate.

If you get stuck, play with your diagram, adding as many lines as you need to get where you're going, with as many branches as needed on each line. If necessary, put one group of ideas on a different page, with its own spider web.

I find the diagramming to be a great way to pick just the right word, or feeling, or image I need when I have several ways I want to go, but can only use one. Toss those pages when you're done, because they should be specific to what you're working on now. Of course, if you come up with something you love that doesn't fit now, save it, but put it away so you can focus on what you're doing.

And, unfortunately, you have to discipline yourself. Give yourself deadlines. Tell yourself you can work on that other thing, but ONLY after you do XXX much work on this one. Because really, if you don't finish anything, you're not writing, you're doodling, right? And ANYBODY can doodle! Remind yourself that you're not just anybody.

Answer 6

I have the same problem.Just Keep writing when you want.When you get bored put it away.Don't get rid of it.Keep them in a pile if you want.Just don't get rid of them.When you feel like writing again pick up where you left off.It's interesting to re-read things you have written.Try it. Keep a book with you that you can write things.More ideas come to me when I am driving and can not write.I just add them to my little book later.If you write one page a day you will have a book in a year, two pages a novel.Good Luck!

Answer 7

My suggestion would be to write out all the characters, place, and plot before actually writing. Look over it several times. If you feel happy with it, then writ ethe story.

Answer 8

Use different colors of ink for different charachters moods
setting and events.
Like..If you have a part in a novel where a murder occurs then
use red ink, for a funeral or general text use black.
Use pink for a sex scene.

Answer 9

You just need to get motivated to see it though:

I would read motivational books from Bryan Tracy and Anthony Robbins.

I would listen to motivational and hypnosis tapes.

Basic stuff: Neurolinguistic Programming

Answer 10

try using your pc instead of a pen.