I need help from an excellent writer/author!!!!?

Question

blah123456

Level 1

I'm so adgravated!!! grr!?

Alright. Here's my story. I'm twenty years old. I'm very ambitious, but idealistic at the same time. I hate to come off as some fool who is wasting his or her life, but I've wanted to write and travel for as long as I can remember. I've went to college, but for now, I'm taking a break for a semester to work full time so that I can visit Europe later this year. I am also working on a story--one that is very dear to me--that I've been working on for quite some time. I just feel so adgravated though, because by the time I get home from work (I even went over time last week), I'm dead tired. Part of going to Europe is to find purpose and inspiration to help me with my goals. Writing is so imporatant to me. I have so many ideas, but no energy to turn them into something tangible by the time I get home every evening. I know I need to make time, and not stress, but I'm a bit of an over achiever and I do have a tendency to over analyze when I'm tired and put pressure on myself.

Anyway, I'm basically wondering what I can do. I've tried to be superauthor and do it all, but it's not working well at the moment! Any suggestions?

Plus I'm constantly dealing with the pressure of critics who drag me down and give me that "fake encouragement" because writing is such an idealistic career. You obviously can't quit your day job because there are no guarantees...but I'm trying to remain focused. I'm just having a very difficult time. Has anyone else been dealing with this? Maybe that would make me feel better! ha, ha and not so alone!

haha I don't need to check my pants to see if I'm a his/her. I would rather have an unbiased opinion. Therefore, I prefer to leave out my gender!

And please, no negative remarks. I did not try to make this question perfect--maybe I should have, though. But I thought I could go back and edit any errors even after it was submitted. If you have something negative to say, though, just go on to the next question.

Answer 1

I totally understand what your saying about being exhausted when you get home. My job drains me and by the time I get home I don't want to do anything. I have piles of books and magazines that I have not finished reading and projects that have gone uncompleted. It saddens me to think of all I have not accomplished. I've got to eat, so working is a priority. What can you do?

Well I think the solution for you is to try incorporate your writing into the hours before you get home, when you have the most energy. Try writing while on your breaks at work or perhaps you take public transportation, this is a good time to jot down some ideas. Like me, you have to make time to do the stuff you enjoy. You have to make time for it like you would your laundry or house hold chores. Set aside an hour or so a week just for writting. Don't do anything else during this time. It is really just about your time management, that's all. I hope I have helped a little. Good luck and enjoy Europe!

P.S. And as for those negative critics out there, just ignore them and believe in yourself. Rejection comes along with the territory of writing. My mother, who has written a few childrens books is now shopping around for a publishing company; she has had manuscripts sent back to her a few times. Sometimes unopened and unread. But, they say this is part of the process, don't give up and she hasn't. You can't either.

Answer 2

1. Slow down.
2. Writing is not for everyone. Too many people want to have written, but not actually do the process.
3. First drafts always suck. That's what revisions are for.
4. I never show anyone anything I've written until I'm ready to submit it for publication. If the story isn't motivating, scrap it and move on.
5. Inspiration, unless you're writing an art history book, is not in Europe. It is not external.
6. I worked as an editor in a publishing house for years. Do not post/publish anything that is not at least superficially correct. Use spell check. Lay off the extra punctuation. As an editor, after a certain number of errors, I would automatically reject a manuscript. It didn't matter how compelling it was.
7. Don't write when you're tired. Set a schedule for yourself. Mine is two hours every day. I spend one hour editting the previous day's work, and at least one hour writing new material, more if it's a good day. Figure out a time and place that work for you and make it a routine.

Answer 3

Make sure you're getting enough sleep every night. And try to write a little every day. I do most of my writing on the computer and save stuff I'm not sure about in seperate files so I can delete it without losing huge chunks of my story if I decide not to use it. If I need a boost after a long day, I just drink something with a little caffeine in it-not too much, though, or I won't be able to sleep at all.

Answer 4

I'm a writer, too. I'm nearly 50 years old. I've published many letters to the editor. Last year I wrote and produced an Off-Off-Broadway play. I'm currently writing reviews, for free, at a New York-based theater website. I've even placed a guest column last year in Metro New York. Am I making a living from my writing? Well, I am a part-time writing tutor at a public college where I make about $5,000 a year. Obviously I'm not financially independent. Am I happy to be a writer? Yes! Do I still hope for commercial success as a writer? Yes.

Whatever you do as your day job, stick to your writing, as it is essential to you. Keep a journal. (You don't have to write in it every day.) MAKE TIME to write your novel and other projects, whether it's in the evening, on the train to work, at your office off-hours (if they let you), or during weekends.

Take classes, be it for a degree or not. I have a B.A. in Journalism and an MA in English-Creative Writing, but between degrees I took classes from time to time at writing schools or adult education centers. These days, you could even take a class online!

I can't promise you success, but I do think the writing life will give you a way to fulfill your purpose in life. I recently heard on a TV show that writers write because they have something to say.

BTW, if anyone knows where I can find a job in NYC using my writing skills and making at least $30,000 a year, please let me know!

Answer 5

I respect the fact that you want to do it all, but some things must be taken one step at a time. If I were you, I would hold off on the writing unless you come up with some incredible idea, and focus on saving money, then go to Europe and get inspired! Let your experiences help you write. Try and relax at a cafe or something and take a journal with you. Write down the incredible things that happen on your trip. I envy the fact that you are going to travel. Enjoy yourself!

Answer 6

I'm a writer, but my life partner is a Writer. Seriously. If he doesn't write, everything else is off-kilter.

So - even though you are exhausted, find time to write. Get up earlier, even if it's only 15 minutes earlier, and write. It doesn't matter what it is - just write.

Have you ever heard of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron? I find it wonderful, while Sam (my partner) always recommend's Nathalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones. Reading other people's stuff, though, is less important than writing.

Still - if you do read ANYTHING, make it good stuff. Crunchy stuff, by authors you admire.

Now get offline and write!

Answer 7

There are just a few maxims I follow.

1. Write every day, even if just for a few minutes.

2. Show, don't tell.

3. Remember, writing has to entertain an audience, it can't just be internal musings or plotless happenings.

4. Be comfortable with the fact that not every word you put down has to be perfect - great writers are great rewriters.

5. Put yourself out there, listen to what others say, seek tough critics, but stay true to your ultimate vision.

6. Be prepared for lots of failure.

Answer 8

You want to settle too many thing simultaneously.Take the most important one:your dream to become a writer.I have been writing for last 15/16 years or more.I write stories and make amendments.I think that life has no limits and it offers new things to be wondered upon.When you take care of your dreams and follow them everything else falls into place.

Answer 9

Just take your time. Writing has to come naturally. Just carry around a pad and jot down ideas whenever they pop into your head. Leave an hour or so at the beginning and/or end of each day to go over your notes and form them together.
Create whenever creativity strikes you.
It is hard to balance it all, but you can do it. Just be patient.

Answer 10

If you love writing so much, make time for it. if it's you're job that's getting in the way, find a job running a small store or something, you can work on your writing when customers aren't in. But whatever you so don't stop! I can tell you are passionate about reading and i believe that you can definitely make a masterpiece if you apply yourself. Good luck!