Afraid to start writing?

Question

I have alot of good ideas, and I have a novella that I have barely started on due in three to four weeks. I'm on the second page. But I'm afraid to start writing. and when I get the ideas and want to write, I am unable to have the resources or its in the middle of class.
Can I please have some advice?
Thankyou for your help.
God bless you
K.K.

Answer 1

This is really an easy one. I have seen this with people many many times. The reason you are afraid to start writing is because you dont have a good technique and skills to back you up. You are flying blind, and there are very few professional authors who can work that way, much less amateurs.

What you need is a good plan and some writing skills to get you started. This is the way I teach it. Get yourself a blank notebook, a package of file cards and a big sheet of poster paper.

1) Brainstorm in a notebook - write down any and all ideas you have - no matter how silly they sound. Draw sketches, write phrases, diagrams, names, anything that comes into your mind. Little snippets of plot ideas. Anything that comes into your mind at all when you think of the subject of the novella.

2) Put each of the ideas on a file card and sit down at a table and start shuffling them around - changing the order of events until you get something that sounds good to you.

3) Do the same brainstorming with characters - character studies - write down every single thing you know about your characters - the more the better.

4) Put those on cards and start shuffling them around - see who rubs up against who - who likes who - who hates who etc. That will help you to add subplots to your story.

5)Work up a complete outline - adding subplots and main plots - Do it on your big piece of paper so you have room to add any ideas that come to you along the way. You can also do a story curve and draw a rainbow shape and place the events along the curve to see where you story peaks and how it plays out.

Then you are ready to write. If you have a good first page and a good first sentence, then the hard part is out of the way. Now you are ready to take those notes and that outline and turn them into a story ...

That is the way I teach it. It will work for you if you put a lot into it. The secret is really really knowing your characters well so that you will know how they respond in situations. The more you know about your characters, the more likely you will be to develop conflict and resolution because you will know how your people will react.

If you want more information about my "system" get in touch. .Happy to explain further.

Gof Bless You Too ... Good luck. Pax - C.

Answer 2

Look at all these people who want to help you. Isn't it amazing!

There are basically two kinds of writers - intuitive writers who just sit down and a stream of stuff flows out and they write it down and the first draft happens. Then they craft the product.

The second kind are the planners; the organized writers who work out structure and characters and plot. They have lots of notebooks and they fill their walls with charts and drawings and pin-boards and diagrams.

You will know what you are and where you feel comfortable.

Many writers use a bit of both - the right brain gets them going - then they plan - get their characters organized and then move over into the creative mode again.

Take a look at this resource about character and see if it gets you on track.

Just don't stress - that shuts down everything.

Answer 3

Try setting a timer and writing without correcting, going back or editing while you write until the timer goes off. That way you are writing with the creative side of your brain only. Later go back and correct. This is the best way to write. Trying to edit while writing is like driving a car with one foot on the gas and one on the brakes. Don't worry if the stuff you are writing sucks, the bad writing is like a train locomotive and the good writing will be pulled along behind it. Some of my best has come out in this method. Good luck!

Answer 4

Make time for yourself alone with phone off. Get in your favorite writing room and space. Start typing the story and don't stop and correct anything, spelling, grammar or anything. Write until you are done.

Wait a couple of days and do the same thing, only this time write the story backwards until you get to the beginning. And then start editing and getting the story in final form.
The story may have taken on a life of its own. Don't fight it. Just shape it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You can use a small notebook to write down all your good ideas, and when you have a moment you can give them shape.
Sometimes we are afraid of writing because writing is an expression of our souls, so we are afraid to show our feelings, our thoughts.
Your novella can be very interesting for a lot of people.
Sharp your pencil and go ahead writing!

Answer 6

I find my ideas for writing come at the most ridiculous times,ie while washing up , sitting on a bus etc - keep a pen handy and don't let those ideas get away ! Often we waste a lot of time driving and stuck in traffic jams . I bought a dictophone recently and "talk"my ideas into it . Felt a bit silly talking to myself at first , then noticed other people were too - beats staring into space . Good luck !

Answer 7

Obviously, everyone has a different opinion on this. As a fellow writer, I can tell you that this is rather unique, if I understand you correctly. Is it that you don't want to write down your ideas, or can't? If it is the latter, then carrying around a notebook to capture your idea or inspiration should help. Then, later on when you have the resources, come back and try to recapture that moment.

Answer 8

I'm a published writer. The main thing is, just start anywhere. Sitting and waiting to think of just the right opening or first sentence will merely paralyze you. Start with the ending if you have to (I often do) and get something down on paper. Write scenes or paragraphs as they occur to you, and eventually you will see an order to them and ways to connect them logically.

There is no "right" way to write. I think every writer works differently. From your question I can see that you are articulate and express yourself well. "Just do it."

Answer 9

There are two stages to writing. The part where you open a vein and pour the words onto paper, and then the part where you make sense of them. Focus on getting the words on the page so you don't have any of that scary whitespace.

Answer 10

As a fellow writer, majoring in writing... that is totally normal. My best advise is to write out whatever "stupid" idea you have, and keep on going. Once you get it out on paper, you can come back to it, no matter how ridiculous it is, and rewrite, edit, and just basically change it a million times; until poor writing, becomes good writing.