What's the best way to stick to writing a story?

Question

I keep getting up and down. I have the material to write and I can whenever I sit down, but I seem to constantly get up and procrastinate. How do I stop this?

Answer 1

Set goals and priorities for yourself with rewards punishments if you don't fulfill them.

Jack London set a personal requirement of writing 100 words a day.

When I start working on a new story, I make a timeline for it (as long as I'm not experiencing writer's block). I do the characterizations first, then the general plot line (I leave it loose so that it's more organic), then the first round of editing and so forth.

If I get things done by the time limits I gave myself (and I write down the time limits like a contract with myself), then I get a reward of some sort. If I don't, then I make myself do 10 push ups or something else I don't like to do (like clean the bathroom) as an incentive to finishing my work.

Best of luck!
Peace,
Jenn

Answer 2

Join the crowd.

I've been working on 8 books for a while now. But once I get going, I feel so good inside.

I feel my procrastination comes about, when I have confusion in my head as to what direction, that I want to go with my information.

Before I can get a good stab at the other books. I get an idea about another darn good book and rush in and start typing frantically......

Then I'm up against...
which book needs my attention the most, so nothing is done.........I get all worked up when I see someone sneaking up on my idea, I get all anxiety frustrated.
Then I do nothing and want to cry.

I'll clean the whole house and all the time telling myself, "when I finish I'll sit and write"....then it's time to go to bed! Or the telephone will ring.

So I've answered my own question, while typing to you....(chuckle)...confusion, organization...........lay it out in stages. If it takes 1 through 50 layed out piles, until it's done. I"m gonna try that.

I even went out and bought a couple of organization software programs..................
I just came across another one out and I'm oh so tempted to get it.....it sorts the index cards right on your computer, drops and drag in a organizing manner, when you have ideas etc.
I think it's about $159.00

But to clear the cobwebs, I end up on site's like this one.

Answer 3

I guess, to work on it with an artist or another writer. My husband has been writing like mad ever since I began illustrating his work.
Now if only I could get off Yahoo Answers and go finish my paintings......

Answer 4

You must keep focused. One of the first things I learned about writing is that you must feel what your characters are feeling! For me, this keeps me very focused and very interested in keeping my characters very alive to me, and to the reader/s.

Actually, once you start "feeling" their emotions, it can be very difficult to walk away!

I wish you the best and every success!

Answer 5

Focus on how much you want to write each day, then after you set that goal, write that much...