novel writing..........?

Question

whenever i start writing a story, i never can finish it. what can i do to make myself keep on writing?

Answer 1

I have a similar problem -- I keep starting new stories without finishing old ones because I get inspired by life and boom, off I go for 10 or 15 pages before I get distracted by another idea. I've heard that you should practice the habit of writing by doing it as often as you can, especially when you think what you're writing sucks or isn't particularly well-written. This is my problem, because I mentally block myself from moving on from a sentence until I think it is good enough to stay. Get into the excercise of putting ideas onto paper and learning to write habitually. Writer's block is not a real affliction, it is a self-produced mental block.

Pick up "The Lie that Tells a Truth" by John Dufresne. There's another book out there by John Gardner called "The Art of Fiction," but if you're anything like me Gardner's constant backpeddling via double-hyphen will drive you nuts. I would strongly recommend The Lie that Tells a Truth over the alternatives. It has tons of prompts that aren't your average boring middleschool english excersices, and a slew of insight and inspiration.

Another thing I heard (probably from my recommended reading above) is that if you are constantly destracted from writing to the point where anything and everything takes you away from it, you might consider a profession other than writing. Your drive to write must outweigh your drive not to write for it to become anything more than a hobby. This concept is a little harsh but there's some truth to it.

Answer 2

I love this question! 1) Characters Problem: Unbelievable, Mary-Sue characters that are the basic hero/heroine with maybe a love interest and special ability. Yawwwn! Solution: You need to practice good forms of character development. Separate your character from the rest. Maybe instead of a vampire, your main character was only half-bitten and has an irrational fear of the dark. 2) Plot Problem: You have a basic idea of where your novel is heading but it is like the map has a big drink spill across it. Solution: Map it out. If you're like me, you hate drafts, editing, and things of that sort. Sometimes just sitting down and writing the basic outline of your story is helpful. Jane is a loser > She gets superpowers > She saves the city > Her best friend proposes to her > Best friend is kidnapped > Jane saves the day (again) 3) Writing Problem: You've just written a good paragraph...you think? Solution: Follow the order of operations. You can't have Billy gasp, open the door and see the killer. He needs to open the door, see the killer and then gasp. It may be hard writing like this and the other way around might actually seem better but in the long run it builds much more suspense. 4) Writer's Block Problem: You've tried everything; listening to music, taking a break, ect. What now? Solution: There are a few to this: 1. Join a SAFE online writing group that is backed by lots of research and reliability or get someone you know to read your story and give input. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes works wonders. It got me out of two months of writer's block. 2. Develop a writing schedule. Write in the same place at the same time everyday. After that time STOP. You will get used to this and it shows in your writing. Good luck! I hope I helped this is all of my own information and experiences.

Answer 3

You may have some plot problems. This has happened to me plenty of times when I've just tried to write stories off the top of my head. You have an idea of what the story's about, but it's not organized and you end up all over the place wondering where the original idea went.

What I've done is outline - which I never thought I'd do - and I've found it tremendously helpful.

I would suggest you learn the traditional Three Act structure to get familiar with how stories work from beginning to end. A great book to get is Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D. This book helped me a lot!

Once you've gotten that down and figure out what's going to be your main plot, you just get a piece of paper, draw a line and title that line with your main plot. For instance, if your main plot centers around Revenge, title it that. Now, you know you'll need some subplots. So, using the line from your main plot, draw another line under that where you think you should start your subplot. For instance, around the beginning of the second act (after your protagonist has decided to seek revenge for whatever reason and is actively doing so), he travels to the jungles of Costa Rica in order to find someone to help him. This second suplot i'm calling the Daring Enterprise (these are all in the book I told you about).

So, you kind of have an idea where certain things should start happening in the story. Suppose the reason the protag wants to get revenge is because a business partner ran off with the company's millions. This subplot would be Falling Prey to Cruelty or Misfortune. But wait! Although this is a subplot, this would actually be placed before your main plot line because this is what happens first.

Remember, though, each subplot and incident has a beginning, middle and end. Even if it's something simple like an incident where the protag finds out his wife is having an affair. They have an affair (beginning), the husband finds out (middle), husband reacts (end). That book will show you what i'm talking about.

Do this for all the little plots, incidents in your story and it will help you write it without pulling your hair out over what happens next. You'l lalready know.

Email me if you need more clarification or book suggestions.

Answer 4

I've found outlining a story before I really get too far into it helps keep me on track--of course outlines were what I was worst at in school, you know, research papers and all. ig.

But the truth is some story ideas don't fully materialize in your mind, so as your ideas die the story does too. There are some I put away 15 yrs ago that I've been revisiting recently and revising and finishing into stories that are far better than anything I would have done when I first started it. Some are destined to be 3 or 5 page stories, too, so you may have to leave them at that.

Answer 5

Well, you could ask yourself what is the benefit of starting something you won't finish? Life happens but if you really want to see your work in print you must work.

Don't think that I'm being judgmental. I started a novel in 2000 and even put a date on it to motivate myself. I've had about 6 jobs since then, finished my Master's and am currently teaching, heck I even got married. Book is still a good idea but needs refinishing. I come home, lie on the couch and answer questions on this website for fun.

Don't be like me. I'm happy but being published would make me feel so much more wonderful. It ain't over but then I'm just talking. The writing begins when I'm not doing this. Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 6

That's easy. Type THE END.

Just kidding of course.

I would suggest you look at the writers you admire most. And formulate some kind of start, middle, and end as they did.

If a new idea hits you, which is what I think happens to you and you get off on a tangent to finish off that before you continue on, then you've lost time.
I think that is what you think.

Instead try to stay focused and stay on track with the story you had in mind. Resist those other voices that might lead you astray. The best way to get rid of a voice is to write it down. Then continue your work.

I hope this helps. Now I'll expect to see your big seller in due time.

Answer 7

Don't push yourself.

The reason why you're never able to finish is because you're not *focused*. You're all over the place with your writing, and your not able to get to the meat of the story.

So pacing yourself is key. And taking breaks often is also a good thing to do.

If you need help, outline what you have so far and then spend some time figuring out what to do next.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Schedule a time every day to sit down - even if only for a half and hour and write. If you're not inspired do a word exercise to keep the mind in shape.

Answer 9

I truly wish I knew. I started a fantastic story last summer and only made it to the part where the two main characters are enter the magic realm. There is so much more to write.......can't seem to motivate myself.

Good luck

Answer 10

In a word ... OUTLINE ... Outlines keep you on track. You can mark off how far yoiu intend to go in each writing session. It keeps you focused and keeps your eyes on the goal - the end. When novice writers in the classes I have taught have this kind of problems, I always have them outline. Pax - C