May 1, 2010

Wannabe Writers #14

Wannabe Writers is a writing group for the un-published and anyone is welcome to join. It's a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Click (here) to find more about how it works.

Where I am in the writing process: I started writing in Nov. 2008. I have one complete novel (still only a rough draft) and two WIPs. I'm currently taking a writing break (still). I sure hope breaks don't lead to break-ups.

My current problems: Okay. Break time is over. I've been trying all week to get myself going on a story again. Any story. At this point I don't care which of one I work on as long as I work. I think my problem right now is self-doubt. I'm not crazy about any of my story lines. I'm serious going nuts trying to decide which story line to work on.

My question this week: What to do to get myself back into writing? What to do to get myself excited about an old story? (I don't want to start anything else new)


8 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

It's nice to hear that break time is over and I understand exactly how you feel. I have several "unfinished" WIPs that just didn't go anywhere, but I am finally following through with a story I am very passionate about. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I think this is a problem all writers struggle with!

Unknown said...

I've been having the same problem with my WIP. I'm so wrapped up in tweaking my finished MSS, and trying to find an agent, that I can't focus on the WIP. I think I wrote about a thousand words on it last month. Sad. Last night, I did an hour writing challenge with a friend. We each work on our own novels, but at the end of the hour, we come back online and compare word counts. Then we exchange what we've written for some instant feedback (and instant gratification! That's the big motivator for me.)

Anyway, since I didn't want to show up an hour later with just one word written, I forced myself to continue the scene I was stuck on. Miracle of miracles, I found a way to work it that takes the story in a new direction that I think is better.

So, moral of the story is there is no magic bullet. It's just sitting down and writing. Take it one word at a time if you have to. Oh, and make your character talk. That's where I got my inspiration, from the dialogue.

Elizabeth Briggs said...

I like Glitch, but if you're not passionate about any of these ideas you may want to start something new. Try something different and have fun with it.

Hannah said...

I get the same feeling, especially when I map all of it out and know exactly where it's going. I just seem to lose interest. Because in my mind, the story's already written.

I guess, the only thing that really drives me to finish it, is having My Sam and my friends read it. My readers keep me going, keep me honest, keep me excited about what I'm writing.

Anonymous said...

"I get the same feeling, especially when I map all of it out and know exactly where it's going. I just seem to lose interest. Because in my mind, the story's already written."

I feel like this at times. My solution? Just keep moving along. I just try to meet my daily quota. That's my first step. :D

-Madeleine

Bookish in a Box said...

Maybe try something new and then go back to the old after your brain has time to warm up creatively. Or, identify exactly what you didn't like about the old that made you abandon it in the first place. Easier said than done, of course!

Witless Exposition said...

These are all such great comments! I wish I had something as good to add. Maybe just brainstorm or write down what your characters would do in an absolutely ludicrous situation. Just taking them out of the story sometimes gives a jump start (and maybe ideas to include).