A question for you writers.

[Jamos]

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the Imaginari forum or not so here it is.

For a while now, I've been wanting to get back into writing. Back when I was a teenager I use to write all the time. However, as time passed I did less and less to the point where I lost all drive to do so. With my ADD it is difficult for me to concentrate at times. Not only that, but my mom's computer (the one I typically use) stopped reading disks making things rather difficult if I plan on typing a story anywhere else. Perhaps half of my problem is looking for reasons not to do it. As for my question, it is quite simple. What keeps you going?

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: A question for you writers.

My brain won't shut off unless it's being overtaxed in other areas. While I was adjusting to my new hours and responsibilities at work I was typically very stressed and taxed for time, and I was sleeping 9-10 hours a night to compensate for the extra work I wasn't used to doing. So I didn't do any writing at all for like four months, choosing instead to invest my limited free time in play because I couldn't concentrate on writing anything worthwhile.

Now that work has settled down and I've grown into my responsibilities, my brain's back to won't shut off mode, and I have to sit down at least once a week and start writing or I get frustrated with all that's going on in my head that I'm not giving an outlet.

In those times when I get lazy, and I feel like I can't write anything or just don't want to write, it's usually either because I lost the voice of the scene I was working on, or haven't found my stride with a new scene to get things moving. If it's just down to "i dun wanna write i'd rather play or surf the net" I take my laptop and leave for somewhere that doesn't have wi-fi and get back to work.

The hardest part is convincing yourself to stop dicking around and just start writing. If you feel like it's something you want to pursue, you have to make time for it, and strictly adhere to it at least for a while so that you can build a sort of routine and your mind will begin wanting to output when those times approach.

If you don't really enjoy just sitting down and writing, then I don't know what help I can offer. There's nothing I like more than to see a story unfold before me, even when I get frustrated with what I'm writing or I feel it isn't up to par, or the direction I wanted to take it just isn't working and I know I have a lot of rewriting to do. Because it's still writing. When I'm in the groove of writing something and a character of mine is suddenly doing something I wasn't planning or even actively thinking about, it's amazing.

It's more typical for me to ask "what stops me" than "what keeps me going". Remove the things that stop you and just write.

Edit: Also just get online storage, or carry around a little thumb drive or something so you have access to it at all times. Or even better, carry a notebook around with you. I find it extremely refreshing to actually "write" when I'm writing as opposed to typing. There's a greater sense that what you put down has to be better, because there's no simple backspace to erase your messups.

[John Mora]

Re: A question for you writers.

I agree that the act of creating something when you're composing a story and watching it come to fruition out of nothing more than your own thoughts is often enough to get me to complete a writing project, barring extenuating external circumstances. If you're asking for what you can do to get started again, try looking around for some writing prompts that intrigue you and go from there.

[Cutter De Blanc]

Re: A question for you writers.

It's more typical for me to ask "what stops me" than "what keeps me going". Remove the things that stop you and just write.

This.

Harlan Ellison said something along the lines of if you're a writer, then write. It should be all you do.

[Hrafn]

Re: A question for you writers.

I'm in something of a similar boat as you, Jamos. Haven't been as prolific since i've gotten older, unless I'm currently working on a comic or something. Maybe try getting a subscription to a writing magazine, like Writer's Digest. Most of what they say is bunk, but between the story contests (which always have beginning notions you can use to jumpstart you, possibly in a whole different direction than the contest actually intends) and just immersing yourself in the writer mentality, it might help alleviate your funk.

Of course, I would probably do more writing for fun if I didn't do as much of it for work. My desire to stare at a computer screen for hours and type is mitigated when on the weekends I stare at the computer screen for hours and type.

[Jamos]

Re: A question for you writers.

I have to sit down at least once a week and start writing or I get frustrated with all that's going on in my head that I'm not giving an outlet.

Actually, one of the major reasons why I want to get back into writing. There is just so much running on in my head that it is getting frustrating. Like endlessly filling a balloon with air. Something is definitely going to give.

The hardest part is convincing yourself to stop dicking around and just start writing. If you feel like it's something you want to pursue, you have to make time for it, and strictly adhere to it at least for a while so that you can build a sort of routine and your mind will begin wanting to output when those times approach.

Hmm... I think I will do just that. My work schedule usually being all over the place may make things a tricky, but I'm definitely going to try.

Edit: Also just get online storage, or carry around a little thumb drive or something so you have access to it at all times. Or even better, carry a notebook around with you. I find it extremely refreshing to actually "write" when I'm writing as opposed to typing. There's a greater sense that what you put down has to be better, because there's no simple backspace to erase your messups.

How does one get online storage? What is a thumb drive? I might start carrying a notebook so I can at least jot down ideas that pop into my head.

I'm in something of a similar boat as you, Jamos.

Those words scare me more than you know.


I do appreciate your input. I think I will probably start reading some books rather than get a prescription to a magazine, though. I recently read the english translated version of Parasite Eve. Was an interesting read.

[peachy]

Re: A question for you writers.

write like a job. when inspiration comes, it needs to know where to find you, so sit yourself down for however long you want to write, every day, in the same place, at the same time and write. the more you write, the more you think to write, so eventually youll be in a place where you dont need to worry about where you are when you write, or when you are writing and all of that.

work, relax, don't think.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: A question for you writers.

How does one get online storage? What is a thumb drive? I might start carrying a notebook so I can at least jot down ideas that pop into my head.

There's some places to get free online storage, I'd imagine. I honestly just use email and send things to myself when I know I'm gonna be somewhere I can work on it without having to drag my laptop around. Then you work on it, save it, email it to yourself again, delete it from the computer you were using, and call it good. Or just upload it as an online document through Google or Hotmail or whatever email you're using that has online document stuff and you can work on it without ever saving it to local (for public machines and whatnot).

The alternative is like I said, a thumb drive, flash drive, portable hard drive, etc. Your PSP's memory stick could carry it around if you wanted. If you can store stuff on it and hook it up via USB, most computers can plug n play it and you can access your files all the time. I used to carry a small 128MB flash drive around, password-protected, with whatever relevant files I was working on at the time.

[Hrafn]

Re: A question for you writers.

I'm a big proponent of both flash drives and Google Docs for insuring I'm never without what I'm working on, wherever I go. I also carry a sheet of notebook paper folded up in my wallet, in case I get a good idea and have no computer handy.

Reading more is the next best thing to writing more as far as honing your writing skills. Gives you a chance to see more techniques you like in action, or ones you might want to avoid when it comes time to put your own pen to paper.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: A question for you writers.

Reading more is the next best thing to writing more as far as honing your writing skills. Gives you a chance to see more techniques you like in action, or ones you might want to avoid when it comes time to put your own pen to paper.

Or techniques you didn't even know about but suddenly decide are awesome.

Also don't get bogged down in revisionist hell. Don't write one page or chapter or paragraph or whatever and then spend a week making it as PERFECT as you can. Cause you'll never get past it and whatever original flavor it may have had is likely lost. Revision and editing is fine, and necessary, but I wouldn't really dwell on it 'til your whole project is on paper, so to speak.

[jacquel]

Re: A question for you writers.

One of my books on da subject sez you should write as soon as you wake up. There doesn't have to be a goal involved, just sit and write for awhile.

This is for practicing writing, of course. If you're working on a project though, I don't see why you couldn't do this, too- if you don't like what you've written fresh out of bed, you can always play around with things later. You'd be doing that anyway.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: A question for you writers.

One of my books on da subject sez you should write as soon as you wake up. There doesn't have to be a goal involved, just sit and write for awhile.

This is for practicing writing, of course. If you're working on a project though, I don't see why you couldn't do this, too- if you don't like what you've written fresh out of bed, you can always play around with things later. You'd be doing that anyway.

This is one of those things that applies to anything you want to do better than usual at. Your brain hasn't become exhausted or mired in the hundreds of thousands of insignificant occurrences throughout the day. It's fresh and new and I used to do this all the time when I was on graveyard shift.

[Jehuty]

Re: A question for you writers.

Any advice for beginner writers?

Edit:

Oh wow, miss-posted in wrong topic!

[peachy]

Re: A question for you writers.

Any advice for beginner writers?

Edit:

Oh wow, miss-posted in wrong topic!

pick a time to write every day, then write every day. work relax dont think.

when you start to write, when you get into the "zone" your brain starts to show the same activity as monks do meditating. train yourself to find this center, and write every day and eventually you will have more words than you'll know what to do with.

[John Mora]

Re: A question for you writers.

My advice for beginning writers is to read. A lot.