I'm a bit more than half way through writing a novel - 63,000 words so far - and I feel like I'm treading in molasses. I've written less than 3,000 words in more than a month. Yesterday, I wrote ONE SENTENCE! What's so frustrating is that I know the story right up through the ending. I just can't find the words. If anyone out there is wondering why I haven't posted anything lately, it's not because I've gone away. I think my muse has taken a sabatical, or she's just enjoying tormenting me. The story I'm working on is part of the California Saga series. Ideas are starting to show up for some things for the Cynthia Chronicles, but I really want to finish this other thing. So, it's back to the manuscript. Maybe I can get a chapter done this weekend. This story's been on low heat far too long.
Portia
Comments
On Writers Block
Portia,
I can't say I've never experienced writers block, but I can say that I am usually good at getting around it. Like you, I usually know at least the beginning and how the story will end, it's the getting from the beginning to the end that I have trouble with... What I do, is skim the previous few paragraphs and then see what happens, or jump ahead in the plot... Usually one or the other (or sometimes both) will get me back on track...
Samantha
Suggestion
1. Export the whole of the story to HTML in a location where you can look at it in your browser. DON'T browse it yet.
2. Leave it strictly alone for three days. Go do something else, the more mind-filling the better.
3. Do a browser run: read a few tales here on BCTS, see what else is happening in the TG underground, maybe even head over to Slashdot if your interests go in that direction. Get caught up in the browsing rhythm.
4. Now sit down, relax with your preferred "I might just get moving or I might not" beverage, browse a bit more, then browse that story. Read it through like someone else wrote it, trying not to remind yourself of what comes next.
I often have a half dozen or so stories in various states of disarray, inching towards completion. I have a script that converts the plain text in which I write into HTML and posts it to a web-server on my LAN.
When I focus on a story, reading it in the browser, I usually pick up its rhythms and voice, and then I find places where things need to be said, or completed, or expanded. It's the "fresh eyes" principle applied in solitary. Alternating as I do, I inch along in each story, feeling my way; browsing the one tale, you might find your muse hooked on the story and ready to go back to fulltime work.
(I also find tons of typos that way.)
fwiw
Interesting idea... I've
Interesting idea... I've never thought about doing anything like that... I may have to try that the next time I try to work on something...
Samantha
Writing is a skill
it needs practice - I do it pretty well every day, even if don't decide to post it I keep writing. On a normal day I write 12-1500 words on a busy day I can knock out up to three times that - my record being nearly 10,000.
Try writing something, it doesn't matter if it's for publication or just an exercise. Write something - your block will disappear - it's mind over matter.
Angharad
Angharad
Go backwards
If you're stuck in the middle but you know how the story ends, write the end first then come back and fill in the middle.
I've started doing a bit of that.
That was one of the things I've come up with. I was able to write about a thousand words.
Portia
Portia
Writer's Block
Don't worry, we a get the bock. Why not try posting what you have/ The comments might just be the spark needed to bring back your Muse.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Posting Incomplete Stories
Stan,
Thanks for commenting. When I post a story, even if it's a chapter at a time, it is completed and fully edited. I have gone to another author at this site for an idea, and she pointed me in the correct direction so that I could get creative again. I know there are authors here that seem to enjoy posting incomplete stories, much to my frustration, and I am sure to the frustration of other readers. I know this site is a testing ground for many of us; however, other than a cliff hanger or two, I will never leave my readers (all five of them) hanging.
Portia
Portia
Yeah, it happens!
Relax, unless you have some serious health issues we should all be worried about, there isn't a deadline. I've been trying to work on three stories, plus editing for others-And I still have to sometimes write a short story to kick me into gear..
Your stories are SO good, don't sacrifice quality to get them done sooner. I can wait-I know I'll love it when it shows up.
Wren