Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer. To have my books loved by people around the world would be a taste of heaven. Unfortunately, I am a horrible writer. I know what I want to write, how the scene should look and what the characters would say, but I just can't get it out of my head and onto paper or a screen. I have idea's for 2 different stories. One is inspired by the anime My Hero Academia, the other is a sort of mid-evil magic adventure. A basic chosen one scenario meets Harry potter meets an abbey full of magical monks. Both stories keep going through my head but I can't seem to get anywhere. It's frustrating. It's like being a bird that sucks at flying. I guess for now I'll just have to continue to let my imagination keep going while I look for an outlet. This duck may not be able to fly, but it can still call for an Uber.
Jessica Marie.
Comments
What you need is radical
What you need is radical change in your life. I suggest you quit your job and see what happens.
Not happening.
Thanks for your advice but there is no way that is happening. Got bills to pay and I just bought a house a few months ago. I'm not going to jeopardize the quality of life I have achieved on a stupid gamble.
Thanks
Jessica Marie
Right. Excellent point.
Right. Excellent point.
Better burn the house down too.
On Writing
There are two different classes of writers on this site. There's the storyteller, who has wonderful yarns within them and lacks the technical ability to get them onto paper, and the technician who has the skills and virtually no interesting stories. Of course, the majority of us are a mixture of the two.
I consider myself to be a second-tier writer. My stories are somewhat compelling and my technical skills get me by. There's nothing wrong with being less than terrific. I enjoy the effort. Don't be afraid of not being really good. Be afraid of not trying to be really good.
Real writers work diligently at their craft. They keep writers' journals. They're part of a writing circle that meets and critiques each others efforts. They study the thousands of self-help writing books. They write something every day to keep their writing muscles supple.They read -- both in their genre and outside of it. They edit for others, and cheerfully accept editing from others.
It's frustrating to have a story and not know how to tell it. Listen to a toddler trying to break through a lack of verbal skills. It's equally frustrating to have the technical skills and to lack something to tell. Even some of Mark Twain's stories are boring. I'm sure you have a favorite author who's published a dud.
I titled this blog On Writing. That's Stephen King's biographical self-help book. It's a great read. Much better than some of his stories.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
You Might Want to Consider...
...finding a co-author. To paraphrase Angela/Jill, some writers are stronger on ideas; others are stronger on technique. If you can find and work with one of the latter type, it might solve your problem.
Easier said than done, of course. But the rare ideal relationship can turn out better than the sum of the parts.
Eric
Always Listen to Eric
Eric's comments are always honest and helpful.
Listening to constructive criticism is one sure way to grow.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Writing for a living
I can tell you its very hard to get into writing for a living. Most publishing companies want a manuscript, that is at least 100,000 words or more. Also, like everyone said here it is pain stating to sit and try to describe, what you see in your head and put it to paper/screen. As for the story, normally my stories here are off the cuff, not planned out per say. However, I do have some that I have sat down and planned from start to finish and it took me a year to write. Because I planned every aspect of the story. I wanted it to go in the direction I planned it for. However, sometimes the direction you want the story to go can sort of get side track or get confusing.
You also need to make a commitment to sit down and just write. Not let any distractions get you side tracked. I'm famous for being distracted when I am working on a story. However, if writing is what you want to do and you enjoy it, just do it.
If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison
Hatter - idle curiosity
Is Hatter one of those characters that keeps refusing to go in the direction you planned? You have so many awesome characters but she is still the one I remember the most. And if she ever got a hold of your plot outline I can totally see her changing all of reality just to mess with your head.
Your work is awesome.
I do it this way
I do it this way
I write the story in steps or parts
write the main parts...the bones first...who is doing what and were to what end
then add in the meat or 'MEET'... where the bones 'Meet' and connect
keep adding layer after layer and soon enough you are there
then do a few read overs to find mistakes and you will add in 'color' at that layer or more
Proud member of the Whateley Academy Drow clan/collective