Need Help With Inspiration - Page 2 - Writers Forum

lilacstarflower · 07-19-2008, 12:18 PM

S-wo made a good point. I actually haven't completed a novel, but whenever I'm stuck I go back to whatever it was that inspired me to write that piece in the first place - music, movie, envy of other authors, just whatever sparked that idea in the first place.

Read other books in the genre you are writing as well, but with a critical mind

HarryG · 07-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Please keep the advice coming. I'm desperately in need of inspiration.

My recent failing was caused by a daft, failed experiment with voice recognition software, I think, at least, since that time I've been struggling. I've uninstalled the software but keep going back to the 100,000 words I created using it, and keep trying to figure out why it failed.

The words are all there, the story is there, yet it doesn't read right, and it's driving me mad. When I say it doesn't read right, that's not exactly accurate, some of it reads very well, but the whole doesn't link together satisfactorily – it lacks something, I could call it soul, but that isn't exactly right either.

I'm actually thinking of submitting it under a false name, just to see what happens.

celestialwolf · 07-20-2008, 11:09 AM

HarryG,

That sounds pretty normal for a first draft to me. It's a rough draft. Notice the word "rough". Most writers make several re-writes of their novel to get it to where they want it, at least the ones I know. Your draft will only fail if you give up on it. Complete the draft even if it feels like it has no "soul". Take your manuscript and read it through. Don't edit. Don't make any notes. Just read it. Does it still not sit right with you? Read it again. Don't edit. Don't make any notes. By this point the novel should be fresh in your mind, more than you'd want I'd imagine. This time read though it and makes notes. Red pens, sticky notes, whichever you like best. Figure out what the manuscript is missing. Normally it's either a solid plot or vivid characters that come to life on the page with believable motivations. Chances are that's why your story is not grabbing you. Rewrite the story as many times as it takes to get it where you want it. It might take you 10 rewrites to get it there but if you don't give up you can get it there. Above all, don't submit it unless you're a wholeheartedly certain that the pieces is as best as you can make it. I can promise you that a first and second draft isn't it. If you submit it now, I can tell you what will happen. Slush. Rejection. It doesn't call out to you, it won't call out to your readers. Novel writing is hard work. Roll up your sleeves and keep up the good work. You've got 100,000 words already and you should be proud of that. Finish the manuscript. You've got all the inspiration you need. You just need motivation.

Celestial

HarryG · 07-20-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celestialwolf

HarryG,

That sounds pretty normal for a first draft to me. It's a rough draft. Notice the word "rough". Most writers make several re-writes of their novel to get it to where they want it, at least the ones I know. Your draft will only fail if you give up on it. Complete the draft even if it feels like it has no "soul". Take your manuscript and read it through. Don't edit. Don't make any notes. Just read it. Does it still not sit right with you? Read it again. Don't edit. Don't make any notes. By this point the novel should be fresh in your mind, more than you'd want I'd imagine. This time read though it and makes notes. Red pens, sticky notes, whichever you like best. Figure out what the manuscript is missing. Normally it's either a solid plot or vivid characters that come to life on the page with believable motivations. Chances are that's why your story is not grabbing you. Rewrite the story as many times as it takes to get it where you want it. It might take you 10 rewrites to get it there but if you don't give up you can get it there. Above all, don't submit it unless you're a wholeheartedly certain that the pieces is as best as you can make it. I can promise you that a first and second draft isn't it. If you submit it now, I can tell you what will happen. Slush. Rejection. It doesn't call out to you, it won't call out to your readers. Novel writing is hard work. Roll up your sleeves and keep up the good work. You've got 100,000 words already and you should be proud of that. Finish the manuscript. You've got all the inspiration you need. You just need motivation.

Celestial

Good advice, Celestial, and thanks.

ohdear · 07-21-2008, 01:39 PM

J Walker
Have you ever done a mind map?
Get a blank peice of paper and draw a circle in the middle of the page.
Write the title of your book if you have it, or just MY BOOK in the circle.
then, draw some sticks off the circle and some circles connected to the sticks.
In one write chaper one... then a few things that are in chapter one
continue in this manner with all the six you already have, then draw some more circles
as many chapters as you would like to have.
then put random words in these circles
thoughts that just JUMP at you
just write write write ideas out
you may not use half of them... but they will get you started on where you want to go.
good luck

oh, just a note on mind maps.... they are very powerful as this is how our mind works, one thought leads to and triggers another etc...

JWalker · 07-22-2008, 02:53 PM

Thanx for the advice ohdear I might just do that and see how it goes.

JW

JWalker · 07-22-2008, 02:54 PM

Anybody else got any other advice???

JW

lancengym · 07-23-2008, 11:30 PM

Deliberate means - try some creative thinking methodology like "random word provocation", or drawing a "concept fan", or asking "what if, supposing" questions.

Natural means - I just take a break and put it aside. Some of my stories are completed after breaks of months or even yrs. Looking back, it probably came out better than just forcing something out that seems awkward to the flow. Life has a way of presenting inspirations if you are passionate enough about something.

Good Luck!