Starting Over - Writers Forum

Diamond · 11-14-2003, 03:47 PM

Several months ago, I decided to write my first novel. I spent alot of time on it, but could never really decide if I liked it (the story-line, the writing style, anything). It's so hard to tell when you've read over the same paragraphs over and over, they start to lose any meaning at all. Finally, I put it away for nearly a month, then went back to read my first chapter again with what I hoped would be a little professional detachment.
I don't know how else to put this,

It sucked!

Now, I have a bad habit to over-reacting to these things, which is why there is barely any trace of my past creative endevours (there is the odd project that I actually liked). Keeping old projects around just seems like a permanent record of wasted time.

Anyway, I don't know what to do about this 'novel'. I don't know that I'll ever be able to turn it into something I can be proud of. On the other hand, it's really hard to just forget about all the work I put into it. I also worry that my second, third, or any other attempt at a novel will not go any better.

I know it's not really a question, but is there any advice out there for someone starting right back at square 1?

DragonReborn · 11-14-2003, 05:47 PM

Few things to say:

I started my first novel a while ago, but quit. The reason was because I DIDN'T KNOW MY WORLD WELL ENOUGH!!! For one, know your world, and maybe have a world book. I'm not just talking fantasy or science fiction; every novel has to have research done on it, even if it is only a little.

Write your novel first. Then let it sit. Of course it's going to suck, but you only wrote it the first time through! To make it perfect, you're going to have to go through and revise it many, many, MANY times to make it any good. ESPECIALLY if you are a first time writer.

However, IF you are a first time novelist, you will run into a major problem: A good idea that will sell vs. A decent idea that WON'T. A writer who has written a dozen novels can take a decent idea and write it amazingly. A first time writer, however, has to take the coolest possible idea his/her head can conjure up. If you only think your idea is decent, then take it, blow it up, and observe the tiny details. Make slight changes in the plot, and they can lead to awesome ideas.

And many times, beginning writers' works don't flow well. If you are having troubles with this, then I suggest going to your nearest library, and checking out any books on writing. My personal favorite is Peter Rubie and Gary Provost's called How to Tell a Story. It has a chapter on pace, and that small section made drastic changes in my works!!!

Hope this helped some

ltpalmer · 11-30-2003, 02:03 AM

Initial perfection does not exist. The first draft of a novel is just a starting point - what it does is tell you what the novel is about. The beauty and genius come with the subsequent drafts. We must polish and hone our writing. Just make sure that you have a strong plot with dynamic characters that people will love - or hate. Just make sure you aren't "washing garbage."

Ceridwen · 02-16-2004, 08:23 AM

Hello! I also suffer this same problem: always starting over whenever you feel your story sucks. Well, my exact problem is I run out of ideas but later on my brain starts producing some new ideas again.

All I can advice (I hope it can help) is to read your story all over again, if you are on the edge of giving up and starting back on step one you must think hard on the story you are trying write and find some inspiration to help you get back that familiar interest to spur you in writing more and better. Dragon and Itpalmer's (I hope I got their names right) advices are actually right and helpful.

MriduKhullar · 02-16-2004, 09:51 AM

Hi there,

Why don't you join an online writer's group? That'll help you get feedback from a variety of members, as well as find flaws that you haven't been able to see for yourself. It also give you an honest opinion of whether your work is ready to sell or not, and if not, what you can do to improve it.

Good Luck!

Nazareth · 02-16-2004, 11:59 AM

post your first chapter here- some people can comment on what to do to improve it maybe-

type · 02-16-2004, 03:11 PM

I agree with the comments and suggestions here and would like to add my two cents.

Consider that novel a valuable learning experience! The next time you write, you will be able to apply those lessons and write something even better. Also consider working on completing more rough drafts of your novel, as it is possible that you still don't know everything about your characters and/or their situation(s).

In his book, Creativity Rules!, John Vorhaus suggests writing quick summaries of stories with beginnings, middles and ends, period. If you include all of the minor details, you are more likely to become bogged down.

Hope all of this helps, and good luck. Happy writing!

Aevin · 02-17-2004, 12:45 PM

I agree with type--you should not view each of your projects as something to succeed or fail with. View each project as a step along the way to maturing as a writer. Personally, I find it appalling that you discard projects you no longer think good. Instead of looking at them as "a permanent record of wasted time," think of them as evidence of your improvement. The fact that you can see errors in your old works means you are improving. Instead of looking at your work and thinking, "It sucks!" think, "I can see that it's not very good, and because I know this, I can make it better next time."

I'd suggest saving ALL of your work. Personally, I've saved every story I've written since I began writing "seriously" at ten years old. I can look back at my first story, and be delighted with the progress I've made. If nothing else, these stories give me a sweet sense of nostalgia. Save your work. You'll miss it if you don't.

blackswan · 02-22-2004, 02:35 PM

And if I could just add in my .02 as well, I had the same problem when I read over the beginning of my novel, but if I may just say, there's a reason for rewrites and editing. The important thing is just to write, and finish the novel, and then you can go back and rewrite...and I really think you should believe that your story is good, and write it with that attitude, because it probably isn't that bad and you're just being too worried. I also suggest (though many would disagree) holding off putting it up for critique for a while, because it might distract you from the actual thing and your belife that it's good...which you should maintain the whole way through.