Problems with getting started - Writers Forum

LouDog11 · 01-02-2006, 06:09 PM

I have recently been inspired to write something, although I'm not sure what genre or style I want. Basically, it is totally up in the air and I'm open for anything.

I just don't know how to get started. I don't know how to just jump into something and start writing. Obviously, some planning must precede the actual writing part, but that usually gets me nowhere.

Do I just start writing the first chapter? Describing a character or setting? I never know how to do any of these things and I feel I never end up with a logical, flowing story. Instead I end up just writing out my rants and complaints to things, or a journal entry, which are both hardly a story.

I don't think I can just sit down and say, "Ok, I'm going to begin my novel right now."

Where do I go from here? I guess I'm looking for ideas for how to get yourself into the actual "writing", or advice for what people do to inspire themselves.

Raging_Hopeful · 01-02-2006, 06:26 PM

Hmm... it sounds like you want to write but have yet to be truly inspired. Depending on what style you find yourself gravitating towards, I would suggest choosing a genre that you yourself read. Especially if you are truly open to anything... this way you'll have something to reference to and the writing style will be something you already recognize.

Second of all, if you want to write, READ. If you're not a big reader, now would be a good time to become one. You will find inspiration and ideas in other books and through osmosis, you will begin to digest and retain structure and flow.

Oh, and no planning need proceed any piece of writing. I would suggest starting with a character. Create a character in your mind's eye and create his/her every attribute. Create funny quirks and mannerisms typical for this character. Depending on the type of character, imagine where he or she might come from and formulate a background/history. Visualization exercises can be helpful for some writers who are struggling.

But first and foremost... just write. Who cares if it's a rant/rave or journal entry? It's still practice and it's still a good way to discover your own unique style of writing and flow. The more you write, the more you'll find ideas will formulate themselves and you won't have to force them so much.

I look forward to reading some of your work!

LouDog11 · 01-02-2006, 06:48 PM

Cool, thanks! That is good advice.

Yah, since school has been out I have been reading a lot. I have read Catch 22, Old Man and the Sea, and Bird by Bird in the past weeks. I'm currently reading Farewell to Arms.

I guess I'm afraid of never making the transition from a person who loves to read and keeps a diary, to a writer. I don't know how or if I can make that change. I love music, and will never stop listening to it, but I don't think I can become a musician. Not to mention, my journal entries never get picked apart in terms of style, grammar, and structure.

Thanks again!

mammamaia · 01-02-2006, 08:17 PM

first thing you need to know, ld, is that the novel is the writer's 'everest'... and you wouldn't try to climb the real thing, if you had never conquered lesser peaks, would you?... so, before you sit down to write a novel, it's best to hone your basic skills and gain the requisite writing experience on more attainable goals... then, when you've acquired the confidence and ability needed to master those treacherous heights, you'll stand a better chance of getting to the top ['the end']...

make sense?

as for reading, you're on the right track... no one can become a really good writer if they're not first a good, constant, and omnivorous reader... so, keep on reading the best writings by the best writers of all times, start practicing on short stories, to master that elusive grammar, style, etc.... and before you know it, you'll be ready to tackle the big one...

Icywind · 01-02-2006, 08:55 PM

So you're in writer's block huh?

Well what I do to get my writing juices pumping is that I sometimes take a walk!

Yes this sounds so pointless, and insane....but that solitude gets my mind ticking.

While alone.....think back on something that would make an interesting story or article.

For example...recently while I was reading National Geographic....a short article featuring the heroine Lady Godiva caught my eye.

The legend goes that Lady Godiva rode naked horseback through her husband's province protesting his opressive taxes!

I mean...wouldn't that make a great story?!!

Yes...I'm insane...but even the little things you happen to read can spark the next bestseller!!^-^

LouDog11 · 01-02-2006, 09:39 PM

Thanks for your input. I guess I do have writer's block. The only difference, I thought, is that writer's block usually happens to writers that have done something in the past and are currently stuck on what to do. Considering I am yet to start, we can make up a new term. Heh.

Raging_Hopeful · 01-03-2006, 01:21 PM

Don't worry so much about "being a writer" or writing a novel. There's no criteria or test you must pass in order to be a writer. Millions of writers have no published works (and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with talent) but they are still "writers."

"since every writer has about ten thousand pages of utter drivel in them, you might as well start now so you can get a good portion of that out of your way while you're still young."
-Orsen Scott Card

Oh and I thought I'd share a really neat website with lots of tips, advice and helpful links:
www.fictionfactor.com

Good luck!

Apostle22 · 01-05-2006, 09:31 AM

I'm kinda suffering from the same thing LouDog....I guess we can call it pre-writers block. I have my characters in place and I know the story i want but implementing the story on paper is not easy. I usually find that going to barnes and noble or a starbucks, just somewhere quiet, usually gets me in the mood to write and gets my mind flowing. If i sit down with distractions like tv, noise, or other loud things, I cant think at all about my story.

Stewart · 01-05-2006, 09:47 AM

As has been said, if you are just starting out then forget about doing a novel; that should come later when you are confident with your narrative voice and actually feel as if you can hold the voice for however long.

Just warm up with some little practicals:

Find a photo with a few people in it and imagine what they are saying to each other: write it down.

Find a landscape and, using words, lead yourself into it. Create a sense of place.

Get a photo of one person's head (preferable some anonymous model from a magazine) and describe it. Take it further, describe the person's life, what they do, who their friends are, their hobbies.

Try writing a scene between two people where one is trying to blackmail the other, make it mostly dialogue, read it aloud when finished. Does it feel natural?

Write a simple sentence, i.e. The girl walked across the room and then write it as many times as possible changing the verb: walked to ran, hopped, sauntered, swaggered, etc. to demonstrate to yourself how word choice can have an effect on what you are saying.

Write about one object belonging to you, and the include the memories it reminds you of.

Write about your town or city, try to personalise it.

Write the same scene (perhaps your garden) four times and, with each description, use a different season.

And so on...just get happy with using words to write.

Dookie · 01-05-2006, 10:45 AM

I'd say listen to music while you write. I think that music can be highly influencial on a subconscious level and its pretty damn good just to sit down, jab on a CD and write all the way while it plays. Wonderful...

Sand · 01-05-2006, 12:18 PM

Those are great warm-up exercises Wolf. I'd never thought of warming up when it comes to writing, but a book I just read suggested exactly that. Your suggestions are simple and quick to execute.

Thanks.

Gauda · 01-05-2006, 07:00 PM

I'm sorry to hear that - we all go through it sometimes. What I would recommend is going to your nearest coffee shop [or any other place with peace and quiet] sitting down, and writing down all of your thoughts on what you'd be interested in writing - every single one of them. Even if you'd never consider using them for a novel, something could crop up. If you still can't think, read a little. You might get some inspiration from there.