newwriter19

ok so ive tried everything from books bout writing to other novels, movies and real life but nothin so far has motivated me to write, any suggestions?

Dawnstorm

I'm confused. Why, if nothing motivates you to write, do you want to write at all? Try music, painting, sculpting... Writing isn't the only game in town.

aspiring

I agree with Dawnstorm. If you're finding it that hard to start writing, then maybe you're not a writer.

starslight

Well, to give the original poster the benefit of the doubt -

I'd recommend trying for a couple weeks to sit down for a while each day and write ANYTHING. No matter how bad or boring you think your writing is, just write.

If you don't feel a spark of creativity, or start to have fun, or get some kind of fulfillment out of it, then maybe writing isn't for you.

Janeka

Find something that excites or interests you - a piece of art, a person, a situation, anything that makes you feel passionate and try writing about that. If that works, then try adding some ideas to it and see where it goes. If it doesn't work, then, as Dawnstorm suggests, try some other creative outlet. If you're meant to be a writer, then it may help to focus your mind; if you're not meant to be a writer, then it may help you to find a more appropriate way of expressing your creativity. Writing shouldn't need to be forced constantly, it should come naturally - at least some of the time...

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Dawnstorm

Something just occurred to me. What if newwriter19 enjoys imagining stories, making up characters etc., would like to put those stories down onto the page, but draws a blank staring at the empty page/screen?

Newwriter, we need more info here. Be specific. Why do you want to write? What does it look like to an observer when you're sitting down to write (do you sit down at all?) but can't? Would we see you chew at a pencil? Click away Word to open your favourite video game?

There are many solutions. If you like making up stories, perhaps you should start drawing comics instead of writing stories? Or you may want to start directing home movies.

Or you might find a way to discover the joy of words. Writing is, when it comes down to it, producing words, not telling stories. You can tell stories in different media, too.

So what is it you want to achieve with writing? Nobody can motivate you unless they know that.

snorrie

If you truly want to write, you shouldn't need any motivation. Then again, you may have writer's block before you even start. I suggest you sit down and just start writing about anything. Describe the trees outside your window, a boy walking down the street, maybe just write about the day before and what you did. Just get the creative juices flowing. Don't worry right now about anything important. You just have to get into the habit of writing something. Once you get going, your fingers may have a mind of their own and start running. Good luck.

Mike C

Try sculpting.

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FrankBlissett

This works for quite a few. If you still find youself sitting there doing nothing, try a very specific assignment.

ie, tell yourself that you will write a limerick based on the day's news. Or, assign yourself a flash-fiction based on the character of a commercial immediately after the commercial ends. Or, if you get fired up about some social issue then write a letter to the editor.

-Frank

newwriter19

yes thats exaclty what i mean, ive got the characters all ready to go its just starting the story im stuck with, and i see most writers use all these fancy beginnings in their stories but when i try i just come up with a too quick of a start and after a few pages its at the end already.

Buddhapants

Beginnings are hard. Try starting with the end or something in the middle.

newwriter19

lol and also to what i thought would help me write, i bought myself a laptop

SilkFX

That's actually good advice, newwriter. Don't laugh. Start where you feel the most energy, and build around it if you have to.

Writing is simply about telling a story. Do you have a story to tell? Then tell it. The big thing is not to worry right away if it makes sense. That's what REwriting is for...to help things make sense. 80% of writing is REWRITING.

Don't even worry about grammar, punctuation, etc. -- just get it down on the page. It may fill just one page. Reread it and see what to add or subtract. Then add or subtract...print it out, reread...repeat until done.

It really amazes me how many new writers think that books and stories just spring fully-formed out of authors' heads. Why do we put writers on pedestals? NOBODY gets it completely right the first time out. (Paraphrasing Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird: First drafts are always shitty. First drafts are ALLOWED to be shitty.) And EVERYBODY experiences anxiety around one or more aspects of writing. Welcome to the club. Just sit your butt down in front of your laptop and GO.

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you can't you can never be sure
you die without knowing
whether anything you wrote was any good
if you have to be sure don't write

newwriter19

thanks for that advice silkFX, umm another question, are there any resources or supplies i would need to begin writing?

Ben

Just a brain, a pen and paper or a computer should do the trick.