S1E9A8N5

I'm not sure what this is but I'm having problems writing. This has probably been discussed a lot with other posters. I have in my head what I want to happen yet I can not write down what I see. It's driving me crazy. I know it doesn't have to be perfect the first time and I don't really care if it is. But I would like to write down at least something similar to how I am seeing it in my head. I can outline but I always get stuck when I start to write because I want what I write to make sense and to be how I see it in my head. Does that make sense? Am I doing something wrong? What is this? Is this writer’s block, a form of procrastination, or something? Advice?

Thanks

The Great Usurper

Here is the truth: there is no simple answer. Sure, it may be writer's block, procrastination, hesitation, or even laziness. There are a lot of motivational books that try to help you embrace your inner writer, but they are all--in my opinion--completely full of shit. A lot of these books preach advice that can trick the writer into believing that if the mood is right, words will magically flow and populate your paper. The truth is that writing involves a lot of doing it wrong in order to do it right. You have to edit, edit, edit, and most importantly, edit more. If your writing doesn't convey the imagery in your head, then you have to admit to yourself, "this sucks," erase it, and try again. Anyone who says there is a secret recipe to putting your thoughts onto paper perfectly is probably trying to sell you something.

But, I don't want to leave you empty-handed, so here is advice based off patterns that have worked for me (it may work for you, or it may not). If you have an idea, don't start an outline right away because you might force yourself into a premature idea. Instead, keep it in your head for at least a week and enumerate every possibility that could make your story better. Mull over everything from large ideas to single sentences that can define the mood. Also, discover the time that your brain is the most receptive to your ideas. My prime pondering times just so happen to be during class (fortunately, I still get good grades), during long drives on the highway (I still drive safely), and right before I fall asleep (this is a horrible curse that keeps me awake, but I've learned to accept it).

For example, I recently posted a short story that I kept in my head for two months, without even writing down one single note or outline. Then, a couple of nights ago, right before falling asleep, I had a rush of ideas for the story. I embraced the surge of words that filled my head, then stayed up late into the night and cranked out the whole thing at once. It received good reviews by a few people here (thanks guys). I spent two months mulling over a story in my head that only turned out to be less than 500 words! Writing can be funny like that. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

I hope this helps. I just don't like people preaching a static answer for a dynamic problem. In the end, it is completely up to you to discover what habits facilitate your writing process.

EDIT: I just realized that my example appears to violate my advice of "edit like crazy," but I did edit it quite a bit that night. More importantly, I spent two months mentally editing the story. I just happend to get very, very lucky by having the words to my story become very clear that night. That may never happen again.

Emerson Darkness

I think the above poster missed one important reason why you might possibly be having problems. "ANXIETY" You know what you want to write, but getting it down is difficult. This frustration could be stopping you. Writing takes patience, planning, and editing. Even though you know the course of your story, you will not likely get the words right the first time through.

That is something all writers have to deal with. Come to terms with that, sit down and summarize your story. Maybe it will be a one page summary. Give yourself some time. Elaborate on the summary, include new ideas (as was advised in the above post) YOu could come out with several pages of summary by the end. Things may seem clearer from that point on.

This will not take the place of editing, and the joining of thoughts that will paint the picture you would like to portray, but it is a start. You will never start if you don't sit down patiently, and write...

Mike C

Anxiety is a major factor, as Emerson points out.

Writing is easy - anyone can do it. That's the mindset you need to leave behind. Anyone can string a sentence together, but it takes a special spark to write something meaningful.

If you were learning to sculpt, you'd expect to make mistakes. I'll bet even Michelangelo had a huge rubble pile out back, all the failed projects and mistakes he made before he carved David. Writing's no different - it's an art, but you have to put in the hours developing the associated craft. Nothing that comes easy is worth the effort.

Don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid to get it wrong. Every mistake and blind alley takes you another step closer to where you want to go. There's not a writer out there who hasn't been hit by the same problem, and not a published writer on earth who didn't have to rewrite, revise and rewrite again to get what they wanted.

The problem you are currently experiencing is called being a writer.

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The Great Usurper

Awesome quote.

And the above two posters are definitely right about anxiety. I personally have been putting off completing a specific piece for almost a year because of anxiety. No amount of editing or mulling over the topic can fix that. Good point guys.

S1E9A8N5

You guys give the best advice. I really appriciate it.

Thanks