My first chapter - how to move on after it's written - Writers Forum

dhyre · 11-19-2007, 02:52 PM

Hi Everyone!

I am working on a story I have been developing for a really long time and am running into some trouble because as soon as I finish something to do with the story and I think it is really amazing, I give up - well I wouldn't call it that. But I find I have very little desire to keep going. It is almost like I want to marvel at my genius until I feel the desire to write again. And thats all great but over the long run I feel as though I have accomplished very little, nothing in fact!

So one thing I have to do to keep myself going is think of the next twist, the next chapter, the next line. Does anyone else have this issue? How do I deal with it without make my story too much of a spectacular?

dhyre

Erik Buchanan · 11-19-2007, 02:59 PM

Self-discipline is the key to this one. Schedule a writing time during the day and stick to it. That way, when you've finished a bit you think is cool, you can't stop there because you still have more writing time ahead of you.

Remind yourself that cool bits don't count. It's a cool story you want, and it won't be cool until it's finished.

Also, don't allow yourself to post or show any friends and bits you think are cool until the whole thing is done. That gives you incentive.

Rabid Euphoria · 11-19-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhyre

Hi Everyone!

I am working on a story I have been developing for a really long time and am running into some trouble because as soon as I finish something to do with the story and I think it is really amazing, I give up - well I wouldn't call it that. But I find I have very little desire to keep going. It is almost like I want to marvel at my genius until I feel the desire to write again. And thats all great but over the long run I feel as though I have accomplished very little, nothing in fact!

That's because writing a single chapter (page length?) is nothing to sneeze at. What you need to do is set yourself goals and complete them and further them.

Goal list:
1 Sentence
1 Paragraph
1 Page
1 Chapter (or 25 pages)
50 pages
100 pages
200 pages
400 pages
600 pages
...

Each on of these, imo, is a milestone in your book. Until you've reached 50 pages you haven't accomplished anything towards a novel (a novella it would be almost 50% done). A hundred pages is a large accomplishment, it proves to yourself you're intent on finishing. Two hundred pages is getting to novel size and anything past that is personal preference.

Remember, chapters are only there to break up a story, you shouldn't write chapter to chapter...just page by page, line by line.

You may think it is amazing but others may differ in opinion. To avoid being deflated, don't reveal the contents of your work to anyone.

Quote:

So one thing I have to do to keep myself going is think of the next twist, the next chapter, the next line. Does anyone else have this issue? How do I deal with it without make my story too much of a spectacular?

Quote:

dhyre

Just write word by word. Words are surmountable tasks...something you can accomplish in five seconds. Before you know it you may have four pages done.

When it comes to length, remember, two or three pages is not a chapter. I've only ever seen chapters that small in Goosebumps and books who use short chapters (The Coma) for an overall style. The smallest I try and make a chapter is 15 pages. Way I see it, if it's any less it can just be amalgomated with another chapter unless, of course, it's done for style or outwrite setting/situation change.

WriterDude · 11-20-2007, 04:05 AM

First of all, I don't always use chapters at all. I prefer giving the story a certain "flow" and let the reader decide for himself or herself when to take a break. I just hate reading a great story and have "Stop here!" screaming at me in form of a "Chapter". It's the same with TV series, where something is just about to happen, then.... Continues in the next episode.

Besides, I don't write "cool bits to cool bits". I generally write mysteries and horror, but write more "cool bits within cool bits". One important part of the story usually starts before the previous is finished, so there are always something going on. My favourite is to have several main characters and two or three stories going on simultaniously. Something important is about to happen to some of them, then the story switch to someone else. Things start building up around them, then we suddenly switch back to the first ones again.

When I do use chapters, I create them afterwards when the book is done. And don't worry about chapter length, I think it has far more to do with the pace in the story. If little is going on at the time, each paragraph and chapter can be longer. When things start happening, they could both be smaller to let the pace increase. Even then I prefer having long chapters (if at all), though.

Hope it helps.

JohnN · 11-20-2007, 04:44 AM

Some really good advice above....

I would agree that you cannot show the novel to anyone until you are completely done and dusted. Focus on milestones and don't get all cherry just yet. You may like it, others may hate it. I am not trying to get you down but you will find with writing that what you think is cool might not be that great. Such is life. Keep gunning for those milestones.

dhyre · 11-20-2007, 12:38 PM

thats really good. I always want to show people as I go, I will take that advice with me, thanks.

dhyre · 11-20-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriterDude

My favourite is to have several main characters and two or three stories going on simultaniously. Something important is about to happen to some of them, then the story switch to someone else. Things start building up around them, then we suddenly switch back to the first ones again.

Yeah, I complete understand. I have two characters I am currently focused on and I find it to be great because not only does it give the reader a break, but the writer as well.