Writing problem

**Killer Croc** · 06-06-2010, 11:07 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm writing a fiction book (I guess that's sort of obvious

), and I'm determined to see it through start to finish. I know what kind of books I love and the type that I want to write, and I've studied the books I like.

However, I'm finding that I frequently write a few pages and make good progress, and I like it a lot. Then, a few days later, I'll read it again and hate it. This happens enough that I don't make great progress, because I'm always replacing or rewriting, or wondering if "maybe I crammed too much action into that chapter." I'm making an outline, but I wanted to write the first couple chapters since I know for sure the basic concept of the first chapters, and I'm willing to replace it later if necessary.

I know I could have someone else I know read it, but I really would prefer for now it to not be read till it's finished. And anyway, even if the work was actually good it would be awful for me to always dislike it. I've been redoing this book for a long time, and I want to get going on it.

But I was wondering, is this a normal problem? Does anybody else have this happen, and what do you do to fix it?

Thanks,
KC

**Ilasir Maroa** · 06-06-2010, 11:42 PM

Yes, it is a normal problem. One of the most common solutions is to not read it until you've finished a draft.

**windswept_euphony** · 06-07-2010, 12:25 AM

You've actually described a prevalent problem for writers, out of the slew of others that our insecure, self-doubting breed faces. Developing an outline to build off of is a great start and useful road map for the rest of your writing. The best advice I can give is to not care too much about how you've written what you've written; care about the fact that you wrote it and move on. Don't fixate on how what you have down on paper sounds wrong or stupid or just not right. Keep writing through your story, referencing your outline and keeping the dialogue and events correct and well-oiled. Because you know what the kicker is? Even when you're done writing your book, you aren't finished. Edit after edit will come, and what you agonized over in the beginning will most likely be completely re-written a few times over.

Our dear, dry old friend Mr. Ernest Hemingway said it best: "The first draft of anything is shit."

**lin** · 06-07-2010, 01:02 AM

As so often, old Papa was vastly overstating things. Maybe for him it was true.

**Ilasir Maroa** · 06-07-2010, 01:09 AM

Plenty of people agree with Hemingway.

Now, not every first draft has to be shit. But it's pretty like to seem like shit when you've just written, because what you wanted to put on the page is still fresh in your mind to compare with what you've actually put on the page.

**lin** · 06-07-2010, 01:45 AM

Plenty of people agree with Hemingway.

Plenty of people agree with Rush Limbaugh, Osama Bin Ladin, Adolf Hitler... so?

And plenty of people sell first drafts.

I hope this doesn't lead to another extended bone-gnawing session.

**Ilasir Maroa** · 06-07-2010, 01:50 AM

Is Hemingway correct? I don't know. I haven't seen every first draft compared side-by-side to every final. But many people agree with him. As you said, perhaps it's true for them. It's probably not true for everyone. But it might possibly be true for the OP in regards to the story they are having trouble with.

**Killer Croc** · 06-07-2010, 01:57 AM

Thank you so much everyone for the responses!

I must say, this is a real confidence booster, knowing that I am not alone with that problem. I'll take your advice and just keep moving on, and edit it later. I've restarted the book many times, but until this version I hadn't had an outline, so now I'll know ahead of time whether or not I like the story, so maybe once I finish the book I can focus more on the actual writing during the next few passes.

Thanks!

**lin** · 06-07-2010, 05:16 AM

Yep, it's the constant bicker boogie. Should be good for another three or four pages and he's already repeating himself.
But it's very important to a forum to know that anything you might post there's this "moderator" just waiting to swoop in and contradict you for know reason whatsoever, then turn it into a marathon ankle-chewer.

**Eden.Kaye** · 06-07-2010, 07:09 AM

My advice is to just keep writing, even if it is shitty. Just write it and finish it then revise it.
I think this happens to a lot of people, including me.
I have about 15-20 stories unfinished because of this problem... I think it is time to take my own advice, lol.

-Eden

**Ilasir Maroa** · 06-07-2010, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Eden.Kaye

My advice is to just keep writing, even if it is shitty. Just write it and finish it then revise it.
I think this happens to a lot of people, including me.
I have about 15-20 stories unfinished because of this problem... I think it is time to take my own advice, lol.

-Eden

I'll cop to that, as well. It's very easy to get discouraged on one project and move on to the next new and shiny.

**Eden.Kaye** · 06-07-2010, 07:12 AM

It is! It's like writer's have their own form of ADD.

**Ilasir Maroa** · 06-07-2010, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Eden.Kaye

It is! It's like writer's have their own form of ADD.

Well, most of the writers I know have more ideas than they know what to do with. For short stories, this can be very valuable. For longer work, it can be very distracting. That's why you hear "finish something!" so often.