Thread: A problem with hand mind coordination?

I am having a problem with my work. I keep starting and stopping my writing for unknown reasons. Right now I seem to have a bad case of Writer's Apathy. I develope story lines and scenarios in my mind and just don't have the gumption to put these ideas done in my novel. I just don't seem to care. Any one else have this malady and what do you do?

Try just writing them down in a notebook or something and then develop/expand them on their own.

I have always called it writers depression. I am going through something similar myself.

My novel is done and all I have to do is write a winning 2 page synopsis. I have written seven unfinished pieces which are all bloated dreck.

I hate the synopsis.

The biggest problem I have is getting distracted. Writing on a computer, notes on an iPod Touch, my mind tends to wander, and I find myself emerge from a stupor of technology hours later, wondering why I wasn't working on my project. It's a problem. Solution? I seclude myself to keep myself from getting distracted. Perhaps your simply getting distracted too, or maybe you just don't really want to write it...seclusion helps, though...

Okay, that makes some sense. I am retired and don't normally use a notebook anymore I just go to the computer. Perhaps if I just add my thoughts I can go back and insert ideas and expand them to fit my novel? It's worth a try. Thanks

Congrats with the completion! I wish I was that far along, but I'm only about half way. Let me know how it all works out I'm always interested in reading other's works.

Thanks Aaron. Your thoughts remind me of R. HeinLein's attitude about writers: Do it in a locked room and wash your hands afterwards. I have been a writer since high school over thirty years ago and now I have the time to accomplish something so not writing isn't an option, I have too much to share. Maybe I just need to knuckle down and put thoughts and philosophies to paper. Sometimes I feel that my efforts are for naught so maybe I should share excerpts on other spots on this forum so that I can feel that someone is reading my work.

Originally Posted by MJ Preston

I have always called it writers depression. I am going through something similar myself.

My novel is done and all I have to do is write a winning 2 page synopsis. I have written seven unfinished pieces which are all bloated dreck.

I hate the synopsis.

On the bright side, the synopsis is probably the toughest part of the actual writing. Have you brought your attempts to this or some other writing forum for help?

Try using a digital dictaphone, take it to bed with you, take it everywhere. It's a Godsend.

No I haven't tried bringing my work to any forum (this is the only one I am currently on) I have thought about it but am a little afraid of putting it out there until I have written more. Then I have trouble writing because I get the apathy again. Then I think that if someone as interested in reading it I would write more. Then...Kinda sounds like circular logic.

The problem is still getting it from there to the book.

I think it can be easy to get put off by the actual "work" of the craft, the part that has to put your ideas into a tangible form. The best solution, I think, lies in having a prejudice against something unfinished. If it is not on paper (file, etc.) then it doesn't exist. A fantasy story that I "would like to write" is still just a fantasy. Only what has been recorded can exist. This is expressing it a bit over the top, but it's true. Without the work, it's nothing.