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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Looking at shiny things
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 Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:21 am Post subject: Sort of a writer's block question I suppose |
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Usually when I put WIPs on archives I have every intention of completing the story, but recently I've had trouble with one of mine, and am not really sure what to do about it. I can't seem to get my muse going at all for the story, and am a bit wary of plodding on with it just for the sake of completing it, as surely, if I don't have the heart for it, it will come across as boring or rushed?
I just wondered if anyone had any opinions - should you give up on a story that you just can't get a hangle on any more, or should you leave it for a while and see if the muse comes back? How long though do you wait to see if inspiration comes before you know if a story is a dud, if there is such a thing as a dud story?
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DarkElfChilde
Joined: 23 Aug 2004
Posts: 1013
Location: I'm located somewhere
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:35 am Post subject: |
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-thinks- I don't know how many stories I've never finish because when I start on one, I get an idea for another every time I get stuck, but I love writing...maybe that's the reason behind it.
I either repeatedly go over the story that I stopped while I work on another, or not bother with it for a few months before I even start writing again. Writing takes a lot of energy from me, especially since I tend to write descriptive writing in every story I create.
Moving right along, the "dud" story is more of a hybernating one if you look at it that way because I for one, finish the story in my mind, while adding and changing it when I write it down on paper or type it...but I never find the motivation to keep going...well, maybe down the road I'll find a way to do so.
Sincerely,
DEC
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SilverMoonLady
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 1201
Location: Breaking in a Brandybuck... *wicked grin*
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:38 am Post subject: |
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I'd say give it a little rest, then go back and see what you can do:) Sometimes you just need a little distance... and sometimes you just need to plow on through as well to tie things up. I have done that once or twice (I feel obligated to my readers, few as they are, to finish what I begin). This is why I have vowed not to post another WIP until I have at least a rough of the whole thing.... Coming Home and Diamond have hammered that lesson in!
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Looking at shiny things
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:44 am Post subject: |
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| SilverMoonLady wrote: | | I'd say give it a little rest, then go back and see what you can do:) Sometimes you just need a little distance... and sometimes you just need to plow on through as well to tie things up. I have done that once or twice (I feel obligated to my readers, few as they are, to finish what I begin). This is why I have vowed not to post another WIP until I have at least a rough of the whole thing.... Coming Home and Diamond have hammered that lesson in! |
I don't like not finishing something I've posted either. That's one reason I quite like posting WIPs as it motivates me to finish, especially if I know people are following the story (though I'm not one of those 'don't review, I don't update' FF. Net type people  ). I actually know how this one is meant to end and have all the plot mapped out etc, and the annoying thing is it is only about 1 chapter away from being finished, but I suppose I have lost confidence in it more than anything. I don't know now if the idea, which seemed good when I started, is actually working in practise. It's had no new reviews for ages as well, though it's been updated. I don't know if that means anything, but it could hint that people have lost interest in it as well. This is what I'm not sure of - how do you know if you've just lost the muse, and it will come back if you leave the story for a while, or if the story is just plain bad and that is why you can't get it right?
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mistressofbucklebury
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 251
Location: England
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:50 am Post subject: |
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Which story of your is it? I only ask because as of yet I haven't read a story of yours that I haven't loved (  I'm a bit of a fan!) and if it's encouragement you need I'd love to read the story and give any help I can....
..... just call me your own personal cheerleader  
MoB |
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Looking at shiny things
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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thanks.
It's my latest challenge story thing. It's had some very good reviews on the first few chapters, and I am quite happy with those chapters and think they turned out okay. Just every time I go to write the last bit I just can't get the urge and I start to wonder about my ending and if I've built it up enough for people to want to know what's going to happen. I'm thinking another part of the problem is that I have my first exam on the 8th November, on a subject that I loathe, and so maybe I'm not concentrating well on my fics.
I am a terrible judge of my own work though, as has been pointed out to me by my long-suffering friends  Leaving it for a while was my first instinct though, and that seems to be what people are saying, so I might try that.
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sindohte
Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 1621
Location: Rubbing up against an Elf
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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You cannot abandon your Thranduil fic or I will curl up into a little ball and die  Okay now that my little spaz attack is over, I think that you should stop working on it for a while and concentrate on your upcoming exams or on your other stories. I think if you do that then you will find that your enthusiam for completing your story will return. You have to be in the right frame of mind to write and it sounds like you aren't in the proper head space at the moment.
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DanseMacabre
Joined: 14 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Sunny Singapore
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:23 am Post subject: |
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You need to be in the right mood and all to write.. [Like what I always say when I have to do work I don't like  ]
I'll say leave it alone for a while, and discuss with readers/friends for any new possible twists/endings and get inspiration. Then return to the story and see if you can make anything out of it. Don't worry about it too much; just relax and let the plot bunnies bounce to you! |
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ellisk
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Icon by Alassante! Wow!
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:29 am Post subject: |
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Look Space Weavil, it's like this--I am reading all the stories you've got going right now (though I am sometimes a bad reviewer and I don't review). If you don't finish all of them, I'm going to track you down and make you tell me the end. They are all too good to stop. If you need a break from one, by all means take it. I understand that all too well. But don't you dare give up on any of them. Got it?! Good!
And if threats don't work--what does your muse like to eat. I am an excellent baker. If you are distracted by housework, I'll come do it for you. Kids? I was a nanny for a short time and I live in Orlando--I'll take 'em to Disney for you. Anything! Just, finish your wonderful stories. They are soooo good and trust me, they are working.
Nothing like a little pressure to make writing easier, huh?  |
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Thuriniel
Joined: 29 Jul 2003
Posts: 665
Location: Watching the purple sky fly over me ...
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| SpaceWeavil wrote: | thanks.
It's my latest challenge story thing. |
You mean ... the challenge that is not even two weeks old? You've already had time to write a few chapters, post, and even get writer's block ?
I think I've written about one page for that challenge and I was feeling so good about myself!
I must definitely be the slowest writer out there ...
My advice? Step back, give it a rest, let inspiration unconsciously do her work ... and then attack and finish !
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Panneth
Joined: 10 Jun 2003
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Location: Manchester/London
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:10 am Post subject: |
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| Thuriniel wrote: | !
I must definitely be the slowest writer out there ... |
I beg to differ!
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ellisk
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Icon by Alassante! Wow!
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:32 am Post subject: |
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| Panneth wrote: | | I beg to differ! |
Yes, you. You are another author out there that is absolutely driving me insane. Let me take this opportunity to beg you to please update your wonderful story. I really love it.  |
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:32 am Post subject: |
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| SpaceWeavil wrote: | | SilverMoonLady wrote: | | I'd say give it a little rest, then go back and see what you can do:) Sometimes you just need a little distance... and sometimes you just need to plow on through as well to tie things up. |
I have lost confidence in it more than anything. I don't know now if the idea, which seemed good when I started, is actually working in practise. <snip> This is what I'm not sure of - how do you know if you've just lost the muse, and it will come back if you leave the story for a while, or if the story is just plain bad and that is why you can't get it right? |
Speaking as one who has been working on one story for over two years now (grrrrrrrrr) your loss of confidence can be solved by only one thing - your success, and you can only get that if you keep trying! A beta can certainly help in the short term; farm your stalled chapter out to someone you trust and get their opinion. They'll be able to tell you if you're on the right track or barking up the wrong tree pretty quick, and maybe even have some ideas to help you, too.
Some distance may also be a good perscription. One can get pretty tired of reading one's own words, especially if you're not sure of them. Some time away may help you hear what you need to in what you've already written to continue.
But in the long term, your lack of confidence comes from inside and the only cure will come from the inside too. When I began my current *&#%@&@! opus (which has obviously been very frustrating) I felt like the muse was whispering in my ear; it was all I could do to scramble for a notebook fast enough. Then one day my muse (cranky b*tch) dried up and blew away. Like you, I have a good outline, scads of notes, and even the ending completed, but suddenly words became a struggle to put together and I got way caught up in how I was writing, not what I was writing, trying to find the "right" time to write, procrastinating with other little projects (this site is a testament to many examples - some of which were great story successes, too), blaming my kid, my husband, real life, etc. etc. etc. Now, after some time, I am just frustrated enough to start hammering at it again because I'm really happy, as it sounds you are, with your first chapters and I don't want to abandon what started out as a really wonderful experience. And you know what? It's working. I still don't feel I've got the muse but I do feel I've got the bug to keep writing, which may be just as good. So - just get to it! And if it takes a lot of crap to get to the good stuff, so be it. Don't be afraid to cut excess away, start down the wrong path and then start over. This is the cyberage, nothing is carven in stone and even pens can erase.
| SpaceWeavil wrote: | | It's had no new reviews for ages as well, though it's been updated. I don't know if that means anything, but it could hint that people have lost interest in it as well. |
It could just be your readers are waiting. But ignore them (with all due respect to those here), and get writing for yourself! and your own sense of accomplishment.
Speaking of which - time for me to get back at it. Wish me luck, but y'all will see the first bits only when the whole is 99.9% finished (I hate posting WIPS - and reading them because so many remain 'in progress'; drives me nutz). Believe me, when it is done, though, there will be a big "wahooo look at me" post on the SSP thread (just don't hold your breath).
Good luck! and you can always PM me for a ear sympathetic to the sounds of grinding teeth and breaking pencils. But keep trying!
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sindohte
Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 1621
Location: Rubbing up against an Elf
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:49 am Post subject: |
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| SpaceWeavil wrote: | | [It's had no new reviews for ages as well, though it's been updated. I don't know if that means anything, but it could hint that people have lost interest in it as well. |
I totally missed that point when I read through your reply the first time, but I do want to address it now. I don't think that people have lost interest in your story, but rather you have found your set audience for the story in question. And this audience of reviewers may not always leave you a follow up review as a general rule (the well if I liked your story once, why do I need to say it again pov) or perhaps they haven't gotten around to reading your story yet because they have been busy with stuff.
This is just total speculation on my part, but I think that a newly posted or edited story will probably get the most hits in the first week or so because it is on the top of the heap. However as newer stories are posted, stories (no matter how good they might be) are invariably lost in the shuffle.
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DarkElfChilde
Joined: 23 Aug 2004
Posts: 1013
Location: I'm located somewhere
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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No...I'm the slowest writer out there. 
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