writers_loft | (no subject)

Hi. So I just joined this community last week I think. I'm struggling outside of the internet to find people to support my desire to write so I mass joined a bunch of writers communities in hopes of having people to talk to, maybe get some advice, etc.

I always have 100 ideas running around in my head at one time or another, but try to focus on one (which usually ends up being two or three) at once. Currently I'm trying to get down on paper a fiction novel, and a non-fiction novel. The non-fiction is about several months of my life that were tough but...interesting? At least I'm hoping readers find it interesting.

Anyway, with all of my writing, but particularly my fiction novel, I find simply writing difficult. I'm always so eager to get ideas on paper, and then get someone to read them, that I find myself editing as I write. I'd like to just be able to write, and go back to edit. I get so frustrated with myself and how un-edited things are, that I throw my pen down and avoid it again for days or weeks even. I'm scared that if I don't finish this novel I'll never be able to work on getting it published and thus won't be able to write anything else. Which is again me thinking way too far ahead at once, but definatly adds to my writing/editing frustration.

Does anyone have any focusing techniques that I can try so as to just write, and come back to edit? Even edited versions need editing so I just need help letting go with perfecting it as I'm writing it. Any suggestions, tips, and advice would be helpful.

Also, just out of curiosity: who writes as a career or a career goal? I'm sure that if I had a job that supported me fine and allowed me enough time to write I'd do it 'just for fun' or whatever, but I'd really love to turn it into a career. Anyone else in a similar boat?

Thanks all. :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm very much like you. I get a rush of ideas, and every part of a character's personality, the scene, the plot line, comes rushing in at once, so I try to write it down. Then a new idea hits me and I never finish the old one.

It's a good thing I write as a hobby though. For me, the act of creating is more enjoyable than the finished project. I think if writing ever became a 'chore' I'd stop doing it. As it is, I just like to write stuff down.

For me, though, I find competing in writing competitions like NaNoWriMo is best for getting the ideas on the page. Being forced to write, even when it's crap, is a great way to get a story started/going in the right direction. I find myself competing in unofficial WriMos all the time for just such a reason. The next WriMo that I know of is in October, and that's GothNoWriMo, which is Gothic literature themed... Other than that, NaNoWriMo is in November. Plus, you can always host your own writing month.

Welcome to the Loft, by the way!