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Stanford NLP 87

w66oaf

writing_train

I'm not really sure how to start a story I have tried a few things and different attempts and I always feel frustrated or disingenuous. Is there any advice from more seasoned/veteran writers that may help?

ihdzl8a

ihdx4a6

I almost always end up changing the start of my story later. Write whatever you think of now and see where it takes you. Once you get in the rhythm of writing your story, you can probably cut off the "disingenuous" beginning and find where your story really starts. But I wouldn't focus on having a perfect start before you've gotten your story down

I hope this helps but I feel like there are a few things you can do, I completely understand this feeling and I get it all the time with new stories that aren't coming to me as easily as before. I do a few things. * I'm very visually inspired so I have a whole Pinterest dedicated to photos, art, and drawings that inspire me. I always say to myself "if a picture is worth a thousand words I want to be the one who writes them" so I use these pictures to help me feel inspired in my stories, they help me brainstorm who the character is, what they look like, what the world looks like, what a specific scene looks like, etc. * I have this thing that I call "guilty pleasure writing". It's kind of the writing I would never show anyone because it's really cheesy/ bad and/or full of ideas that are overused. I used to be a big fan of the werewolf genre when I was younger, and the genre itself is full of a lot of themes that I absolutely love (aside from the weird we're mates and I have taken you thing) Its got romance, action, and it questions a person's innate characteristics, but I love it and for some reason, I can always write these stories and never stop. So when I'm uninspired while writing my new dystopian fantasy with clone debates and human genetic discoveries... I circle back to werewolves to inspire myself again lol

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdgp0xk

hdguuws

Thats kinda what you’ll have to figure out. Some have to go all the way to the end before editing, others edit as they go. The usual advise is finish first but it doesn’t work for everyone.

Discoveries you make later might impact prior chapters so you’re better off writing it first and then going back to edit when you have the full picture. You are telling yourself the story in your first draft. Your plot and characters will shed layers in ways that will amuse more than anyone else will care to understand. Have fun in your journey. :)

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdguuws

hdgrfp8

Discoveries you make later might impact prior chapters so you’re better off writing it first and then going back to edit when you have the full picture. You are telling yourself the story in your first draft. Your plot and characters will shed layers in ways that will amuse more than anyone else will care to understand. Have fun in your journey. :)

Depends on what you feel like doing. If you feel like writing, by God get writing. If you're not too into writing at the moment, maybe work on editing. Maybe if you go and start editing, you'll be inspired to create new content. Sometimes I get that.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdgt45v

hdguuws

Everyone is different, but I try and finish my first drafts ASAP before I lose the feel for it/my nerve/get distracted by something else.

Discoveries you make later might impact prior chapters so you’re better off writing it first and then going back to edit when you have the full picture. You are telling yourself the story in your first draft. Your plot and characters will shed layers in ways that will amuse more than anyone else will care to understand. Have fun in your journey. :)

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdgt45v

hdgrfp8

Everyone is different, but I try and finish my first drafts ASAP before I lose the feel for it/my nerve/get distracted by something else.

Depends on what you feel like doing. If you feel like writing, by God get writing. If you're not too into writing at the moment, maybe work on editing. Maybe if you go and start editing, you'll be inspired to create new content. Sometimes I get that.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdgrfp8

hdgzlzw

Depends on what you feel like doing. If you feel like writing, by God get writing. If you're not too into writing at the moment, maybe work on editing. Maybe if you go and start editing, you'll be inspired to create new content. Sometimes I get that.

As you can see from the rest of the replies, both. Everyone has their own style. I edited as I went, and circled back around as ideas came to me. Sometimes if I got stuck writing, I'd to back and re-read, make a few edits, and come back to writing with some new ideas in my head. As is the case with most writing quesetions, do whatever works for you.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdh8u4x

hdhh7ng

I suggest to complete it first, you can revisit the previous chapter and add some intrication to the other chapters to make new effects to your readers as well, it depend, you write for the pleasur or you write in order to become profesionnal? if it is for pleasure select the methode that give you more of the pleasure! if, like me, it is the second reason give yourself the proper tools (routine, obligation to write same without inspiration and same with the fear in your heart) and, once it is completed think your book like a product that now need to pass to the quality test (quality test build by yourself depending on waht you wish)... personnaly once i write my book, once i reread and that i consider it done, i do a post on different wesite to get free readers (french readers in my case) in order to get their feedback, and once i have these feedback i decide what i do depending on a lot of criteria.

Well if you’re skilled. I think the best way is to write three or four pages and tighten it up. Make notes as you go to keep the logos in check. Also depends on what genre

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhcdfr

hdhh7ng

Write it first. Pleeease. Don't get caught in the trap of overanalysing everything you write. Something you might not realize: there is a lot more writing to be done than you think, even if you think there is a lot to write. Getting the first draft done was my Holy Grail for ages and I wish I learned how to stop editing everything as soon as I write it down.

Well if you’re skilled. I think the best way is to write three or four pages and tighten it up. Make notes as you go to keep the logos in check. Also depends on what genre

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhd4ag

hdhh7ng

Everyone's method is different. I avoid editing as I write as I feel it removes my focus on the story and interrupts the flow of words. I accept the first words of each session will likely be garbage, and remind myself that this is the warm up zone before finding my pace. If I edit as I write, it's much harder to eventually find that natural connection to my characters and story world that just let's the words flow uninterrupted. I recommend giving yourself permission to turn off your inner editor, at least for a duration that works for you. Some complete the whole first draft, and others a chapter or scene. One technique would be to spend the first half of each day's writing time revising the previous day's new writing. I suggest you try each and see what you prefer. NaNoWriMo, coming up in November, is an excellent opportunity to try writing a complete draft with no edits. Good luck!

Well if you’re skilled. I think the best way is to write three or four pages and tighten it up. Make notes as you go to keep the logos in check. Also depends on what genre

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdh8u4x

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

I suggest to complete it first, you can revisit the previous chapter and add some intrication to the other chapters to make new effects to your readers as well, it depend, you write for the pleasur or you write in order to become profesionnal? if it is for pleasure select the methode that give you more of the pleasure! if, like me, it is the second reason give yourself the proper tools (routine, obligation to write same without inspiration and same with the fear in your heart) and, once it is completed think your book like a product that now need to pass to the quality test (quality test build by yourself depending on waht you wish)... personnaly once i write my book, once i reread and that i consider it done, i do a post on different wesite to get free readers (french readers in my case) in order to get their feedback, and once i have these feedback i decide what i do depending on a lot of criteria.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdhcdfr

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

Write it first. Pleeease. Don't get caught in the trap of overanalysing everything you write. Something you might not realize: there is a lot more writing to be done than you think, even if you think there is a lot to write. Getting the first draft done was my Holy Grail for ages and I wish I learned how to stop editing everything as soon as I write it down.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhd4ag

hdikhq0

Everyone's method is different. I avoid editing as I write as I feel it removes my focus on the story and interrupts the flow of words. I accept the first words of each session will likely be garbage, and remind myself that this is the warm up zone before finding my pace. If I edit as I write, it's much harder to eventually find that natural connection to my characters and story world that just let's the words flow uninterrupted. I recommend giving yourself permission to turn off your inner editor, at least for a duration that works for you. Some complete the whole first draft, and others a chapter or scene. One technique would be to spend the first half of each day's writing time revising the previous day's new writing. I suggest you try each and see what you prefer. NaNoWriMo, coming up in November, is an excellent opportunity to try writing a complete draft with no edits. Good luck!

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdhj11v

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

I follow some published authors on twitter and all of them edit after writting all.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdho9ey

hdikhq0

Write it down before edit cause you would be there forever trying to fix things that haven’t been set up yet. Always finish your food before eating the scraps.

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhovyh

hdikhq0

Too many ideas for books or scenes play out in my brain and I don't have anywhere to write them down and my head gets fried and I cant think

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdhqgev

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

I do a sort of faux-edit after each chapter. I don't actually go back and change anything, but I read it over and make a few bullet points of possible issues or things to change. That way it'll be easier when I do go back and edit and I can compare how hindsight has changed how I view with, seeing how much it still aligns with my original assessment. Other than than that, nope. Editing will only slow you down, you'll want to try to make it perfect without the hindsight and necessary distance of having finished the piece.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdhtpih

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

so I edit as I go only to the extent that I need to continue the story. Sometimes things change and you realize it doesn't work, and you just can't keep writing anymore. Go back and read your work and change what you need to change so you can keep writing

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhw076

hdikhq0

I would write then edit later. How's it going for you? I am so far into mine, about 100k words. But feel like I wanna give up when I read articles about how becoming a writer is like a 3% chance or something.

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdikhq0

hdi5ucv

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

Both!

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdi7g8v

hdikhq0

Every writer has a different way of getting it done. John Steinbeck said, "Write freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or rewrite until the whole thing is down.” Gabe Habash told Powell's, "I have big spaces between when I'll start something. I have to get all of my ducks in a row before I will step out and start the first draft. That's all to say that I had his voice in my head and ready to go when I sat down and typed the first page. From there, I wrote the book, the first draft, in 15 months or so." Vladimir Nabokov wrote non-linearly onto notecards, shuffling, editing, adding thoughts, and rewriting before assembling everything into its final place: "I do not begin my novel at the beginning. I do not reach chapter three before I reach chapter four. I do not go dutifully from one page to the next, in consecutive order; no, I pick out a bit here and a bit there, till I have filled all the gaps on paper." Another writer I know writes in Word and makes footnotes to himself with edits/notes/suggestions (e.g. "add more description here") so he can go back to it later without breaking his flow. Another writer I know advised writing/editing in such a way that you keep the different iterations of your writing fragments because you never know what might be the seed for another project. I think the best advice is to get everything in your head and onto the page, whatever that looks like. If you find yourself struggling to do this, you can practice freewriting to loosen up - brain dump right onto the page and keep your pen moving for X number of pages/minutes. Write knowing it will be much easier to edit once you can see the work as a whole. Rough drafts are meant to be rough! :D

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdictjx

hdikhq0

Stehen King says in On Writing (paraphrased): Write the first draft in the closet, with the door closed. Revise in the open and invite feedback. Also, any first draft, no matter how badly written is a FINISHED first draft. You will be less likely to get stuck once you have that complete first draft. Personally, it's hard for me to shut up the "inner editor", so I understand where you're coming from with that question. Recently I heard someone say on YouTube (Tyler Mowery -- recommending his channel here!) it's your ego that wants everything perfect the first time. So, it makes sense to try and just let the need for perfection go. Perhaps, refocus that drive toward something/anything finished, no matter the state, the first time around.

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdiej0h

hdikhq0

Try both ways. See what works for you. There's no correct way to write a book. If going back to edit is what's making you stall, then you already know what the problem is. A solution might be to not go back and edit, and instead maintain forward momentum. Write a chapter then move on to the next, leave the previous ones to sit for a while. It might be advantageous to revisit it with some distance.

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdifot1

hdikhq0

I saw an advice post on writing where a professor had told his students: Don't revise, rewrite.

Two schools of thought there, you have to find what works for you. I edit as I go, others will tell you they write the whole book then edit it.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdh8u4x

hdituw0

I suggest to complete it first, you can revisit the previous chapter and add some intrication to the other chapters to make new effects to your readers as well, it depend, you write for the pleasur or you write in order to become profesionnal? if it is for pleasure select the methode that give you more of the pleasure! if, like me, it is the second reason give yourself the proper tools (routine, obligation to write same without inspiration and same with the fear in your heart) and, once it is completed think your book like a product that now need to pass to the quality test (quality test build by yourself depending on waht you wish)... personnaly once i write my book, once i reread and that i consider it done, i do a post on different wesite to get free readers (french readers in my case) in order to get their feedback, and once i have these feedback i decide what i do depending on a lot of criteria.

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhcdfr

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

Write it first. Pleeease. Don't get caught in the trap of overanalysing everything you write. Something you might not realize: there is a lot more writing to be done than you think, even if you think there is a lot to write. Getting the first draft done was my Holy Grail for ages and I wish I learned how to stop editing everything as soon as I write it down.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhd4ag

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

Everyone's method is different. I avoid editing as I write as I feel it removes my focus on the story and interrupts the flow of words. I accept the first words of each session will likely be garbage, and remind myself that this is the warm up zone before finding my pace. If I edit as I write, it's much harder to eventually find that natural connection to my characters and story world that just let's the words flow uninterrupted. I recommend giving yourself permission to turn off your inner editor, at least for a duration that works for you. Some complete the whole first draft, and others a chapter or scene. One technique would be to spend the first half of each day's writing time revising the previous day's new writing. I suggest you try each and see what you prefer. NaNoWriMo, coming up in November, is an excellent opportunity to try writing a complete draft with no edits. Good luck!

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhj11v

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

I follow some published authors on twitter and all of them edit after writting all.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdho9ey

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

Write it down before edit cause you would be there forever trying to fix things that haven’t been set up yet. Always finish your food before eating the scraps.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdhovyh

hdituw0

Too many ideas for books or scenes play out in my brain and I don't have anywhere to write them down and my head gets fried and I cant think

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhqgev

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

I do a sort of faux-edit after each chapter. I don't actually go back and change anything, but I read it over and make a few bullet points of possible issues or things to change. That way it'll be easier when I do go back and edit and I can compare how hindsight has changed how I view with, seeing how much it still aligns with my original assessment. Other than than that, nope. Editing will only slow you down, you'll want to try to make it perfect without the hindsight and necessary distance of having finished the piece.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhtpih

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

so I edit as I go only to the extent that I need to continue the story. Sometimes things change and you realize it doesn't work, and you just can't keep writing anymore. Go back and read your work and change what you need to change so you can keep writing

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdhw076

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

I would write then edit later. How's it going for you? I am so far into mine, about 100k words. But feel like I wanna give up when I read articles about how becoming a writer is like a 3% chance or something.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdi5ucv

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

Both!

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdi7g8v

hdituw0

Every writer has a different way of getting it done. John Steinbeck said, "Write freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or rewrite until the whole thing is down.” Gabe Habash told Powell's, "I have big spaces between when I'll start something. I have to get all of my ducks in a row before I will step out and start the first draft. That's all to say that I had his voice in my head and ready to go when I sat down and typed the first page. From there, I wrote the book, the first draft, in 15 months or so." Vladimir Nabokov wrote non-linearly onto notecards, shuffling, editing, adding thoughts, and rewriting before assembling everything into its final place: "I do not begin my novel at the beginning. I do not reach chapter three before I reach chapter four. I do not go dutifully from one page to the next, in consecutive order; no, I pick out a bit here and a bit there, till I have filled all the gaps on paper." Another writer I know writes in Word and makes footnotes to himself with edits/notes/suggestions (e.g. "add more description here") so he can go back to it later without breaking his flow. Another writer I know advised writing/editing in such a way that you keep the different iterations of your writing fragments because you never know what might be the seed for another project. I think the best advice is to get everything in your head and onto the page, whatever that looks like. If you find yourself struggling to do this, you can practice freewriting to loosen up - brain dump right onto the page and keep your pen moving for X number of pages/minutes. Write knowing it will be much easier to edit once you can see the work as a whole. Rough drafts are meant to be rough! :D

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdictjx

hdituw0

Stehen King says in On Writing (paraphrased): Write the first draft in the closet, with the door closed. Revise in the open and invite feedback. Also, any first draft, no matter how badly written is a FINISHED first draft. You will be less likely to get stuck once you have that complete first draft. Personally, it's hard for me to shut up the "inner editor", so I understand where you're coming from with that question. Recently I heard someone say on YouTube (Tyler Mowery -- recommending his channel here!) it's your ego that wants everything perfect the first time. So, it makes sense to try and just let the need for perfection go. Perhaps, refocus that drive toward something/anything finished, no matter the state, the first time around.

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdiej0h

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

Try both ways. See what works for you. There's no correct way to write a book. If going back to edit is what's making you stall, then you already know what the problem is. A solution might be to not go back and edit, and instead maintain forward momentum. Write a chapter then move on to the next, leave the previous ones to sit for a while. It might be advantageous to revisit it with some distance.

pr8byz

writing_train

I'm writing my first book right now - should I edit each chapter as I write it, or just get it written and then edit later? I keep getting stuck in my own head with the stories I'm trying to write lately, and a lot of it happens when I go back after each chapter and edit it. I wonder if it's not descriptive enough or just essentially strip it down every time and end up stuck after a few chapters. For those who have written and published books, what was your system that worked to get it done?

hdituw0

hdifot1

I wrote my first draft then was really surprised how much fun I found going back through it for edits was. Blaze a trail my friend

I saw an advice post on writing where a professor had told his students: Don't revise, rewrite.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv0t8f6

iv0ogsi

Absolutely! It's part of the process. Most of us have starter novels, and starter-first chapters, even starter-first pages that litter our files or folders. I think creativity is creativity, and if it doesn't find a proper home or channel to present itself, it continues to leak out whenever it can. It's a trial-by-error process, and all those unfinished first chapters and/or discarded first pages are actually part of the learning curve. I'm sure I've collected several hundred ideas that never made it past the 100-word mark. But I'd like to think each of those efforts was somehow important, maybe even crucial, to the overall cycle. Then again, 5 years from now, if you've never made it past the first few chapters of any endeavor...that's a different issue. But finishing a book is obviously important, although the vast number of writers who begin a novel never even finish a final draft. So patience and persistence is the key. I think it's important to trust yourself—that when the *right* story presents itself, you'll find a way to go the distance.

I get that, it happens a lot with me. The best thing I can advise is, ignore that feeling and just continue onwards, even avoiding going back and editing it. You can always edit and rework later, but only if you have the stuff to rework, and actively trying to continuously edit what you have while continuing means you'll always find something wrong as you write and will procrastinate continuing forward. (That last edit thing is just me talking about myself)

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1cina

iv174pk

I am exactly the same way. I’ve rewritten (and abandoned) my book at least a dozen times because it doesn’t feel right. My first draft looks like trash, but with every draft, it gets better. I learn more about the characters, the plot, what works and what doesn’t. You just have to keep going because not even Shakespeare or Stephen King wrote a bestseller on the first draft. It’s a writing process; a marathon, not a sprint. You can’t improve if you never try.

I'm 200k words into mine and I feel the same but fuck it. I'm gonna edit the shit out of it. Will prob call upon folks here for some feedback & motivation because it's so damn hard to stay positive when the first draft is so bad hahah. Just keep it going and stop stopping after a few hundred words. I'll let you know when mine comes out, I wouldn't have it any other way even if I end up raising from the dirt like Justin fuckin Bieber

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1yhzk

iv1hved

If you haven't already, I highly suggest taking the time to read (or listen to an audio book of) Stephen King's book, On Writing. It really changed my perspective on first drafts, rewriting and the editing process. Even if you don't care for Stephen King's books, it's a phenomenal resource for an aspiring writer. The first half is mostly memoir that you can skip past if you're only interested in the parts that are... well... on writing. You're putting too much pressure on your first draft to be good. Even the greatest writers produce horrible first drafts. The rewriting process is what creates great works. Personally, I think you should return your focus back to your first project. If you can produce one fully finished novel, even if you never publish it, I think it would really improve your confidence is getting your following works to the finish line.

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1yhzk

iv1h75z

If you haven't already, I highly suggest taking the time to read (or listen to an audio book of) Stephen King's book, On Writing. It really changed my perspective on first drafts, rewriting and the editing process. Even if you don't care for Stephen King's books, it's a phenomenal resource for an aspiring writer. The first half is mostly memoir that you can skip past if you're only interested in the parts that are... well... on writing. You're putting too much pressure on your first draft to be good. Even the greatest writers produce horrible first drafts. The rewriting process is what creates great works. Personally, I think you should return your focus back to your first project. If you can produce one fully finished novel, even if you never publish it, I think it would really improve your confidence is getting your following works to the finish line.

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1yhzk

iv1m133

If you haven't already, I highly suggest taking the time to read (or listen to an audio book of) Stephen King's book, On Writing. It really changed my perspective on first drafts, rewriting and the editing process. Even if you don't care for Stephen King's books, it's a phenomenal resource for an aspiring writer. The first half is mostly memoir that you can skip past if you're only interested in the parts that are... well... on writing. You're putting too much pressure on your first draft to be good. Even the greatest writers produce horrible first drafts. The rewriting process is what creates great works. Personally, I think you should return your focus back to your first project. If you can produce one fully finished novel, even if you never publish it, I think it would really improve your confidence is getting your following works to the finish line.

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2j6rb

iv1hved

Discipline

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1h75z

iv2j6rb

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

Discipline

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1m133

iv2j6rb

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

Discipline

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2j6rb

iv2e66a

Discipline

The first time this happened to me, I hired a ghost writer to write the next 5,000 words. That opened up my eyes and mind to the direction the novel would take. Worked out good. The second time this happened, I swapped incomplete novels with another writer and wrote 5 chapters using my own imagination. To me, it feels like a writer block or a creativity block. I used Fiverr for the ghost writer.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1hved

iv2jv92

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

Some times one becomes jaded, sometimes they are literally tired, sometimes they just can't get in touch with the scene/feeling/characters or whatever. My solution is to just try and get to that whatever word count, put as much crap as you can on that page to make sense because tomorrow, it's going probably be all thrown away anyways, and as an added bonus, your mind processed that environment. It's like the inventor quote right, "An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in" So give yourself 1000 tries or something like that. :-->My opinion is doing 5 novels at once takes a toll on even the most hyperactive creator.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2jv92

iv1h75z

Some times one becomes jaded, sometimes they are literally tired, sometimes they just can't get in touch with the scene/feeling/characters or whatever. My solution is to just try and get to that whatever word count, put as much crap as you can on that page to make sense because tomorrow, it's going probably be all thrown away anyways, and as an added bonus, your mind processed that environment. It's like the inventor quote right, "An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in" So give yourself 1000 tries or something like that. :-->My opinion is doing 5 novels at once takes a toll on even the most hyperactive creator.

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1m133

iv2jv92

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

Some times one becomes jaded, sometimes they are literally tired, sometimes they just can't get in touch with the scene/feeling/characters or whatever. My solution is to just try and get to that whatever word count, put as much crap as you can on that page to make sense because tomorrow, it's going probably be all thrown away anyways, and as an added bonus, your mind processed that environment. It's like the inventor quote right, "An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in" So give yourself 1000 tries or something like that. :-->My opinion is doing 5 novels at once takes a toll on even the most hyperactive creator.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2jv92

iv2e66a

Some times one becomes jaded, sometimes they are literally tired, sometimes they just can't get in touch with the scene/feeling/characters or whatever. My solution is to just try and get to that whatever word count, put as much crap as you can on that page to make sense because tomorrow, it's going probably be all thrown away anyways, and as an added bonus, your mind processed that environment. It's like the inventor quote right, "An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in" So give yourself 1000 tries or something like that. :-->My opinion is doing 5 novels at once takes a toll on even the most hyperactive creator.

The first time this happened to me, I hired a ghost writer to write the next 5,000 words. That opened up my eyes and mind to the direction the novel would take. Worked out good. The second time this happened, I swapped incomplete novels with another writer and wrote 5 chapters using my own imagination. To me, it feels like a writer block or a creativity block. I used Fiverr for the ghost writer.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2wr9o

iv1hved

Stop outlining and plotting novels. Take a huge step back. This is a common mistake that amateur writers do (they jump into novels without any experience). It’s time to revisit the fundamentals (or maybe actually visit them for the first time). Writing is language, not plots. Yes a nice plot helps, but that’s secondary to building up your comfortability with language manipulation. Start shorter. Think 500-1000 words. Simple stories, simple plots. Then work your way up to longer short stories (1000-2000 words). Once you written a couple of these you’ll notice your stamina for writing is much stronger, and that your writing is considerably better. Then you can start thinking about writing a novel.

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2wr9o

iv1h75z

Stop outlining and plotting novels. Take a huge step back. This is a common mistake that amateur writers do (they jump into novels without any experience). It’s time to revisit the fundamentals (or maybe actually visit them for the first time). Writing is language, not plots. Yes a nice plot helps, but that’s secondary to building up your comfortability with language manipulation. Start shorter. Think 500-1000 words. Simple stories, simple plots. Then work your way up to longer short stories (1000-2000 words). Once you written a couple of these you’ll notice your stamina for writing is much stronger, and that your writing is considerably better. Then you can start thinking about writing a novel.

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1m133

iv2wr9o

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

Stop outlining and plotting novels. Take a huge step back. This is a common mistake that amateur writers do (they jump into novels without any experience). It’s time to revisit the fundamentals (or maybe actually visit them for the first time). Writing is language, not plots. Yes a nice plot helps, but that’s secondary to building up your comfortability with language manipulation. Start shorter. Think 500-1000 words. Simple stories, simple plots. Then work your way up to longer short stories (1000-2000 words). Once you written a couple of these you’ll notice your stamina for writing is much stronger, and that your writing is considerably better. Then you can start thinking about writing a novel.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2e66a

iv2wr9o

The first time this happened to me, I hired a ghost writer to write the next 5,000 words. That opened up my eyes and mind to the direction the novel would take. Worked out good. The second time this happened, I swapped incomplete novels with another writer and wrote 5 chapters using my own imagination. To me, it feels like a writer block or a creativity block. I used Fiverr for the ghost writer.

Stop outlining and plotting novels. Take a huge step back. This is a common mistake that amateur writers do (they jump into novels without any experience). It’s time to revisit the fundamentals (or maybe actually visit them for the first time). Writing is language, not plots. Yes a nice plot helps, but that’s secondary to building up your comfortability with language manipulation. Start shorter. Think 500-1000 words. Simple stories, simple plots. Then work your way up to longer short stories (1000-2000 words). Once you written a couple of these you’ll notice your stamina for writing is much stronger, and that your writing is considerably better. Then you can start thinking about writing a novel.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2wr9o

iv2s1iq

Stop outlining and plotting novels. Take a huge step back. This is a common mistake that amateur writers do (they jump into novels without any experience). It’s time to revisit the fundamentals (or maybe actually visit them for the first time). Writing is language, not plots. Yes a nice plot helps, but that’s secondary to building up your comfortability with language manipulation. Start shorter. Think 500-1000 words. Simple stories, simple plots. Then work your way up to longer short stories (1000-2000 words). Once you written a couple of these you’ll notice your stamina for writing is much stronger, and that your writing is considerably better. Then you can start thinking about writing a novel.

You gotta learn how to "finish". Don't ask Daemon Targaryen.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1hved

iv3rhpe

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv3rhpe

iv1h75z

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv1m133

iv3rhpe

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv3rhpe

iv2e66a

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

The first time this happened to me, I hired a ghost writer to write the next 5,000 words. That opened up my eyes and mind to the direction the novel would take. Worked out good. The second time this happened, I swapped incomplete novels with another writer and wrote 5 chapters using my own imagination. To me, it feels like a writer block or a creativity block. I used Fiverr for the ghost writer.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2s1iq

iv3rhpe

You gotta learn how to "finish". Don't ask Daemon Targaryen.

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv3rhpe

iv37ebg

Seems like your critical mind has opened a whole can of whoop-ass on your creative mind. Read QUIET THE CRITICAL VOICE (AND WRITE FICTION) by Harvey Stanbrough and check out his blog at hestanbrough.com Also, read WRITING INTO THE DARK by Dean Wesley Smith and check out his blog as well. These guys can help your creative mind fight back and take control like it should in writing.

Don’t focus on the first page, list out the other chapters and work on one of them.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv46pbn

iv1hved

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

Every bad book is a success because it’s a complete product that can be made better. Give me bad writing any day over none. Try writing a scene that is stuck in your head or that you feel clarifies an important aspect of the story. Don’t worry about the beginning. My beginnings are usually the last thing to be written.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv46pbn

iv1h75z

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

>before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Stop listening to your gut because it clearly knows nothing. You have no clue whether a book is good within the first few hundred words, even if you do outline it, because you don't know the detail of the book. If I was to have a guess this is your brain trying to stop you from writing because it doesn't want to do the work and it doesn't want to be judged for the work. I would seriously stop stopping yourself and carry on writing these things. It's only when you finish and send it to people will you actually know whether something is good

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv46pbn

iv1m133

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

Then write another page instead. Skip it for now, and work on the scenes that are clear. It’ll come to you eventually.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2e66a

iv46pbn

The first time this happened to me, I hired a ghost writer to write the next 5,000 words. That opened up my eyes and mind to the direction the novel would take. Worked out good. The second time this happened, I swapped incomplete novels with another writer and wrote 5 chapters using my own imagination. To me, it feels like a writer block or a creativity block. I used Fiverr for the ghost writer.

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv2s1iq

iv46pbn

You gotta learn how to "finish". Don't ask Daemon Targaryen.

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv46pbn

iv37ebg

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.

Don’t focus on the first page, list out the other chapters and work on one of them.

ylwull

writing_train

I’m stuck. I can’t make it past the first page of my new book For background, I’ve previously written two novels that I abandoned in the editing stages. The first one was extremely poorly written and needed a complete re-write, the second one was conceptually flawed. Since March, I have planned, outlined, and started 5 new novels. I make it a few hundred words in before my gut tells me it’s not the right book for me. Has anyone else been in the same situation and found a solution?

iv3t5z7

iv46pbn

I used to have the same problem as you I felt like I have this 'perfect' version of the novel I'm trying to write stuck in my head But whatever words I've actually managed to write look so different from what I have in mind So I keep deleting and rewriting. On and on it goes... for days! The ordeal only ended when I gave up. I finally overcame the grinding and frustrating process above through DICTABLOGGING or writing with my voice Now, I write a short outline of the scene or a short 'map' of the prompt I'm using for each chapter of the novel. Then I 'mentally rehearse' what I'm going to say This doesn't take long since like most people I think at the speed of a few hundred miles per hour I then 'slow down' the mental image I'm shooting for... Then I zoom in and start talking The great thing about dictablogging is that once you cover one point, you can move on to the next. There's no irresistible urge to go back. You just keep knocking down each mental picture you've laid out based on your outline. Pretty soon, you're done. I get the audio manually transcribed and manually edit using my outline as a guide. This 'writing method' has taken me from barely producing 1500 to 2500 words per day to 18,000 (high average) and even 25,000 words+ per day (max sustainable output). If I can do it , you can do it too! I suggest you use the writing prompts subreddits (there are a few of them) to practice this method. Start with a few outline lines for your 'map' of the writing prompts and commit to dictating for a few minutes (5 minutes is a good place to start) Once you get comfortable, speed up your speech Read the transcript and see where you can improve Once things start to feel 'easy' increase your dictation time to 10 minutes and try to double your word output while maintaining clarity Constantly CHALLENGE YOURSELF so your work quality keeps improving I wish you all the best in your writing journey! Never give up! Don't surrender!

Sometimes we have an internal conflict that's hidden from us. Don't know if that applies for you. I'll share my own story; perhaps it'll help. Recently I was emailing podcasters to get booked as a guest. After I'd sent the first batch of emails, I suddenly stopped. I kept saying I'll send the next one today. Day after day, I kept putting it off... and putting it off. I recognized this pattern. My brain was out of alignment. I spent 10 minutes talking to myself aloud. I said, "Hey Subconscious Mind, I noticed that we haven't sent those emails. What do you think is going on?" I wasn't sure what my brain would tell me. Well, it told me about some heavy fears related to sending the remaining emails. I didn't say its fears were silly. I just listened. By the end of our 10 minutes, we gently came to an agreement on a plan, and part of that plan was to do a bit more prep before sending the remaining emails. My brain and I were both happy with the win-win solution. BTW, for many people, what I just described may sound strange. But if you try it, you may get some interesting answers. I'd recommend doing some deep breathing for perhaps 3-5 minutes to center yourself. The centering process helps you to later get high-quality answers. Without feeling centered, it's possible that your conversation won't be as effective. Some people just end up having a conversation between their Conscious Mind and their Conscious Mind. And that type of conversation doesn't really help. Much more useful when it's their Conscious Mind talking to their Subconscious Mind. Bottom line: Sometimes when we get stuck, it's because we're out of alignment. If that's the case, then getting into alignment (or at least better alignment) helps us to move forward without so much struggle.