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Faltering after the first few pages

By Fan Fiction | Posted: 20 August 2008

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Every so often I get the urge to write a novel (doesn't everyone?) I only get a few pages in when I become so critical of what I've written already that I just give up. I wouldn't even class this as writer's block. I re-write and re-write what I've written till I go off the subject totally! I don't think I could ever complete a novel. Does this happen to everybody? It seems like 'The Wall' in a marathon to me, except only a few footsteps in :} Anybody got any advice? I'd really love to finish a novel whether it's published or not.
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Comments 
KeiraRae
25 August 2008
I just turn on some music with a very quick beat ,and start on an idea for later in the novel or you can brainstorm with some buds.
Chrisblue
26 August 2008
I'm new to writing and get urges to write at times and lose interest at other times and often wonder if what i write is any good or just senseless c**p but its not much but i was told this by a writer so i hope it helps you

Write something every day and even if you think it's terrible, retain it until the next day. 
Begin by re-reading what you wrote yesterday; at the very least it will encourage you to rewrite. At best, it will be much better than you thought and spur you on to write more.
Fredaa
26 August 2008
We have all been where you are now, writing, editing, writing, wiping the sweat off the old brow. Don't view this time spent as a waste. You are learning. Your subconscious is being primed. In the meantime, read, read and read some more-your favorite author, genre, the classics, cereal boxes-anything. Join a good writers' group, get books on how to write. I found WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL to be very good. It is available in your local bookstore. Last, but not least, take only the comments of people you trust to edit your work in its early stages. Then you be the judge of whether you want to make the changes. Take your favorite story and rewrite parts of it. No, that is not stealing, it's learning as long as you don't try to pass off the work as yours. Good luck and don't get discouraged. Writing is hard work. That is why we only have one Shakespeare, one John Milton, one Ernest Hemingway...you get the point.
rowland
06 September 2008
Hi,

Take heart from one who has been there and one who still finds those mental blockages drive him crazy. It doesn't get any easier with time either but you do learn to chill out and be less critical about your work which is one of the main problems. Unfortunately, there is no magic ingredient to writing, but maybe you are trying to run before you can walk. Why not try a short story of say maybe a couple of thousand words to start with. (Less daunting than a full size novel). When you start your story just write, don't try and prune and polish as you go as that will drive you crazy and put you off. Break your story down into sections of a couple of hundred words or so and then go back and prune, alter, add or correct as you wish. Believe me even at this stage if you have laid your story correctly it will begin to start making sense. 

Remember, what it is that you want when you read a novel or short story. Escapism, a need to be taken out of oneself or to be transported into a fantasy, drama and excitement. So to do that you must believe in what you write. You say that often you get an urge to write, an idea which starts with a tingle- a feeling of the sort of story you want to write. I can see you nodding now. So make writing your novel or short story more than just a need just to sit in front of your laptop. Live with your characters make them come alive make them real people with real problems, flaws, and emotions.  Remember stories are journeys and as the author/ creator of that story you can do with it what you will.  Writing can be so difficult, but like anything in life anything worth having is worth working for. Believe me when you have finished your first novel -short story you will be so pleased with yourself. Don't forget it may never get published but you will have achieved something of which can be proud.

The only difference between a successful person and others is not a 
lack of strength, nor a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will


I hope this has helped you. Go on write your story and put it on the site.

Regards Rowland
CommittedVision
09 September 2008
Did you have "ideas" in the beginning as to where you wanted the novel to go? 

Just start writing one of those ideas without thinking of how perfect it has to be because you can always go back and revise. 

You never know you might write something you didn't know was there.  And it will spark other ideas.

 It worked for me - maybe it will work for you too.
kneazle
03 January 2009
I spent a whole month making sure I knew what was happening in my story. I divided it up into small parts (not quite chapters) and am writing those. It has worked for me so far although it does change a fair bit.  If I have idea I just write it in. I can always edit it out later.

Maybe if you planned before hand you woud keep on track?
debbie reynolds
28 January 2009
I find  that writing is like a kettle, once it goes off the boil you don't return to it for some time then when you do the whole process starts again!
JD Higginson
23 April 2009
Personally I just charge at it. Sometimes I write good, sometimes bad, but at least it's there. I always plan out my work before hand so at least I'm charging in the right direction but at the end of the day it can always be rewritten. Firstly it's the getting there. After that you can concentrate on how to get there.

JD

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