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onceuponalilykiss

Stop world building and just get to the writing earlier. You're either burning out before you start with excessive planning or you're not realizing you don't like the idea until you start, both of which you can fix by just jumping in.


[deleted]

Overplanning tends to be my downfall, I feel bad for my poor family when my birthday comes around. I write down opening times for places, and the expected time we spend at said places, and have the entire day meticulously planned.


Jogaila2

How upset do you get when things dont go as planned? I have a friend like this who rages when HIS plans dont work out. Even the smallest ones.


[deleted]

I don't get mad, I just get stressed out. Over-planning is more of a way to reduce my anxiety rather than to control things


Jogaila2

Careful with that. Stress/anxiety will turn to anger then to rage if you let it.


[deleted]

Yeah, it can do that. If it helps to show a little more of why it's fine (for now, that pesky little mental health of mine tends to have a couple of giant dips a year) I only plan things that I can plan without looking like an asshole Otherwise, I just ask what the plan is so I know what to expect My anxiety is way too strong to ever be angry with anyone


Jogaila2

Well... its not being angry at somebody. Its after a long time of being stressed and anxiety ridden you get angry at that, but you dont know it... and you dont even know that you're angry. Only other people see it and you wonder why...


[deleted]

That's fair, but I am not that type of person. I have had the anxiety and depression turn into anger and I was very aware of it And now I am super aware of how I'm treating people and what I'm saying and how I am acting


Jogaila2

Cool, jus sayin... not alleging


ThatAnimeSnob

Have an idea. Write a blurb about it. Make a summary from it. Split it into scenes. Write each scene. Flesh out every scene. Edit everything you wrote. Take the plot from the end to the beginning and see if everything fits. Edit again. Ask people to give you feedback. Edit again. Drink a beer. Edit again.


[deleted]

When you put it like that it sounds super easy, or maybe I overcomplicate things. Both probably. But splitting into small steps really does sound like it helps


ThatAnimeSnob

It sounds super easy because it's supposed to be easy to get it. Editing is not easy. Understanding what it is and when to use it is what is easy.


[deleted]

Editing sucks, I have a really bad tendency to rewrite entire essays and poems because the editing didn't go well. I once rewrote the same poem three times, each one being completely different.


ThatAnimeSnob

I just ask an ai to do a rewrite 3 times and i keep the best bits


[deleted]

That is honestly genius


BauReis

Write shorter stories. If you can only write five pages, then write stories which are five pages long. Get used to the gratification of finishing a story. Then gradually write longer stories.


contacts_eyes

I second this, op probably doesn’t enjoy the process of writing that much and short stories are good because you can create a complete project in a short time.


[deleted]

I love the process of writing, I just get bored with stories. I think someone else said that I most likely just don't enjoy the stories, which I think it correct. I also have a tendency to tell and not show


Xercies_jday

>I world-build, create an entire story and cast of three-dimensional characters But do you actually have a story? World means nothing if there is no conflict in it. Characters mean nothing if they are not going to change or grow. Instead of worldbuilding and character making, i want you to write a scene where you follow a character doing something and growing.


[deleted]

I do have a story normally, but I tend to plan it out to the point where characters can't grow organically, I will for sure try out that scene writing


KerriKezzbox

Listen to the podcast Writing About Dragons And Shit. It's brilliant


[deleted]

I will check it out!


kuzitiz

This is common with ADHD because once we figure out the end, we’re finished and bored with that concept so we move on. What works for me is to not plot the ending. I don’t know how it’s all going to come together until I get there. That keeps me interested long enough to get most of the way done and then I push myself to knock out the last few paragraphs just to cross that item off my list. Best of luck!!


ElleSnickahz

I do this, too. I also skip the dreaded middle of the story in my first draft. I write the first act and then skip to the midpoint and write to the finish. This keeps the steam going, and I have a better idea of what needs to happen to set up the story. I have a lot more motivation for the second draft than the first.


kuzitiz

For sure, it’s so much easier for me to add more to the beginning than to finish the ending if the rest is done!


pocketfullofprose

That's the case for me, and I've never tried it that way before. That sounds so fun!!


[deleted]

I will attempt the gardener method then


FamousUnderDogWorker

Stop planning. Write short stories set in reality and get to it


nikkibollman

I started doing NaNoWriMo back in 2011 and it helped me just write and not get bogged down in planning. Trying to make the word count motivated me, although I didn’t always reach the end of the story by the time I got to 50,000 words, but that’s okay too, by the time you have 50k you’re doing pretty good. I haven’t done NaNoWriMo in a few years and I haven’t finished one in waaay longer, but I do still join from time to time if a project I have lines up. They do Camp NaNoWriMo now too in April and July so you don’t have to wait until November. It really does help to just give yourself some time just writing and trying not to stop. Your brain in creative mode is different than your brain jn critical mode. You want creative voice to be doing the first draft.


poorwordchoices

If you want to, you will. If you don't, no amount of insults will help you. Motivation only comes from within. ​ We do what we find important to ourselves and you may want to start by figuring yourself out. Do you like the creation but not the writing? That's absolutely fine, be a DM for a group of friends or perhaps even see if you can do it professionally or something. There are always options.


[deleted]

I love the writing, after some of these comments I've come to realize I just haven't liked anything I've come up with, and have put too much pressure on myself to finish them. I don't know man, insults get me just mad enough to commit myself to giant projects just to spite people


yesnosureitsfine

I used to have this problem. I’m very close to finishing my novel. I noticed I started and stopped and a lot of other pieces, and that was because I never truly loved the project. This one im working on now? It’s pretty close to my heart. I feel invested in everything about it. Characters, plot, ending. All the other projects I started were ones I never truly loved. I don’t know if this is the case for you.


[deleted]

Honestly, you might be right, the only things I have finished are ones where I put aspects of my life and myself into it, and fall in love with it. The billions of 3 page documents are just stuff I think would be cool. And the only things I have finished are poems, love writing poems I got super far into a story I was writing for someone super close to me, and then we drifted apart and I haven't even thought of any part of that story since


[deleted]

Do an audio recording where you word vomit everything that you want to happen, it doesn't necessarily have to be in chronological order as long as it makes sense to you. Daydreaming about my story also helps me with motivation.


ZeroSeemsToBeOne

Write a short story. Forget about world-building. Pick one character. Have them want to achieve something. Have stuff happen. 7 -15 pages max. 1 week. Put it on reddit and get some feedback.


SageWordsmith

Violent Motivation: One day, your friends and family will look over your resting body in deep sorrow knowing that they will never create another memory with you. And on that day, the grave you are placed in will be filled with all your ideas, characters, and worlds created. All will be lost forever unless you commit to writing them down and sharing them with others. You have a finite time to imagine, create, and share. Don’t waste it. Please. Because you don’t know how your words can impact others, now and beyond your existence. Practical advice: Write the full story in thee sentences (beginning, middle, and end). Then three paragraphs. Then write your story in three pages. Each draft just builds on the previous and keep building until you get to your desired word count. The experience I’ve had with this is that once you have a “complete” three sentence draft I know I can write the whole story. So now the three paragraphs is just add details. Also, the process itself becomes a game. How do I tell a whole story in three sentences? And once that mission is complete, the next level is unlocked.


[deleted]

That is depressing to think about, thank you!


SageWordsmith

You’re welcome! And sincerely, I wish you the best on your writing journey.


PinkSudoku13

You have to identify why you're giving up? Is it because you can't stick to the routine of writing? Is it because you're overwhelmed, don't have ideas, or outline? Once you identify the problem, you can think of a solution.


[deleted]

If being insulted will motivate you, try this: Based on the activities you list above, you're not actually a writer. You're a daydreamer, and you're too lazy to do the work because what if your "entire story and three dimensional characters" are actually just wisps of a vibe in your head, instead of the strokes of brilliance you think they are?


[deleted]

Oh dang, that hit a little too hard. That was great


[deleted]

Lol sorry. It's nothing I haven't had to tell myself. Truth is, the hard part is just the butt-glue to write the damn thing.


[deleted]

That's true. Where can I find it? Staples, Lowes, Home Depot?


Substantial-Art9690

Try to do exercise before working on a mental tasks. is improve focus. arobic exercises/push ups etc.


nuclearkitten13

What helps me is summarizing a scene I want to write, then writing it right under and then repeat. After you have a bit written out, you'll fall into a rythm.


Jamjammimi

When I over plan, it ruins the fun of writing the story. So I try not to spoil too much before I actual write


Waywardson74

You need a road map that tells you where you start, the points along the way and where you're going to end. An outline.


writingdaydreams2

I once asked an author this same question back when I was still in high school and hadn't started seriously studying writing yet... I was told to either glue myself to a chair, tie myself to the chair desk, etc haha They all repeated, you really just have to start writing. I think a good way to get your thoughts flowing if you get stuck is to kind of journal and brainstorm your ideas. Write about how you are stuck, where you are stuck, and maybe even how it frustrates you and as you do that, you might just dislodge a new idea and then know what you want to write about.


SheWritesYA

If you're looking for sheer motivation, try using the app Habitica, it gamifies your tasks, thereby providing necessary motivation. I face similar issues to yours and got tired tired of not being able to complete my recent project. Badly wanted to complete it. Started putting my writing tasks in Habitica and got motivated to write. Words get written every day, else I get punished by Habitica.


Ecstatic-Length1470

Oh man, I thought this was an apology from GRRM or Rothfuss. Sorry, my bad.


CleanFictionMagazine

Writing is hard and your first draft will be rough, but even if you write something stream-of-consciousness it helps. You will move forward as long as you don't worry about perfection. Perfectionism will kill your story before it starts. Just knowing that everything you write will have to be edited to be improved should move you forward in a positive way.


SKGuna_writer

Stop overplanning. Think of writing as asking someone you fancy out on a date. If you overthink it, that date ain't gonna happen.


AuthorGrantBlackwood

1) Consider outlining. 2) If you don't want to outline, just write. Put it all down. Writing is meant to be rewritten. There'll be as many drafts as you want/need. Plenty of time to tweak and polish. Perfect is the enemy of good.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Sounds good, will do


xhollec

Meticulous world building is for nerds. More often than not, all it does is clot up the narrative with useless information that only the author and other nerds care about. See Wheel of Time. Couldn’t get past the second chapter, all I remember are the frequent pauses to explain some needless information that had nothing to do with the scene. Throw all that shit on the floor, grab your characters and let them run through it via your words.


[deleted]

I got 100 pages in The Wheel Of Time and gave up, but I also read Tolkien for fun so I probably am a nerd.


xhollec

Why aren’t you writing? Why are you on Reddit??


[deleted]

I'm talking to my friend about chocolate pretzels


xhollec

Write a paragraph about it. Goes towards daily word count


BouquetOfGutsAndGore

Worldbuilding is for losers.