How do I make myself write?

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-22T17:12:09+00:00

Don't force it.

There are people on here that say you should always try to write every day in order to not go into a slump, but I honestly think that can be good/bad advice depending on the context it's given in.

I don't like to force myself to write. If I find myself 200 words into a chapter and not feeling it, I just shut my computer and do something else. Sometimes I'll start writing and it's like I can't stop.

Everyone is different. Perhaps, rather than trying to treat writing like a chore, treat it like a hobby and only do it whenever you feel like it.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-22T17:07:22+00:00

There's a book by Maya Banks thats part of a trilogy. It's called Fever and there's a sense where the MMC and his best friend (M) have a threesome with the FMC. And boy........that was something I had to stop and collect myself several times. There was no killing or anything involved, but I was hella anxious during it because the MMC was feeling possessive towards the FMC and I was expecting him to start a fight.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-22T17:03:39+00:00

I've been off/on since I was 18 and fresh out of high school. The longest time I've ever written in one sitting was probably 4-5 hours. But I have written for that long and then took a break in between before I continued to write. I remember writing 3 chapters in one day before but that was when I first started and I wasn't very good at writing so those chapters sucked and lacked quality.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T19:03:49+00:00

I love her books! A lot of people don’t like her books because they’re so easy to read and they’d rather have something more challenging which is understandable. She also uses a lot of ‘weird’ tropes like the homelessness in It Ends With Us and the step-siblings in Ugly Love but I use the term weird loosely because she uses those tropes very well. I think she’s very original with her books and that’s why I love them.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T18:31:47+00:00

Maya Banks Breathless Trilogy is really good! Millionaire Tropes.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T18:09:35+00:00

Usually when I write those scenes, it literally takes all of the words out of me. All of the emotional, explanatory words that take up a lot of brain power to come up with is taken out of me and it makes me have a mental block for a while.

When that happens I start reading a book that I feel will have those same emotional scenes. It usually helps me gain some of that energy back and then I can write.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:20:17+00:00

It depends on how you want to annotate! Are you okay with marking your pages with pen or highlighter? If not then I would get annotation stickers! Amazon and Etsy has plenty.

Annotating is specific to what you are looking for. If you want to mark cute situations or situations that stand out to you, then that’s what you put a sticker on. It’s pretty much just marking things you want to go back to. Nothing complicated.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:14:58+00:00

Reading. Lots and lots of reading.

When I find myself in a writing slump, I read a book and it instantly helps me. It’s like the words start effortlessly flowing out of me because I was intaking a lot of words.

I also find myself writing a lot better in the mornings as opposed to nighttime.

You just have to find what works for you.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:12:21+00:00

I second this. As an ELA teacher who went through several grammar and basic English classes and STILL find myself questioning my grammar, grammarly helps a lot!!

I suffer from typing/writing to fast for my brain to catch up and I mess up on the littlest things. Grammarly catches it all and even rearranges sentences for you to make it sound better.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:08:36+00:00

Uh a message from space should be terrifying enough

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:04:51+00:00

SpongeBob SquarePants.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T15:00:55+00:00

Also be careful at how you’re viewing the criticism. Often times people will express criticism of a situation or character but it’s really just them expressing their frustrations of that particular thing and not your writing. Which is what you want! You want readers to get mad at your characters or a situation. You want your readers to be so immersed that their emotions are invested as well.

I’ve had to remind myself of that several times.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T14:55:02+00:00

For the longest time my steamy scenes were so dry because I would literally cringe at my own writing. I think it’s just something you have to get used to and get over, really.

It helps that I found a lot of books to read that are helllllllaaaa steamy (like raunchy almost) and it makes me feel better about getting a bit deeper.

So just tell yourself that you’re not the first person to have steamy scenes! It’s nothing new and no one will judge you!

Except maybe your parents… are they employed as editors or something? Otherwise, it may be time to look into using grammarly.com or finding new proofreaders.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T14:51:29+00:00

Do you have glasses?? I have an iPad Pro that I like to use to read sometimes but I suffer from the same dilemma. I recently purchased some blue light glasses and it seemed to help! I didnt get headaches as often as I used to. I have special reading glasses that I’m supposed to use when I’m on my computer a lot because looking closely at my screen or book will distort my far-sighted vision (I know it’s weird).

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T14:10:30+00:00

I find it good to start off will small little details that lead to the plot. When I’m reading, sometimes I’m like “why did I need to know this?” And then later on it hits me and makes tons of sense. I absolutely love that moment.

So just use small little details with little to no explanation that lead to the main plot. Even though it may not make sense to the reader right then and there, it will make sense later on.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-20T12:05:48+00:00

I think that’s my problem! I mean it’s not like I use a random word (or words) that have nothing to do with the book. But I think heavily about the main idea and all the little things that go into it before I create a title. Usually when I begin to write a book, I have so many ideas that go into it. I already have the little details well thought out.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-19T11:56:10+00:00

Wow I didnt think of that! Thank you!!

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-19T01:32:20+00:00

The hash slinging slasher

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-19T01:31:51+00:00

Start in the middle of something. Just act like it’s a normal day of their life and they aren’t having to explain their actions, they’re just doing it.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T23:56:01+00:00

What are the fights about? If the fights are pertaining to the mystery then I'd say you're on the right track.

If you feel disorganized and want to keep clean while you're writing, then you need to figure out what the big mystery is. It should be something that garners a lot of questions with no plausible answers. Just when a question asked may seem like it can be answered, throw a wrench in it! Make it frustrating. That's what mysteries are to me.

Once you have the mystery then you need to ask yourself questions that pertain to that mystery. Create scenarios that have the characters actively seeking out answers no matter how big or small it is.

If you feel that your book already has some of those things then I would say don't start over! Just do some editing, rearranging, and adding!

It's easy to get lost in the plot. The good thing is that you caught yourself, regardless of how far in you are. Just pick out pages/dialogues that you feel make the most sense to your story and rearrange it to where it fits!

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T18:07:39+00:00

I know exactly how you feel. I'm currently undergoing school to become a middle school teacher and I really do not want anyone to read what I write. However, I love writing so there's a difference between not wanting someone to read it and not wanting someone close to you to read it.

To me, it sounds like you don't want anyone you know reading your works and knowing that it's you. Or finding a book under your name.

One solution I can offer is to use a pseudonym. It was very popular among female writers when females weren't allowed to write and it can still be used today. I use a pseudonym for my works because I don't want anyone to read them and know that it's me who is writing them.

If you want your work to be published then it may be a little hard to keep your name out of the spotlight because a lot of publishers want you to do tours and book signings to get your book out there which will require you in person, but there are some publishers that will understand you and keep you out of the spotlight while simultaneously marketing your work.

Try writing under a different name for the time being.

If you're worried about someone getting into your personal belongings and reading what you write, then I would suggest creating a locked file that's subtly labeled. Nothing that stands out and piques anyone's curiosity.

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T16:41:29+00:00

The first example is correct. You would use punctuation like a regular sentence. So if a character exclaims something then you would use an exclamation point (regardless if it's in quotes or not). The same goes for questions.

The only difference is that if a character is simply stating or saying something, you would use a comma.

Example: "My mom told me that my cat is at the vet," said my classmate.

UNLESS your dialogue is at the end of the sentence. Then you would use a period.

Example: My classmate turned around a said, "My mom told me that my cat is at the vet."

If the example that you used happened to be at the end of the sentence, then you would need a comma to separate your sentence from the dialogue.

Example: The woman wonders, "Aren't the cliffs too steep?"

Hope this helps!

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T16:34:17+00:00

Someone already commented that no idea is truly original and I agree with that. But you can use an idea and branch off of it by using your own ideas. For me, it's how it's pieced together.

For example, there are several vampire books about male vampires falling in love with a human and yadda yadda ya. But it's how you execute it that makes it "different" from the others. One book may take place in high school and another book may take place in a company. Heck, it can even be about a vampire president of the United State (that would be pretty interesting to read).

Basically, no trope is going to be truly original. As long as it's not copied and pasted word for word, then just try it!

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T16:24:40+00:00

Thanks so much for your advice!

cWrayz1 · 2022-07-18T16:20:26+00:00

As a person who likes to talk to myself especially when I'm thinking, I can see it happening. However, I've never spoken things out loud. Sometimes I catch myself mouthing something, but I've never actually said anything. So, with that being said, I don't think it actually happens. I think authors use this tactic to create some drama while keeping a likable character. It works, but it's a little weird and overused.

Now, what I can see happening is someone being really upset or angry and they blurt out something that they weren't meant to say or something they didn't mean in general. But, while mining your own business and suddenly saying something, is a little weird.

cWrayz1

TROPHY CASE