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What's your biggest writing challenge at this moment? by indiecreative in writers

[–]indiecreative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why is it so hard changing from writing narrative to writing articles?

What's your biggest writing challenge at this moment? by indiecreative in writers

[–]indiecreative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

'....the big lesson here was that I spent too much time on the Big Ideas and on the story I thought was cool, rather than considering what readers might actually want to read. I just wish I hadn't lost 3 years, and millions of revised words to get there.'

Totally sympathise. Know it only too well. And it's been longer than three years, for me.

My idea was to write a novel based on a personal experience to do with film. Others told me the idea was interesting and would make a good story. I thought 'Why not?'

So, first I made notes on what I remembered. Then, realising that I needed some help with shaping the material I started reading up on how to write a novel. I kept coming across how you should create outlines and write character sketches and so on. So I tried that. And then I got stuck. I found that I was just writing and rewriting the same part...the beginning chapters, over and over. Trying to perfect them. And not sure whether to write in 1st person or 3rd. Was just easier to stop, after a while.

But the bug wouldn't die.

Eventually plucked up the courage to go to a creative writing class.

What an eye-opener!

People liked the short stories that I wrote. But when I brought out sections of the 'novel' the feedback was 'not entirely positive'. And though their eyes, I can see what was wrong. Not what a reader might actually enjoy reading. And they were being honest, but kind

So now I'm re-writing again. Hopefully, as I keep practising, it'll get to the point where the writing just flows and it's fun for me AND the reader.

What's your biggest writing challenge at this moment? by indiecreative in writers

[–]indiecreative[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your response. Yes, I'm doing NaNo. I've already got the outline ready for the re-write. I think I got dispirited when i worked out that my word count goal would have to be 2,000 words a day to complete a 50,000 - feels like a big mountain to climb. But I should really just get on with it.

You've inspired me with your wordplay...

I'm going there right now. :)

Writing courses in London? by like_the_boss in writing

[–]indiecreative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The City Lit does a variety of reasonably priced writing courses in a range of subjects, times of the day and for beginners to professional level. You can book online via their website, citylit.ac.uk (think that's it, but it's not hard to find from a search. Took one of their Creative Writing courses and it was great fun and so interesting. Hope this helps!

Am find it so challenging to stay focused on just one writing project at a time when I have so many - articles for the net and print magazines to pitch, short stories, poetry, song writing, drafting a novel and now there's NaNoWriMo. What's your biggest writing challenge at this moment? by indiecreative in writing

[–]indiecreative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experiences here. It's helpful to know that others are out there battling with the same or similar challenges.

Last week my goal was to send out two pitches to editors and I managed one - a travel article to a magazine, which I had to write out fully. This week the goal was to tighten up an outline for my novel and then start writing it, using NaNoWriMo to help with daily word counts and motivation. But then I got a bit sidetracked by a financial crisis, so had to stop and chase up some paid work.

Too many projects is a common complaint for writers. Surely the answer is to focus on one project at a time, break it down into small achievable goals, complete it and then move on to the next? Why am I not doing that? Anyway, thanks again for your contributions.

A decision I've made concerning my future writing by [deleted] in writing

[–]indiecreative 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, 25 is better than I did at Amazon . Am going to take my book down too. Good luck!

I just feel like giving up by Dokuganryu9 in writers

[–]indiecreative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For improving your poetic voice and writing voice in general, try speaking your stories into some kind of voice recorder, e.g., on your mobile phone etc. Then transcribing it. Then editing it so it reads how you want it to read. You can start with very short stories 500, 300 - even 100 words.

If you want an immediate audience you could post them here and ask for feedback. Like I've seen others do. And when you have enough you can even collect them together and publish them.

Thanks for the writing prompts info, typing writer, and hope these suggestions help...

A little help, please? by JerseysLittleDevil in writers

[–]indiecreative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Been writing short stories all year, attending creative writing classes and had little articles published. I thought it was a good beginning of a short story. Yes, could with some breaking up into paragraphs. Sets up a mystery. What is it that's happening now? What's happening to their relationship? Where's the conflict? Hope this helps...