I Always Abandon Stories

[SativaDiva]

I can never seem to complete them. I get an idea, get a bit in and eventually do other things and forget about it.
The longest story I've ever written was supposed to be novel length, I got to 134 pages.
Does anyone have any advice? It's not writers block.

[I_Write_Ivre]

Plan, organize, push yourself, and try writing shorter stories. Don't get caught up in pagecount.

[Sir Icehawk]

The following is generic advice. If you can tell us more about how you do thing and all, we can give more specific stuff.

Start with shorts. Work up to a novel. Build up that discipline to stick to a project and finish it.

If you don't outline, outline.
If you do, maybe don't go into as much detail. Give yourself a general direction and a few key points along the road.

You could also set up a rewards system. You set a daily goal. If you accomplish it, you get something you want, do something you want, or whatever. Example: Goal 1000 words a day. Reward: bowl of that ice cream you bought. Could also throw in a punishment like no TV on days you fail.

Main thing is to focus on writing one peice at a time. It's okay to make notes about a story, but you have to finish the piece you're on. Use those other ideas as motivation to complete one project. If you waver, tell yourself that if you don't focus you'll never finish this story. If you never finish this story, what will stop you from giving that great idea the same treatment? Then get back to work. wink

[SativaDiva]

Sir Icehawk

The following is generic advice. If you can tell us more about how you do thing and all, we can give more specific stuff.

Start with shorts. Work up to a novel. Build up that discipline to stick to a project and finish it.

If you don't outline, outline.
If you do, maybe don't go into as much detail. Give yourself a general direction and a few key points along the road.

You could also set up a rewards system. You set a daily goal. If you accomplish it, you get something you want, do something you want, or whatever. Example: Goal 1000 words a day. Reward: bowl of that ice cream you bought. Could also throw in a punishment like no TV on days you fail.

Main thing is to focus on writing one peice at a time. It's okay to make notes about a story, but you have to finish the piece you're on. Use those other ideas as motivation to complete one project. If you waver, tell yourself that if you don't focus you'll never finish this story. If you never finish this story, what will stop you from giving that great idea the same treatment? Then get back to work. wink

That sounds good.

[SativaDiva]

Thanks both of you. heart

[Lily Lyssa]

Wish I could help, but i have the same problem. I'm bipolar, so I get manic and start a lot of projects, then it's gone, and I lose the motivation.

[MC lollygirl]

I recommend what Sir Icehawk said. Start off with short stories and push your way to the top.

[D0kt0r Bulletz]

Just don't think about it.

[MajGyver]

Quit being a quitter. You then will be able to finish writing a piece.



This advice is definitive.

[Tympest]

Aside from Icehawk's advice, which is definitely good, you could try having a couple of projects going at once so that if you get tired of one you can work on the other.

[ProjectLazy]

I have a similar problem. I tend to write it in my end before I put it on paper but then get bored cause I know the story already.

[Unexpected Chaos]

Well, everyone above me is giving good advice so I won't repeat it
but, just a little note, whenever i start to get not bored but.. "lacking energy" for a story, I always listen to music that I can have it relate too. picks everything right back up then & sometimes promotes more thoughts/plot ideas

[pokeyspot]

Good advice above. ^^
HHmmmm.....Ok I reckon you're familiar with the feeling of "I can only write rubbish" on some days, that lack of energy and the words not coming to you?
Write it down anyway. Just splash some words on the page and don't re-read as you go. Just keep writing. You may be surprised with the ideas you can work with that come from "rubbish writing" heart

[Tsuki Z]

Don't dump them completely. Just store them away for a bit and come back to them later on when you get a fresh idea on how to continue.

[burlesk]

I_Write_Ivre

Plan, organize, push yourself, and try writing shorter stories. Don't get caught up in pagecount.