Challenging yourself as a writer

[tswanabrit]

As I assume many of us do, I have a litany of stories in development. A few weeks ago, I challenged myself to plot, write and publish a story in just a few days. This resulted in my most recent work, It's Always Been You. Now, I typically write character-driven pieces with no real end goal except letting the characters decide the journey. It's not perfect, but it works for me. My biggest work, Mike and Sarah, was meant to be 2 part love story that ended up much longer due to the characters.
I found writing a shorter piece with an end goal helped with the writers' block that sometimes happens when you let characters drive the plot. I'm now wondering if anyone else does this.

 

[AllenWoody]

My most recent story, No Means No - For Now, started out that way. I got the idea and it really clicked with me so I thought maybe I could write it in a single long day of writing. As it is I needed three days. I’m happy with the product, but my editor was skeptical and it’s one of my lowest-rated stories. Not really character-driven, though, so I’m not sure how well this aligns with your process.

 

[tswanabrit]

My most recent story, No Means No - For Now, started out that way. I got the idea and it really clicked with me so I thought maybe I could write it in a single long day of writing. As it is I needed three days. I’m happy with the product, but my editor was skeptical and it’s one of my lowest-rated stories. Not really character-driven, though, so I’m not sure how well this aligns with your process.

Thanks for your perspective. I don't know if it helps, but I derived my process from an author called Alexander McCall Smith. He wrote a 24-novel series based in Botswana (my user name might give it away, but I grew up there), and his idea was that characters develop as you write, and you shouldn't push them into a predetermined ending. If I remember correctly, the first novel started as a writing exercise of a daughter telling her father she wouldn't waste her inheritance. 24 novels and an HBO series later, he did pretty well.
I think a better way of explaining my thoughts is maybe the best way to overcome a block is to write for the sake of writing. I'm sure regardless of our individual processes, we all get blocks occasionally, so how do we challenge ourselves to break that wall?

 

[pink_silk_glove]

his idea was that characters develop as you write, and you shouldn't push them into a predetermined ending.

I agree with that, but since when is building a plot skeleton not considered writing?

One can easily plot out a skeleton and then while fleshing out the scenes get an idea to edit the skeleton. I do it all the time.

 

[Voboy]

I was blocked once. I thought I might as well force myself to conceive of, write, edit, and submit a story as fast as I could do it. It didn't come out all that badly, though it's far from my best. It was good enough to post, though, and more importantly? It got me writing again.

Took me about 15 hours.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I haven't written a chaptered series like you, but I have been stuck on a story at times. I put it to one side, do something else, and come back every now and then to think about it.

The 750 word challenge is good at sharpening your focus.

 

[HordHolm]

I'm straight but I challenged myself to write a Gay Male story for the Pandemonium challenge. The story could easily have been hetero, very, very easily. But I wanted to see if I could convince myself (and maybe even some readers) that I could write Gay Male. I think the result is so-so, https://www.literotica.com/s/the-virgin-sharpy

 

[StillStunned]

I'm not sure "challenge" is the right word, but I often try things I haven't done before. 1P present tense, 2P, a POV character who's unlikeable but not flat, a long series with a single ongoing arc, a creepy 1P narrator. It's what makes writing so interesting: there are so many different things you can try, and luckily Lit accommodates most of them.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

If I'm having writer's block, or just don't have any inspiration to write something, I often just bash out a short-but-sweet story to get things moving again. Literotica and its readers are very accommodating of stories that consist of not much more than an introduction and then some sex, which works wonders for my creativity.

 

[tswanabrit]

I agree with that, but since when is building a plot skeleton not considered writing?

One can easily plot out a skeleton and then while fleshing out the scenes get an idea to edit the skeleton. I do it all the time.

It’s not so much that building a skeleton plot isn’t writing. But what happens when you character takes you away from your planned plot?

 

[StillStunned]

If I'm having writer's block, or just don't have any inspiration to write something, I often just bash out a short-but-sweet story to get things moving again. Literotica and its readers are very accommodating of stories that consist of not much more than an introduction and then some sex, which works wonders for my creativity.

Paradoxically, a while ago I realised that I'd stopped writing simple, uncomplicated sex stories, and it took an effort to write something with minimal plot beyond setting the scene for sex.

 

[tswanabrit]

If I'm having writer's block, or just don't have any inspiration to write something, I often just bash out a short-but-sweet story to get things moving again. Literotica and its readers are very accommodating of stories that consist of not much more than an introduction and then some sex, which works wonders for my creativity.

I’m kind of the opposite. When I wrote my first series. I got to the sex too soon, and then as I invested in the characters I felt the pressure to keep the sex up. Now I try and let the characters reach the sexas naturally as my imagination allows. So my bigger problem recently has been finding that natural point to introduce the sexual element

 

[pink_silk_glove]

It’s not so much that building a skeleton plot isn’t writing. But what happens when you character takes you away from your planned plot?

I suppose how far away matters.

But really, you just compare what the plot skeleton says to the new idea that you pantsed and decide which one is better. (shrug) I'm not afraid to throw a good idea away if I come up with a better one.

 

[SimonDoom]

My fundamental style, which consists of substantial plotting and almost always knowing how the story will end right away, is different from yours, but I heartily endorse the idea of taking on challenges to mix things up. I've done this a few times and it's worked well. I take so long to write some stories that it's gratifying just to get something done.

 

[SamBomb]

My challenges are to write the stories I thought would be to hard to write before I started writing and early on. My new story there is no way I could had written a year ago, but part 1 is out. It feels good to challenge yourself for sure.

I am still slow as shit though.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I do enjoy the challenges that we have here on the forums. But not because they "challenge," but because they open up other avenues or genres that I might not consider normally. My recent Crime and Punishment story is due to that.

 

[Voboy]

I'm "challenging" myself. Again.

I think I've entered two April Fools' contests over the years. In both cases I thought I had the theme nailed; in both cases, readers made it clear I was wrong about that. And in both cases, I resolved never to enter another. I felt like I knew when I was licked.

So... of course, a plot bunny hatched over the weekend. Once more unto the breach, I suppose. The challenge will be a successful story on a theme I've really sucked at for quite some time.

 

[tswanabrit]

I'm "challenging" myself. Again.

I think I've entered two April Fools' contests over the years. In both cases I thought I had the theme nailed; in both cases, readers made it clear I was wrong about that. And in both cases, I resolved never to enter another. I felt like I knew when I was licked.

So... of course, a plot bunny hatched over the weekend. Once more unto the breach, I suppose. The challenge will be a successful story on a theme I've really sucked at for quite some time.

Maybe it’s ego but I’m such a plot bunny. I get upset when I drop from 4.9’to 4.6; what did I write to drop from 5 to 1. Explain yourself sir/mam. Maybe they deserve their own kink thread.

 

[Voboy]

Maybe it’s ego but I’m such a plot bunny. I get upset when I drop from 4.9’to 4.6; what did I write to drop from 5 to 1. Explain yourself sir/mam. Maybe they deserve their own kink thread.

Nah, a plot bunny is an old-skool AH term for a story idea.

Sometimes they hop straight across and disappear without a trace. Other times they can be hunted and caught, but they prove cranky and eventually need to be released again. Sometimes, they are able to become a tasty meal that pleases everyone.

I'm onto a tasty meal, so far.

 

[tswanabrit]

Nah, a plot bunny is an old-skool AH term for a story idea.

Sometimes they hop straight across and disappear without a trace. Other times they can be hunted and caught, but they prov cranky and eventually need to be released again. Sometimes, they are able to become a tasty meal that pleases everyone.

I'm onto a tasty meal, so far.

I think I prefer the definition I heard. It’s funnier at least to me.

 

[Blind_Justice]

The biggest challenge for me is ACTUALLY FINISHING ANYTHING. From my good days, I'm sitting on several half-finished novels worth of stuff but since my depression kicked into high gear, I didn't manage even a fucking short story. *points at his lack of a Geek Pride '24 story*

 

[intim8]

I don't have a problem with turning around shorter stories quickly, it's the longer stuff I find challenging. Not the writing itself, but makiing sure it all ties together, having an ending worth the longer read, that kind of stuff. I have some WIPs. but with limited time, it is hard to stay focused when what would be a week or two if done all at once gets stretched into months since i only have an hour here, a few hours there.