Ever had trouble finishing a story?

[Guest]

I've got two parts of a trilogy up in Exhibitionist & Voyeur; the second part went up about two months ago. I have no complaints at all about how they've done or the feedback I've received.

I like the characters, and how they're developing. I think the plot's unfolding nicely. I think the sex scenes work. I know how I want the bloody thing to end.

I was even stupid enough to add a foreword to the second part saying that the story would conclude with a third part.

So why can't I finish the damned thing?

Suggestions as to what's wrong with me?

And for the inevitable trolls, yes, it's multiple choice--take your best shot.

 

[SweetWitch]

You like your characters, but do you love them? Can you identify with them? Do they feel real to you?

You have the plot in mind and the ending, but are there any happy surprises in store for you? Have you taken the joy of writing it out by over-planning?

Just some questions to ask yourself. I have no real advice since I can't write at all anymore. Sigh.

 

[TxRad]

I have a new folder, which is stories I'm currently working on. Then I've got a stories folder that contains stories that still interest me ever so often. Then there is the back burner folder which has stories that I haven't given up on but don't write on much. Total of 136 stories fo which 21 are actually being worked on.

There's nothing wrong with you. If there was then there would be something wrong with me and I know that ain't true.

 

[starrkers]

I have the second part of a two-parter half-written on my hard drive. It's been there for months. The first part went up as an entry in last year's Earth Day contest.

Intellectually, I know at least one of my characters has to come to a bad end. And I don't want to do tha to any of them, but I can't figure any other plausible way out.

So I can't finish it.

 

[Guest]

You like your characters, but do you love them? Can you identify with them? Do they feel real to you?

You have the plot in mind and the ending, but are there any happy surprises in store for you? Have you taken the joy of writing it out by over-planning?

Just some questions to ask yourself. I have no real advice since I can't write at all anymore. Sigh.

You may have something with the "do you love them" part. (Ponder, ponder.)

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that you can't write anymore.

 

[SweetWitch]

You may have something with the "do you love them" part. (Ponder, ponder.)

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that you can't write anymore.

If you don't love them, you can't continue an interest in their lives. Sometimes it's just a matter of going back and coming up with a backstory--in your own mind, notes, etc--that gives them substance.

How did this person get this way? What was his/her childhood like? Who were this person's influences? Why is he/she so headstrong/wishywashy/irrational, etc? Give them life and it breathes life into the story.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Do I ever have trouble finishing a story...

Hmmm... lets' see here... at last count I have 11 unfinished stories languishing on my harddrive. So I'd say yes.

 

[Elenia26]

I have a new folder, which is stories I'm currently working on. Then I've got a stories folder that contains stories that still interest me ever so often. Then there is the back burner folder which has stories that I haven't given up on but don't write on much.

Ditto. And I have one that says "posted", to remind myself that occasionally I do get my shit together.

I can't finish my "break the gilded cage" story. I love it. I love the characters, I love the first half, I just don't know where to take it!!!!!!!!

 

[sr71plt]

No, I don't think I've ever had trouble finishing a story. I don't start writing a story until I have an ending in my mind. It doesn't always end the way I thought it would, but that's only when a different, better ending pops up.

 

[SweetWitch]

Ditto. And I have one that says "posted", to remind myself that occasionally I do get my shit together.

I can't finish my "break the gilded cage" story. I love it. I love the characters, I love the first half, I just don't know where to take it!!!!!!!!

Pick a writer with whom you have a good rapport and bounce ideas off him/her.

 

[SweetWitch]

No, I don't think I've ever had trouble finishing a story. I don't start writing a story until I have an ending in my mind. It doesn't always end the way I thought it would, but that's only when a different, better ending pops up.

You amaze me. You're everything I ever wanted to be. It's a wonder you deign to acknowledge any of us.

 

[sr71plt]

You amaze me. You're everything I ever wanted to be. It's a wonder you deign to acknowledge any of us.

And, you would be . . . who . . . exactly?

I'm not sure if that was a putdown, but I don't find it all that unusual not to start writing a story without having an ending in mind. If you've read any of my stories, I think you'd see that I usually try to end with a twist. If I can't think of what the twist is that I want for a story, I just don't try to write it yet. Usually the first thing that pops in my mind when I'm contemplating a story is "what's the hook?"--something unusual to develop, an image or a sexual position or a situation/problem, for instance. And the second thing that I think about is "OK, where is it going?" That's the ending for the story, even if it doesn't come right at the end.

 

[only_more_so]

I've got two parts of a trilogy up in Exhibitionist & Voyeur; the second part went up about two months ago. I have no complaints at all about how they've done or the feedback I've received.

I like the characters, and how they're developing. I think the plot's unfolding nicely. I think the sex scenes work. I know how I want the bloody thing to end.

I was even stupid enough to add a foreword to the second part saying that the story would conclude with a third part.

So why can't I finish the damned thing?

Suggestions as to what's wrong with me?

And for the inevitable trolls, yes, it's multiple choice--take your best shot.

What's wrong is that you said you would finish in the third part. So do what author's do best. Lie! Or if that fails, edit.

I actually have the same problem. One of my stories just keeps building and building. I know how the final big twists are going to play out, but the timing just isn't right yet.

My question for you would be: Are all the things that you are putting in the way of the wrap-up necessary to the story?

Every character has a thousand things that you want to say to make the character more real. Every story has a hundred subplots that you want to explore. But at some point you have to say no. You only reveal half of a character because that is the only part that needs to be seen in the story. You cut out the subplot because, while amusing/interesting, it doesn't contribute to the story.

Of course, I'm a total hypocrite giving this advice because my story is full of subplots and character development.

 

[SweetWitch]

And, you would be . . . who . . . exactly?

I'm not sure if that was a putdown, but I don't find it all that unusual not to start writing a story without having an ending in mind. If you've read any of my stories, I think you'd see that I usually try to end with a twist. If I can't think of what the twist is that I want for a story, I just don't try to write it yet. Usually the first thing that pops in my mind when I'm contemplating a story is "what's the hook?"--something unusual to develop, an image or a sexual position or a situation/problem, for instance. And the second thing that I think about is "OK, where is it going?" That's the ending for the story, even if it doesn't come right at the end.

It was a snide comment from a woman with severe writer's block.

 

[christabelll]

I have several little vignettes... but after getting so much criticism regarding vignettes I ceased ---

However I have a few storys that I am working on that come in fits and spurts....
I am struggling period LOLOL...Especially with Crusader.... but for all the struggles the writing is happening... mainly cuz I have to translate the images in my head into words... sometimes thats realllllllllllllllly hard, and others? like water flowing down hill.....

Ending is easy I think -
its the getting to the ending thats hard...

 

[sr71plt]

It was a snide comment from a woman with severe writer's block.

Well, to be honest, I'm not really responsible for your writer's block, if you have one. I'm a professional writer, keeping up with my mainstream work and still posting a story here every other day. Writer's block isn't my problem--at least yet. And if not starting to write a story until I can see at least a tentative ending for it works for me, it seems a legitimate idea to offer for how not to be caught knowing your ending after you've already posted a beginning.

It seems I can't give any advice on writing here without getting a snide comment. I don't quite get why I have to dumb down my postings when I, in fact, manage to do well with what I've learned to do.

 

[LoquaciousLady]

I have several little vignettes... but after getting so much criticism regarding vignettes I ceased ---

However I have a few storys that I am working on that come in fits and spurts....
I am struggling period LOLOL...Especially with Crusader.... but for all the struggles the writing is happening... mainly cuz I have to translate the images in my head into words... sometimes thats realllllllllllllllly hard, and others? like water flowing down hill.....

Ending is easy I think -
its the getting to the ending thats hard...

You took the words right out of my head! I tend to "see" brief sequences so vividly they're almost real to me. The problem is putting that on paper/hard drive and then connecting it to an actual plot. Even when I see multiple sequences, well enough to make a story, trailing them together in a coherent way that tells a story is a challenge.

 

[SlickTony]

Oh my my, oh hell yes, as Tom Petty would say. My GM two-parter "If You Choose Not to Decide" was originally going to have several parts, in fact, it was going to stretch out into a novella, but for some reason, I've not been able to take it any further on paper (figuratively speaking) although it's up in my head.

 

[Greenspace]

I have more trouble beginning a story.

 

[PrincessErin]

No, I don't think I've ever had trouble finishing a story. I don't start writing a story until I have an ending in my mind. It doesn't always end the way I thought it would, but that's only when a different, better ending pops up.

I'm the same way. It doesn't always end the way I think it's going to end but I normally have a full story idea in my head. My issue of course is that if I don't have a full story idea I can't start a story. So I don't have any stories on the go but if I run out of ideas I won't be writing.

Sweetwitch - I'm sorry you have writer's block. I've enjoyed all your stories so far.

Erin

 

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone who's posted tonight. I appreciate all the different viewpoints and suggestions. I write for a living, although it's far removed from the realm of fiction (wait a minute, this is corporate stuff, so it's MOSTLY fiction!All right, FAR removed from the realm of erotica.) so it's distressing when I can't get on with a project.

 

[SweetWitch]

Well, to be honest, I'm not really responsible for your writer's block, if you have one. I'm a professional writer, keeping up with my mainstream work and still posting a story here every other day. Writer's block isn't my problem--at least yet. And if not starting to write a story until I can see at least a tentative ending for it works for me, it seems a legitimate idea to offer for how not to be caught knowing your ending after you've already posted a beginning.

It seems I can't give any advice on writing here without getting a snide comment. I don't quite get why I have to dumb down my postings when I, in fact, manage to do well with what I've learned to do.

Ah, sweetie, it was just a little ribbing from someone suffering with sour grapes. It wasn't intended to be cruel, just slightly rude and maybe a little attempt at wittiness. Oops, failed again.

To be honest, I always know how something will end. But writer's block isn't about that. It's about lack of confidence and stress. It's about not being able to express oneself or know what one wants to say or how to say it.

That's where I am right now. The blank page--horror of horrors. I wasn't blaming anyone, least of all, you. I'm just being bratty.

 

[sr71plt]

Ah, sweetie, it was just a little ribbing from someone suffering with sour grapes. It wasn't intended to be cruel, just slightly rude and maybe a little attempt at wittiness. Oops, failed again.

To be honest, I always know how something will end. But writer's block isn't about that. It's about lack of confidence and stress. It's about not being able to express oneself or know what one wants to say or how to say it.

That's where I am right now. The blank page--horror of horrors. I wasn't blaming anyone, least of all, you. I'm just being bratty.

No problem. irritated more about something else only a bit related to this.

 

[DeeZire]

Some of us, (me, specifically) get intimidated by the craft. I had a bunch of stories ready to post when I showed up here last summer, but the more I learned, and the more I wrote, the more I realized there were deficiencies in the craft of my writing, and all my wonderful stories turned to crap right before my eyes. I hate that.

Perhaps it's a plateau which some writers have crossed, and others get stranded on. On the one hand, I don't want to submit a story until I can read through the entire thing without stopping to make corrections or revisions. On the other hand, I think it's possible to be over-critical of one's work - especially working without an editor. Where's your perspective? Raymond Carver didn't have many twist endings in his stories, and yet he's a revered writer. But I sit here dwelling over the fact that my ending isn't strong enough, so the story remains unfinished.

Perhaps the answer is approaching writing more as a means to an end than an end in and of itself. (In other words, as soon as I finish the latest draft of my latest story, I can go pour myself a glass of wine. YeeHaw!)

 

[oggbashan]

I have a new folder, which is stories I'm currently working on. Then I've got a stories folder that contains stories that still interest me ever so often. Then there is the back burner folder which has stories that I haven't given up on but don't write on much. Total of 136 stories fo which 21 are actually being worked on.

There's nothing wrong with you. If there was then there would be something wrong with me and I know that ain't true.

Without counting them I know I have a similar backlog. I have an "ideas" folder with possible stories that might be written. I have plot bunnies breeding in my brain.

I think I'm normal too.

Og