I'll never manage to write anything

[Jackie.Hikaru]

Actually... I lied. It's Cognac. Could I tempt you too?

Let's do this.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've got a bottle of brandy and a sofa to watch the party. There's space for you if you'd like.

You had me at "sofa".

 

[onehitwanda]

How much room you got on that couch? Cause I could bring some snacks.

Girls (and Bramblethorn) night in on the party couch with Cognac and snacks. This is going to be amazing.

So... what are we watchin'?

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Girls (and Bramblethorn) night in on the party couch with Cognac and snacks. This is going to be amazing.

So... what are we watchin'?

Princess Bride? Or maybe, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

Girls (and Bramblethorn) night in on the party couch with Cognac and snacks. This is going to be amazing.

So... what are we watchin'?

I thought we were watching writers not writing stories.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I thought we were watching writers not writing stories.

Along with some hilarious movies.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I thought we were watching writers not writing stories.

That was the plan, but I could be tempted by Princess Bride.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

That was the plan, but I could be tempted by Princess Bride.

I'm feeling mostly dead. Cary Elwes and some booze sounds good to me.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm feeling mostly dead. Cary Elwes and some booze sounds good to me.

Just last night my partner and I were talking about how useful that movie is for those "six degrees of separation" games, especially if one needs to link Spın̈al Tap to Samuel Beckett.

(Not that anybody has ever asked me to link Spın̈al Tap to Samuel Beckett, but I live in hope.)

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

I'm feeling mostly dead. Cary Elwes and some booze sounds good to me.

Mostly dead is still slightly alive!

 

[onehitwanda]

Mostly dead is still slightly alive!

Fezzik!

 

[JaxRhapsody]

View attachment 2284312

 

[Jmanchu]

After quitting that medieval-fantasy story I'd been writing (because I couldn't find proper names for the characters), I deduced I'll never manage to finish any story. So I might as well give up writing altogether. I'm sorry that I never managed to finish or publish anything. I don't have what it takes to be a writer.

If you really wanted to write that story, you could do it. Quitting cuz you're getting hung up over names is just an excuse, my guy. Do it, or don't. Unless you want genuine help, there's no use in just complaining in the forums about what you can't do. The real question if you're serious about wanting to write the story is ask yourself what it really needs to get done.

 

[JohnSm123]

If you really wanted to write that story, you could do it. Quitting cuz you're getting hung up over names is just an excuse, my guy. Do it, or don't. Unless you want genuine help, there's no use in just complaining in the forums about what you can't do. The real question if you're serious about wanting to write the story is ask yourself what it really needs to get done.

Ever since I was told my names were anachronistic, I can't find names that sound right to my ears. I can't shake off the feeling that my name choices are laughable. So I'm at a dead end. That's the end of my journey as an author (before it even began).

 

[ElectricBlue]

Ever since I was told my names were anachronistic, I can't find names that sound right to my ears. I can't shake off the feeling that my name choices are laughable. So I'm at a dead end. That's the end of my journey as an author (before it even began).

That's the daftest reason for not writing I've ever seen. How can names create such a dilemma?

 

[onehitwanda]

That's the daftest reason for not writing I've ever seen. How can names create such a dilemma?

It's a platitude to excuse not trying.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

You’re right. You don’t have what it takes. You should quit.

Or you could embrace your lack of knowledge and call them what the hell you want.

Lord Byron.
Duke of Wessex
Earl of Ted

If you’ve written something already then Buck up, get your ass in gear and start typing. Worry about errors later.

Don’t get it right, get it written.

 

[onehitwanda]

You’re right. You don’t have what it takes. You should quit.

Or you could embrace your lack of knowledge and call them what the hell you want.

Lord Byron.
Duke of Wessex
Earl of Ted

If you’ve written something already then Buck up, get your ass in gear and start typing. Worry about errors later.

Don’t get it right, get it written.

Can't fail if you never try.

https://media1.giphy.com/media/WgYnjK1jfg4x8ab7ew/giphy.gif

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Just write your story. Forget about the names, and just write. You might surprise yourself and really like what you've done. You can choose names later. Obviously your entire story isn't resting on whatever names you choose for your characters. So, just start typing and get it done!

 

[onehitwanda]

Just write your story. Forget about the names, and just write. You might surprise yourself and really like what you've done. You can choose names later. Obviously your entire story isn't resting on whatever names you choose for your characters. So, just start typing and get it done!

You're trying to inspire a mole to be a sparrow, hon it's more important to OT to have a reason why they couldn't succeed than it is to actually make an honest attempt.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

You're trying to inspire a mole to be a sparrow, hon it's more important to OT to have a reason why they couldn't succeed than it is to actually make an honest attempt.

I know, you're right. I shouldn't have put my 2 cents worth in, but I did.

It's his story, so it's up to him. Throw in the towel, or pull up his panties and write.

 

[Jmanchu]

Ever since I was told my names were anachronistic, I can't find names that sound right to my ears. I can't shake off the feeling that my name choices are laughable. So I'm at a dead end. That's the end of my journey as an author (before it even began).

You have an overthinking problem if this is true. If you're serious and not joshing around, then remember that names don't have to be perfect. Don't try to find the holy grail, just start with good enough. But it sounds like a pity party to me, bro. Don't get so hung up on someone(your beta reader) giving you criticism for your work. Even the best of us will get criticism, even constructive criticism that can make us feel like our work is shit and not worth the effort, but it's in OUR HEADS when that happens. Keep writing, or don't. Those are your only two options right now. But, either way cut the "I can't do it, I'm not good enough" melodrama talk because it's doing you no good.

 

[FeralSmile]

Yeah, I don't buy it. Disingenuous trolling to amuse yourself, perhaps? Self-pitying defeatism? Dunno, doesn't matter.

Look, if you want to write, you should write. This whole "I cannot possibly complete this relatively simple task of finding names for my characters" shtick is hard to take seriously, my friend. You can find lists of names or just copy someone else or use placeholders. There are literally name generators and lists online for pretty much anything you can imagine, from female orc warriors to Italian Jewish male scholars of the 16th century. If you can't be bothered or feel uninspired to actually spend a few minutes researching your options... you're not serious about any of this. Which then calls into question your motivation in posting this, as above.

This is at best a cop-out, avoiding the hard work of actually writing. And I say that, and this, with love and support: just get over it.

Writing a story is VASTLY more involved than choosing names for your characters. If you're going to get hung up on one of the easiest parts, you're really not serious. Nevertheless, a lot of people will reach out and offer advice and support. Many have already done so.

What will you do, then?

Push on? Write something and find names later? Accept that maybe you don't have the best possible names for your characters, but then maybe you don't have the best possible narrative or character development or dialogue or turns of phrase, either? Most stories are not, in fact, the best possible versions of themselves, yet people read and enjoy them.

Or maybe you'll complain more, claim you cannot do the work, and continue to seek sympathy? After a certain point (think very near future, here) the sympathy will dry up entirely. If you make no effort, if you do less than every reader believes you capable of, do you think we'll continue to pity you? To support you?

Is that what you hope for? Not to have to try, but to have everyone admire your suffering nevertheless?

The truth is that you've shown you're capable of writing, of eliciting a reaction, of creating art. If you refuse to do more, that's on you. It's not that you're objectively incapable; it's that you're defining yourself as incapable for other reasons.

 

[Djmac1031]

After quitting that medieval-fantasy story I'd been writing (because I couldn't find proper names for the characters), I deduced I'll never manage to finish any story. So I might as well give up writing altogether. I'm sorry that I never managed to finish or publish anything. I don't have what it takes to be a writer.

How sad. We're crushed. Seriously, heartbroken. However shall we cope?

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Ever since I was told my names were anachronistic, I can't find names that sound right to my ears. I can't shake off the feeling that my name choices are laughable. So I'm at a dead end. That's the end of my journey as an author (before it even began).

That's some gods damned bullshit.