Trouble Concentrating?

[TheeGoatPig]

Sometimes (oh who am I kidding, it's all of the time) I have trouble concentrating on one story that I am writing. Every few weeks I go back to one of dozens of stories that I have in the works, and then I skip over to another one, and then I start three new projects in a row, and then I hit a bit of writers block, and then I start a couple new stories, and then I combine a few ideas into one story, and then I go back and rewrite one of the older stories I was working on, or even just a part of it...

I could go on, but there wouldn't be any real difference betweent he beginning and end of that paragraph. But I was just wondering how many other writers here have that kind of troub;e having too many ideas that they can't get out of their head in an orderly fashion?

 

[ibhard]

That's a bad habit to have. *coughs* I have that problem too. *coughs* And I have no suggestions for the cure either.


oh look, a butterfly *chases*

 

[cloudy]

Sometimes I do...

ooh, look! Shiny!

 

[The_Fool]

Sometimes I do...

ooh, look! Shiny!

I had a good comment for this but I think I will save it....

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I get these fuzzy chunks of stories popping into my head all the time. Many of them I play with, maybe even write a little bit, then for one reason or another, file it away.

What are these chunk? Some are just characters. Some are plots. Some are just scenery. Then, rarely, you have that fantastic day when a story pops into my head already written waiting to spew forth in a vast out pouring of creative wealth. Rarely? More like NEVER.

But I save all the chunks and eventually a chunk will fit into a story someplace or other.

One more point. When I'm working on a story, I work on one story. A chunk might pop up here and there and get recorded, but switching between stories is more trouble than it's worth in rewrites.

 

[jushorny]

I have many i have started and lost interest in, so they remain unfinished

*oh, look at that sexy tat*

 

[angela146]

I have this exact problem. That's why I haven't posted any stories in a couple of years.

For me it's my ADD. If I increase my meds to be able to focus, my creativity goes out the window.

 

[Huckleman2000]

Umm...
What?

 

[joeys-game]

I really try to get things done..finish what i start but i always multitask..and i still have problems getting things done..
where was i?

 

[Tom Collins]

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

 

[Antfarmer77]

When I have an idea for a story I write it down, just one line or so. A couple more unfinished story ideas and I'll have enough to just post my ideas page
Hmmmmm...who wanted pie?

 

[scheherazade_79]

I had that problem when real life was getting me down. I had too many thoughts going through my head, and it felt like I had ADHD. Now I've chilled out, I can concentrate on finishing stories again.

Hope you manage to snap out of it, Threegoatpig. I know how frustrating it is

 

[Ada Stuart]

Sometimes (oh who am I kidding, it's all of the time) I have trouble concentrating on one story that I am writing. Every few weeks I go back to one of dozens of stories that I have in the works, and then I skip over to another one, and then I start three new projects in a row, and then I hit a bit of writers block, and then I start a couple new stories, and then I combine a few ideas into one story, and then I go back and rewrite one of the older stories I was working on, or even just a part of it...

I could go on, but there wouldn't be any real difference betweent he beginning and end of that paragraph. But I was just wondering how many other writers here have that kind of troub;e having too many ideas that they can't get out of their head in an orderly fashion?

Sound really familiar...since I have the same problem. Or, I don't think it's a problem actually. I think it's called 'writing'. It's a process. And every time you put down a story, it rests in your subconscience and when you finally get back to it again, you rewrite some of it and it gets better.

I think I've found a way to cope with all these strange strands that lurks in ny brain and just struggles to get out. I write them down - even if I only have one scene. I have about 20 such loose stories hanging around, and finally I want to write more on one of them, but usually it stops after 8 pages. Then continuing on some other story before going back to the first one.

Hope you understand what I mean - it's diffucult to explain, but it works - even though the time periods of not writing can be long. I don't understand people who can write every day. Where do they get their ideas from ?

Ada

 

[kendo1]

*Cat wanders through room*

 

[AchtungNight]

I've had that issue as well. It's one reason I've starting fully outlining my stories on paper a bit before I write them. Then, when I have the time, I sit down at the computer and let them flow out one by one. I usually have a distraction on at the same time in the form of a video game, TV program, or music playing- just to keep my mind from wandering. It's worked well so far.

 

[deathlynx]

This is probably the reason everything I've posted here is only about 10 pages typed or less...I write while at work (I'm a Toll Attendent on the graveyard shift) so I can usually write a story up to about that long so I'll usually write a quick story in the span of a night...

I'm working on some longer stuff (a few novels) but most of them are only about three chapters before I get hung up, never really to return to figure out what's next...I have one which is about a hundred pages but likewise it's hit the wall as I can't figure out what comes next...

I tried the outlining thing...when I did that only the outline ever came out of me and I never even got around to telling the story...

 

[NoJo]

I agree with Ada Stuart -- it's a core part of the writing process. I have periods when I have lots of ideas and write them down -- but I don't consider it a failure that most of them don't become stories -- they're more like seeds, that may or may not take root in my mind and grow into stories. There's a sort of natural selection process taking place.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I have about 20 such loose stories hanging around, and finally I want to write more on one of them, but usually it stops after 8 pages. Then continuing on some other story before going back to the first one.

I wouldn't feel so bad if the number was that low again. It's up around 70+ right now, with some of them at around 50+ pages, and not even half done (I have a tendancy to drag things out sometimes )

And I too write from work. I'm at an architectural firm, with the office to myself most days (99% of the time, I hardly ever see my boss), and some days get so slow writing is the only thing to do other than playing Solitaire/Minesweeper.

But yes, I do have some troubles in my life right now. My grandparrents are dying, I have to move out soon, I don't make quite enough money to move out yet, my car is edging closer to the "major repair zone", and I haven't been on a date in nine years (or had sex in eleven).

So yeah, I'm not exactly one with the page right now, even htough I know exactly where all of my stories are going and all I have to do is write them down. I guess I'll just have to live with it. Oh well