What's On Your Mind About Your Writing?

[Belegon]

Honestly? The past couple of months have fucked with my head in ways that make it very hard for me to want to write. So it feels a bit forced at the moment; I have two works I want to finish and a third I'm working on now, but I worry that I'm forcing it rather than letting it happen like it usually would.

Oh well.

I GET THIS. I'm in a similar place. Hoping to break the cycle, I started something new that I intend to take to novel length... and I'm stuck only four pages in. I may need to give myself at least a slight outline. Novel writing is very different (at least for me) than pounding out a short story or even novella.

Just FYI: when I talk about shorts, novellas, novels I am mostly thinking word count. Short Storys: less than 30K, Novellas: 30-50k, Novels: 50K and up. There are other ways to define these terms, but this is what I think first.

 

[SimonDoom]

Too much thinking, and not enough doing. I spend more time thinking about writing than actually writing.

 

[kitmarlowe]

I've been working on getting my routine back. My day job is writing but I've had nearly two years of health issues and it's thrown my routine out on a big way. I'm slowly rebuilding it and it feels great, frankly.

I'm also relearning how to write fiction after having been away from it for a few years. That's part of the reason for the pseudonym and the step into erotica, because it feels like there's no pressure on it and that's really helped me get back into the rhythms of writing. I've been back to writing every day on personal projects rather than work projects for the past month and I'm very happy about it.

 

[rteny3245]

I’ve been writing or thinking about writing every day. Starting new projects is definitely the most fun, but the real challenge—and oddly enough, the best escape—is getting a story to the point where it’s actually publishable. It’s become a great distraction from everything else going on, even if I’m not entirely sure it’s healthy to be this inwardly focused.

Still, I’ve genuinely enjoyed fleshing out stories that didn’t even exist a few days or weeks ago. The fact that people read them (or at least click on the link), and sometimes even rate them, is a nice bonus. But honestly, it’s just satisfying to have an outlet for my creative energy, especially when the world feels a bit too loud. For now, I’m embracing it and seeing where it takes me.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Honestly? The past couple of months have fucked with my head in ways that make it very hard for me to want to write. So it feels a bit forced at the moment; I have two works I want to finish and a third I'm working on now, but I worry that I'm forcing it rather than letting it happen like it usually would.

Oh well.

It is hard when the Gods of prose allude you. When the words refuse to align. That little voice in your head says... "Don't forget that new album, is still waiting for a listen, The silver needs a polish."
The swirling vortex of the world sucks you into it's hollow centre.
Writing should be fun... When the fun runs out. It becomes like work, and that's something we don't need. More work...
I've been suffering something similar recently....
I stopped trying, and waited forlornly for the desire to return.
Waiting... Am I waiting, or have I said goodbye?
Time will tell.
I hope you are able to push through the haze. We are all eagerly awaiting your next, and the one after that...

Best wishes with it.

I love your beautiful stories.

Cagivagurl

 

[lovecraft68]

I think at this point wondering why I've started the same story three times, and each time been able to add to it, so its not 'blocked' but each time have jumped off to write another story, then come back.

For years I was a start to finish only one thing at a time sort, last year or so this has happened several times.

Maybe my untreated ADHD is finally winning the war, or my muse isn't as decisive as it used to be.

 

[Dearelliot]

I'm old, 90, so finding the right word is now more difficult...I like to write in the mornings, so I start at 6:30 am...and try to get a couple of hours in before my wife wakes up. Once she comes down, we sit together with coffee, Sudoku, etc, and I don't write with her here..Sometimes she comes down sooner and shortens my writing day.
Usually, re-reading and proofreading, I find a twist or turn...one of my characters touches my shoulder and whispers a suggestion in my ear.

 

[Belegon]

I've been working on getting my routine back. My day job is writing but I've had nearly two years of health issues and it's thrown my routine out on a big way. I'm slowly rebuilding it and it feels great, frankly.

I'm also relearning how to write fiction after having been away from it for a few years. That's part of the reason for the pseudonym and the step into erotica, because it feels like there's no pressure on it and that's really helped me get back into the rhythms of writing. I've been back to writing every day on personal projects rather than work projects for the past month and I'm very happy about it.

I totally Grok this. I had heart surgery in 2022, returned to work in August 2023, then got diagnosed with cancer in Nov. 2023. They cut the tumor out but it returned. Been in chemo since Feb 2024, and that's kept me from working. I was (am!) a school bus driver. I miss my kids!

I took a go at writing for a living back 2008/2009. Made enough with my savings to live on for a couple years, then had to go back to work. Was a manager for a major electronics chain, running their automotive sales and installation area. Then they cut back on management positions, but wanted to keep me, but paying me less to do same job. I refused on principle, got job driving bus and worked weekends installing remote starters, radios, subwoofers, alarms in peoples cars. I did the 7 days a week thing for about 6 1/2 years. Cleared out a bunch of debt, but I was exhausted.

Havn't published anything since a 2013 vampire erotic romance novel. Still have a few things up on amazon, but my publishers went out of business. Was making more money as an editor than author anyway. Resubmitting my 2013 novel with some publishers since I did recover my rights. But came back to Lit (where I got my start) a couple months ago. Just starting to get back into the swing of things. I've been happy with the prose I've put up here last couple months, but my poetry muse is MIA.

 

[Nynah]

I really only have the capacity to work on one story at a time, despite having ideas for several. Would that I have a mind that works in a parallel transmission capacity so that I can write for all of them whenever I have the time to. Unfortunately my mind is stuck in serial mode, incapable of getting anything done until I finish the project that is directly in front of me. Weaving writing in between work meetings and other day-to-day things that need to get done also take their toll on my mental capacities so I only have so much left in the tank when I finish work for the day. Trying to get these words onto proverbial paper while also trying not to be a perfectionist about my writing is yet another hurdle to try and overcome.

Yet, I persist. The world at large doesn't want someone like me to succeed in anything I do, which keeps me motivated.

 

[madelinemasoch]

What's on my mind about my writing? Well, a lot. I can't seem to stop thinking about writing. Sometimes it sucks thinking about it so much and writing too on top of it! ha!

Usually, I write out 1,000 words a day, but lately, it's barely 500. It seems like I can only do 500 in a sitting and then I get antsy to read it and look back on it. Like I said, I have an outline, and notes and I'm up to the 19th chapter, but I feel like I am forgetting what I write, it's nuts. Then the rest of the time, when I'm not writing, I friggin' thinking about writing. Like I said, it sucks. It's this vicious circle. And I know it won't stop till the novel is actually done, which could be a couple more months.

Anyway, your turn...

What's on your mind about your writing?

I could only describe it by writing about it.

Anyways, how does that suck? Do you have any love for the craft? Writing and thinking about writing is all I want to do and all I care about, because I live in an environment that wants me to stop. It’s like drinking fresh water on a hot day. And there’s still a fly in the water.

 

[FidelityBoss]

You mean a novel, or is it going to be in chapters in a serial? Same thing, I guess. Either way, it's an ambitious way to start.

Don't worry about how many words you can write in a day. Stop when you feel "depleted" and get back to it another day. There's no rush. Then the editing, proofreading, and such are really going to take big chunks of your time.

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, whether it's a novel or a serial, it’s still a big project. I’ll take it slow and not stress about word counts, editing is gonna be its own beast anyway.

 

[FidelityBoss]

It depends.

If we're talking about Literotica, well, I planned my day for writing today. I wanted to finish a draft, put some things in advance, but I had a horrible morning, and spent the entire morning journaling because my mind wasn't clear. I'll say it this way: I had a flashback to a very traumatic event I had 20 years ago because it nearly repeated itself.

As for my phone project goes... I'm avoiding it mostly because I don't want to deal with my phone, but also because I don't know what to do. Sometimes I get bored of it, so I'll just wait a week or two, and then I start writing again.

As for the book... well, it's an effort that begun quite out of the blue exactly one week ago. Emotions stacked up for far too much, the calling was too loud to ignore, and suddenly I found myself sitting on my pants, writing that thing. It was a complete impulse. Frankly, when I write that book, I don't care about anything. Stuff like structure, characters, whatever makes a novel, goes to take a hike, almost as if Miller is possessing me to write. I know the book won't be popular; I put the truth on its pages, no point on making it commercial. By far it's the most visceral erotica I've done so far, probably because it is about what's currently going on in my life as I'm living it. I'd be surprised if it gets published here. If it does, and they (government) manage to see through the veil, I'll be now hunted for at least the following:

• Lewd conduct.
• Incitement of hatred.
• Manufacturing and distribution of pornography.
• Terrorism.
• Treason to the homeland.

As if being politically pursued wasn't enough. Que bo sistema, vomito fraude...

To that I'll just quote NAO on this: "Puta bandeira, lume a ese trapo." (Fucking flag, burn that rag).

It sounds like writing is both your therapy and your rebellion, which is pretty powerful. Traumatic flashbacks, political tension, and raw, unfiltered creativity, it’s intense, but it also feels like you’re channelling something real and necessary. Just be careful, yeah? Writing that visceral can be freeing, but also risky, especially with the stakes you’re describing. Keep your head down and your pen moving, just stay safe while you do it.

 

[OddLove]

More recently, I've started working on multiple stories at the same time. I originally was working on one big story and had grandiose ideas about it being my "masterpiece". But I was getting burnt out. So I changed it up like how I write music.

But instead of working on different songs depending on my mood, I'm working on different stories depending on my sexual desire.

And also similar to how I go about making music, I've stopped pressuring myself to write a full story(album) and instead be okay with writing finishing parts of the story(songs). That wat I can start posting more stories and maybe get more opportunities to recieve some valuable and good faith feedback.

To summarize, doing one massive project sucks my motivation away, so I'm dividing the the big ideas into into smaller ideas, and I'm working on multiple stories with different kinds of sexuality, kinks, fetishes, dynamics, scenarios, and personality. That way I always have a story to work on no matter my mood.

 

[Audiflex]

More recently, I've started working on multiple stories at the same time. I originally was working on one big story and had grandiose ideas about it being my "masterpiece". But I was getting burnt out. So I changed it up like how I write music.

But instead of working on different songs depending on my mood, I'm working on different stories depending on my sexual desire.

And also similar to how I go about making music, I've stopped pressuring myself to write a full story(album) and instead be okay with writing finishing parts of the story(songs). That wat I can start posting more stories and maybe get more opportunities to recieve some valuable and good faith feedback.

To summarize, doing one massive project sucks my motivation away, so I'm dividing the the big ideas into into smaller ideas, and I'm working on multiple stories with different kinds of sexuality, kinks, fetishes, dynamics, scenarios, and personality. That way I always have a story to work on no matter my mood.

That’s a smart approach! Breaking things into smaller, mood-driven projects keeps the creativity flowing and avoids burnout. Plus, it’s a great way to explore different ideas and styles without feeling stuck. And hey, posting more often means more chances for feedback, which is always a bonus. Keep riding those creative waves, sounds like you’ve found a rhythm that works for you.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

It sounds like writing is both your therapy and your rebellion, which is pretty powerful. Traumatic flashbacks, political tension, and raw, unfiltered creativity, it’s intense, but it also feels like you’re channelling something real and necessary. Just be careful, yeah? Writing that visceral can be freeing, but also risky, especially with the stakes you’re describing. Keep your head down and your pen moving, just stay safe while you do it.

Yeah, it's also my way of breathing. Honestly, if I don't write during a 24-hour period, I start getting anxious. By the third day without writing I am in DEFCON 1 levels of anxiety, meaning a panic attack right there. I managed to put five pages more on my manuscript, and my hand hurts from holding a pen for the entire day, from all that journaling and those five pages...

I do my best to stay safe though, but sometimes I just get my number in a lottery that no one wants to participate. Still, the system only pushed Marquis de Sade further, and I'm no different. The United States obscenity laws also didn't stop Henry Miller. As long as I remember them I feel safe, somehow.

 

[Not2Pervy]

I have mixed feelings, to be honest. There’s nothing like having a story idea I really like and working to develop it and get it all out. Then other times the ideas seem only OK, and I can’t quite capture that spark. I want to believe that inspiration will come through perspiration, but in my case I’m not so sure it will. I can finish a story, but I can’t make myself love the result.

 

[FidelityBoss]

Yeah, it's also my way of breathing. Honestly, if I don't write during a 24-hour period, I start getting anxious. By the third day without writing I am in DEFCON 1 levels of anxiety, meaning a panic attack right there. I managed to put five pages more on my manuscript, and my hand hurts from holding a pen for the entire day, from all that journaling and those five pages...

I do my best to stay safe though, but sometimes I just get my number in a lottery that no one wants to participate. Still, the system only pushed Marquis de Sade further, and I'm no different. The United States obscenity laws also didn't stop Henry Miller. As long as I remember them I feel safe, somehow.

Writing as a lifeline, I totally get that. It’s amazing how it can keep the anxiety at bay, even if it means a sore hand and endless pages. Staying safe is key, but it’s inspiring how you channel that defiance, like de Sade and Miller. Keep writing, keep pushing, and keep finding that weird sense of safety in the chaos.

 

[FidelityBoss]

There was a thread the other day talking about info dumps - it may not even have been a thread, it may have just been some comments within a thread, honestly - and I started looking over my writing and my writing style to see how bad I am at it.

I think I've convinced myself that I've got a Tom Clancy level case of info-dumpitis. Now, I don't mind info dumps, but everything I've seen and read lately on how to write expect you to stay away from them, and I think it's gotten into my head a bit. I find myself rewriting paragraphs to find a way to slide some dialogue in, or some internal thoughts. I guess that's positive, but I don't for certain.

I do know that as I approach the end of Part 2 of my 3 part series, I have a handful of must-do things and a limited amount of words to do them in and that's kind of painting me into a corner.

There are times I wish I had beta readers who could handle my prolixity so I could get a better idea if what I'm writing is compelling to anybody but me and the handful of people who are waiting, feet tapping impatiently, for the next chapter.

Info dumps can be tricky, some readers love the depth, while others want things to move faster. It’s great that you’re experimenting with weaving details into dialogue or internal thoughts; it keeps the flow dynamic. But don’t stress too much about “rules.” If your style leans Clancy-esque and it works for your story, own it! Beta readers would definitely help, but in the meantime, trust your instincts and the readers who are already hooked.

 

[SugarStorm]

I can't for the life of me write enemies-to-lovers. Every time I try, I end up feeling sorry for my leads and then the story pivots into something else, usually a push and pull romance with witty banter, rainbows and unicorns.

I couldn't even do it when pitting Life and Death against each other in the 750 word challenge.

I mean, I'm hopeless. Will happily take any pointers on how to improve.

 

[FidelityBoss]

I can't for the life of me write enemies-to-lovers. Every time I try, I end up feeling sorry for my leads and then the story pivots into something else, usually a push and pull romance with witty banter, rainbows and unicorns.

I couldn't even do it when pitting Life and Death against each other in the 750 word challenge.

I mean, I'm hopeless. Will happily take any pointers on how to improve.

Hey, don’t sweat it! Enemies-to-lovers is tricky because it’s all about balancing tension and chemistry without losing the edge that makes the dynamic compelling. Maybe try leaning into the conflict more, let them really clash before any softening happens. Think of it as a slow burn where the animosity feels justified, but there are little moments of vulnerability that sneak through. And hey, if your stories naturally pivot to banter and rainbows, that’s your style so own it. You could always blend the two, starting with sharp edges and letting it melt into something softer. You’re not hopeless, you’re just finding your groove.

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

I can't for the life of me write enemies-to-lovers. Every time I try, I end up feeling sorry for my leads and then the story pivots into something else, usually a push and pull romance with witty banter, rainbows and unicorns.

I couldn't even do it when pitting Life and Death against each other in the 750 word challenge.

I mean, I'm hopeless. Will happily take any pointers on how to improve.

This is a common theme in my stuff. Almost invariably, my method is to have something bad happen to the villain that sparks some kind of empathic/sympathy response in your MC/protagonist, or vice versa.

In Part 1 of my series, the early main antagonist was a reporter who was doing hit pieces on the MC and the MC’s family. Another bad guy attacked the MC with revenge porn, which made the reporter feel bad that their writing might have caused that, and they met with MC to apologize. That in turn got the villain fired, which led MC to feel bad about it, then villain got treated as MC’s ally by the Big Bad and soon they end up together. By the end, early main antagonist becomes a secondary MC.

In Part 2, I set up one of the villains to be unlikeable and set one of the MCs against her because she was coming on to the other MC. Then the villain proceeded to get crapped on by the Big Bad of part 2, and the male MC ends up saving her life. Female MC, seeing what happened to the villain, feels empathy for her, and soon they have all reconciled, and I’ll have them all in bed together shortly, lol.

As long as you can set up a situation where the protagonist/antagonists see each other as people, you can soften them enough to get them in bed eventually. At least in my experience.