When Writing Becomes a Chore

[Chicklet]

Sometimes when I'm writing, it becomes harder and harder to tie up the ends. I feel like I *have* to finish up, because I worked so hard on the first half of the story, but I really lose interest. It becomes a chore for me.

Does this ever happen to you?

If it does happen, what do you do to help it?

-Chicklet

 

[TheEarl]

I sympathise. It happens a lot and I generally just struggle through it. Not that helpful I know, but I'm showing support.

Hey come on! I'm empathising! I thought women liked that! Stop throwing things!

The Earl

 

[Chicklet]

empathy is good = )

I guess we could form a support group for this sort of thing, talking each other through our bad patches.

 

[MathGirl]

Does this ever happen to you? If it does happen, what do you do to help it?

Dear Chickie,
Yes, and I can't seem to bring myself to particularly care. I guess that's why I've stopped.
MG

 

[oggbashan]

Does this ever happen to you?

If it does happen, what do you do to help it?

-Chicklet

Yes. It happens fairly often which is why I have more unfinished stories than posted ones.

I put the unfinished work in a file marked "uncompleted". I look in there about once a month. Sometimes that restarts a story; sometimes it is just depressing; and sometimes it gives me an idea for a new story.

I have only one story I have completely given up on. That was the first "erotic" story I wrote. I have recast it about four times. It still doesn't work because it is set in the Balkans in the 1890s and I just don't know enough to get the historic details right and even if I did the story's plot is very flimsy. I keep it as a reminder that I have actually got better.

Og

 

[Guest]

Balkan banging

It still doesn't work because it is set in the Balkans in the 1890s ...

Ogg, you're amazing - who else would be writing a piece of erotica set in the Balkans in the 1890's!?!

 

[oggbashan]

Nobody. Who cares what was happening in the Balkans in the 1890s?

Og

PS. I have written a story set in India before the Indian Mutiny.

Harold Plays The Hero

 

[SexyChele]

Oh heck yes, that's happened! Normally if things just aren't coming together for me, I'll put the project aside for a bit. I keep thinking it over on occasion, see if anything develops mentally. If so, then I can go back to it and finish. If not, I just scrap it.

And sometimes I get so eager to start a new story that I'll simply put the one I'm working on aside until later.

 

[oggbashan]

Back to the Balkans

The idea of 1890s Balkans was to explore the sexual possibilities of the crinoline, the bustle and folk costume.

The ctrinoline was out of date by the 1890s but not in the rural parts of the Balkans which were behind the times in fashion and other things at that time.

I intended to explore the sexual interaction between the local villagers and the sophisticated city dwellers. The two groups were brought together by an invasion from a neighbouring state and had to fight side by side to repel the invaders.

The incomplete story is about 20 Lit pages but it is not salvable. I tried to have social comment, the impact of modern technology on a rural community, the importance of women as a civilising factor, the enduring peasant values and sex? all in one glorious mess.

I failed.

Og

 

[cookiejar]

Re: Back to the Balkans

The idea of 1890s Balkans was to explore the sexual possibilities of the crinoline, the bustle and folk costume.

The ctrinoline was out of date by the 1890s but not in the rural parts of the Balkans which were behind the times in fashion and other things at that time.

I intended to explore the sexual interaction between the local villagers and the sophisticated city dwellers. The two groups were brought together by an invasion from a neighbouring state and had to fight side by side to repel the invaders.

The incomplete story is about 20 Lit pages but it is not salvable. I tried to have social comment, the impact of modern technology on a rural community, the importance of women as a civilising factor, the enduring peasant values and sex? all in one glorious mess.

I failed.

Og

Og...I tried writing one of those bodice-rippers set in the 1800's. I think I changed it four times, and each time it read dumber than the time before. Needless to say it sets in my "unfinished box."

When I hit an impasse I walk away, come back later in a better frame of mind hopefully. Sometimes it works, sometimes not as evidenced by the amount of stories unfinished.

 

[oggbashan]

Re: Re: Back to the Balkans

Og...I tried writing one of those bodice-rippers set in the 1800's. I think I changed it four times, and each time it read dumber than the time before. Needless to say it sets in my "unfinished box."

When I hit an impasse I walk away, come back later in a better frame of mind hopefully. Sometimes it works, sometimes not as evidenced by the amount of stories unfinished.

Bodice-rippers are not easy. I find the historical accuracy gets in the way of the story.

Trying to write my own made me appreciate the skill of Georgette Heyer. Her characters and plots may be fairly sketchy, but the historical detail is great and understandable. "An Infamous Army" about Waterloo, and "The Spanish Bride" about the Peninsular War are much easier to read than the histories and give the feel of the time.

The 1890s Balkans was trying to do too much, too soon, and all in one story. It was good practise but as soon as I finally decided that I was NEVER going to finish it, I was very relieved.

Og

 

[TheEarl]

At least you had a go Ogg. I've only written one story set outside of England and that was a fanfic in fictional America.

The Earl

 

[Rainbow Skin]

Re: Back to the Balkans

I have heard that An Infamous Army is a set text at Sandhurst. I like the thought of all those squaddies swotting over a Georgette Heyer.

All hers are brilliant, but those two are in a league of their own. I don't know why thery're so much better than the rest.

Historical fiction is too much like hard work - as is anything involving research. I just make it up by setting mine in places I know.

Now, Chicklet, what I do is think up a twist. I don't mean a bizarre twist, just a new angle. Graft a different piece of story onto it. You think you have to wrap up this or that loose end? Don't; just find a new idea then hold it against the existing stale ideas and try to find a way of melding them.

 

[wildsweetone]

Re: Re: Back to the Balkans

Now, Chicklet, what I do is think up a twist. I don't mean a bizarre twist, just a new angle. Graft a different piece of story onto it. You think you have to wrap up this or that loose end? Don't; just find a new idea then hold it against the existing stale ideas and try to find a way of melding them.

Good thinking Rainbow Skin I was just going to suggest the same thing myself. The twist needs to be something that is totally unrelated to the story as it is right now. i.e.

maybe your main character could discover:

a corpse?

a pair of handcuffs in a drawer?

a journal which contains unexpected information?

an object from one area of a house in another area?

a piece of information via the grapevine i.e. another character tells him/her something he/she didn't know about the past of a main character?

The trick is, to keep the story interesting and upfront for yourself. After all, if you're not enjoying being carried away with the flow of it, then will your readers?

Don't know if this helps or hinders, hoping for the former.

 

[gauchecritic]

Sometimes when I'm writing, it becomes harder and harder to tie up the ends. I feel like I *have* to finish up, because I worked so hard on the first half of the story, but I really lose interest. It becomes a chore for me.

Does this ever happen to you?

If it does happen, what do you do to help it?

-Chicklet

Deal with it.

As per Rain and Wild; the excellent lyricist and lead vocalist Paul Heaton (Beautiful South and Housemartins) in an interview explained that he would often take two seperate lyrics and 'make them' into one. The example he gave (I forget which) sounds like one piece to me. But then he is really really good.

Gauche

 

[Guest]

Gauche:

"Deal with it."

I love frankness in a man; tres gauche. Purr

 

[Croctden]

Re: Re: Back to the Balkans

Now, Chicklet, what I do is think up a twist. I don't mean a bizarre twist, just a new angle. Graft a different piece of story onto it. You think you have to wrap up this or that loose end? Don't; just find a new idea then hold it against the existing stale ideas and try to find a way of melding them.

That would have been my idea. Have someone get hit by a bus. It happens all the time. Or just tear up the second half and start again. Or start another story.

 

[Chicklet]

Re: Re: Back to the Balkans

Now, Chicklet, what I do is think up a twist. I don't mean a bizarre twist, just a new angle. Graft a different piece of story onto it. You think you have to wrap up this or that loose end? Don't; just find a new idea then hold it against the existing stale ideas and try to find a way of melding them.

ah, if only i were clever enough

i have had a few volunteers help me out with twists when i get into such binds.

 

[Why]

Sometimes when I'm writing, it becomes harder and harder to tie up the ends. I feel like I *have* to finish up, because I worked so hard on the first half of the story, but I really lose interest. It becomes a chore for me.

Does this ever happen to you?

If it does happen, what do you do to help it?

-Chicklet

Personally I do anything other than try to write. Even show interest in the day job.

Writing is both a delight and an evil. I have always felt it is a drug that once you partake, you are hooked for life. Doesn't matter what you write, it is the writing, the placing down of thoughts and ideas on a blank page that excites you.

So go cold turkey for a few days

 

[wildsweetone]

Chicklet i had something happen to me a while back. i was writing away madly on a story, the female character arrived at the male characters cabin. the door was shut and she knocked.

suddenly the entire story stopped. it was really weird. there was nothing, a complete silence. normally the words just flow from my fingertips.

the way around it that worked for me was to have the female character arrive to find the door partially open.

as soon as i did that, the words flowed freely again.

maybe there's something you can alter in the writing you've done to change the path for you.

 

[DVS]

Chicklet i had something happen to me a while back. i was writing away madly on a story, the female character arrived at the male characters cabin. the door was shut and she knocked.

suddenly the entire story stopped. it was really weird. there was nothing, a complete silence. normally the words just flow from my fingertips.

the way around it that worked for me was to have the female character arrive to find the door partially open.

as soon as i did that, the words flowed freely again.

Well, if it were me, I would have her knock on the door, until she got tired of no answer...Pulling a chainsaw out of her bag, vvvvvvVVRrrvvvvVVrrRRrOOOOMMMRReeeEEEEEERRRRRR EERRROOOOOVVVVRREEEeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr ...r.r.rr.rrrr.r.rrrrrrr. After the dust from the door had settled, there they were...her male friend and, and, and, the neighborhood lumberjack, Mac! She couldn't contain her anger at the sight. Without a second thought all that is heard are screams from the men, and vvvRVvRRVvvvVvvvVVRrrvvvvVVrr RRrOOOOMMMRReeeEEEEEERRRRRREERRROOOOOVVVVRREEEeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr......

OK, well maybe not. It depends on what kind of story you are writing, I guess. And, it also would depend on the size of the bag she happened to carry around. And, perhaps it would also help if she were a lumberjackett by trade.

But, seriously folks...

I have this so called writing problem from time to time. I think someone already mentioned something close to what I do. If I have a problem with one story, I just start another one. The thoughts will usually flow better for the new story. Or, sometimes it helps me to read the last few pages I've written, to stir my imagination a bit.

I don't ever like to force a story, because it reads as forced. Now, if I have a problem with one story, I can write on another one I have in the writing process.

If there comes the time I can't seem to find one to write on, I can start another or decide not to write that day. I have about 5 stories in a various stages, and several ideas in the wings.

It is rare that I can't find one to write on, when I feel the urge to write. There is a down side to this, though. I have more than once experienced ideas for several stories, and not enough time to write things down for all of them. That sucks. I'm fast at typing, but I have sometimes lost thoughts. We all know, you have to get it down when it is flowing.

 

[MathGirl]

Pulling a chainsaw out of her bag, vvvvvvVVRrrvvvvVVrrRRrOOOOMMMRReeeEEEEEERRRRRR EERRROOOOOVVVVRREEEeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr ...r.r.rr.rrrr.r.rrrrrrr. After the dust from the door had settled, there they were...vvvRVvRRVvvvVvvvVVRrrvvvvVVrr RRrOOOOMMMRReeeEEEEEERRRRRREERRROOOOOVVVVRREEEeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr......

Dear DVS,
Would you mind if DurtGurl borrowed that scene? She's writing a piece about gentle, sensitive, romantic lovemaking, and that would fit in perfectly.
MG

 

[DVS]

Dear DVS,
Would you mind if DurtGurl borrowed that scene? She's writing a piece about gentle, sensitive, romantic lovemaking, and that would fit in perfectly.
MG

Sure. I'm finished with it, anyway. And, I don't want to mess with her Durtness, as I have seen pics!

 

[Guest]

Dear DVS, Would you mind if DurtGurl borrowed that scene? She's writing a piece about gentle, sensitive, romantic lovemaking, and that would fit in perfectly. MG

Now that's what I call true professionalism, vs. all that poopy plagiarism crappola. Leave it to MG and DG to be role models for Lit.

DVS: what a generous gent you are. You left too quickly t'other day, I love Dos Equis. Purr

 

[Quasimodem]

Dim Bulbs For Brite!

The DurtGirl - DVS story swop brings up rather an interesting way to clear ancient half-done manuscripts from your writers trunk. (Boxer, brief, or prehensile nostril)

Take one thoroughly unfinishable manuscript,

Trade with an author whose work you enjoy, admire, or at least, can tolerate,

In exchange for one of their unfinishable plastermeeces.

See who can come up first with a publishable story from their part of the melange!

Finally, publish with cross-referenced authorship, or a unique combo Nom!



Maybe it would work.

If not, it might produce some interesting bouts of mental fisticuffs.