Writer's block

[gunhilltrain]

Cool advice! Very often, aspiring writers get stuck and can't finish a book. If you publish each chapter, you can see objective criticism or inspiring comments.

Yes, but you can only publish chapter by chapter online. Well, a few authors have published in print by doing installments, usually in some magazine. Tom Wolfe did that with Bonfire of the Vanities. Then he drastically changed it for the book version. But mostly you've got to put out your 1,000 pages or whatever (Infinite Jest?) and then you have to live with the consequences.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Millie, as I wrote, I went into self-appointed pundit mode (like I know what I'm doing either.) Do I have to start smoking a pipe now? So the new-idea-itis: if I have new ideas, like I have a few now, I try to limit myself to merely pondering them. I have to stop myself from actually starting to write them or, as you said, it would quickly get out of hand.

I think you did submit three new stories recently? So maybe the situation is not so bad after all.

I'm not a self-appointed pundit, I'm a self-appointed detour-ist.

 

[Seadog777]

Just post it.

It doesn't matter. You, an editor, a computer program, etc, will NEVER catch everything.

It's time to take the leap scooter.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I'm not a self-appointed pundit, I'm a self-appointed detour-ist.

I almost forgot what I was talking about - that was back in September. Originally, we were trying to help that OP cheeksarerosy, but I'm not sure if I assisted in any way. I'm not even sure if that person posted the chapters they were having trouble with.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Yeah, I forgot all about this thread. Silly me, when I wasn't the center of attention, I guess, I split.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Yeah, I forgot all about this thread. Silly me, when I wasn't the center of attention, I guess, I split.

Don't worry; threads should die a natural death, but some lurch on in zombie mode. This one got revived this last week.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

My block is in the posting. I keep wanting to post and I end up doing revisions instead. At some point you have to just get this out there, right?

Anyone struggle with putting your first story online? Any advice on how to get past it?

I find it’s just like a band aid. You just have to rip it off and…

AAAGGH! THAT WAS A WAXING STRIP?! MY HAIR!! AAARGGH!!!

And that’s how posting can feel but once you do it, it’s done. You can revise all you want and still miss stuff. It happens.