writing question

[DAD68]

Why is it that I have no problem thinking of stories and can easily have them written in my mind (in terms of how to write them out) but when it comes time to type them or write them, I get stuck?

 

[sr71plt]

Only reasons I could think of is composing where there are too many distractions, not having good typing skills--and thus not being able to keep up with the unrolling of your thought processes, not really having it all that organized in your mind, and/or trying too hard to make it come out "right" the first time you put it down.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Verbalize while youre typing. Talk to yourself and type what you say.

I dont know why, but its a fact jack that people who talk to themselves write better than those who dont. I learned this from a prominent newspaper editor. He says you can go in any newsroom, look for the people moving their lips, and theyre the best writers.

 

[3113]

Why is it that I have no problem thinking of stories and can easily have them written in my mind (in terms of how to write them out) but when it comes time to type them or write them, I get stuck?

Out to write them out is general. Typing them up requires specific words and finding the right specific word may be hard for you. Try writing with a pen and ink those general ideas--or saying them into some recorder. Then, when it comes to writing them up specifically, you can take the time to find those words without worrying that you'll lose that general thought/idea in the process. It will already be down on paper or recorded and can guide you.

 

[bb_peaks]

Out to write them out is general. Typing them up requires specific words and finding the right specific word may be hard for you. Try writing with a pen and ink those general ideas--or saying them into some recorder. Then, when it comes to writing them up specifically, you can take the time to find those words without worrying that you'll lose that general thought/idea in the process. It will already be down on paper or recorded and can guide you.

I do this. I will also type up themes and ideas in my head if the story isn't quite ready to roll out—more like an outline or a few phrases that I want to incorporate.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Join the crowd. I find that the mood has to be right.

I can write a thousand words at work on my lunch hour but at home...nothing. It's even quieter, is that a word?, at home than at work.

Go figure.

 

[MichaelWest]

I often have this problem. I write in my job (not erotica sadly), and have limited time, so I often only get a scant part of my story written. Luckily much of it remains lodged in my head to be written another day, but I know I both lose something and all this stories in my head is driving me rather nutty.

I can add that I often use spare moments to research deatils, such as place or verbage, and keep that as notes, so when I actually write I am not as distracted with chasing down a detail rather than writing the story.

I would also agree that I need to make notes and outlines and should use my recorder. I would also agree that I should just write it and edit to perfection rather than attempt to get it "right" on the first go.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Writing in your head isn't really writing. It's a combination of words, images, feelings, hunches, and emotions. Trust me on this.

Writing is the only thing that's like writing.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

When I was first starting out as a writer, I thought it was all some mysterious process (and to some extent it is). But, nowadays, I tend to think of it a lot more like building something. You start with basic structure and ideas and build and build, tear down what doesn't work and rebuild. It's architectural for me.

 

[sr71plt]

Writing in your head isn't really writing. It's a combination of words, images, feelings, hunches, and emotions. Trust me on this.

Writing is the only thing that's like writing.

Well, I do wonder where it was when it was forming then, because when I sit down to get it into that combination of words you call writing, it's all pretty much together already--and I haven't consciously done that. I don't sit down, think, and then type. I sit down and type.

I don't really think you have the right answer on this one.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Writing in your head isn't really writing. It's a combination of words, images, feelings, hunches, and emotions. Trust me on this.

Writing is the only thing that's like writing.

THIS WINS MY CLUELESS OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK AWARD.

Call it a hunch, but I suspect 95% of the story-telling on the planet is oral.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

When I was first starting out as a writer, I thought it was all some mysterious process (and to some extent it is). But, nowadays, I tend to think of it a lot more like building something. You start with basic structure and ideas and build and build, tear down what doesn't work and rebuild. It's architectural for me.

I agree.

I think you can let her rip if your story is...oh...1000 words or less, but for longer stories you start with the bones, add the muscle, skin, etc.

 

[Belegon]

I don't really think you have the right answer on this one.

I would say that there is no "right answer."

This is not mathematics or science. It's art.

There is no one right way to paint or sculpt or dance. There is the artists way.

Writing is a very individual activity. We all have a different process and there is nothing wrong with that.

J. Evans Pritchard notwithstanding...

 

[TE999]

Why is it that I have no problem thinking of stories and can easily have them written in my mind (in terms of how to write them out) but when it comes time to type them or write them, I get stuck?

Writing, as with any other skill or talent, does not spring forth fully formed; it requires practice. Putting your thoughts on paper (or a screen) in whatever form they emerge, is the first step. Things can be tidied up later. The main thing is to write. If you do become 'stuck', work on another idea. Read the FAQ's and How-To's on this site...they are a valuable resource for the beginning writer.

 

[sr71plt]

I would say that there is no "right answer."

This is not mathematics or science. It's art.

There is no one right way to paint or sculpt or dance. There is the artists way.

Writing is a very individual activity. We all have a different process and there is nothing wrong with that.

J. Evans Pritchard notwithstanding...

I agree with you on that one. Dr. M. asserted there was such an answer though--which I found unusual.

 

[sr71plt]

Writing, as with any other skill or talent, does not spring forth fully formed; it requires practice. Putting your thoughts on paper (or a screen) in whatever form they emerge, is the first step. Things can be tidied up later. The main thing is to write. If you do become 'stuck', work on another idea. Read the FAQ's and How-To's on this site...they are a valuable resource for the beginning writer.

I think there's a different pace and requirement at different stages of writing. I (sort of) agree with your statement in the early stages of development, but, no, I don't go through much in the way of steps or practice or even review on my writing anymore. An image or something sticks in my mind, at some point I get a signal that there's something to write, I sit down when I can and let it out into a computer file, I review it almost immediately for surface issues and then again later when possible for the issues I missed by being too close to it the first time--and then I submit it somewhere. I don't agonize over the writing of it and I don't beat it to death between conception and submission.

I think we're back to Belegon's "it's different for different writers--and probably even different for them depending on the stage of writing development they are in.)

 

[TE999]

I think we're back to Belegon's "it's different for different writers--and probably even different for them depending on the stage of writing development they are in.)

Roger that.

 

[sadangel]

Writing in your head isn't really writing. It's a combination of words, images, feelings, hunches, and emotions. Trust me on this.

Writing is the only thing that's like writing.

You are right...but....

I find that it is in my head. The emotiongs and all that. Once I get it worked up in my head, then I put it to paper or pc in this case. It is my starting point for writing.

It becomes writing once it's down, and the words are there. When I can convey my emotions and meanings and all...then I say I have a story. Until then, it's an idea for a story.

I have one that I'm working on. Doing research to make sure I get certian things right. I have an outline. I have character development I'm working on before the story. It's not a story yet, but it is an idea.

 

[sr71plt]

You are right...but....

I find that it is in my head. The emotiongs and all that. Once I get it worked up in my head, then I put it to paper or pc in this case. It is my starting point for writing.

It becomes writing once it's down, and the words are there. When I can convey my emotions and meanings and all...then I say I have a story. Until then, it's an idea for a story.

I have one that I'm working on. Doing research to make sure I get certian things right. I have an outline. I have character development I'm working on before the story. It's not a story yet, but it is an idea.

Well, I couldn't claim it was all in my head before I started to write it. I'm not consciously aware of how much of the structure and story of it is there in my head before I write. I just know it's either all there when I'm done typing it to a file (and I have sat agonizing for someplace to go with it during the typing process)--or that it's still bugging me and I later go back and recast or add (or substract). I do usually hold off on trying to write it until I receive the signal that there is a hook and an ending ready to go--but even those sometimes change by the time I've finished typing.

And, yes, since I do a lot of particular location/time/historical context writing, I do often have a research background check period before I'll start writing.

 

[SweetWitch]

Why is it that I have no problem thinking of stories and can easily have them written in my mind (in terms of how to write them out) but when it comes time to type them or write them, I get stuck?

Get beyond self-sabotage. Get beyond the need for perfection. Get beyond the desire to entertain others. Don’t write because you want to be a rich and famous author. Don’t try to impress anyone.

Write for you. Close your eyes, see the story in your head, let the scenes play out. Let the characters and their motives draw you into their world. Open your eyes and pound the keys.

Then stop. Read what you wrote. You will find bits and pieces that don’t belong and dialogue that may not be true to the story or your characters. Slash and burn. Cut away the nonsense, re-read. Then write some more.

As it has been pointed out, this is a process. It’s done in stages. When it’s finally done, it’s still not finished. You will decide that the story can be told better, more fully-developed. Go through each chapter, each paragraph, each line. Slash and burn again. Do a few rewrites.

Then put it away and work on something else. Come back to it weeks later and read it again. Slash and burn. Rewrite.

It goes on and on.

It also helps, from time to time, if you have someone to bounce ideas off of. If there’s a problem with some detail of the plot, discuss it with a friend who has an equal interest in writing or has a good grasp of plot and character development. Before you know it, you’ll discover a work of art of which you can be proud.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

J. Evans Pritchard notwithstanding...

*snerk*

“It’s not pipe, Mr. Evans. It’s poetry. J. Evans Pritchard is a lonely old prat who writes excrement, so he has to come up with some sort of scale to bring the best of the best poetry down. It’s not Bandstand, sir.”

So there.

fwiw, you can have a million stories in your head, you can repeat those stories to people, you can fantasize, you can dream. None of that is writing.

You can form the story in your head into any sort of art you like - sculpture, photography, graphic novel. Anything. It will look different in every form. But that isn't writing.

Writing is writing. It's a specific art form, and while we all have different ways of approaching it (as an artist to a canvas - writer to a blank page) writing is still writing. It isn't painting. It isn't sculpting. It isn't writing a graphic novel (which is a very different art form from writing fiction, actually... not something I would be good at, I'm so not visual...)

It's writing. Words on the page, forming pictures in the mind. The pictures in the head translate onto the page, however we, as writers get there. But if you can't do the translation... you're not writing.

I'm just sayin'...

 

[sadangel]

Well, I couldn't claim it was all in my head before I started to write it. I'm not consciously aware of how much of the structure and story of it is there in my head before I write. I just know it's either all there when I'm done typing it to a file (and I have sat agonizing for someplace to go with it during the typing process)--or that it's still bugging me and I later go back and recast or add (or substract). I do usually hold off on trying to write it until I receive the signal that there is a hook and an ending ready to go--but even those sometimes change by the time I've finished typing.

And, yes, since I do a lot of particular location/time/historical context writing, I do often have a research background check period before I'll start writing.

Your last paragraph is what I'm refering to in my next statements.

The story I have outlined is based in part from a game I have played, still play sometimes. I want to be certain the characters are "true to form" from the game. That the descriptions are accurate, the professions and what they can/cannot do. It's a popular game and I know people will recognize it, even if I don't use the same "worlds" that are in it. I want to be certain I'm not stepping on "toes" by writing it and breaking a law or TOS with the game company.

I know it's going to be an interesting story to write, as there will be little to no actual dialoge. It will be a lot of showing and not telling to convey the emotions and all. I know it's a big project. It will be a long time comng, but I know that I can do it.

We all approach our writing differently. No one way is right, and neither is it wrong. It is simply the way we each do it. What works for you may not work for me...and vice versa. That's what makes us each unique!

To the OP...you've got a lot of good answers here. I hope it has helped you to figure out something for yourself. Just do it. Write. Then write some more.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

*snerk*

“It’s not pipe, Mr. Evans. It’s poetry. J. Evans Pritchard is a lonely old prat who writes excrement, so he has to come up with some sort of scale to bring the best of the best poetry down. It’s not Bandstand, sir.”

So there.

fwiw, you can have a million stories in your head, you can repeat those stories to people, you can fantasize, you can dream. None of that is writing.

You can form the story in your head into any sort of art you like - sculpture, photography, graphic novel. Anything. It will look different in every form. But that isn't writing.

Writing is writing. It's a specific art form, and while we all have different ways of approaching it (as an artist to a canvas - writer to a blank page) writing is still writing. It isn't painting. It isn't sculpting. It isn't writing a graphic novel (which is a very different art form from writing fiction, actually... not something I would be good at, I'm so not visual...)

It's writing. Words on the page, forming pictures in the mind. The pictures in the head translate onto the page, however we, as writers get there. But if you can't do the translation... you're not writing.

I'm just sayin'...

THIS IS DEFINITELY A CONTENDER FOR CRAP ADVICE OF THE CENTURY

NOTICE: 5 ALARM CRAP WARNING.

No doubt youre the dweeb who made that poor guy type a book with his left foot. Did ja know that lotsa writers dictate? Plenty of them phone it in.

 

[driphoney]

*snerk*

“It’s not pipe, Mr. Evans. It’s poetry. J. Evans Pritchard is a lonely old prat who writes excrement, so he has to come up with some sort of scale to bring the best of the best poetry down. It’s not Bandstand, sir.”

So there.

fwiw, you can have a million stories in your head, you can repeat those stories to people, you can fantasize, you can dream. None of that is writing.

You can form the story in your head into any sort of art you like - sculpture, photography, graphic novel. Anything. It will look different in every form. But that isn't writing.

Writing is writing. It's a specific art form, and while we all have different ways of approaching it (as an artist to a canvas - writer to a blank page) writing is still writing. It isn't painting. It isn't sculpting. It isn't writing a graphic novel (which is a very different art form from writing fiction, actually... not something I would be good at, I'm so not visual...)

It's writing. Words on the page, forming pictures in the mind. The pictures in the head translate onto the page, however we, as writers get there. But if you can't do the translation... you're not writing.

I'm just sayin'...

That was so well-written ... have you ever thought of writing?

I'm just sayin' ...

 

[Belegon]

It isn't writing a graphic novel (which is a very different art form from writing fiction, actually... not something I would be good at, I'm so not visual...)

It's writing. Words on the page, forming pictures in the mind. The pictures in the head translate onto the page, however we, as writers get there. But if you can't do the translation... you're not writing.

...and I so am. As others talk about their process, it always illuminates my own.

I have termed myself a cinematic writer. The term is not mine... at least, I believe I heard it elsewhere first, although I have had people react as if it is new to them. Its not an independent invention of mine, at least...I may have come to it in the same manner as others who came to it prior, though.

I don't mean the term as a job description (I've seen people "credited" that way on games and such, for example) but as a description of how I do my job...

I write the movie playing in my imagination. My success is often based upon my ability to stay focused on transcribing that movie instead of just watching it.

Working from an outline is a challenge for me. I can do it. Right now, Imp and I are writing a time travel tale involving Bruce and Mandy from Erotique and that plot almost requires an outline. But I can not say it is comfortable.

I even edit cinematically. I direct a movie as I read and each "actor" speaks their lines. That is both asset and liability, by the way. It allows me to catch some hidden problems. Inadvertent rhyming, repeated phrases and inappropriate pacing are the top examples. However, it also means I place an interpretation of my own on top of the authors. It is why I NEVER send back a character change saying that it MUST be done this way. I always query the writer and express my misgivings, then request the writers input. We are, after all, a team with the same goal, not adversaries.

As to graphic novels, I feel that I could perhaps do well at them if I possessed even a smidgen of drawing talent. Sadly, I do not. Stick figures frustrate me.