Writing is hard!

[Synobun]

If you're frozen with anxiety over editing and criticism of your writing, forcing yourself to write with that mental barrier along with writer's block will just make it worse. You're going to have to address the anxiety first. Not only will that remove one half of the problem, but it's a good thing to take care of anyways because some people would argue that those obsessed with pleasing an audience and editors go on to write 50 Shades or Twilight.

 

[onejayhawk]

I once asked Carol Cherry (CJ Cherryh) which came first, Captain Mallory (character) or the Norway (character's place in the plot). Tolkien once said, "There is a new character in my book, and he's not entirely welcome." Mrs. Cherry said that the Navy came first. Tolkien was referring to Faramir, who was not conceived til he entered the plot.

These are two extremes of the same thing--characters rise from their motivations. In both these cases that meant, particularly, their duties. Captain Mallory was the naval commander at a crisis point. Faramir was the warden of an area shadowed by the great enemy. I once wrote a three volume story rising from a photograph.

J

 

[Mouthwash]

If you're frozen with anxiety over editing and criticism of your writing, forcing yourself to write with that mental barrier along with writer's block will just make it worse. You're going to have to address the anxiety first. Not only will that remove one half of the problem, but it's a good thing to take care of anyways because some people would argue that those obsessed with pleasing an audience and editors go on to write 50 Shades or Twilight.

That is not the issue. I just can't think of what to write.

 

[Mouthwash]

I have an idea. Everybody here give me topics to write about, than I'll make a poll to see which one is most popular. I'll then write up the story and post it to the Arts forum. Can't resist a challenge.

Examples: A battle in ancient Numidian Africa. A drunk driving home from work. An alien encounter around Jupiter.

 

[downtown]

That is not the issue. I just can't think of what to write.

Then it's time to step away from the computer and go get some life experiences.

 

[Synobun]

I have an idea. Everybody here give me topics to write about, than I'll make a poll to see which one is most popular. I'll then write up the story and post it to the Arts forum. Can't resist a challenge.

Examples: A battle in ancient Numidian Africa. A drunk driving home from work. An alien encounter around Jupiter.

Any genre/idea restrictions, or anything goes?

 

[Joecoolyo]

Eh, I have a much easier time writing stuff then editing my own work. Editing your own work is hard, it's much easier to edit other people's stuff.

Well, at least with me when it concerns my papers, editing what I already have down can easily be accomplished in several quick less-than-hour-long sessions. It's getting those words down in the first place which takes forever.

That is not the issue. I just can't think of what to write.

Aye, if that's the problem, we just move back to the point in which you don't have to write. Only write if you're inspired, otherwise it will just be forced and you'll be in this situation all over again.

I have an idea. Everybody here give me topics to write about, than I'll make a poll to see which one is most popular. I'll then write up the story and post it to the Arts forum. Can't resist a challenge.

Examples: A battle in ancient Numidian Africa. A drunk driving home from work. An alien encounter around Jupiter.

Writer's block.

 

[Mouthwash]

Any genre/idea restrictions, or anything goes?

Pretty much, as long as it doesn't violate CFC rules.

Writer's block.

Are you saying I should write about writer's block? You'll have to be a little bit more specific than that.

 

[Kyriakos]

My friend Franz has a word for you:

It was very early in the morning, the streets were clean and empty as I journeyed to the train station. As I synchronised my watch with a clock tower I saw that it was already later than I had thought, I must make haste, the shock of this discovery left me unsure of the way, I did not know this city so well, luckily there was a watchman nearby, I walked up to him and breathlessly asked him the way. He smiled and said: "You want to hear the way from me?". "Yes", I said, "as I can not find it myself." "Give it up, give it up", he said and he swung around with the momentum of someone who wanted to be alone with his laughter.

 

[Synobun]

Pretty much, as long as it doesn't violate CFC rules.

Write a short story about a Belgian man who irrationally believes that ears are works of the devil, and it is slowly turning him crazy.

 

[Antilogic]

Should I already have a concept that I really want to write about?

That does help. So does being sauced, apparently.

I have an idea. Everybody here give me topics to write about, than I'll make a poll to see which one is most popular. I'll then write up the story and post it to the Arts forum. Can't resist a challenge.

A gritty tale of a young suburban kid whose parents are killed in a car crash, and he's moved to an orphanage downtown where he experiences a culture shock of a lifetime while trying to come to terms with his loss of faith.

Or a Ted Cruz/Harry Potter/Naruto m-preg slash-fic.

 

[caketastydelish]

If you can't find what to write about, I'd recommend making something up. For example, maybe think of a story of a guy that lives in new jersey that is an engineer that feeds his family iced-cream.

 

[onejayhawk]

I have an idea. Everybody here give me topics to write about, than I'll make a poll to see which one is most popular. I'll then write up the story and post it to the Arts forum. Can't resist a challenge.

Examples: A battle in ancient Numidian Africa. A drunk driving home from work. An alien encounter around Jupiter.

Defend your choice for the most significant modern battle involving less than 5000 combatants. Eg the Battle of San Jacinto or Lawrence's taking of Aqaba.

J

 

[Mouthwash]

Defend your choice for the most significant modern battle involving less than 5000 combatants. Eg the Battle of San Jacinto or Lawrence's taking of Aqaba.

J

You are aware I'm talking about fiction, right?

 

[onejayhawk]

You are aware I'm talking about fiction, right?

So? What's your point?

J

 

[Borachio]

If my readers don't like my piece and make valid criticisms of it, I've failed. If I don't like it, I've failed. If I'm trying to write some thought-provoking, moving, enjoyable piece, and my readers point out problems it has, I'm not doing my job properly. My tastes and views are so different from those of others that there will always be a lot of criticism of whatever I write, so failure is inevitable.

What's so wrong with failure? It's about the only thing I'm good at.

 

[onejayhawk]

What's so wrong with failure? It's about the only thing I'm good at.

Write what you know.

J

 

[Kozmos]

Go outside and have a few drinks. A few failures. Listen to a few stories. Talk to some people. Get back home with a buzz. Start writing.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Are you saying I should write about writer's block? You'll have to be a little bit more specific than that.

Charlie Kaufman managed to make a coherent script out of the idea.

So yes.

 

[Oruc]

Just be yourself.