Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.
Alex's awesome co-hosts are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!
Question: When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If you have not started writing yet, why do you think that is, and what do you think could help you find your groove to start?
I'm halfway through a story that I put on hold because I'm uncertain of where it's going. When I'm stumped, I go back to the beginning and reread it. I'm always changing things. Hopefully for the better. If I totally dislike the premise, the plot, I might go so far as to shelve it. Though, this story I like, and it's been waiting for me. With that said, I like to walk and think about where my characters are leading me. I wish I could outline, but it's rare when I can think that far ahead.
This is normally how you'll find me when I'm writing....
Walking is a great one for working out the knots of a story. I already use walking to work out knots in my life - can't think why I never thought to use it for writing too. Maybe too many knots in my life! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes. Many knots to work out.
DeleteWalking and thinking are great ways to figure things out when you're stuck. I solve many writing problems when I'm doing everyday tasks too. Love the Jack London quote.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteA walk does clear the mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Your welcome!
DeleteIsn't it amazing how moving the body (aka walking) can stimulate the brain? As writers, I think we have a tendency to sit and figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today.
Lynn @ la-vita.us
Absolutely!
DeleteHi, I like your quotes especially the one about writing yourself out of a writer's block. Thank you so much for co-hosting. Shalom aleichem
ReplyDeleteTake Care.
Delete"Anyone who says writing is easy isn't doing it right." Amen to that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
I'm an edit as I go person, so I'm always going back and re-reading, and that helps me move forward.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI'm kind of stuck in the middle of a story right now too. I keep going back to the beginning, reading it over and over again. I feel like all the pieces I need are there, but maybe I've put them together in the wrong order.
ReplyDeleteLike me, you'll rearrange them to fit perfectly!
DeleteI must re-read my manuscript a hundred times before I can get to the end. And then, as you know from my post, I take a hike. Thanks for hosting today, Catherina. Great job!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I reread it so much, I start to hate it. I call it a love/hate relationship. LOL
DeleteThe Jack London quote is great! Reading from the beginning usually helps. I'm centered in the story and can keep going. Usually. Thanks for cohosting this month.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteThose are hilarious. I think I'll re-read them the next time inspiration fails me!
ReplyDeleteI also go back to reading my work from the begining whenever I am stumped.
ReplyDeleteIt's the thing to do, right!
DeleteYES! To all of the above! Thanks for making me laugh and for hosting this month, Cathrina!
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteIs it wrong of me to say I'm glad I'm not alone when it comes to staring at the screen with a slinky in my hands? I also find walks helpful. Here's to getting the story to work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Fingers Crossed, right!?
DeleteI feel your pain. With my WIP, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen. Then, one of my characters decided to get themselves killed. I swear, I didn't murder them...It just sort of happened. Now I have to rethink my direction.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Cathrina. Writing is very, very difficult. I may not play with a slinky, but I do a lot of staring and getting mad because I can't figure it out. I love these quotes. Yes, all of them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today. All best to you!
Hear hear for walking breaks! Thanks for co-hosting this month. Happy writing in June!
ReplyDelete“You can’t think yourself out a writing block…” Love that quote! I enjoy walking too. I do see advantages in outlining a story. Can it ever be too late?
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Walking is a good plan. I used to walk just about everyday. Then for some reason I just stopped my walks. Bad idea. Walking is a great way to come up with more ideas.
ReplyDeleteI like to start with an outline, but it changes as the story progresses. Walking and plotting is my favorite thing!
ReplyDeleteLovely quotes!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to every one of those quotes! I do outline, mostly a bare bones affair, subject to change. I've recently started running again, and I hear my characters chattering in the background if I pose a question. We'll see how that works out as the summer progresses. 🤣
ReplyDeleteRe-reading and walking — those are two of my go-to solutions to get out of being stuck. I've never been an outliner, either. My story never sticks to the plan. Great quotes! Thanks for sharing and for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteLori L. MacLaughlin https://lorilmaclaughlin.com
Delete"You have to write your way out of a thinking block"--this is so true! I often do that by free writing about the problem I'm trying to solve or the character I'm creating, just brainstorm and brain dump until a solution starts to take shape--which it almost always does. Like you, I also think while walking, which seems to work better than thinking while staring at a blinking cursor.
ReplyDelete