Posted on 08/17/2006 8:36:45 PM PDT by Number57
I've had this story worked out in my mind for going on twenty years. 1989. But now... I am stuck. I started a book based on it, but I'm no writer, obviously. I constantly re-read and edit, and re-read and edit more.
Probably because I've posted part of the story on sites that critique writing.
Anyway. I've hit a wall. A large brick wall. I've since stopped editing my own stuff, but try as I might, I can't write another chapter that I'm okay with. How do you, in your experience, get past it? I'll appreciate any help anyone can offer.
Bizzare.
Step one: get a dictaphone and lots of tapes. Tell he story to yourself, start-to-wherever-you-get-stuck.
Step two: play the tapes back to yourself, in a quiet room. Over and over and over again.
Step three: sleep on this, see if an answer suggests itself. Keep your dictaphone by your bedside and be ready to dictate, half-asleep. What do you want to happen? What would you least like to happen? Do either suggest a climax, or a conclusion to your story? After all, you don't necessarily need a happy ending, only a logical one.
Step four: if step three doesn't work, take a long break. Dream on it, but during daylight hours don't give it a second thought.
Step five: if the break doesn't work, find a few friends, play them the tapes so far. Seek their guidance. Do they think the story is worth telling? If so -- great! All you need do is finish it. If not, best to know now, amongst friendly folk, that the tale won't fly.
Step six: if after steps one-thru-five don't work, either kill the idea in its infancy, or give it over to a willing stranger.
Yes, YOU certainly are.
And Duracell's get charged.
I'm glad I didn't post the other chapters.
Really? If I had a nickle...
WTF ae you doing here?
Trolling?
Like I said, it was friendly advice. I've never been anything but encouraging to those starting out in the arts. So, take it, ignore, etc.
Not you.
I'm just a lowly widget manufacturer, but I'm always encouraging to those starting out in the arts.
Ottoline
Hmmm.
"it was friendly advice."
Well, geez. Thanks.
I'm not a troll; but you are beginning to smell of one.
Hey
Relate to me.
Go GOOGLE the name. :-)
I'm out. Time to start up the widget machinery...or as we call it in the trade, the widgetry. Take care.
Wrong. You came trolling in this thread.
p.s. unless you're the second coming of John O'Hara, try to curb the hostility. He only got away with it because he was, well, John O'Hara.
Phfft.
Deal.
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