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Writers... help! I can't finish the story!

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.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: attentionwhore; darkstormynight; dickandjane; newsactivism; pimp; seespotrun; stayinschool; stupidvanity; whoflippincares; writersblock; wtf
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To: Number57; Admin Moderator
...I'm no writer...

Did you answer your own question?

Why is this in News/Activism and not back in General/Chat?

41 posted on 08/17/2006 8:53:10 PM PDT by delacoert
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To: RosieCotton

Wow. Yeah that choppy, patchwork thing is what drives me nuts, but it IS the way I write. Its only when I am in edit-mode that I drive myself nuts. I shouldn't do that.

I'm sure this won't make me a GREAT writer, but it might make me a better writer..

thnx everyone!


42 posted on 08/17/2006 8:53:39 PM PDT by Number57 ("Don't quote Dickens in my apartment!" Joe Young)
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To: JRios1968

You know, if a night is dark and stormy, why is it bad writing to say so? What are you supposed to say, it was photon-challenged and meteorologically active?


43 posted on 08/17/2006 8:53:48 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Number57
Change the date in your mind to 2009.

Now you are three years ahead of the point where you start thinking about it.

You still have time to forget the whole idea and move on with your life.
44 posted on 08/17/2006 8:54:00 PM PDT by msnimje (What part of-- "DEATH TO AMERICA" --do the Democrats not understand?)
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To: Number57

Have you included an earth-shattering kaboom? There's always an earth-shattering kaboom!


45 posted on 08/17/2006 8:54:11 PM PDT by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
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To: delacoert

I thought I tagged it a vanity. Sorry.


46 posted on 08/17/2006 8:54:15 PM PDT by Number57 ("Don't quote Dickens in my apartment!" Joe Young)
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To: Number57

Oh, and one more thing that works for me: sometimes if I get stuck, I'll head for a different setting. I'll take a notebook to another room or a park or anywhere other than my usual spot.

But honestly, it sounds like perfectionism is your biggest problem. Get it down - smoothing over the lumpy parts and tidying everything up comes later.

We're gonna have to force you to do NaNoWriMo with us this fall to help you beat your internal editor senseless for awhile. ;-)


47 posted on 08/17/2006 8:54:32 PM PDT by RosieCotton
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To: txroadkill

LOL!


48 posted on 08/17/2006 8:55:28 PM PDT by RosieCotton
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To: txroadkill

LOL

That's where I'm stuck

;/


49 posted on 08/17/2006 8:55:35 PM PDT by Number57 ("Don't quote Dickens in my apartment!" Joe Young)
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To: Number57

And if your story line varies from your original outline...change the freaking outline. I've always felt that rigid outlines stiffle the creative novelist. I don't use them. If you really know your characters, they will tell you their story. Just write.


50 posted on 08/17/2006 8:55:36 PM PDT by Martins kid
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To: Number57

Write the ending and then backtrack.


51 posted on 08/17/2006 8:55:46 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (((172 * 3.141592653589793238462) / 180) * 10 = 30.0196631)
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To: JRios1968
"It was a dark and stormy night..."

It was a dark and stormy night and when it was spent, the sultry sun rose and brought with it a humid morning. The air so thick and heavy it pressed against you.

52 posted on 08/17/2006 8:55:53 PM PDT by processing please hold (If you can't stand behind our military, stand in front of them.)
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To: Number57

53 posted on 08/17/2006 8:56:15 PM PDT by WestVirginiaRebel (Common sense will do to liberalism what the atomic bomb did to Nagasaki-Rush Limbaugh)
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To: randog

The only part of my novel I'm satisfied with is the part where the two supermodels fight over me and realize they'll just have to share. The rest needs work.


54 posted on 08/17/2006 8:56:19 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Number57
Whats your story about? I'm sure FReepers would love to add something that may kick your writers block loose... along with some funny stuff on the side!
55 posted on 08/17/2006 8:56:30 PM PDT by operation clinton cleanup
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To: Number57; writer33; Jeff Head

Lets ping 2 of them


56 posted on 08/17/2006 8:56:50 PM PDT by GeronL (flogerloon.blogspot.com -------------> Rise of the Hate Party)
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To: REDWOOD99
They had a Great Dane named "Good Authority."
His wife came in and asked him, "Have you seen my belt?"
"Belt?" he asked. "I thought it was a collar. I have it on Good Authority."
She hit him with the skillet.

Just a little homage to Charles Shultz.


57 posted on 08/17/2006 8:57:21 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (The most important thing is sincerity. Once you can fake that, everything else is easy.)
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To: Number57

Did it use Microsoft Word?


58 posted on 08/17/2006 8:57:30 PM PDT by JRios1968 (This kid knows how to wallop a baseball!!!!!!)
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To: Coyoteman

Well said.


59 posted on 08/17/2006 8:57:31 PM PDT by Martins kid
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To: pbrown

... like I was there dude.... scary


60 posted on 08/17/2006 8:58:09 PM PDT by GeronL (flogerloon.blogspot.com -------------> Rise of the Hate Party)
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