Please help me achieve my dream!

nurseangel

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As some of you know, I'm trying to write a book. I am also the worst person in the world to put things off. I haven't worked on the book in months! When I'm online, I'm playing games, searching for Swagbucks, or shopping.

I need your help to keep motivated. Maybe if people are asking, I'll start working. I don't know what's wrong. As a child, I loved to write. I would write stories and read them to my family. Now it feels like a burden to pick up a pen.
 

hissy

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Disconnect from the Internet. Seems to be your biggest distraction
Go to a local restaurant twice a week, pick a quiet table and start writing
Turn off the television, unplug the phone
Go to the library and start writing there.

It is a hard market to break into these days- if there are writing seminars near you- I would urge you to go to them. They cost a few hundred-depending on where they are but you can network like crazy and get your book out to publishers during scheduled meets.

Make small goals daily and hit them-
 

ruthyb

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Hi, I was unaware that you are writing a book but I am an avid reader so really interested, what kind of book are you writing? x
 

farleyv

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OMG, that is also my dream and I have the same probs. I have a nice computer and tons of dictionaries and thesauereses (sp). And the time to do it. sigh.

You just have to turn off all distractions, and start. Say to yourself, ok, Im going to write one sentence. Do it. Then say ok, Im going to write a paragraph. Do it. The only way to write is to write. Here I am giving you the advice and Im not taking it myself.

I have loads of books on writing because a family friend, a writer, left them to me. I have no excuses.

Everything I have read tho say the same thing, to write you have to write.

Why is it so hard to get started?
I once joined a writers group. That gave me some motivation. Maybe you could do that.

Good luck to us!!
 

ruthyb

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If either of you need a first opinion when you have finished please let me know, I just love reading.x
 

ut0pia

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I always get motivated by reading a lot..when a book I love is at the end, I start to write on my own rather than trying desperately to find another good book and reading 100 trash novels that don't even compare in the meantime..
I've never finished anything so I am not one to give advice though
 

mrsgreenjeens

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My Dad (86 years old) told me a few weeks before Father's Day that he wanted to write a story about one of his "outlaw" relatives sometime this summer, and told me he was going to do it all in longhand (he doesn't type too well). I quickly got on Amazon and ordered him a Dictophone, which arrived just in time for Father's Day. Now he can dictate his book, and I can transcribe it for him. I told him to just keep it with him wherever he goes (it fits in his pocket) and when he thinks of anything, just talk to it to at least get initial thoughts down. I reminded him especially to keep it next to the bed, as the middle of the night seems to be when most people's brains really kick in.

I'm hoping he'll use this contraption to "journal" all the important details about his family geneology that only he knows. He's always talking about it, but never writes anything down.
 

strange_wings

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^That sounds like a brilliant idea. Not only are you helping him, you'll get to learn about your family in the process and it will be something the two of you will be doing together to some extent.



nurseangel - Didn't I bug you in a past thread as to whether you had been keeping up on your writing?
I think if you can find someone online that you'd normally chat with daily anyways that wouldn't mind reminding you that could help. You can also look around for various to do list programs (free!) that should have pop up reminders. Or if you're really determined and have time in November you could go join NaNoWriMo.



I have some of the craziest long drawn out dreams in the morning (when your brain is creating dreams, not replaying events). Some of them could be easily built upon and turned into books... maybe someday. lol
 

trouts mom

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If it's a burden to pick up a pen....do you really want to write a book?


Not trying to be rude, just asking
 

howtoholdacat

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I've written a book. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm much the same way as you! I got a lap top just for writing. I don't put games on it so that cuts down on some distraction. Also, I created an area for writing. A desk, etc. where I only write. That way, it's easier to get into the rhythm of it. I find it helpful to write in coffee shops but once I'm really into the project it's easier at my writing desk. Set a particular time of day for writing. I find I can jump in faster when my body's trained to write at a particular time.

It's very hard to write a book but well worth the effort once you're finished!
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I wrote a book and had it published in 2002. It was a genealogy book tracing my paternal family back to 1790. I had a laptop which was only for that purpose. It was not connected to the internet. I had a desk with only material relating to what I was doing. It took me a long time, but it was a very rewarding experience. I wish you the best with your endeavor.
 
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nurseangel

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

nurseangel - Didn't I bug you in a past thread as to whether you had been keeping up on your writing?
I think if you can find someone online that you'd normally chat with daily anyways that wouldn't mind reminding you that could help. You can also look around for various to do list programs (free!) that should have pop up reminders. Or if you're really determined and have time in November you could go join NaNoWriMo.
Yes, you did! And at the time, I was writing a little. Now I've stopped.

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

If it's a burden to pick up a pen....do you really want to write a book?


Not trying to be rude, just asking
I really do want to write; even if I don't get published, I'd like to complete my book. When I was a teenager, I actually submitted a synopsis to a major publishing company (Dell) and they sent it back with questions and corrections. I never had the nerve to send it back to them, but now I think what kind opportunity was that? I don't think publishing companies usually go to that trouble, especially for someone without an agent.

And I don't think you're rude at all.


Thank you everyone for the great advice. I really do need to get motivated.
 

tigerontheprowl

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You sound just like me. I've been working on 3 different books for a few months. It went well for a while. I'd work on one for a couple hours one day and the next day I'd work on another. But lately I've hit a wall (again). Or rather I can't decide which direction I want to go. One of the books is just a short story at 54 pages and nearing the end, another is 72 pages and I still have a lot of ideas but I need to work on connecting it all, and my 3rd one is 117 pages so far and I will get to at least 150 with it if I can make everything fit together.

This isn't the first time I've had writers block. When it happens I usually just take a few days off from writing (or in my case I started a different story to get the ideas flowing again). Find something to motivate you. One of my stories is about cats so motivation isn't too hard to find. After all, I have 14 pounds of it sitting in my lap right now


When you come back to writing, don't think about it too much. Start by brainstorming a few ideas and then work on linking them and making a story. If you find that something is distracting you, try to use it in your story. That usually helps me stop thinking about it.
 

strange_wings

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Either of you could try finding writing communities (forums) to join. Getting more involved in it might give you more of a push to write.
 

3catsn1dog

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But then wouldnt that possibly end up being another distraction from writing...


I cant tell you how many times Ive propped myself in front of TCS or GRF instead of doing what Im supposed to be doing...like the dishes...*dont look at my sink noooo dont do it I promise Ill do them*lol
 

stephanietx

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Do you have a writing group in your area? Many writers I know belong to a group of fellow writers to keep them motivated and to act as accountability partners.
 

baloneysmom

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I am in the same boat. One of my greatest passion in life is reading and I have been accused more then once by friends of being a book hoarder lol.

What I did was buy a cheap mini laptop that I use SOLELY for writing. I refuse to use it for anything else as to not get distracted. I also think of it as dieting or exercise…. I have to do it. I try and put in at least an hour a week (not much, but I am a busy gal lol). So 20min each session is enough for me not to get stressed about other things I have to do. For 20min, I have the time.

I also joined a creative writing course at the local college. Being that writing is ridiculously hard, it gave me ideas from other struggling writers on different ways to get ideas, how to stay focused, it made me write about things that wasn’t my style to learn different ways.

It’s a slow process for me but one day my book will be done. Find something you’re really into. It’s been a few years for me and after starting 5 stories I finally found “the one”. It’s a whole different story to be totally excited to write a book BUT it’s impossible to write a story you don’t have complete and utter passion for.

Good luck!
 

tara g

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My grandma always told me I'd be a published novelist ... but I stopped writing as much once I hit 20ish. I could probably write a hilarious chick lit book based on things that happen in my life though!

Maybe you need to block yourself from the internet so you can't access it, and use that time/energy towards the book!
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog

I cant tell you how many times Ive propped myself in front of TCS or GRF instead of doing what Im supposed to be doing...like the dishes...*dont look at my sink noooo dont do it I promise Ill do them*lol
But do you need anyone to check your dishes to make sure you washed them properly?

Writing communities not only get the person more involved in the aspects of writing, but also can help provide proof readers and maybe even help from those who may have something published and know who contact.
 
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