Starting to Write

[kindy64]

That's why I love writing in composition books. Journal, writers log, idea book. If I want to explore something further, I rewrite on computer. If I want to change subjects, I skip a page or two and start anew.

Getting it out of your head, and letting it sit somewhere else frees your mind a bit (IMO.)

[LJay]

When I was in college the best motivation was to find myself late in the evening with a paper due the next day. Worked every time.

These days I would think that the best thing to do would be to write someting every day, like get up every morning and do it no matter what. Even throwing away what ou write is better than stagnating.

"They were two pandas that no one would have suspected to have such kinky minds, but they did. ........"

[Cobalt]

Kindy: Sometimes I mentally do that I guess. I'll think of things I want to write about and mentally sift through what's good enough or not. Eventually I'll really flesh out an idea and then...well, I never start on it. I just need to push myself over the hump between brainstorming and writing to just get on with it.

Ljay: Certain assignments I would procrastinate on and others I wouldn't. Usually the ones I wanted to do would be first, obviously. It didn't seem to matter how early or late I started, they all came out the same. Sometimes waiting until the last minute would make things worse, if I really was strapped for ideas/words and just put down a bunch of filler wording to fill the page. I think I may just try writing just any old thing and see how it goes, even if it sucks at least I can say I wrote.

If there's enough demand for this panda story I may seriously consider it...

[LJay]

Per Cobalt:

"... and just put down a bunch of filler wording to fill the page."

We had one prof in school who was very fond of calling his students out on that. As a matter of fact his standard comment was so frequent that one of his classes got him a rubber stamp that printed--in BIG red letters: BULL!

[Cobalt]

Somehow my fill-the-page rantings always came off as pseudo-intelligent so I hardly ever got called out for it. It was one of my very few gifts that I was lucky enough to possess.

[kindy64]

Kindy: Sometimes I mentally do that I guess. I'll think of things I want to write about and mentally sift through what's good enough or not. Eventually I'll really flesh out an idea and then...well, I never start on it. I just need to push myself over the hump between brainstorming and writing to just get on with it.

Lookup the "National Novel Writing Month," it wont let me post the link...

I've joined as zen64, buddy me if you sign up. Could be the push you need to really get down to writing...

[Cobalt]

That's probably the best advice. I write because I want to, I only let myself get in the way of that by judging and second-guessing. I don't think it's right to write for others, if you're aiming to please you're not being genuine. If you're not being genuine, then there's no reason to bother at all. Because someone else is already doing what you're trying to emulate, if you're not going to be authentic then you're a second-rate someone else.

[Insertnamehere]

[MENTION=22914]Cobalt[/MENTION]

If it helps, reading what you say here, that drags me in instantly. That's what I would want to read. YOU. Your rants and wit and snappish and on point attitude.

[Cobalt]

[MENTION=22914]Cobalt[/MENTION]

If it helps, reading what you say here, that drags me in instantly. That's what I would want to read. YOU. Your rants and wit and snappish and on point attitude.

Aw, you're too kind. Honestly, what you're saying is not the first time I've heard someone say that about me, both online and in person. People tell me I have a certain knack/talent but I can't figure out what to do to turn that talent into cash, That would be lovely if I could...

[Insertnamehere]

Aw, you're too kind. Honestly, what you're saying is not the first time I've heard someone say that about me, both online and in person. People tell me I have a certain knack/talent but I can't figure out what to do to turn that talent into cash, That would be lovely if I could...

I'd say you first write down randomly. Don't give it any kind of structure, just write down what ever is on your mind and you'd like to be in written. Kepp it up for a while and then maybe you can take whatever you have and start giving it a connection, a structure...is it a story, are they poems, is it a review, etc. You may ask for some help if you know of any editor, on how to give a bunch of thoughts and drafts some structure.

You see, the random stuff will be you put into writing and that is the main thing to get accomplished here...later you can see what kind of structure does it need to have to make it publishable