tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post3371738231117675346..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: 8 Ways to Stay Focused on Your NovelStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-64847515470919988032012-01-02T17:03:38.260-06:002012-01-02T17:03:38.260-06:00Hi Roseanna, re# 4 above, I am commenting to be in...Hi Roseanna, re# 4 above, I am commenting to be included in the second drawing on February 15 in The Great Annapolis Giveaway. (All entries received after December 15 will automatically roll into the second giveaway.) I have been enjoying the powdered wig comments! Why would they want early Marilyn Monroe "platinum" hair color, with curls? Happy New Year!<br />lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]netLane Hill Househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952459499802207852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-18932229380429842222012-01-02T02:49:31.241-06:002012-01-02T02:49:31.241-06:00Laurapoet, perhaps you should combine the characte...Laurapoet, perhaps you should combine the characters from one story with the plot of the other?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-24427128709543353742011-12-29T11:25:46.783-06:002011-12-29T11:25:46.783-06:00This is a little off topic, but it's something...This is a little off topic, but it's something thats been bothering me for a while and I need some advice... I always have trouble deciding on an idea that I can commit to. Like, right now I am stuck between a story that would be very original but that I have no idea how to plot or what the main character is like, and one thats not quite as original but full of characters that I am already attached to and that I have a pretty good idea of the plot for. Still, whenever I think about it I get the nagging feeling that it's been done before, and it's making it hard to concentrate. What should I do? (btw, I just want to say that your blog has been extremely helpful and that I'm so grateful that I found it! Please don't ever stop posting!)Laura Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021197723868815422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73865436205715678162011-12-28T17:26:18.790-06:002011-12-28T17:26:18.790-06:00okay thanks,
and I agree with the Twilight thing, ...okay thanks,<br />and I agree with the Twilight thing, that's one bad thing about writing a best-seller, everyone tries to copy it :DTessanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-81581080747515879512011-12-28T15:45:04.966-06:002011-12-28T15:45:04.966-06:00Tessa, I think that's pretty common. You of co...Tessa, I think that's pretty common. You of course want your story to feel original, but there's nothing wrong with using TV shows or books to encourage your own creativity. I think that's why you so often see a project billed as something like, "Veronica Mars meets Star Trek."<br /><br />Of course I've also had the experience where I read a book and think, "This is Twilight, just with something different than vampires," so you want to make sure you aren't mimicking another story, just that you're using it as a springboard.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-63790597704035978152011-12-28T08:33:57.219-06:002011-12-28T08:33:57.219-06:00Chanelle, I'm so glad you've found Go Teen...Chanelle, I'm so glad you've found Go Teen Writers and that it's been helpful! Welcome!<br /><br />I had a tough time staying focused on writing while I was still in school. Once I graduated and could dedicate so much of my time to it, staying focused became a lot easier. And finding writing friends and a writing community really helped too.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47220228887892095572011-12-28T05:46:25.063-06:002011-12-28T05:46:25.063-06:00Haha :)) I think I was reading every night until m...Haha :)) I think I was reading every night until midnight or something like that..<br />And yes, the blog is awesome. =]Chanelle.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01892603008162402338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-85620059661789683972011-12-27T19:02:20.579-06:002011-12-27T19:02:20.579-06:00Haha Chanelle, I guess we were both reading the wh...Haha Chanelle, I guess we were both reading the whole blog at the same time then. It's amazing, isn't it?emiihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042164350910286833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-31515477817078659492011-12-27T17:50:14.976-06:002011-12-27T17:50:14.976-06:00Hey! I've just discovered your blog a few days...Hey! I've just discovered your blog a few days ago (I wish I had earlier) and spent hours and hours reading every post and taking notes xD It's helped me so much! I wanted to be a writer since I was 7, so this blog is the best thing I've found yet.<br /><br />Staying focused seems pretty hard, maybe that's why I started several books and never got past the second chapter.<br />Can't wait to read the new post! :)<br /><br />Greetings,<br />Chanelle.Chanelle.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01892603008162402338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-23528145758581997732011-12-26T15:19:59.270-06:002011-12-26T15:19:59.270-06:00okay this might not go with the post, but it's...okay this might not go with the post, but it's something I struggle with. <br />Is it okay if you read the title of a book or various things, and you get ideas for your own story??? or if you read something in a book and get ideas from that?? i don't want to 'steal' any ideas<br />hopefully that makes sense :DTessanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-19757288761511447502011-12-25T22:38:45.246-06:002011-12-25T22:38:45.246-06:00I struggle with not getting bored with my current ...I struggle with not getting bored with my current WIP seriously badly - Thanks for the tips!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-1299401305948994262011-12-24T10:28:04.297-06:002011-12-24T10:28:04.297-06:00I made a cover yesterday (It won't be the one ...I made a cover yesterday (It won't be the one I actually use, of course) But it was really fun and awesome to look at! Also, I find outlines, which I don't like writing at all, help immensely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-54466135303342993572011-12-24T07:15:40.513-06:002011-12-24T07:15:40.513-06:00Yep! Early January will be our next.Yep! Early January will be our next.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-7627123534955943252011-12-24T06:32:19.919-06:002011-12-24T06:32:19.919-06:00Are there still going to be Writing prompts?Are there still going to be Writing prompts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-79915522172666292622011-12-24T05:07:16.499-06:002011-12-24T05:07:16.499-06:00It's kinda funny, I always tried to keep a not...It's kinda funny, I always tried to keep a notebook to write story stuff in -- but I always failed for some reason. I write in my dairy everyday, though -- and now my diary is a mix of story planning and my actual life, because, in the past week, I've discovered it's the only way I'll actually write my ideas down. <br /><br />MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone! Let's hope that I actually fall asleep this Christmas Eve. ;)emiihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042164350910286833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-10359466103320035952011-12-23T23:15:25.076-06:002011-12-23T23:15:25.076-06:00Ugh! I keep trying to start a notebook, but unfor...Ugh! I keep trying to start a notebook, but unfortunately, I never write these things down, because I'm usually busy starting them! Also unfortunately, story ideas tend to stay in my head FOREVER. It's like I can't get rid of them! Okay, sometimes that's good. :DBecki Badgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14421459879883678878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-48954777328026954252011-12-23T21:39:26.833-06:002011-12-23T21:39:26.833-06:00I'm happy to say I've never bored myself w...I'm happy to say I've never bored myself with one of my own stories. My brainchilds often keep me entertained for months on end. However, I can say I get stuck. And the best advice I have (beyond the advice in the post, which I use all of) is to let ideas incubate if needed. My newest work was a 5-page one shot originally, which I just let sit. Soon it became an entire novella. Soon is six months later, when I picked the idea up again, by the way.Joe Dunckohttp://joeduncko.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-31909586011730703652011-12-23T21:36:08.470-06:002011-12-23T21:36:08.470-06:00I usually use my "special" notebook (aka...I usually use my "special" notebook (aka, Ideas & Inspiration) to work on things in a story I have yet to decide. (Plot lines. Character facts. The why's and the how's. Sometimes I just muse on paper. It's really useful because it keeps me interested and involved in the future of the story (the grass is greener on the other side) while I still can go home ad work on the present part.<br /><br />My biggest issue (the thing that most often makes me abandon my projects) is that I can't get past the beginning. Everything I try seems wrong, or it has the wrong vibe. (I guess I have serious problems when it comes to believing that I can fix everything with editing.) And I have this terrible attitude that everything I write in the beginning is n\binding. So if I say one thing about a character, it's like that's a binding fact for the rest of the story.<br /><br />But I digress. My point is, YES! This is my biggest problem in writing, so I'm so glad to see a post on it! (And any advice on the whole getting past the first chapter thing, Stephanie? Thanks!)Jessica Starickanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-17042424691488046682011-12-23T20:45:11.671-06:002011-12-23T20:45:11.671-06:00I'm not a planner, except in my head. I have a...I'm not a planner, except in my head. I have all these ideas for what to do with my characters, what scenes to write. I had my own deadline. Honestly now that I think about it I think that it was unrealistic. A year to write a 100,000 word novel could be possible, but I'm a freshmen and right now I'd rather be focused on what do do as far as acedemics go then trying to force myself into a project I need a little time on. <br />I do still write, on other stuff though. I think while I'm on Christmas break and after I get settled in, I'll be writing more on a story line that I've taken farther than I have anything else.<br />Thanks for the postAlanahttp://writerspagenikki.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-62008906099818853272011-12-23T15:16:14.285-06:002011-12-23T15:16:14.285-06:00Random Thinker - "writers explosion" tot...Random Thinker - "writers explosion" totally cracked me up. I'm glad the idea binder thingy helped, and I love your analogy of a good sneeze :)<br /><br />And this: My solution to staying focused when you're itching to move on: write that pesky other idea down in full/ indulge it like it's a chocolate craving/ ...then kill somebody in that novel you were trying to focus on.<br /><br />Is brilliant advice.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-7492109997557421282011-12-23T14:55:08.120-06:002011-12-23T14:55:08.120-06:00"Kill somebody" tickled my funny bone. x..."Kill somebody" tickled my funny bone. xD<br /><br />(be prepared, this could get wordy)<br /><br />I suffer very much from spastic writing xD Which loosely translates too: I don't suffer from writers block; I suffer from writers explosion. I get way to many ideas at the same time! I took the idea for the "Idea Binder" that I read a few weeks back on this blog and it has helped me a lot. <br /><br />I sometimes get bored with my book that I write, so I move on to another one. This has resulted in me writing three books at the same time and they have very little in common. One is set in the 1890's (sort of Jane Austeny paced), the other is in the early 1900's and is a fanfic and the last one is a comedy set in modern times about spies! I'm writing them all at the same time, so if I feel like killing off a character, I can. I simply jump to my spy book. If I feel like going all Victorian on my characters, I waltz on back to my Victorian novel! :D <br /><br />However... I still suffer from writers explosion, even with my three novels. So what I do is, I write down a rough synopsis in my Idea Binder. I write down EVERYTHING. Character biographies, the story I have planned out in my head, the conflict, the title, the setting, everything! If I can sit down and just write my thoughts down, I feel better. It's like letting out a good sneeze. I got the idea down in full, and can go back to it when I've finished one of my other three novels. Currently, I have 8 completely written out novel ideas and 6 more half written ideas (can you believe I got them all only since about two months ago?). <br /><br />In other words... My solution to staying focused when you're itching to move on: write that pesky other idea down in full/ indulge it like it's a chocolate craving/ ...then kill somebody in that novel you were trying to focus on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47382311425446191542011-12-23T13:59:47.899-06:002011-12-23T13:59:47.899-06:00Roseanna, kill someone is great suggestion! Erle S...Roseanna, kill someone is great suggestion! Erle Stanley Gardner, the author of the Perry Mason novels, used to say that when things got boring you should bring in a gun. I often find myself wondering what "gun" I can pull in. (For those who have read So Over It, Skylar gets 2 phone calls during hard conversations she's having with Eli ... those were born out of needing a gun, because I needed to get that girl out of there!)<br /><br />Gillian, wow, depriving yourself of sleep! Now THAT is dedication. Good for you. And like you, I had some serious novel ADD, but once I forced myself to finish that first manuscript, I really started to grow as a writer.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-6079305868089049552011-12-23T13:16:40.799-06:002011-12-23T13:16:40.799-06:00There's nothing so satisfying as actually fini...There's nothing so satisfying as actually finishing a novel! For a long time, I suffered with novel ADD - I'd start a novel, get pretty far into it and then decide that I didn't really know where I was going with the story... the writing wasn't that good... and I had a much better idea, so I'd drop that story and move on. It wasn't a total loss. Writing so many hundreds of thousands of words really helped me become a better writer. But it took a while before I could learn to actually finish the novel I set out to write. <br /><br />I labored through my latest work (now in the rewriting stage) but got stuck right in the middle of the climactic battle and couldn't end it. Of all the places to get stuck! So much possibility!<br /><br />I sat down one afternoon and decided that I wasn't going to sleep again until I finished! It was grueling, but it went much quicker than I expected! I finished before midnight! <br /><br />I'm fairly certain I ended up killing a character or two and then launched into the final few chapters of the story. Writing those final two words "the End" on the bottom of the last page was so satisfying! Even if it's tough and you feel like the story is terrible, actually writing a novel from beginning to end and getting that "little" accomplishment under your belt is so worthwhile!<br /><br />Yeah numbers 7&8! Right now, I'm determined to finish the rewrite of my current WIP before I really start anything new. I have a rapidly becoming mammoth-sized file in my computer where I store all of my new ideas and every now and then I sneak in and write a little bit of a scene or part of a synopsis for a new story so that I can get it out of my system and focus on the old!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-3629976929653870292011-12-23T10:42:09.329-06:002011-12-23T10:42:09.329-06:00Like Rachelle, *kill somebody* made me laugh. The...Like Rachelle, *kill somebody* made me laugh. The thing is, though, I love putting twists in the story. Like in my current WIP, I decided that it wasn't enough to have the four trained characters, who knew what was going on, so then I brought in their SIBLINGS, who had absolutely no idea what was happening and were completely untrained. FUN!<br /><br />As to the eight suggestions, I might even add a ninth. Because what I've done is make my WIPs shorter than I had planned them, because you can always go back, but just being able to finish, no matter how short, impacts your ability to finish other WIPs. Makes it easier.Becki Badgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14421459879883678878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-20936240102112109662011-12-23T10:24:12.451-06:002011-12-23T10:24:12.451-06:00*chuckle* "Kill somebody" made me laugh....*chuckle* "Kill somebody" made me laugh. And, hey, it's a first draft, you can always resurrect them later but that just might provide the punch you need to get motivated again.<br /><br />I really like 8 because the WIP I'm working on now was the story that was inspired by one of the writing prompts and wouldn't let go. The MC didn't care that I had plans to do a rewrite of another novel, she wanted her story written yesterday.<br /><br />So that's what I'm doing. :)<br /><br />I think there's a difference, though, in that I didn't leave the middle of a story for this one. That other novel is finished, just in need of editing and technically I've edited the first three chapters (which are the most important, right?) and I know exactly what I want to do and where to take the new plotline. For the sake of time, though, in this cramped-for-that-commodity-college-student's-life, I'm writing. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.com