Afraid to Try - Unfulfilled Writings Forum

Topic: Afraid to Try

Many writers are afraid to try something new. Maybe they fear that the idea will be unappealing or unsatisfactory, or maybe they fear the challenge of their concept. Whatever the reason, most of us have thought of something in the world of writing that they are unwilling to attempt.

I'm daunted by writing anything longer than a short story. I never feel like I can develop a sustained plot to any degree of quality. Hopefully I will overcome this fear, but until then, I'll keep my writings short.

What are you afraid to write?

#1 Dec 14th 2006, 4:19pm

Incredible angst. Really. And mental disabilities, from the point of view of the disabilitied character.

Such as, I'm writing one story about a depressed-suicidal character. I'm not really depressed, or really suicidal, so it's kind of hard for me. (I've been doing reasearch, and such).

The problem is, a lot of my writing is focused on getting into the characters' heads. And, the few attempts I've tried for her head, have either a.) frightened the readers or b) frightened myself so much that I cannot post it.

I love this story, I feel it's one of the most deep things I've written. I really want to continue it, but I don't know if that will ever be possible.

My greatest advice I can give to you about starting a novel/novella is, don't look back until you are done. Just go ahead and write, then once you either have finished a first draft of a peice, or gotton enormous writer's block, then you may go back and change things. Or, if you have added something to the plot late in the book that requires a difference in the begining for you to fully organize your thoughts, then you may also do that.

I just find, from personal experience, that if you go back and concentrate on perfecting the beginings of the story, you get detatched from the story itself.

Oh, and while I'm here . . .

Erm, ignore that review I gave your poem. I reread it and you were right. o///o'

I really shouldn't give advice on formatting and stuff. Most of mine are free verse, and not too good at that so . .. yeah. Um, sorry. I humbly apologize. ^__^

#2 Jan 26th 2007, 6:28pm

Thank you for the advice. Always nice to have encouragement. Speaking of which, good luck with your story. I know the subject will be difficult, I'm sure you can handle it. I'll look for the story to appear later/try to find it on the site tommorow.

I've tried writing free verse and the poem both felt and sounded awkward. Maybe with poetry, I feel a need for the boundaries of meter and rhyme scheme. My attempt gave me an idea for a story, though.

#3 Feb 09th 2007, 8:07pm

I can definitely relate to your fear. I've always dreamed of publishing a novel but, like you, never felt that I could actually do well with it. Most of my started "novels" in my lifetime have been one or two pages long just because, well, I had a few ideas but not enough to turn them into something with lasting brilliance. In addition to that, the dreadful "what if" questions tended to burden my mind, intimidating me to no end. What if it doesn't entrance the reader? What if it fails to create the "can't put it down" effect that I so desperately long to achieve? What if the language is too simple? What if the language is too complicated? What if it appears as I wrote it in ten seconds? What if it looks like I tried too hard? What if the plotline falls apart? What if it's too detailed? What if it doesn't flow? What if it ends up serving no purpose? What if, in the end, It seems I've wasted my time? What if, after completion, it accidentally is deleted and I've lost my work forever? What if a gopher, after hearing of the novel, intrudes in my house and then proceeds to hold a gun to my head, threatening me and saying "You better stop writing that awful novel or I'll shoot you!!"

Okay, so I wrote that last one to see if you were paying attention. But, that's beside the point. Anyway, what I really wanted to say was, the thirty pages of my current novel-in-process seemed to just flow. And I started writing it at a point where I had stopped thinking about writing a novel. It was merely going to be another one of my short stories. Then I realized it had far too much plot and was going to have to be much longer. Sometimes, ideas just come to you, to the point where when you're writing them you're not so concerned with the eloquence, you're just typing in sweet liberation. That's the best time to start a novel—when you aren't expecting to. When your plans are few and your ideas many (if that makes any sense.) Also, make sure the topic is something you have a great passion for, and from my experience, the passion will override the fear.

As far as what I am currently afraid to write, (novels don’t really scare me anymore), that’s a whole other story. And I feel like I’ve said far too much, to the point where you’re probably like “Sheesh! Shut up already!” So, I’m just going to halt right now before I get myself in another tangent. Perhaps I’ll answer another time.



#4 Feb 15th 2007, 12:48pm

Ahh, but I don't think you should shut up! But then again, you allready have. T_T

Good for you! I hope you continue to enjoy your novel. That's quite helpful advice as well.

#5 Feb 21st 2007, 4:48pm

Wow. I'm surprised that some one actually read my whole post. I doubt that even the owner of the forum did. Haha. Thanks. :)

And thank you for the encouragement. ^_^

#6 Feb 21st 2007, 6:25pm

Wow. I'm surprised that some one actually read my whole post. I doubt that even the owner of the forum did. Haha. Thanks. :)

Well, you didn't include the words 'lol' or 'omg' so there really wasn't a problem. ^_^

#7 Feb 22nd 2007, 8:13am

omg i hate it when ppl do tat its lyke soo annoying lol

(^ NEVER AGAIN.)

It's a huge pet peeve of mine as well. ^_^

#8 Feb 22nd 2007, 11:40am

Chatspeak haters all around!

I don't mind some infrequent abbreviations (like thru for through), but that kind of typing just hurts the eyes.

#9 Feb 23rd 2007, 7:00pm

:o Oh no! I hurt your eyes! _

Hehe. :p

#10 Feb 23rd 2007, 9:06pm

Currently, I am facing a fear of mine. I've had the idea for "Retribution" for a while but I was hesitant to write about it because of the subject matter and because I was afraid of what people would think of me for writing it. Read the description below the story on my "stories authored" list and you'll understand why this is so.

The story is not complete yet but when it's done, I'd like to know what you think because you actually give honest and sufficient feedback anytime you review. But, if you don't want to read it, I won't be offended. Because it is creepy and disturbing and it might end up being long.

#11 Feb 25th 2007, 10:41am

I can't read it just because of the rating, but good luck. I'm sure you'll find plenty of interested people.

Actually, I think someone did in experiment where he/she changed a story rating from T to M without changing the content. His/her hit count for that piece skyrocketed.

Personally, I find M-rated stuff okay as long as its not used gratuitously. My parents...

#12 Feb 25th 2007, 10:45am

Oh. Quite a pitty you can't read it. It's one of the few works I actually like. Which may mean I'm a demented physco but, whatever. :p I'd change the rating to T but, I don't want to mislead others because honestly, it is just not a T rated story.

Yeah, I understand. You see, I'm not allowed to watch R rated movies or go on dates (even secrectly I do anyway...shhh...) :p Also, if my parents ever come across the story I'm writing, I'll probably be in deep trouble. "Why are you writing things like that?!", "This is evil!" ect. They probably will find the story at some point but, whatever. -shrug-

Yeah, there is definately a purpose to the story. Don't worry. :)

#13 Feb 25th 2007, 1:30pm

Me, I'm paranoid about what I write because I always have to do it ALONE where nobody who knows me will ever read it. I love to post things on the internet, but I've only shown my parents a story once, and they started analyzing it. (I'm a psycologist's child, yeah, fun) I don't actually write anything bad, mostly because I just don't want to, but every time I write anything I catch myself thinking about what my parents or my brother or friends would think if they read it, so I change it. And then it comes out a piece of swearword.

I met a guy once who overheard a really pertinent (is that the right word?) quote from... I think it was Rick Berman. For those who don't know, he's a sci-fi writer, especially Star Trek. Point is, he said: "You're a writer. Just write."

#14 Feb 25th 2007, 4:39pm

"You're a writer. Just write."

That's the best advise I've had all week.

#15 Feb 25th 2007, 5:25pm

every time I write anything I catch myself thinking about what my parents or my brother or friends would think if they read it, so I change it. And then it comes out a piece of swearword.

You have a problem similar to mine. I've heard people say to "turn off your internal editor," but I have never been able to make it work. I think that this advice needs more explanation for perfectionist or paranoid self-editing writers. I'm going to try to ignore rather than turn off my internal editor and see if that helps. Berate myself if I catch me editing a section before the rough draft is done.

#16 Feb 26th 2007, 4:38pm

I have the exact same problem. Practically each sentence that I write, I find myself editing. (Yes, I've even corrected those two sentences--and this one. Grrr.) :/

I've tried ignoring my internal editor but I simply am unable to. If I don't make a correction right way when I notice something, it will bother me the entire time I'm trying to write. Like a distraction that just won't leave. I've learned to embrace the fact that correcting things as I see them is the way I work best.

#17 Feb 26th 2007, 5:46pm

I think Bri Neves probably has the best way to deal with it there, so long as you're editing what you think is good, not what someone who'll probably never read it thinks is good. But whatever.

I like that advice, too :D. I keep saying it too myself every time I hesistate over a particular piece. Currently, I'm starting a new genre that I've never tried before. Wish me luck!

#18 Feb 27th 2007, 3:54pm

Why, thank you. :)

What genre?

#19 Feb 27th 2007, 3:58pm

Romance. It's odd, outside of fictionpress and a few particular authors, I never read it. Now I'm actually WRITING it. Somewhat. The guy's starting to sound like a stalker... I may just stick with humor.

#20 Feb 27th 2007, 4:08pm

I thought the point of writing in new genres was to broaden your horizons and figure out what genres you like to write. Don't post your story if you absolutely hate it, but finish it so you can be sure whether or not you like writing romance.

Who says you can't have lots of comedy in romantic works. Happens all the time, and the only kind of romance-based plots I can tolerate are those that are focused on humor more than anything (e.g. Along Came Polly).

#21 Feb 27th 2007, 4:50pm

You've got a point there. I'll probably try and make him sound a bit less like a stalker and then finish it up.

Yeah, romantic comedies are my favorites, the sappy ones just get a little, well, sappy after a while.

#22 Feb 27th 2007, 5:16pm

Agent Awesome

That paragraph right there sums up exactly how I feel about writing novels...and yet, that's basically all I write. Not too sure if that makes sense, but that's the way it is.

For me, writing angst and romance is the hardest for me, because I don't have much of either in my life, which is both great and pathetic at the same time. Also, I find it really hard to write from the point of view of an adult because I'm only 15 and I'm always wondering if the way I am writing something isn't really how an adult would look at it.

#23 Apr 21st 2007, 2:22pm

I don't write romance well either. I haven't tried angst (got close with Calling Your Name, but that seemed slightly more like tragedy to me).

I'd suggest that you try to write and finish a romance and an angst short story. "Finish" is the key word. Don't show anyone else if you don't want to. When you're done, read what you've written and decide if you think it's/they're good stories. More importantly, ask yourself if you liked writing them. If you answered yes to at least the latter question, keep practicing with the genres. If you answered no to the second question, then at least you know you don't like it, and you can move on to other genres. Like trying new food.

About writing from an adult's perspective, you probably just need time and life experience. Why not take advantage of your age and writing a story/novel that benefits from having a young protagonist or main character (e.g. relating the young character's age and mindset to theme and symbolism)?

#24 Apr 28th 2007, 7:07am

NeptuneShelly

First, Will Sachiksy, from reading your work I thought that you were such a good writer - you shoudln't doubt yourself so much. Also, everyone shoudl start by writing to their strengths - favorite genre and their own age. Also, I hat when I post something and get no reviews so I don't know if my writing is good or not. Quotes and collections of sentences are fun, too.

#25 May 10th 2007, 3:13pm

Also, everyone shoudl start by writing to their strengths - favorite genre and their own age.

People shouldn't shy away from what and how they like to write, but they also need to explore to develop as writers. You may find out through experimenting with genre and form that you like writing westerns, or science fantasy, or metafiction, or dialogue-driven pieces (etc). Get out of your comfort zone for a while so you stay on your toes.

This coming from someone that hasn't really written anything for several weeks.

#26 May 23rd 2007, 12:52pm

Zure

1--Length of Text

Interestingly enough I find short stories and poems to be the most daunting forms of writing out there. While novels have dozens, and possibly hundreds of pages to use to seduce a reader, the shorter works must do the same with less. I'm actually a short story fanatic, oddly enough, my longer stories are the only ones where i actually get things right.

Though i understand that there's always the fear of losing consistency-or steam- when writing a longer work.

2--Turning Off the Editor

Keep a daily journal. At first you'll find that you censor quite a few things but eventually you'll be able to write freely and without regret. I've found that "free-writing" is a lot stronger in general. If your writing is strong on its own, your family, friends...whoever, should be left thinking "Wow, i can't believe ____ wrote that." But they should leave it at that, seeing as the story is strong enough to stand on its own. Meanwhile a weak story leaves the reader thinking "why did ___ write that?? was it something in his/her past?" The focus isn't on the writing so it'll automatically come to you.

3--Range of writing

Personally i feel most first-time writers should build on strength first and then "go exploring". Sometimes i read pieces and i see that the author tried to research and apply what they learned but...they miss out on making it sound real.

Actually, i think that i'd go as far as discouraging it completely if you're thinking in terms of amateur lit. In that case, i think every one has a great story to tell, they just have to write it.

4--Writing Fears

They are oh-so common. I love how everyone shares nearly all the same fears in the end. They come packaged in with the deal...and it's only cause there's such a huge range out there...some published writers don't seem to deserve it while others do. This makes the writing "industry" (for lack of a better word) seem wishy-washy and therefore makes its newest applicants (us) anxious and fearful.

Nice forum btw ;P

#27 May 29th 2007, 6:49pm

3--Range of writing

Actually, i think that i'd go as far as discouraging it completely if you're thinking in terms of amateur lit. In that case, i think every one has a great story to tell, they just have to write it.

I understand what you're saying. What I meant was that if you don't try something new eventually, you won't know if what you write is really what you want to write, you won't know some of the techniques used in other writing genres or forms that you can apply to your own writing, and you thus limit what you can learn about writing.

For example, my friend challenged me to write a romance story. I hate reading romance, but I completed the challenge by mixing parody, humor, and metafiction. What resulted was not really a romance, but I did learn that I liked writing metafiction and will probably attempt another metafictional piece later. I also learned something about writing parodies (and realized I didn't do a very good job), and I will use that information in later attempts at humor and as a guide to make sure I'm not making my serious stories sound over-the-top.

So there's something to be gained from trying new writing forms and genres. Just don't force yourself to experiment if you don't feel comfortable.

Take any advice I give with the proverbial grain of salt.

Nice forum btw ;P

Thank you.

#28 May 30th 2007, 11:06am

Miriam Doyle

This forum sounds like fun ^_^ I mainly write fantasy stories, but my forte (I think...) is humour. I think the main reason for this is because I'm a huge Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett fan, and ever since reading their work my view on books and fantasy in general has been very much altered. The bad thing is, now I can't really write anything BUT fantasy humour, which is not so good on my part because I'm trying to write a rather more serious book called Oculus Exanimus, which is still fantasy but has a totally different feel to it than my other stuff. As a result, I think my writing in that story has rather suffered, and I can't get myself in the right frame of mind to write it. Which is even worse, because I've set myself a deadline to get a first draft completed by September, and I've only got onto chapter 8. (I've threatened to whack myself repeatedly over the head with a frying pan and then deprive myself of candy if I fail) The same thing happened with my drawing style; I find out I'm okay at drawing manga, and now I can't draw anything without it looking slightly cartoony. Help!

(edited to give a typo a roundhouse kick)

#29 Jun 17th 2007, 1:50pm . Edited Jun 19th 2007, 11:45am

I think the main reason for this is because I'm a huge Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett fan

I don't know about Pratchett (haven't read him), but of course you would be a Douglas Adams fan. Anyone that's read his work and is not a fan has no sense of humor.

The bad thing is, now I can't really write anything BUT fantasy humour, which is not so good on my part because I'm trying to write a rather more serious book called Oculus Exanimus, which is still fantasy but has a totally different feel to it than my other stuff. As a result, I think my writing in that story has rather suffered, and I can't get myself in the right frame of mind to write it. Which is even worse, because I've set myself a deadline to get a first draft completed by September, and I've only got onto chapter 8. (I've threatened to whack myself repeatedly over the head with a frying pan and then deprive myself of candy if I fail)

A few things that might help:

1). Do you /want/ to write something other than humor? I mean, do you like writing not humor-based work? If not, then don't force yourself to do so.

2). You'll do well to incorporate some humor into your story, for two reasons. One, it will help ease you into the darker or more serious aspect of the story. Two, humor and levity set early in the story will make the dark and solemn parts of your story seem even darker or more tragic.

3). At least you can set deadlines for yourself. Everytime I try to make deadlines for myself, I make excuses or "promises" and never get my story written.

#30 Jun 18th 2007, 8:03pm

Miriam Doyle

I do enjoy writing things other than non-fantasy humour; and of course there is some humour in the story (otherwise I'd find it too depressing), but because my other works are mainly not this genre, I don't have much experience in writing it, or think it has reached the (relatively low, anyway) standard of my other things. And don't worry; this story has more than its fair share of tradgedy and darkness in the later volumes, with the first two being more light hearted than the others because the characters are still rather young.

But I don't want to give up on this storyline, because it was my first 'great idea' as a kid and was the thing that made me want to become an author in the first place. I've also become so attached to the characters, but I'm only in the first book so they haven't been given their chance yet. I don't want to restrict myself to one genre either.

Maybe I should wait until the school term ends and then get back to writing it at summer. My exams are over, but I can't help getting rid of this feeling that there's something I should be doing, which makes me reluctant to write anything. Damned exams.....

#31 Jun 19th 2007, 11:44am