Reignited passion for writing

by Samantha Lynch
29th January 2013

HI all, I'm new to this site. In fact I've only recently rediscovered my passion for creative writing which is ironic considering I have been studying for my BA (English and Creative Writing) for the past 3 years. I'm really excited about it but I would really appreciate some tips and advice.

The problem for me is that I have a huge fear of failure, I have so many ideas for stories and characters and I think about them all the time, playing out scenarios in my head, running through plot ideas etc., (it keeps me awake some nights) but I struggle with putting them down on paper, or I start and decide that it's no good.

It's very frustrating.

Help!

Sam

Replies

Hi Samantha. I have the problem where I'm excited to start something but then I get part way through and think it's not going anywhere so I have to set it aside. I think you have to not be afraid to just start something and see where it goes. It may work or it may not. I've recently joined a writer's group which I find useful. If anything being surrounded by other writers is inspiring.

I looked into using Scrivener too but in the end I didn't think it was worth it. If you have the money to spend then it might be worth giving it a go. Maybe explore what you can do in Word first though. I insert comments into my word document as a way to highlight things I need to refer back to later.

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Gayle
Bentham
330 points
Developing your craft
Fiction
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
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Middle Grade (Children's)
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Gayle Bentham
10/02/2013

Thanks for the support, I'm actually extremely excited to get started. Am looking into Scrivener. Do you use any writing programs? If so are they helpful or is it just as easy to use Word?

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Samantha
Lynch
270 points
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Short stories
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Samantha Lynch
30/01/2013

I found writing my first book was so easy.. then I read it back to myself that's when I learnt. My second book which I've just completed went through 150 pages that ended up in the bin. First we have to please ourselves which is hard enough to do once we have done that we have to start pleasing others which changes all the hard work. All I can say is good luck to everyone.

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damien
Isaak
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Gothic and Horror
damien Isaak
30/01/2013