Writers "flow" !

[jeff.s.p]

... As opposed to Writers Block... What Happens when there's just too much information.. too many Ideas, too many re-writes.!

I have this story I've been outlining for quite a while ( several years!) Each time I commit to that idea, an even better one arises.

What do you do in this situation?

Would you lock the creative process and just commit what you have?.. Or push yourself until you've exhausted every possible scenario?


I'll admit my story is far better than when it began, however it's become ridiculous. I'm at a point where I can barely keep track of all the information.

What to keep and what to discard?

I think I need a tutorial on organizational skills...

.. or perhaps it's a fear of commitment

Any thoughts?


Jeff

 

[Nik]

Write as much as you can, every which way.

Write that 'same' scenario all five ways.

Write down just enough of those umpteen Ideas you can't follow *now* so you can come back to them.

Um, I've had 'The Flow'. I can remember pulling designs and algorithms together from nothing, less than nothing. Several times during 'Project Lorraine', I found an Entire Chapter in my printer's tray when I woke from an exhausted nap. All I'd had when I sat to the keyboard was a chapter title...

And I've fallen off the wave. I once had a wondrous part-tale just sit there grinning at me for a decade. Then, one day, I found that old note-book, glanced through the half-tale, finished that hanging sentence and kept on going.

It is humbling, and very, very scary...

( Currently wracking brain for the next line in 'Soft Target'... ;- )

ps: If you have something written that does not fit, you can always cut it out and use it in a sequel. I've had to cut ~ 30,000 words from a tale after a sprawling sub-plot began to 'wag the dog'. But, I've got it safe on disk...

 

[Erin99]

I'll admit my story is far better than when it began, however it's become ridiculous.

You've just said it: it's become ridiculous. You need to start writing, keep slogging away, and then end up with the finished product. Once you have that first draft, then you can add more details - or remove some details - as you see fit. But if you keep going the way you are going, you're going to end up nowhere.


Well, that's just my opinion, anyway.

 

[jeff.s.p]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess the key is to just keep writing!

... looking forward to actually committing these ideas to something concrete.



best regards


~jeff

 

[timelord4]

OK Jeff. Here's your problem.

quote:
What Happens when there's just too much information.. too many Ideas, too many re-writes.!

I have this story I've been outlining for quite a while ( several years!) Each time I commit to that idea, an even better one arises.

What do you do in this situation?

Create a Journal and stick to it. This will keep you focussed and on par to what you wish to achieve. You can get a really good one from Simon Haynes. (Hal Spacejock) at the top of the page. His yWriter2 at Spacejock Software is excellent. You'll find it in the menu down the right side of the page. Download it and it gives you simple instructions how to proceed from there. BTW, try to access his tips on writing. They're very, very good, and extremely funny.

Good luck.

 

[jeff.s.p]

Thanks, Timelord

A great link you've provided!

The writing software looks promising from the screen shots.. I'll certainly download and try it out.


... and I agree.. very funny commentary.!


thanks again

~Jeff

 

[Simon Haynes]

Thanks for the comments on my articles. I recently updated the footer on each one to point out that I wrote them for the writer I was several years ago, when such info was much harder to find online.

I shudder to think back to the misconceptions and wonky info I was working from.

 

[timelord4]

Thank you Simon for your yWriter2. It's been invaluable.

I was lucky and picked it up on the PZ.

 

[Sea Monster]

I have this problem all the time! Unfortunately, it's not as wonderful as other writers sometimes think. Mine happens when it comes all at once and I get what I've begun to call "And information flash" or "Scene explosion". It'll run through my mind as if a narrorator was reading a line from a book to me. It can last for ten seconds to more than a minute. I'm usually in day-dream mode, though, usually at work or falling asleep. I love when it happens, because sometimes the 'stuff' is so good, but I forget it during my shift or fall sleep before I can write it down.

Timelord has it right. Get a journal and write everything down. I've taken to carrying a mini-booklet and a pen with me everywhere I go. Then, when I get home, I add it to the rest of my ideas, which are on my hard-drive.

At that point, if i hadn't already begun my story, I'll mix and match pieces, see what works and what sounds better.

Good luck to you, either way!