All my years of writing, I’ve generally struggled with completing novella/novel-length projects. I’m definitely much more of a world-builder/idea generator than a start-to-finish author; some of it has to do with pernicious perfectionism, I fear (you can’t screw up a story you don’t write! Ha, very foolish, I know), but some of it has to do with urges to explore different genres in different seasons— i.e. I’m more likely to dwell on grungy scifi in the rainy spring months, high fantasy in the autumn months, etc.
With work, home life, and other hobbies taking up much of my time, it’s very easy to fall into that trap of starting a hundred new projects rather than committing every week to finishing one or two projects I’ve already started. I know a level of plain and simple self-control is necessary, but I do find it hard to focus my energies in one place regardless. Any tips for grounding myself in one project instead of letting my inspirations run away with me? (Thanks!)
I think it’s hard for all of us. They had very well written in the group what we say No to so that we can have Yes. Today I was reminded of the comparison of a man who has two spout on either side of him. Through one flows good and through the other evil. Most of us get both because we don’t want to shut down one of them. This is the bitter truth. Today I played more chess again, which robs me of mental energy – because the measure is always exceeded. Maybe we’re driven by pleasure – so when writing gets tough, we drop it and move on to other enjoyable /but useless/ things. Perhaps we should keep the ultimate goal in front of us, which inspires us to continue – for example, this is the verse from the Bible, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross , despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Thank you for your answer! I love that Bible passage so much. ^_^
I think I might not have made my situation clear enough in my original question— it’s not so much that I’m being sidetracked by other hobbies, and therefore other things > writing, but more so that I can’t seem to settle on a specific story to finish and end up starting new writing projects instead, leaving the current projects unfinished (in other worlds, idea generating > writing.) So I’m hoping to find ways to help me pick a story and stick with it instead of starting new ones and having too many WIPs.
I will still try to incorporate your advice, though! Thank you again.
Thank you for your answer! I love that Bible passage! ^_^
My issue is less with other hobbies getting in the way, and more with having too many story ideas and never finishing them. I’m hoping to find a good system for choosing and sticking to one story instead of creating new ones. But I’ll still try to incorporate your advice into my thinking!
I know it’s been a minute since you posted this question, but I thought I’d chime in as well.
I think that a good plan is really helpful in those situations. When you’ve developed the story ahead of time and you have a high degree of confidence that the story will “work,” it’s much easier to push through.
When our confidence wanes, it’s so easy to just set something aside and pursue the next shiny object. When the target is rock solid, it’s so much easier to keep your eyes on the goal and continue to move consistently and intelligently towards that one goal.
Well said, Plamen!