How do you get the courage to start writing?

Hi there

I have spent many years writing and discarding. I have great idea's but how do I get past the feeling that it will not be good enough. I read a lot and am fascinated by how authors keep the plot straight. For example the Duncton Wood books by William Horwood. Do you guys have similar feelings?

I recommend joining a writing group and/or book clubs. Being surrounded by people with the same interests help smooth anxieties and provide support.

Never thought of that, thanks for the advice. Are there any online book clubs that you know of?

ang700 wrote:

Hi there

I have spent many years writing and discarding. I have great idea's but how do I get past the feeling that it will not be good enough. I read a lot and am fascinated by how authors keep the plot straight. For example the Duncton Wood books by William Horwood. Do you guys have similar feelings?

If you are a new writer, it may not be good enough. It takes time. Post some of your work, and the members will make comment...it is one of many ways to learn. Here is a good book that will help, "Stein on Writing," by Sol Stein.

I highly recommend a book first mentioned on this site by Malcolm Campbell, called The Voice of the Muse by Mark David Gerson, as well as the CD of the same title. They contain meditation exercises to help you get started with keeping a journal, and for getting over blocks and over-intellectualizing your writing.

Whether you choose to get these books, or any of several others, or not, keeping a daily journal does several things. First, it keeps you committed to writing something every day. Second, it can be a powerful psychological tool for dealing with your everyday problems - which can keep you distracted from your writing goals. And third, it can open you up to new ideas for both fictional stories and non-fiction topics that can stimulate you to continue.

Ann

Quote :

I have spent many years writing and discarding. I have great idea's but
how do I get past the feeling that it will not be good enough.

"...rather than your writing, make each post you do count, don't be tricked into thinking that your posts and your books are somehow two worlds very far apart, they're not, for readers don't think like that at all, and they are going to find out about your writings more and more through your posts now..." mentioned the goblin noticing how on-line writing and ebooks were the direction this market was heading towards, adding "...just use your posts as a fermenting ground to your writings then, experiment with your writing style, calculate out your persona too, where your persona on this internet is a very important side of your writing, so start off anonymously if you wish, but remember "all forumland is yours for the taking here"...", in fact, the goblin was happy with his readership but there was just so much forumland out there that it seemed endless

Sit down at your keyboard, start writing, and accept that about 70% of what you write will probably end up on the cutting room floor.

Just do it. Don't worry about it.

Remember that rewrite is the biggest part of the job, and without that first step, you have nothing to rewrite.

Thank you to everyone for your advice. I will start using it.

I always think about a story for a year before I write one word...that way I have a clear idea where it's going.

Write , then get a good editor.

I have a personal discipline of writing at least one page a day - at least. I can always write just one page; and one leads to more. At one page a day, 365 pages are written in one year. Some of it may be trash; but buried in those 365 pages is sometimes a gem of a story that can be nurtured and brought to completion.