To the many writers of Nerdfighters

[Tiffany J]

I know that I am fairly new to the whole Nerfighters experience, but I am in dire need of the assistance of the brilliant minds that inhabit this wonderful website gathering of the nerds of the universe.  For a few months now, my mind has been haunted by the same reoccuring idea for a novel. As I begin to bring my thoughts to paper, I am stumped. I have the story inside of my brain, but I cannot seem to bring it forth into existence. I am not asking for any ideas for I believe that, in order to acheive success, the ideas must be of my own. I am simply asking for help in overcoming my writer's block. I would greatly appreciate any wisdom you have to offer.:)

[Tiffany J]

Okay so I tried your advice aaannnndddd....it worked! Granted a lot of it was written while I was half asleep, but still! It's progress. I have the  basis of the beginning written out and right now I am adding things to it. So thank you very much for your help.:)

[Sarah H]

StubbsEtc has the right idea, I think.  There's no way to do it except to write!  Even if it all gets re-written in the next draft, just keep putting one word after the other.  You can do it!

[Tiffany J]

And I should probably stop trying to compare my writing styles with those of my friends.

[Tiffany J]

@StubbsEtc2: Thanks for your advice! I've actually thought about working backwards and just start from the end. But the whole "writing time" thing sounds like it would help so I will definitly have to give that a go.

[Tiffany J]

I mean I have all of these great ideas for the book, but I can't get to them until I find a good place to start. I have severl different versions I've started, but they seem sort of juvenile and I want people to take me seriously. This isn't a hobby for me. I want to persue writing as a career.

[StubbsEtc]

Sit down every day at the same time, even if you can't write.  Every day.  Eek out a sentence or nothing or a few chapters, but train your brain to know that's "writing time". 

Don't be afraid to skip around - you don't have to write chronologically, if you're really excited about the fight at the end of the book, write that first, and then skip to the second chapter. Some poeple write chronologically, but you don't have to.  Eventually all the pieces will fit together. 

I know there are tons of other ways, but hopefully those two will help.  Good luck!

[Tiffany J]

AAAGGGHHH!! It's infuriating, isn't it?