Why you can't write - Part 3

Look at the picture; does it show how you feel after you have written a paragraph or maybe even a page or two. You'll have to trust me that that this dejected, lost and being useless feeling is far more common than you realize.

Feeling like our writer pal here is probably the number two cause of failing to continue writing. One reason for this is failure of planning. You sit down and start writing a story and very soon the story peters out.

Not everyone can just make up a story as they go and have it still make sense; at least not if it's even slightly complicated. Not to mention the fact that not everyone has a good enough memory to keep track of every detail in a full novel.

I have started a number of books only to very quickly give up on them because I felt totally lost in my own story. I gave up writing for a few years between each attempt.
This time I have three notebooks, recipe cards, sticky-notes and more. In these I wrote down everything I could think of about what should be in my story.

Now my work in progress (WIP) is at 25,000 words and growing. Every time I get that dejected, lost feeling I go back to my notes then back to my story to help keep writing. I have written about 24,500 more words than I ever have in the past and I have no inclination to quit.

Use your notes as a source to keep you fired up about the story, just remember to keep writing at the same time. Going back and forth will keep you going.

I hope this helps the many people like myself who can't write without a plan.
REMEMBER: You are not alone!

So get started and keep coming back here for more!

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated! Please leave comments or e-mail me.