story continuation

[alf's brother's mate]

Hey guys, erm, i wasnt quite sure where to place this thread so please move it ASAP if it's wrong. I enjoy writing stories lots, only i will start to write a story with dillusions of grandeur, and a great idea and so on, but after twenty pages or so i begin to lose interest.
Please help

[Wil]

The forum for help with OWF is certainly wrong. I’m thinking the artistic minds of NOAL will have some advice.

I would also like the same advice.

[alf's brother's mate]

yes... (thanks for moving it)

max, for you, do you simply start to lose interest? In my mind a plot unravels but then it comes to writing it down and so on i just think to myself, "naah".

ABM

[Oddey]

Is it too late to offer my advice?

To continue a story you have to have motivation. I for one keep telling myself that if I don't write something I'll never publish a book. Since I fantasize about writing a great book someday, it gives me the motivation I need to continue. Call it the X factor, Y factor or whatever, but whatever your's is about writing then just think it and it'll help. Hope that helps you.

Please no jokes about me wanting to write a book.

[alf's brother's mate]

No, thankyou very much oddey.

(dont worry, eventually i plan on this too)

ABM

[Splat]

I suggest reading the story writing tips thread. In fact I might merge these...

Motivation can be a pain. Basically if an idea isn't worknig then try something else. Sometimes you just have to persevere though, and push through your block. On my laptop I have loads of plot ideas and first few pages that have never been finished; just keep trying until you find something that works.

[alf's brother's mate]

Thankyou, you are a dear.

ABM

[GlacierDragon]

I fantasize about writing a great book someday

Ooh me too! A race to see who can do it first.

Anyway I agree with Splat about trying something else if it isn't working. Loads of people I've talked to say you should write at least once a day but I disagree; if you force yourself into writing it'll most likely go wrong. Take your time. Thenagain, try to write at least a bit a week, just so you don't forget. If you reach writers block I find it ususaly helps to re-read what you've already done.

If you lose interest ask yourself 'is it really worth it?', 'what will happen if I finish it?' etc. And don't be scared to start again if it isn't working. Try re-aranging the settings, altering the story line slightly, giving the characters different personaleties and stuff like that. Eventualy you'll find something you like.