I used to be the same way with skipping between stories, but like akky said, I found the one, and went with it. Now I have a draft of about 70,000 words that took me about two years (I call it draft 2.5, because I’ve revised it that many times) but I’m still not happy enough with it to persue publishing or anything yet. I recently started another story, one that’s a lot more personal in some ways, and at first I was worried that I’d never go back to my other one because that had been my habit, but I know my story and I spent so much time on it that I’m not concerend about it. So, I guess I’d say, keep going until you find the one, and then don’t be afraid to congratulate yourself, “Hey, so I’ve hit a block, or I want to move on, but I spent xx amount of time on it, and I should be proud because I put effort into doing what I love.”
As far as other bad habits go, I’ve got to second wandarine about description. I got all the way through my first draft before I realized that I hadn’t described any of my characters other than the protagonist and love interest (with one detail about the villian being blonde). I was so embarassed! I went back and put those details in, but I’m still not sure how organic they are. I also have problems describing scenery, because I never know how much detail is enough and how much is too much.
I tend to go overboard with adverbs, but very specific ones like “really” or “actually” or “quite.” Basically, just a bunch of useless words thrown in there. Why? No idea.
I also obsess over character names, but back when I first started the book, I didn’t really like very many boy names, so my villian is [name_m]William[/name_m] and my love interest is [name_u]James[/name_u] and I worry that they’re too bland or don’t fit in all the time. I also may have a problem giving the characters names that are too “themed.” My story is about people with superpowers, so some of the names are really on the nose (like girl with plant powers is named [name_f]Azalea[/name_f]) but I say it’s okay because the parents knew the powers before the kids were born, so they did it on purpose.
A coupe of bad habits I’ve noticed in my writing are:
1)Not descirbing characters - like Athenamay24, I often forget to describe characters, particularly the main character when the story is told through their perspective. I just find it really hard to introduce those details, since we rarely describe the way we look - it’s just one of those things you know. Equally, I have such a clear image of the characters in my head, I forget a reader won’t and may actually want those details.
2) Repeating themes - I’ve noticed similar themes run through a lot of my work and that I constantly turn back to those, and I feel like I should be trying something new.
3) Making too many characters and introducing too many names. I can’t just make things with a couple of characters, I feel the need to introduce lots and name all of them, which can become confusing
4) Describing daily life instead of writing plot - I just like to write about daily life, like shopping trips, cleaning the house, work days and then I get sidetracked writing about that, as opposed to writing something with an actual plot
I’m very guilty of abandoning my work. I’m currently planning a series and re-writing something else, and I just CAN’T.
I struggle with starting something off, despite knowing how I want it to end.
Also, I have no idea about my main character; but, who do I know every little detail about? My anti-hero-sometimes-antagonist that isn’t supposed to be introduced until halfway through the series. I’m now considering making him my main character but he wouldn’t work with my plot and it’s just - UGH.
I’m also guilty of changing character’s names mid-way. Why? Because I get bored; I have a very short attention span and this is why - I presume, at least - I struggle to concentrate on one story alone.
Like someone has already said, I too visualize my story before I put it on paper and then I get lost in it, thus not actually writing it down - or typing it out, rather.
Also, I lack real-life experience. I’m thirteen. I haven’t exactly fallen in love, or gone to college, or gotten drunk. Therefore, I struggle to write it when my characters are alcoholic men in their mid-thirties, or mothers mourning their child. I observe family members and base the character’s reactions on theirs, though. Still, it’s only second-hand experience. I’m also a major introvert and don’t really know how physical contact works; I don’t really enjoy touching unless with one of my best friends, though even then she has to initiate. I struggle to write it due to this. Also, kissing? No idea.
This too! I’m 19, but I have the same problem. It’s super frustrating because I feel like I’m not qualified to write anything except what I’ve experienced, but no one wants to read about an introverted girl who stays home all day, lol. I know that writers write about things they don’t have first hand experience with all the time, but I still feel like I should wait until I’m older.
Please don’t worry about your lack of real-life experience. Enjoy your writing! When I was 13 I wrote (almost exclusively) about things I didn’t have experience with, and I had an excellent time doing it. I loved writing and I loved what I wrote. You should write what makes you happy—I speak as someone who has loved writing for over a decade and only improved over time. You’re probably a wonderful writer already, and if you write about what you love you will likely want to keep writing, which is how all writers grow.
Also, sometimes it’s more fun to start something off not knowing how it will end. That way it becomes its own type of adventure. I call it “sandbox mode.” You don’t have to be conventional.
Some of the best advice I ever received was to put two of my characters in a room together and find out what they talked about. Maybe try that with your main antagonist who you know everything about?
Thank you for your advice! I think I’m going to take a step back from writing at the moment, though, and concentrate on my reading a bit more to try to improve my skills and find my writing style. I had a long conversation with my aunt today about books (surprise, surprise) and she’s lending me a bunch of hers from different genres and authors so I can find what really appeals to me and what I enjoy reading - and, hopefully, writing - the most.
I know what you mean. I have the general consensus of what I want to happen in my story, it’s just a matter of getting there (it’s all blurry in the middle). But, if I can surprise myself with a plot twist, then it’s probably going to shock the reader, right? I suppose that’s a plus to “sandboxing” it. I actually dreamed my Final Battle scene a couple months back and horrified myself to the point I woke myself up (and had to write the entirely thing down immediately in order to not forget a detail).
I think I might try putting my characters in a room together; thanks for the tip! It sounds like it will allow me to get to know - and write - them a bit better.
I always spend way more time developing characters than I do on the plot, so I now have loads of characters but no plots for them. Another struggle I have is giving my characters a unique voice when I’m actually writing. I have so many ideas but no ways to put them into words. I also accidentally switch between past and present tense sometimes without even noticing.
Also, I’m 14, so I can definitely agree with the lack of life experience!
It sounds like we’re very similar, lol! My nan is actually - not entirely unfoundedly - concerned that I dislike my family because when she’s babysitting my younger siblings, I don’t come out of my room. But, the thing is, I’m asleep! My sleeping schedule is about 6AM-4PM generally, no joke, so I can see where she gets it from…
I’m assuring myself that it’s okay to plan my book now and write it in a decade’s time when I have actually experienced things; I reckon it’s just my attempt at justifying procrastination lol.
About the lack of experience: don’t worry about it.
Not only in that you are going to get experiences later in life, also don’t be afraid to write about things you haven’t seen first-hand and (and possibly never can). There’s nothing you can’t learn from some good research.
[name_f]Imagine[/name_f] what books would be like if authors only wrote what they experienced themselves: all characters are of the same race, sex and age (or younger) as the writer, no one ever dies because the author’s still alive, and fantasy as a whole doesn’t exist.