Writing Stuff

[JustGeorge]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

 

[The Hammer]

I've always, kind of, wanted to write myself. But like you I seem to not really know how or where to even start.

I have a hard enough time formulating a decently long essay on a topic, let alone a whole book.

What would you write on? I've always been partial to writing something non-fiction along the lines of magic, divination and/or ritual.

 

[Heyo]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

A story has a beginning, a middle and an end. But who asked you to write a story?
There are other form of literature, e.g. a collection of anecdotes.

 

[Nakosis]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

I suspect if writing "stories" were your thing, nothing could keep you from it.

 

[ChristineM]

I have been told i should write a book, and i believe i am pretty good at short stories, the problem is spelling, i never learned to spell and putting more than a few words together is frightening, it's taken around 20 minutes to put this post together, a whole book is terrifying.

I know you can put together short stories, your rants are, despite being intense are a pleasure to read so how about a collection of short stories?

Or as @Heyo has already mentioned, a collection of anecdotes

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

You seem to do pretty well in writing as far as I've seen. "A book" does not have to be finished to be useful as therapy. And if you really want to publish it, there's various ways of going about it, and some places can help, like by doing editing work. I used to charge by the page.

The major thing about writing a book, aside from the actual writing and editing, is organizing it. Best way to do that (I think) is to write up an outline of what you want to say.

 

[John53]

I have been told i should write a book, and i believe i am pretty good at short stories, the problem is spelling, i never learned to spell and putting more than a few words together is frightening, it's taken around 20 minutes to put this post together, a whole book is terrifying.

I know you can put together short stories, your rants are, despite being intense are a pleasure to read so how about a collection of short stories?

Or as @Heyo has already mentioned, a collection of anecdotes

Maybe record it first instead of writing it?

 

[Brickjectivity]

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

Stephen King says to (in fiction) talk about the things that you shouldn't. Let your characters be realistic and speak things that you yourself wouldn't. Let them be flawed.

For long books consider both the outline method and the scene method of writing. Outline method is exactly what it sounds like: planning your book using an outline part I II II subsection A 1 a (1) etc. The scene method is where you write ideas for scenes on index cards. You then gather them and write the book, weaving the scenes into multiple intertwining plot lines.

Writing software can help, but it can also be annoying and keep you from getting started. There are many competing programs. Some come with database capabilities that help you write scenes and footnotes. Some focus on keeping you focused and will have no visible controls or buttons on screen. Some will help you format your writing as a book and get it printed nicely. Some have so many bells and whistles that you can spend many hours playing with all of the gadgets therein. Some let you write in the cloud, so you can pick up where you leave off writing no matter where you stand using any available device.

 

[Erebus]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

If you're looking to write fiction, I would recommend starting with short stories first. Writing a novel is a massive undertaking and not necessarily a therapeutic one. There's a lot of frustration and tedium involved in the process.

There isn't any one size fits all approach to writing. Some people start from the beginning and work straight through to the end. Some people start with the ending and work backwards, while others write individual scenes and stitch them together later. You need to find what works for you and that's going to take some experimentation.

To hopefully give you a starting point, a very common structure for stories to take is to begin with a problem and end with a solution. If you can come up with a problem and think about how somebody might go about solving it, your beginning, middle and end occur naturally. That basic structure is found in everything from Sherlock Holmes (a man was murdered and we need to find out how it happened in order to catch the culprit) to The Very Hungry Caterpillar (a caterpillar is hungry so it eats things until it's too full to eat any more).

As a final note: there's a big difference between writing for yourself and writing for other people. A lot of the writing advice you'll find is geared towards helping you draw a reader into your story. If you're only writing for yourself, you don't need to give a damn about that. If all you want to write is a paragraph describing a dream you had then that's what you do.

 

[PureX]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

First, you write just fine. Better than many. Second, it doesn't matter where you start because you can always add preceding and proceeding info as you go along. I would try just writing something every day. A few pages. It doesn't matter what. And hold onto it. Eventually what you've written will begin to show you how it wants to come together.

And let it be a relaxed, fun endeavor. If it's not, it'll probably never get done. And don't get exhausted from it. Eat, rest, live your life, too.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[JustGeorge]

What would you write on? I've always been partial to writing something non-fiction along the lines of magic, divination and/or ritual.

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

A story has a beginning, a middle and an end. But who asked you to write a story?
There are other form of literature, e.g. a collection of anecdotes.

This is very true.

I suspect if writing "stories" were your thing, nothing could keep you from it.

It used to be, in another life. Things did keep me from it, unfortunately(along with singing, which I think I loved more). I think they're both gone now, though.

You seem to do pretty well in writing as far as I've seen. "A book" does not have to be finished to be useful as therapy. And if you really want to publish it, there's various ways of going about it, and some places can help, like by doing editing work. I used to charge by the page.

The major thing about writing a book, aside from the actual writing and editing, is organizing it. Best way to do that (I think) is to write up an outline of what you want to say.

Yeah, organizing is what I'm fretting about, I think. But maybe I'm worrying prematurely?

Maybe record it first instead of writing it?

I actually write much better than I speak... when I talk, I often stumble on words, order things wrong, and flip pronouns(which can be a little embarrassing). My brain moves faster than my lips.

Stephen King says to (in fiction) talk about the things that you shouldn't. Let your characters be realistic and speak things that you yourself wouldn't. Let them be flawed.

Maybe that's why personal anecdotes go well for me... I often say things I shouldn't, and every 'character' around me seems to move within a realm that is real, yet sometimes out of what is reality for many. Why hide the flaws? From sitting on the outside, I can see most people bond over flaws, not strengths.

If you're looking to write fiction, I would recommend starting with short stories first. Writing a novel is a massive undertaking and not necessarily a therapeutic one. There's a lot of frustration and tedium involved in the process.

There isn't any one size fits all approach to writing. Some people start from the beginning and work straight through to the end. Some people start with the ending and work backwards, while others write individual scenes and stitch them together later. You need to find what works for you and that's going to take some experimentation.

To hopefully give you a starting point, a very common structure for stories to take is to begin with a problem and end with a solution. If you can come up with a problem and think about how somebody might go about solving it, your beginning, middle and end occur naturally. That basic structure is found in everything from Sherlock Holmes (a man was murdered and we need to find out how it happened in order to catch the culprit) to The Very Hungry Caterpillar (a caterpillar is hungry so it eats things until it's too full to eat any more).

As a final note: there's a big difference between writing for yourself and writing for other people. A lot of the writing advice you'll find is geared towards helping you draw a reader into your story. If you're only writing for yourself, you don't need to give a damn about that. If all you want to write is a paragraph describing a dream you had then that's what you do.

I'm bad with solutions... I wasn't always. It seems my brain has farted them out with age.

I think I'm writing for myself, but I can admit that I find the most therapy come in sharing. I suspect that's why I'm unable to keep a journal for very long... I start out well, but eventually it turns into a log(I ate a quesadilla, fed the cats, and went to bed), and then I stop. I find my motivation in exchanging ideas with others.

First, you write just fine. Better than many. Second, it doesn't matter where you start because you can always add preceding and proceeding info as you go along. I would try just writing something every day. A few pages. It doesn't matter what. And hold onto it. Eventually what you've written will begin to show you how it wants to come together.

And let it be a relaxed, fun endeavor. If it's not, it'll probably never get done. And don't get exhausted from it. Eat, rest, live your life, too.

That's my 2 cents.

Thanks. This is a good idea. I'll just write to write, purpose be damned. Maybe it will all come together in the end(if its meant to at all).

 

[exchemist]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

I think I would just keep a fairly full diary, in which you write up, in your inimitable style (believe me, you do have a style and it is an interesting style to read) the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as they arrive in your life and your musings about them. You will then probably find, after a few months and with suitable editing, that you have the material for a diary style book. Many people have written up diaries in book form, from Samuel Pepys onwards. With that format you don't really need a classic narrative structure, though it is helpful if the cast of characters engages the interest of the reader, so one wonders what on earth will happen next to such and such. I think you can just let it flow naturally and then have a look at it and tidy it up as necessary afterwards. I wouldn't let yourself get self-conscious about what you write, or it may lose its spontaneity and quirkiness.

But I'm so glad that for you writing things up here serves a useful purpose. I always look forward to your contributions. There's a cheerfulness and good humour, often in adversity, that I think a few of us find sets a good example for us in life.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Yeah, organizing is what I'm fretting about, I think. But maybe I'm worrying prematurely?

I often organize stuff in folders: "Family stuff" "Stuff about religion" "Raising kids stuffies" and the like. That can also be chapters or sections of a book.

I wouldn't worry about order yet, as someone else pointed out, eventually the text will tell you how it should be organized...and it likely won't be the way you originally started organizing it. So I'd say just get started...the good thing about real writing is that you can always (and should always) go back to rewrite and reorganize. It isn't like the words once set down can't be changed in the future.

Good luck!

 

[sun rise]

he problem is... I don't know how to write.
...
I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

I was about to write something then I saw this:

I'll just write to write, purpose be damned. Maybe it will all come together in the end(if its meant to at all).

You've just posted what I was going to suggest to you.

 

[Ashoka]

Hey! So I like to use pinterest for writing prompts. That's how I generally get my mental gears going. I started with fanfiction, which gradually allowed me to cross over to writing original content. I'm currently working on a story about my deconstruction from Christianity, and I keep finding that I have to go back and change certain things because my story isn't over yet!

Also, maybe you could start a blog? That might be a good way to start as well.

 

[Erebus]

I'm bad with solutions... I wasn't always. It seems my brain has farted them out with age.

I think I'm writing for myself, but I can admit that I find the most therapy come in sharing. I suspect that's why I'm unable to keep a journal for very long... I start out well, but eventually it turns into a log(I ate a quesadilla, fed the cats, and went to bed), and then I stop. I find my motivation in exchanging ideas with others.

One option that may be worth considering then is if you were to do a back and forth story with a friend, family member or even your therapist if they're willing. They write a paragraph, you write the next one, they write the next and so on. There doesn't need to be an end point, you just see where the story takes you.

It isn't for everybody (I can't do it as I'm too much of a control freak!) but it would let you share ideas without worrying about structure.

 

[JustGeorge]

I think I would just keep a fairly full diary, in which you write up, in your inimitable style (believe me, you do have a style and it is an interesting style to read) the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as they arrive in your life and your musings about them. You will then probably find, after a few months and with suitable editing, that you have the material for a diary style book. Many people have written up diaries in book form, from Samuel Pepys onwards. With that format you don't really need a classic narrative structure, though it is helpful if the cast of characters engages the interest of the reader, so one wonders what on earth will happen next to such and such. I think you can just let it flow naturally and then have a look at it and tidy it up as necessary afterwards. I wouldn't let yourself get self-conscious about what you write, or it may lose its spontaneity and quirkiness.

But I'm so glad that for you writing things up here serves a useful purpose. I always look forward to your contributions. There's a cheerfulness and good humour, often in adversity, that I think a few of us find sets a good example for us in life.

Thank you.

I don't think I'm ever low on interesting characters...

Some people curse with "may you live through interesting times". In my case it was "may you live amongst interesting people".

I also think I have a knack for getting people to let their 'interesting' out... there's a(correct) assumption that someone as eccentric as me isn't going to judge, might as well let it all out... I have to say its something I've always enjoyed. At the end of the day, I think we're all 'interesting'(even if some try to keep it under wraps).

I often organize stuff in folders: "Family stuff" "Stuff about religion" "Raising kids stuffies" and the like. That can also be chapters or sections of a book.

I wouldn't worry about order yet, as someone else pointed out, eventually the text will tell you how it should be organized...and it likely won't be the way you originally started organizing it. So I'd say just get started...the good thing about real writing is that you can always (and should always) go back to rewrite and reorganize. It isn't like the words once set down can't be changed in the future.

Good luck!

This is an excellent idea!

Hey! So I like to use pinterest for writing prompts. That's how I generally get my mental gears going. I started with fanfiction, which gradually allowed me to cross over to writing original content. I'm currently working on a story about my deconstruction from Christianity, and I keep finding that I have to go back and change certain things because my story isn't over yet!

Also, maybe you could start a blog? That might be a good way to start as well.

I thought a blog would be a good idea at one point, but I'm so tech dumb... (I can't figure out how to use pinterest, even).

(I'd be interested to hear your story, by the way!)

One option that may be worth considering then is if you were to do a back and forth story with a friend, family member or even your therapist if they're willing. They write a paragraph, you write the next one, they write the next and so on. There doesn't need to be an end point, you just see where the story takes you.

It isn't for everybody (I can't do it as I'm too much of a control freak!) but it would let you share ideas without worrying about structure.

That sounds like a fun idea. I have one friend I might be able to get to 'play'. I'll ask her.

 

[The Hammer]

Maybe that's why personal anecdotes go well for me... I often say things I shouldn't, and every 'character' around me seems to move within a realm that is real, yet sometimes out of what is reality for many. Why hide the flaws? From sitting on the outside, I can see most people bond over flaws, not strengths.

"We don't fall in love with people because they're good people. We fall in love with people whose darkness we recognise. You can fall in love with a person for all of the right reasons, but that kind of love can still fall apart. But when you fall in love with a person because your monsters have found a home in them-- that's the kind of love that owns your skin and bones. Love, I am convinced, is found in the darkness. It is the candle in the night."

C. JoyBell C.

 

[The Hammer]

@JustGeorge how about signing up for a Masterclasses with Alan Moore?

Alan Moore | Storytelling Online Course | BBC Maestro | BBC Maestro

 

[Secret Chief]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

For beginning middle and end, use a big piece of paper to sketch out ideas (characters, arc of story, whatever).
For the doing - set aside a regular daily time. You and the keyboard. Treat it as a job. Type stuff, till the time is up. Next day, delete, amend, then type more stuff. Repeat next day. Repeat next day.
5% inspiration, 95% perspiration.
You've got this.

(PS re a blog - I've done a blog and I'm a tech moron).