Writer's ADD

[rljfl]

I used to think it was wonderful having 20 or more stories in my head at the same time. It meant that I would never run out of inspiration, but lately it's become quite the burden.

It seems I can't really finish anything of any substance. I shelved my spy novel, because I got tired of it and wanted to move on. I gave up on my horror novel, because I just didn't like where the story was headed, and most recently I've become bored with my fantasy novel (and now I have a new idea that I'm ready to get to).

Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions? (I'm usually a very disciplined person, being ex-military and all). How do you stick to a story, when your dying to get to the next one already?

[righter1]

I have this problem occasionally. I had to start forcing myself to only work on one to two projects at a time, or none of them would ever get done. My current strategy is that I can actively write one while I'm editing another. It seems to work. I have the editing time which is more analytical and the writing which is nearly 100% creative.

Basically, I think it comes down to stick-to-it-iveness. You've got to decide that if you keep laying projects aside, all you're going to have is a bunch of half-finished books. You won't get published that way! :)

[jacks girl]

I have this same problem. Matter of fact I've only finished two stories in my life i think... one was with a co writer Melw from here at CW. That was one way i got to finish one was with a co writer cause I knew I would be forced into getting it done.

I've thought about starting a business called story starters because that's what I'm best at. but most writers want to start their own stories. If you ever start a business with story starters and want some romance in your venue please let me know I have so many i could never write them all.

Jacks. Just another ADD Writer LOL.

[rljfl]

I know I should be more stick-to-it, and I have finished short stories (and had them published), but I think that's it...they were short. My spy novel I've written completely, (took me a month), but I've been editing it for nearly 5 years. That's why I kina shelved it. As far as the others, don't know why I've gotten tired of them, maybe they just weren't that good to begin with.:)

[Timber Wolf]

Anyone else have this prblm? yes, Yes, YES, YES! There have been numerous threads on this, and much angst about how do deal w/ having a multiplicity of ideas to have to deal with all at one time.

I write things down when I think about them, regardless of whether or not they are related to what is actually my active WIP. I have tons of word docs in a variety of folders, and I just keep adding to them as I get an idea about one of the other stories beating on the inside of my head, wanting out in the real world.

I would suggest asking yourself why it is you seem toi be bored w/ the above mentioned WIPs. Maybe your not really into them, maybe you never were. What "pushes your buttons?" I would write about that, regardless of what genre you use to present your ideas.

You said you didn't like where the horror novel is heading? Where is it heading? Do you have an outline to know where you want it to go? Are the characters trying to break out of constraints you've put on them? If so, re-examine what you want to do w/ it. Maybe you need to just free write and see where the characters take you. Maybe you'll like where they take you better than what you originally outlined.

I am currently working on a novel, but I also interrupt myself to work on true short stories about living in AK as a kid. these breaks do allow my brain to work on the story in the background.


EDITED TO ADD:
After reading your last post, I would also add try re-writing your spy novel from scratch rather than trying to edit it. That might redirect your creative energies to a point where the re-write is an entirely different story, or it may just help you to actually flesh out ideas that you left as skeletons the first time you wrote the story.

And I was also going to add, there is always research. My WIP has been trying to beat its way through my skull for 20 odd yrs. Part of that is I've been trying to hide from writing it, also though is the fact that I try to read/study about things to get them right. This seems to help me focus on writing when I am reading about the things I am putting in my writing.

[Tarin]

Being an outliner, I never start a story until I've mapped it out and pretty much proved that it will keep my interest. So I have the advantage of knowing that I'm not wasting my time on a story that's not going anywhere. Still, it is tempting sometimes to think about all these fantastic ideas waiting to be developed. Like righter said, it's a matter of stick-to-it-iveness. With few exceptions (such as burnout), I never allow myself to journey to a new story until the first draft of my current project is complete. That works best for me. However, some people thrive on being able to work on two or three projects at once. Either way, the point is, as with everything in writing: discipline.

[ProfessorAlan]

ideas are easy, writing is hard.

[Tommie Lyn]

My problem isn't having a plethora of ideas floating in my mind -- I can deal with that. My problem is that once I've begun, I become obsessed and a story consumes me until it's written. It nags and badgers me until I'm done with it. And if, for some reason, I get involved in another story at the same time, I'm torn as to which I should devote time to.

[kriswrite]

I have a somewhat similar problem. I used to be able to juggle many different projects, but now that I'm the mom of a toddler, I really have to focus on one project at a time. (Okay, maybe two!)

The only way I know how to choose between ideas/projects is to pray. I ask for guidance about what I should be writing. Sometimes I pray about specific projects: "Is this what I should be doing, Lord?" Usually, within a few weeks, I'll feel led one way or the other. If not, I keep waiting, and often another project comes up.

It's far easier to stick with and finish a project if you've prayed over it!

Kristina

[Alisa]

You said you were able to finish short stories. Maybe that is the genre you should stick with. You can write several short stories and put them together in one book. Or, you can treat the chapters of your book as short stories that fit together like the pieces of a puzzle.

My problem is is that I hate the editing process. I know it is necessary, but it just seems to take forever.

Hope that helps.:):)

Alisa the Bible Nut (http://biblenut.ireporter.tv/)

[rljfl]

Thanks Alisa, that might be an idea. Really, I just need to train my mind on tuning out the other voices of stories and concentrate on my current WIP. I think I get bored with it, but when I look back over my outline and idea, I get excited about it again.:) Go figure.

[wgjones3]

Russ, I'm curious--how do you outline? Is it some variation of the Snowflake method (http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php)? If so, you may be holding too rigidly to your outline. If your outline isn't that in-depth, you may be running into plot holes that you hadn't anticipated, and you're spinning your wheels trying to fix them through the writing process rather than taking care of them in outline form first (which is a lot less time consuming). There's no right or wrong way, but if what you're doing isn't quite working, it's definately time to shake things up.

Your problem sounds a lot like mine, in that it seems boredom sets in once there's this feeling that the story isn't working out and you don't know how to fix it AND you don't want to go back and wade through the thing again to figure out what works and what doesn't. If I'm misreading it, by all means, let me know.

There's a line between sticking to it and moving on to something better suited to your headspace. With the variety of work you're describing, it sounds like your headspace shifts from time to time. That's not a bad thing at all--it just means you're growing. So you have to look objectively at what you've got and where you want to be. Is this work you're doing now going to get you to where you want to be as a writer 10 years from now? If not, ditch it.

The only real problem I have with getting bored and laying a project aside is you really can't do that once you're under contract. Not without repercussions, anyway. So you have to decide for yourself if any of your current projects are the ONE you're going to plow through like a pro, or if they're all just learning experiences. Plowing through a project will teach you a lot. Trust me. And any time you complete a project, you build up that creative part of your brain exactly the way an athlete builds their body when they train. So be sure you're engaged in the right practices now, and don't pick up any bad habits.

Work through it, man. You can get there. Just don't let the ADD thing bog you down and keep you sidetracked from your ultimate goal.

[rljfl]

Thanks WG. Actually, I outline like one would do when they were in school and you had to make outlines for notes for an upcoming test:

I. blah blah
A. Blah blah
B. Blah blah

And so on. Maybe I am too restricted.:)

[Timber Wolf]

....

If your outline isn't that in-depth, you may be running into plot holes that you hadn't anticipated, and you're spinning your wheels trying to fix them through the writing process rather than taking care of them in outline form first (which is a lot less time consuming).

....



Well said Jonesy. We learned the same thing in computer programming. The more time you spend "outlining" (designing your code), the less time you spend coding, debugging, re-coding, etc.






....

So you have to decide for yourself if any of your current projects are the ONE you're going to plow through like a pro, or if they're all just learning experiences. Plowing through a project will teach you a lot. Trust me. And any time you complete a project, you build up that creative part of your brain exactly the way an athlete builds their body when they train. So be sure you're engaged in the right practices now, and don't pick up any bad habits.

....




I am still working on my outline (timelines for backstory, and story itself), although I have started on the first chpts of the book. When I get stuck figuring out what do on the next chptr coming up, I go back to finishing the outline.

Since this is my first novel attempt, and I was running from seriously writing until about 6 mnths ago, I never actually spent a lot of time on the outline, just hit-n-miss. Hopefully, I will be able to outline completely next time I have a new WIP and not have the same prblm .


rljfl - I hope you are able to do/redo your outline and get back on track.

[rljfl]

Thanks TW, and all of this has been great advice everyone. I think I just need to restrategize how I tackle the long works. I can do the short stories easy, but thanks to everyone here, I think I have a pretty good plan on how to get the novels down.

[tneeley]

I have recently decided that having some form of ADD is part of the creative mind. I'm presently trying to stay encouraged by that and work on my focus. I suspect we will never master it. But, God made us this way for a reason, right?

[melw]

I have more than one story started, some i don't know if i will ever finish, terrible POV and Passive voice and such.

But i do have a few that i work on right now. Only a few. Like three and one being edited. I find if i get a little blocked on one i can go onto another and then come back witha few more ways for it to go. Most probably becuase i am not someone who outlines.

But it does help keep the creative juices flowing in my case.

MEL

[MGalloway]

Good discussion...

Some random ideas...

I often have multiple ideas competing for my attention at once. In the past have had to make an effort to focus, focus, focus. One thing that seems to work for me is if other ideas start coming to mind while I'm in the middle of a manuscript (short story, novel, whatever), I quickly jot down the ideas on some notebook pages set aside just for that purpose. That way, it gets the idea off my mind and onto paper...in other words, it gets stored somewhere else. Then, when I finish with my current project, I can go back and find a ton of notes related to what may turn into the next project. It takes a bit of organizing, though, to make use of the notes.

Another tip I read once somewhere...and maybe this was something Hemingway mentioned, I can't remember...was to stop writing in the middle of a sentence or a paragraph when you end for the night. That way, the next day, when you pick up where you left off, you'll have some momentum to carry you forward. It works pretty well for scenes with a lot of suspense involved in them. I don't know why it works...but it does.

And as others have mentioned, outlining in some form or another can save you tons of time and effort in the long run (I learned that the hard way, too). It also can force you to look at the story as a whole...and as another stated...helps you find plot holes.

[Phy]

I have recently decided that having some form of ADD is part of the creative mind. I'm presently trying to stay encouraged by that and work on my focus. I suspect we will never master it. But, God made us this way for a reason, right?

I used to take meds for focus, but I stopped three years ago because I felt my writing was more effortlessly creative 'untreated'. Now, I employ a mixture of behaviorial modification techniques to mitigate the weaknesses while enjoying the strengths.

I use my iPhone to leave myself notes and set calendar events and alarms, I talk to my family and co-workers to let them know what to expect, and what I typically do poorly and well, and I address the ramifications head-on.

It's worked for me. I've almost doubled my salary since I've embraced my ADD, and my creative output is way up for both my day job and my side projects (Ray Gun Revival magazine, other stand-alone short stories).

[ddjohnson]

I used to think it was wonderful having 20 or more stories in my head at the same time. It meant that I would never run out of inspiration, but lately it's become quite the burden.

It seems I can't really finish anything of any substance. I shelved my spy novel, because I got tired of it and wanted to move on. I gave up on my horror novel, because I just didn't like where the story was headed, and most recently I've become bored with my fantasy novel (and now I have a new idea that I'm ready to get to).

Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions? (I'm usually a very disciplined person, being ex-military and all). How do you stick to a story, when your dying to get to the next one already?


My problem is not that I have too many ideas to work on and get bored. It's that I start a story and then I get stuck or I just can't seem to make it flow so I get frustrated and work on another. Honestly, I don't know what my problem is these days. I have this mixture of writer's block, ADD, and probably a little ADHD in there somewhere. Lately, I've just been under the impression that my writing is not good enough to be published. It's a silly notion I know, but I guess I feel like my writing doesn't really fit any genre. It doesn't feel worldly, but it doesn't feel Christian either. And I've gone off on my own tangent. Sorry, about that.

Anyway, I feel your ADD pain and I pray yours doesn't last too long. You seem to have a lot more discipline than I do so that has to be a plus right? Keep thinking, I am a writer and let God do the rest. That's my strategy. :)

[Louchiere]

I used to think it was wonderful having 20 or more stories in my head at the same time. It meant that I would never run out of inspiration, but lately it's become quite the burden.

It seems I can't really finish anything of any substance. I shelved my spy novel, because I got tired of it and wanted to move on. I gave up on my horror novel, because I just didn't like where the story was headed, and most recently I've become bored with my fantasy novel (and now I have a new idea that I'm ready to get to).

Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions? (I'm usually a very disciplined person, being ex-military and all). How do you stick to a story, when your dying to get to the next one already?

When there is so many stories running in your head, the best thing that I have found, is write down notes, and the parts of them that are there. Then you can go back when you are stuck and see what you were thinking before. Also it's best to reread your work, to get you back in the mood to work on it. Hope this helps.

[sommergirl]

I love this! I am relatively new to the site and I am really just thrilled that all of you have this problem too! No offense, of course! I am just glad I am not as weird as I thought! (Yes, I know, that is still debatable.) I have considered meds for my ADD/ADHD as well, and wondered if it would make things worse instead of better. Thanks for sharing that, Phy. I agree, God made me this way for a reason. But at least I am not alone in having partial ideas started for two dozen novels that I can never find enough time to write. Thanks!

[Phy]

I was the most melancholy I've ever been after riding a sort of emotional high after discovering the adult ADD thing about myself. First, I exulted that there was a legitimate name and explanation for why I was the way I was, and I started to see it as something potentially special and not as a curse. But then I realized how different my life might have been; all the friendships I've let lapse along the way, my ruined credit and teeth, all the people who think I'm completely insensitive, and the lost possibility of love with my first girlfriend, whom I still think about over thirty years later.

The weight of all those missed and squandered opportunities nearly crushed me, until two things happened:
1) God reminded me that even though my life was changed by my ADD, He was there with me then, and at every step along the way. I'm not a very emotional guy, but that realization brought me to tears.

2) I spotted a nickel on the ground. Ooh, shiny! ;)

[Crystal]

Wow! I'm struggling with the same thing. I have too many things in my mind at one time. I like the idea about keeping different folders on the computer.

Crystal

[Timber Wolf]

Thanks for that post Phy. I often wonder if I don't have ADD - I used to often kid w/ my councilor that I do She seemed to think I don't, but I've never been tested. Whether I do or not, I to need to be reminded that God is w/ me.

TW

[Phy]

I went to adultadd.com and took a six question test. I pegged five of six (which just means I'm ADD, just not hyper, so ADD but not ADHD). I then met with two doctors, who confirmed what the internet site suggested. I could have saved my money, but was glad to finally /know/.

[Timber Wolf]

Hmmm. I'm going to take that test when I have time to actually sit down and truthfully answer the questions. Right now I am busy trying to get my belongings moved out of my room by Mon., and trying to empty my storage unit - have been giving books to library, house furnishings to the church's thrift store.

Thanks for the site Phy.

[kerrig]

I have a similar problem. I have the story ideas, do the research, and sit down to write and blank. I have spent 2 years stalled on a book I was working on.
I was just praying today about this very problem.