I have no idea where to start

Write something you can be really proud of and return to the next day. The further you get into the story the harder it will become for you to leave it. Don't be so hard on yourself, and just let it fly.

Triceratops

Welcome, Grace.

I think I have the same problem. Too many ideas going all at once.

Welcome Grace!

I think a lot of writers, especially starting out, have the same problem. The hundreds of ideas will always be an issue, but the not finishing comes from losing interest or passion in you work, often because you've thought of another idea you think is even better. Like those above me said, jot down the idea and put it aside and, using discipline, make yourself finish the work you've started. Give yourself permission to write a few uninspired pages and soon you'll find that you are right back into the story and you can fix whatever lacked in your uninspired moments on your second draft. It's ok for the first draft not to be brilliant, and you need to give yourself permission to just get through it sometimes and know you can fix it later.

AW is a great sounding board for 'stuck' wirters, so you'll be able to find the help you need here. Hope it all works out for you. It's great to have you here!

to the Cooler, Grace!

You were given some great suggestions here.
Happy writing!

Welcome to the cooler! Another approach (not necessarily exclusive from the other suggestions here) is to work your way up. Start by writing a short story or flash piece in one sitting. It doesn't have to be great, but write from the beginning to the end in one sitting. There's writers groups that have timed writing challenges for this (I'm part of one), and it can help get you in the habit of finishing stories, of taking that great idea from the beginning, through the middle, and all the way to the end.

Grace I want to welcome to the AW. I'm new to the site but I have some of the same problems you do. My problem is I have so many ideas but have trouble putting all of them together. I jot them down in a notebook but I have so many notebooks that it gets overwhelming. I guess we can learn together. Glad to see you on the forum.

sunshinefaith

Howdy and welcome!

Grace, I'm a little different. I've been writing since I've been a little girl, and nobody taught me how to do it, and I've always just flown by the seat of my pants. If I get an idea I start writing it in story form, and see where it takes me. Although I wasn't smart enough to think of publishing, and was always discouraged from trying, I do have a shelf full of finished manuscripts. They all started with my "fly by the seat of my pants" method. I still sort of do that, and am ten chapters into a romance novel right now. Although I think I know how it will end up, I don't know for sure yet. If you want to exchange work, just e-mail me. I love to read as well as write. I'm no expert, but maybe I can help motivate you. A mentor of mine once told me that every great author's first draft is terrible. She even SAW a rough draft of one of Sidney Sheldon's books when she was in college and said it was terrible. If you're trying to get it all down perfectly the first time, you'll never finish a first draft. A first draft is flawed by nature and is just a way to get your story down. I think some people are too worried that it isn't "just right" the first time, but it's not supposed to be. I'm not even published and sometimes I rewrite my books ten times. Then I'm my worst critic so I never think they're good enough...lol. THat's why I want and need a mentor. Now I'm going to try to publish, but it never crossed my mind to try before. I hope you have a great day!

[email protected]

Hi GraceE, and .

Rob

Welcome! You might look at a cool software program from 3M called Post-It Software Notes. Obviously, it's based on the principle of post-it notes. Yep, it creates little post-its that you can type on and they "stick" to your desktop. If you run it all the time, you can just pop in and out and write down those ideas as they occur to you and then file them in folders with the name of the story! It's for sale, in regular and professional versions, but you can get the "Lite" version for FREE to try it out! Here's a link:


http://www.3m.com/market/office/postit/com_prod/psnotes/#lite

As for having too many ideas to write, I sympathize. It's just a matter of sitting down and getting so involved in the lives of the characters of one story that the other plots just don't matter until you finish the book! Good luck!

Welcome GraceE. I just started getting serious about my writing recently. And I guess you can say I'm a bit old-school. I love folders. I keep a small file on my desk with multiple colors. I labeled them: Romance, Mystery, Local stories, wild ideas, etc. Then when I have an idea for a story, I place it on a 3X5 with any pertinent info - possible leads, people to interview, etc. If I run across an interesting newspaper article, I'll cut it out and place in that file too. I return to the files often to seek story ideas. Sometimes there is so much there, the story practically jumps up and gets written.

But I love the sticky post idea from Cathy C.
I'm going to look into that. Same concept, only on computer....yeah!

Here is something that might help you. I love numbered bulleted lists so bear with me.

1. Choose 5-10 of your best ideas
2. Freewrite on each idea for 10-15 minutes. Just write don't think about it.
3. Read them over. Which ones keep your interest? Which ones do not?
4. Put the ideas that do not hold your interest aside.
5. Keep freewriting and narrowing down your choices until you have just one idea left.
6. Use this idea to start your next story/article.
7. As a warm up excercise freewrite on an idea from your narrowing down for 5 minutes. Then no matter what, move on to your chosen work. It can be a different idea each warm up.
8. Then when you finished your main story/article you should have something to work with for another story/article already.

Anyway this was just off the top of my head. I hope it helps you.

Lyra <><