• Read this: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?288931-Guidelines-for-Participation-in-Outwitting-Writer-s-Block

    before you post.

My "WIP Folder" is growing.

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teeta6404

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I get excited about something, then I lose any and all interest. Two weeks ago I could write 1,000 words a day on one project this week it is more like 200 words a day on a couple different projects. *sigh*
 

mirandashell

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Sorry to say this because I know you won't want to hear it.... but self-discipline really helps.
 
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folkchick

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It really helps to set goals, especially a word count goal for each day. You can start slow, like 100 words a day, then move up to something like 1,000. Mine is 1,500 right now, but sometimes I pass that. If you do not set goals, it really is hard to commit.
 
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Geoff Mehl

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For me, productivity varies a lot. Sometimes, the story just writes itself and my fingers have a difficult time keeping up on the keyboard. Sometimes it comes really hard, especially when snagged on a plot problem. Sometimes life maddeningly interrupts.

I find it helps to savor the easy days but tenaciously attack the tough ones, i.e., not walk away from the project until some measurable progress is made. If I am getting to a point where I know it's going to be tough, I try to get a few lines into the next days work and just leave it hang in mid-sentence. Then the next day, finish the sentence and try to keep it rolling. Good luck with your project!
 

Layla Nahar

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Why are you losing interest in your projects? Are you just randomly starting writing with whatever idea come into your mind? I make up my story as I go (rather than planning/outlining) but I have an idea for my story problem - that is, the problem that the MC is trying to solve throughout the whole book. Example - Will Frodo deliver the ring to the cracks of Mt. Doom? How? I found that I was running out of steam pretty quickly when I just started writing without having a firm grip on a viable story problem.
 

SianaBlackwood

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Pick the one you love most. Yes, there really is one. If you don't believe that, pick one at random. Five minutes later, you'll have come up with a reason to change to your real favourite.

Next, commit yourself to getting to the end of that favourite. You can worry about all the others after you finish a draft.
 

HatTrick

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Pick the one you love most. Yes, there really is one. If you don't believe that, pick one at random. Five minutes later, you'll have come up with a reason to change to your real favourite.

Next, commit yourself to getting to the end of that favourite. You can worry about all the others after you finish a draft.

I love this advice!

Jot down your new ideas then file them away in a "future projects" folder. Try to limit your WIP folder to a certain number of projects. For me, it's 1 project per market: picture books, non-fiction, MG/YA. For some people it is just 1 total. For some it's 2-3. Find what works for you and commit!
 

teeta6404

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Thanks for the advice...I am going to pick one today and STICK WITH IT! :)
 

teeta6404

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Ok Picked one...I was already 5,700 words in, it was my main WIP until I got discouraged, but Im just going to stick with it. Trying a goal of 500 words a day for now, which hopefully I can surpass most days.
 

cmtruesd

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Picking a reasonable goal tends to help because you'll end each day feeling accomplished. Don't be afraid to push yourself though if you find that you're often surpassing it! :)
 
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