HELP ME WRITE!!!

[Somnia]

Hello AW! This might be strange but like I've figured out that I cannot for the life of me sit down by myself and write any of my stories alone. Maybe it's because I'm a social person, and maybe it's because I do a lot of semi-impromptu co-op writing (RP But like, not cringe or overtly sexual) but either way, I've found it easier to write when hanging out or on call with someone. Unfortunately, most of my friends don't have the time to help me with this, and most of my friends aren't even artists that could give feedback/show me works of their own in the first place.
I have no clue if this is a common issue or not, but essentially what I'm asking is, would anybody (Preferably from the ages 15 - 19, but doesn't have to be) be interested in maybe chatting through calls or other social apps or whatever while I write? It could also be like where we both write and share our progress, or even just showing off writing of your own. If so, thanks! (PS. I usually write action/sci-fi/slice of life stuff, but I dabble in almost all genres)

 

[Nether]

Welcome.

This might be strange but like I've figured out that I cannot for the life of me sit down by myself and write any of my stories alone. Maybe it's because I'm a social person, and maybe it's because I do a lot of semi-impromptu co-op writing (RP But like, not cringe or overtly sexual) but either way, I've found it easier to write when hanging out or on call with someone.

That is unusual, although I know NaNo tends to have groups that meet for stuff like that.

I have no clue if this is a common issue or not,

This might be the first I've heard of it.

but essentially what I'm asking is, would anybody (Preferably from the ages 15 - 19, but doesn't have to be) be interested in maybe chatting through calls or other social apps or whatever while I write?

Interesting age range.

Personally, I'd find chatting while writing terribly distracting.

It could also be like where we both write and share our progress, or even just showing off writing of your own. If so, thanks! (PS. I usually write action/sci-fi/slice of life stuff, but I dabble in almost all genres)

You could also just find a writers' group that meets once per week or something.

Granted, technically this feels like less of an introduction and more of a writing buddies topic (which is a SYW thing)

 

[Somnia]

Welcome.



That is unusual, although I know NaNo tends to have groups that meet for stuff like that.



This might be the first I've heard of it.



Interesting age range.

Personally, I'd find chatting while writing terribly distracting.



You could also just find a writers' group that meets once per week or something.

Granted, technically this feels like less of an introduction and more of a writing buddies topic (which is a SYW thing)

Sorry if this is botched since I'm new to forum sites, but to respond to some of your replies, I'd like to start by clarifying that the age group is because I am within that age group (16) and would most likely be more comfortable with others around my age. Secondly, I know people like to have peace and quiet when writing, but I for some reason am literally the opposite. I often write during class in school, and I will have so much drive to write, but when I get home, I lose it all. Also, I've tried those online meet sites but the meets usually end up being quiet 90% of the time and not what would help me. Thanks! Again, sorry if I'm formatting this wrong or whatever.

 

[Unimportant]

Welcome!

We have quite a few teenaged members. Stick around, engage, contribute, offer to help others, join discussions, and generally get to know people and let them get to know you. You're bound to make new writing friends that way. And, when you have 50 posts and can post a request for writing buddies, those folks will feel comfortable sharing their personal contact details with you.

 

[Somnia]

Welcome!

We have quite a few teenaged members. Stick around, engage, contribute, offer to help others, join discussions, and generally get to know people and let them get to know you. You're bound to make new writing friends that way. And, when you have 50 posts and can post a request for writing buddies, those folks will feel comfortable sharing their personal contact details with you.

Alright, thanks!

 

[Norsebard]

Hello and to Absolute Write, Somnia!


See you around the board!


Norsebard

 

[Brigid Barry]

Have you considered writing in a coffee shop or other busy location (maybe at school) to give you the stimulation you need to focus? What you're describing sounds like body doubling (like for ADHD).

Seconding writing groups, and there are probably dozens of Discord servers for writers that you might have some luck with (I don't think the AW server would help, we're all older and write on our own).

Writing is inherently a solitary endeavor and writing a draft can take dozens if not hundreds of hours, so my (very gentle, meant with the best of intentions) suggestion is to find a way to do it without relying on someone else.

Good luck and welcome to the boards.

 

[Izz]

Hi Somnia, and welcome to AW! You’ll love it here, I’m sure

We’ve got everything a writer, at every stage of their writing journey, needs, both in terms of resources and community.

I’m sure you’ve already carefully read the Newbies Guide you were linked to when you registered but please also peruse the FAQs linked to here, as well as the stickied/pinned threads at the top of each forum page. Doing this will not only help make the forums less overwhelming, but will also quickly get you up to speed on the culture and etiquette of the various spaces around AW.

Re your specific request: @Unimportant has already covered it pretty well re asking for writing partners. My suggestion: hang out, get to know us, get involved in the community, especially within the Share Your Work areas of the board (offering critique is a great way both to help others and also to help yourself, both in terms of motivation and writing skill). Once you hit 50 substantive posts you can make a request for a writing partner in the appropriate area of the board if you still want to do that

There’s a lot here to discover, so take as much time as you need to explore, lurk if you like, join in conversations you find fun or interesting if you like, make friends, enjoy yourself!

And if you have any questions that aren’t answered in the above resources, please don’t hesitate to ask, either here in-thread or via the private conversation option (the envelope next to the bell at the top right of page)

Happy writing!
Izz

 

[Unimportant]

Hello AW! This might be strange but like I've figured out that I cannot for the life of me sit down by myself and write any of my stories alone. Maybe it's because I'm a social person, and maybe it's because I do a lot of semi-impromptu co-op writing (RP But like, not cringe or overtly sexual) but either way, I've found it easier to write when hanging out or on call with someone. Unfortunately, most of my friends don't have the time to help me with this, and most of my friends aren't even artists that could give feedback/show me works of their own in the first place.
I have no clue if this is a common issue or not, but essentially what I'm asking is, would anybody (Preferably from the ages 15 - 19, but doesn't have to be) be interested in maybe chatting through calls or other social apps or whatever while I write? It could also be like where we both write and share our progress, or even just showing off writing of your own. If so, thanks! (PS. I usually write action/sci-fi/slice of life stuff, but I dabble in almost all genres)

I'll add that your writing style/preferred environment sounds uncommon, but one place on AW that you may find something almost-kinda-sorta like that (in a very tangential kind of way) would be our Writing Exercises section. You'll find threads where one person writes something and the next person follows on from it. These are games, like "Ruin a title by changing one letter" or "answer the question in the last post with another question" kind of thing. Read the first post in the thread to understand the rules/how it works, then page down to the last post in the thread and give it a try if you want to go next!

They are often quite active and interactive, can spark story ideas, and are a way of sharing with others your wit and creativity (which lets them get to know you ).

 

[Elenitsa]

Hello! I have been involved in play-by-forum RPGs too before I got the courage to publish my first novel (and a few years after, I closed the site in 2020). And yes, I agree with you, the brainstorming and collaboration part is what attracted me to RPGs. I found some of the same athmosphere in the NaNoWriMo groups, but now with the scandal they are involved in, and given that you are a teen, I do not recommend them anymore. Anyway, most regional groups are now separated and doing their own writing activities. Maybe you can join an online group and do writing sprints with them?

Speaking at phone while writing is very distracting, it does not allow you to focus properly. You can speak (or write, if on Discord or another message-based group) before and after the writing sprint. To brainstorm, to show progress, and to help others with your opinions.

It is good also to be a member of AW and read the relevant writing advice for the genre you are writing in.

 

[Chris P]

Welcome! As others have mentioned, we all write in different ways, and it might take some effort, but not only will you eventually find what you are looking for, I expect you will also learn new skills as you go.

I don't think I could write in a group like you describe. For me, writing requires an interiority that writing in a group would be difficult to achieve. I was all into role playing games in the late 80s/early 90s before online RPGs were common, and those few hundred hours around someone's coffee table rolling 8-, 10-, and 12-sided dice were very well spent! One guy actually had a 100-sided die, which looked like a golf ball. It took forever to stop rolling. But, the RPG experience did stretch me to expect the unexpected reactions, much like characters in a story could, and forced me to adapt on the fly to keep the story moving. So, it was very worth it.

 

[Stytch]

Have you considered writing in a coffee shop or other busy location (maybe at school) to give you the stimulation you need to focus? What you're describing sounds like body doubling (like for ADHD).

First, welcome new person!

Second: If not this (being around people even if they don't know that you're using them this way) have you tried headphones with relatively loud music? I do lots of different types of writing, but for some of it, I crank up something with a fast beat and practically type out the words in rhythm. To be fair, this is not how I do my creative writing, but everyone is different, and so that's why I shared that idea. If you think your issue is something like ... your brain needs extra input somehow?... blaring whatever your generation's version of The Beastie Boys might do the trick. Whatever it takes to fully distract/drown out the bits that need it.

Good luck!