5 Reasons Most Writers Quit
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- Everyone wants to write a book, but most people don't make it. I'm sharing 5 reasons most writers quit--some before they even start, others further along when it becomes difficult to make it as a professional writer.
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"Writing is hard!"
THANK YOU!!
The biggest reasons for me are procrastination and distractions. I'm not thinking of quitting, but I'm worried in the future I'd consider it from mainly not feeling like creating.
Get rid of the distractions, limit tv, movies, reading, videos, going out, sleeping, and sit in front of paper&pen or computer
@@octosepninetyoneninetysix1601 computers are pretty distracting...
Smile Laugh: and what if you get so stressed out that you can't concentrate and need the distractions to calm you down?
@@shadowspector3611 then only start writing when you're in that concentrated state but right now your questions (more like excuses tbh😂) will prompt procarastination. Stop asking what ifs and just write! U got this!😊👍🏽
@@shadowspector3611 Then maybe you are trying to write well and perfectly. Stop. Instead, begin a writing practice, where you write regularly from prompts or on small, unimportant stories, instead of on your primary work. You have to be able to write first, every time you sit to write, before you can write what you want to, every time you sit to write.
Getting rejected before you even publish: that's the real skill.
Idea for another video that you probably already thought of: "5 (or more) Reasons to Keep Writing"
Ooh that's a great idea! Filing that away :)
I have been through this a number of times. Not sure if the story will be published, especially bcos it's a fanfic🙄 but definitely gonna give it a go. More editing perhaps
I'm organizer for a writing group, and the people that succeed are mostly those that have already established a writing habit before they begin their pet projects.The rest talk about it, talk about plot and publishing and marketing before they've written a word, and they don't often actually write. It's amazing how people think they'll just sit down after not writing for ages and be able to begin a great work. Crazy! Imagine a quarterback that never played until Super Bowl Sunday, or a ballerina trying to dance Swan Lake right after learning first position.... it's not gonna happen. They haven't built up the stamina, they don't know the difference between the tools of writing and the work itself, and they are afraid of critique.
WRITING IS HARD! YES IT IS! i feel like other people don't understand how hard it is, or that its a process and its like... not thank you i work just as hard as you goodbye.
Writing is HARD!
Usually what I hear is “I don’t have enough time.”
I’ve completed professional writing freelance jobs while staying up until 4 or 5 in the morning. I’ve had criticism on my writing, and I look at it as an opportunity to grow. I love writing too much to ever give it up.
😍👍💪
Procrastination is a big reason many writers quit.
Also, having a hard job that keeps them from being able to have the energy to write.
That "hard job" thing is very true. I had to step down from my last position because I NEVER had the mental stamina to write away from work. It was a sales job that required my mental effort even when I was at home. Thankfully, I have a partner who allowed me to step down in order to focus on my writing. I've been much happier these past few months.
I don't write. I compose music. I could substitute "writing" for "music" and the points would still work for my experiences.
I write (short stuff) and compose music too. Trust me music is harder than writing. Writing is an act which can be done in a passive way. You can write anywhere, anyway with any means and you can do it in chunks. But when it comes to making music it requires a host of talents all at the same time. And dont even get me started on performing music. Thats a whole different ball game. Anyways, good luck on your musical journey.
@@prabhdeepsingh5642 I write and compose music too and I think that both are equally hard in terms of the intellectual act of creating, but logistically speaking writing is easier because there are lots of technological hurdles to overcome in creating your own music in terms of having a good DAW, sound libraries, understanding the ins and outs of mixing and mastering, etc.
Who makes less money, writers or musicians? xD
This is so demoralizing to read for someone who considers writing fiction and composing music to be his two strongest skills. Knowing there's no market for either just... hurts.
“If you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God turned out and sent rumbling...” -Ray Bradbury
Someone's mental health can be another reason. This is why I almost gave up and quit, but even if I had "quit," I doubt it would have been permanent.
There is also the Bermuda Triangle of writing, writing and re-writing your first chapter, over and over and over and over and over, and well, you get the idea. Next thing you know, ten years have passed and you still don't have the first chapter. Of course each time you re-write that first chapter you get better because you are gaining experience as a writer. The break down is when you do not realize, that re-writes never happen until you finish the book. By then you are a much more experienced writer and that writer is the writer to re-write the first chapter, not the writer that started it.
This is my limbo!! I've been working on Chapter 1 for like 3 months! I keep changing things, and since I'm plotsing, I feel like I have to get this down before continuing on. And even getting caught up in things that may not happen until the sequel. But I don't even have Chapter 1 of Book1 yet. Smh
Can confirm.
That's a common struggle & 100% valid bc 1st chapters sell books. You may write the best novel but if it doesn't begin well, publishers won't appreciate it. Yes, there's value to forcing yourself to finish, but artists don't create our best art by force. Writers are too hard on ourselves. My advice is rewrite Chapter 1 as much as you like. Each draft improves & you can practice imitating (not plagiarizing) your fave authors' pacing, scene structure, etc. You'll write Chapter 2 when you're ready. The universe unfolds as it should!
@@scarlet8078 Aww, thank you! I was feeling like... Not a writer because I hadn't written past chapter 1. But I feel better now. :D
@@saiyuriinuzuka6400 I thought for a while about your reply and I have some advice for you. It may not be what you expect and it may not even work for you but I can hope. Some, will say that the first chapter is everything. It is the hook for your reader, it is the snag for your agent, it is the reason behind your publisher offering you a contract; it just makes it all come together. All true.
But...
Relax, it doesn't have to be the first thing you get right before moving on to the second chapter. If you write down the opening and it sucks, and let's face it, unless you have a muse on your shoulder as you wrote, it will. It will for me, it will for Alexa, it will for 99.9% of the writing universe. Don't worry about it. Finish the book. You will often find that all of the things you thought or planned for the story to be about has changed. You can bet that you have changed as a writer. This new writer you become is far more advanced that the poor soul staring at the first blank piece of paper and sweating the commas and periods and adjectives - 'because they matter, damn it!"
You will look back at those first lines and cringe and then with a sigh of relief you will loudly proclaim, "That ain't me any more!" THEN, you will re-write that first chapter and because you know the how the story turned out you can drop stuff into the chapter that makes it rich and sneaky and delicious that you would have had no idea should be in there in the beginning.
Writing is doing, not re-doing. Writing is fun, not stressing. If you are stressing, I think you are doing it wrong. If you are doing it wrong, you are not going to be done.
Have fun and get it done. Or, should I say get it Alexa Donne?
the social rejection is definitely the hardest part for me. i'm struggling to make connections with other writers (or even just other people in general) and yet every day i see people who have loads of friends who are excited about each other's work, urging each other on, sending supportive messages while i'm just on an island out here. i do try and reach out to people but for some reason i keep hitting dead ends and nobody wants to engage. that hurts more than the professional rejection - i can take people not liking my book, but it feels like the real problem is people don't like ME. but what can you do. *violin noises* ANYWAY i'll stop feeling sorry for myself now lmao
People suck, and in the end they do not matter - your writing matters. 👻
@@octobernightmare aw true, it's just hard to remember sometimes 💕 thank you
I hear you.
I'm a middle aged guy writing 'serious' stuff; and it seems that most writers I run into are young females writing fantasy. They are super supportive of one another and I hang on the fringes like a bad smell.
@@michaelsmorenburg-writer8480 Yeah authortube and online writing spaces do tend to be pretty female-dominated for some reason. But I'd argue fantasy can be a serious genre too 😊 depends on the project i guess!
@@capricioushelen Oh - of course fantasy is a 'seriious' and legitimate genre... I used 'serious' in the sense that I write historical thrillers and fictionalised science (actual science woven into literary fiction and the like).
Someone who's meant to be a writer won't ever quit writing. I stopped for very long periods, but I never quit. It took 7 years to finish and publish my first book. I was briefly discouraged by the traditional publishing rejections, but my genre had very few agents who were accepting new clients and years later, I now realize the story was missing so much and I'm still in awe at how much my characters have developed and taken on their own personalities that I never planned. I'm extremely confidently that it will withstand the competition as a series and I won't quit even if the sequel takes 20 years to finish
I know from experience that getting a science-fiction novel published is no piece of cake. I've heard that sci-fi is a tight market in the publishing industry. However, I think that there just needs to be a movement among writers and publishing houses to promote it more and then there would likely be a wave of sci-fi fans that would welcome it.
I suppose i am lucky, I enjoy writing, yes difficult but, so rewarding. Publish or not, yes it would be nice. I just write for the enjoyment! If anyone actually wanted to read it ...that would be great. Not essential. Write first for yourself. If its good then publish if you can. Cheers
This is why doing fanfic commisions or ghost writing is a great teaching tool. It teaches you butt in chair, writing without a muse, turning it into a habit and teaches you how to use language/grammar/different styles/different POV's and tenses.
That's why I'm currently writing fanfics on Wattpad, it's a great way to learn!
That is me all day. I write fan fic under a pen name and enjoy every second of it. My first story, Luke warm response. Same with my second story. But the subsequent ones? People love it. I have gotten better. I know that I have a long way to go when it comes to my writing. However, I am always seeking information on how to write better. I realized that I found something I love.
I can't imagine ever quitting writing; it's simply the air I breathe. Managing to get published, completely accidentally and not once but coming up for twice, is only the icing on the cake. That said, the few people I've encountered along the way who wrote and quit, quit because of unrealistic expectations. They expected all writers to be unicorns. They expected a fat pay cheque and a movie deal and a deal for a sequel and they couldn't handle the reality that... writing is hard! I'm published. Am I making money? (Laughing so hard I can't breathe!) Hell, no! Am I likely to make an income from writing in the foreseeable future? Also, hell no! Will I keep writing regardless? Hell to the yes!
Watching Alexa Donne video's helps immensely. Thank you. 😊👍
Like I said in my above comment, Hollywood makes it all look too easy in the movies.
You don't know how much your comment motivates me, and of course, alexa's video. Indeed, writing is hard! And a lot of people can't understand that- the longevity it requires is not a joke.
Can you share links to your books, please?
@@hardnewstakenharder Are you asking me, or did you put your request in the wrong place and intend to ask Alexa? (I write urban fantasy and LGBTQ+, just so you're aware, and recently released my third novel)
Isaac Asimov, said "I write for the same reason I breathe; if I didn't, I would die."
So I don't really have a choice and have to deal with the pain.
I get discouraged easily, but there's no other joy watching and helping your characters grow up. Guess I'm like a parent :)
Great video, Alexa!!!
I have a theory... Everybody does NOT want to write a novel. Everybody wants to HAVE WRITTEN their novel. {subtle difference}
It's the same way everyone doesn't actually want to work, or to create something completely unique. They don't want to BECOME famous... They just want to ALREADY BE famous... and rich... and have those laurels to lounge on.
As you pointed out, "Ideas are easy". They're a dime a dozen. It's that follow through to complete a draft, and THEN refining that draft to something that will (probably?) sell... that will (hopefully?) engage readers... that will (maybe?) even create conversations and raise interest and value in your work. THAT is the tough part.
BUT... when you're creative, you're probably not even thinking about the product, the sales, and conversations... AND you certainly aren't thinking about raising the value of your work. You're thinking about the process on the step-by-step functions within it. Building up the scene, fleshing out characters through interactions, investigating the questions and figuring out answers that do work, while you get rid of answers that don't.
Creators create. It's our nature. We do who we are... and we put that energy, that part of ourselves into the things that we make. It's not easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It's easier to blithely pound out products that aren't unique. It's still not exactly "easy" in just so many syllables... only a bit easier than having to completely create something tangible from the intangible thought ALL on your own.
AND it's not even possible, if you're focused on the end-product or how it's going to add value to your other work. You're just too busy working on the thing, itself, to even necessarily know what it's going to be.
Most people can't function that way... not really. ;o)
To harp on the "ideas" section, ideas need so much expanding that you don't even think about if you don't outline. Like I just outlined for the first time and geez did not think I would have so many chapters blank. I thought the story would be long enough only to realize "oh I skipped over all the transitions and like actually building character". Of course now I kinda have a better idea of the outline and my characters (surprisingly a revelation came to me while watching videos about tropes and how to fix one of my tropes). But still wow, my mind was blown when I started to stretch out an idea to an outline and it just could not be stretched out in its' original form. (This was all prep for Camp Nano this July so woo! Used to think myself as a pantser, but after plotting, I think I really prefer plotting it all out lol)
I'm a hobbyist writer. I am fine with it. I almost made an authortube channel but I feel like I should grow into a more serious writer first. In the mean time, I am getting better at writing and vieo journaling.
❤👍
Publisher : Did you write it?
Me : yes.
Publisher : What did it cost you?
Me : Everything.
It's so easy to vomit out a first draft. The hardest part for me is going in and finding all the things that don't work and changing the story to make it work. It's also kind of fun sometimes, but for sure not always easy. Love the video!
EveDreamer god... i envy you. for me getting out the first draft is like pulling teeth.
I think a lot of people never even finish the first draft. Some probably never even really start in earnest. The idea of writing is a lot easier than doing it for hours on end, for weeks, months or even years.
I finished the first draft of my science-fiction novel within two months. I'm too embarrassed, however, to admit how long it took me to get my manuscript into its final form. Getting your first draft done at the speed of light, figuratively speaking, can easily get your hopes up too high about finalizing the manuscript altogether.
@@consumerwarrior1267 Yeah that is why writing is very difficult. A lot of people can't even do the first draft, and then a lot of people also can't bring themself to edit it, which can be effectively rewriting the entire story several times.
On the bright side, if you do write an entire novel and rewrite it several time and polish it up, that is a great deal of experience and you will improve a lot.
THIIIIIS!
I've seen people give up on writing sheerly from rejection alone. Like going through months of hyper intense emotion ranging from anguish to prideful spite at the people who rejected them. But like you said: Rejection never goes away!
Another reason I've seen is they'll give up simply because they aren't getting the attention they want from others in the community. They think because they aren't popular on the internet they won't be able to sell a book and I'm not...sure...where that comes from. But it's disheartening to see
YES, validation is a big one! I could probably make another video with more good reasons and that's a big one. There are some lovely moments of validation (any time a reader reads and says something nice!), but for the most part most of us just aren't that popular, especially online. Oh well lol.
@@AlexaDonne absolutely! And I know, also coming from a fandom background, how aaaamaaaazing it is to have people just jump all over you with praise. But I'm always trying to remind people that you will never please everyone and that you're writing the thing because you *hopefully* love it! I think that would be a really interesting video.
I am the champion of rejection - I reckon I'm over 300 by now.
If I had a nickel for every time someone told me they had an idea for a book... LOL
I would have loved to know all of this before getting published. I never thought about the stress and sometimes loneliness of the biz. You can overcome all the things you mentioned, but it would be nice preparing yourself mentally ahead of time. I hope this helps a lot of aspiring published authors! :0)
Have you ever thought about quitting? If you did what did you do to keep going? What motivated you to keep going?
When I was a kid I did. I decided to keep going because only I had the idea.
Great video! I've been writing for roughly seven years, though I remain unpublished. I can't count the number of times I've wanted to quit. But ultimately, I love it too much. I find ways to make it fun, even when it's hard. And, oh gosh is it hard some days. Especially finishing something, at least for me.
Azriel? I took a course from a mystery writer named Robin Hathaway back in 2004 at my local library. She told me and my classmates that it's not unusual for a writer to go unpublished with their first two manuscripts and then get their third one published successfully and then retry getting their first two manuscripts published with success. She referred to it as the "three is a charm rule" about writing. One the librarians even told me that Ms. Hathaway had this one book that she left sitting on the shelf for ten years and finally had success at getting it published. Obviously, it's just a matter of getting your foot in through the door of a publishing house, and then it's usually smooth sailing from that point on.
Self-publish your work?
The hardest part for me are the reviews. I write for me - I write stories that just need to be told.
The trouble is not the very occasional negative review - they're bound to happen - and its not the good and positive ones, those make me happy. It's the truly overwhelmingly, gushingly, excitedly praise-filled ones. They make me think I can get somewhere. They make me think that success is just around the corner. They build me up and convince me to start pitching again... and then in come the form-field rejections and the uphill slog of marketing.
So those are the reviews I really dread - the strangers naming major authors and insisting that I should be on the shelf with them... only to see no progress at all.
It's a strange kind of emotional roller coaster that makes me really want to just pack it in.
I feel you...
Thanks for this honest opinion! Writing is hard, yes, a lot to learn but isn't that the fun as well? When I start writing my book I know the beginning mid point and end point however connecting the dots is freakin fun! As when I sit behind my keyboard the character come alive and everything is like a movie I need max 3 minutes to start writing, luckily that's a very efficient advantage. In addition I like to draw and draw the characters and the world while listening to extremely good music driving mey brain away from the present and just have fun. Thus focus on visual novels self published Ebook's based on fantasy ''video game'' style books.
However, my personal disadvantage is dyslexia, but I can pay people to correct grammar etc haha... When I tell people I want to be a writer people are like huh? as I an a scientist, I need to write reports etc, which is imo a chore -> its not fun at all, I can tell you a cool story about stem cell - cancer cells, however in scientific literature you need to back up every fact! And it has these structured boring sentences A->b->C->D (which of course is important, bit imo not fun at all)
Anyways With these 5 reason I really thought: Wow they are not applicable to me, as I force myself to relax e.g. Last weekend a friend of mine asked to go swimming, I said no (because I wanted to write and draw) however We did plan it on another time point as I thought - dude don't cancel other fun things, you only live once, enjoy it! I don't mind criticism (used to it, can only grow + your book is NOT for everyone, even Harry potter is NOT for everyone, face it. I rather make love it or hate it books than a medicore 6 by all. ) Btw it took Michael Crichton 16 books before getting to Jurassic Park! he published his first book when he was 24 y/o, double his age and you have JP)
Ok I already write an essay -> Keep going strong, have fun writing, enjoy your characters and world - don't work to hard and don't be lazy, work smart (take mental rest and rest you arms etc) and enjoy the life long journey!
I recently finalized a science-fiction novel. When I was putting together the first draft a while back, I started crying when I got to the last chapter. To this very day, I cannot pinpoint what made me cry as I was typing my last chapter on my computer. Maybe because I was finally getting to describe what ultimately became of each and every character in my book. When I got my final draft completed about a week ago, I didn't have any tears. Perhaps it was because I was just so happy to have the whole thing ready for submission. I guess that only people like us who actually walk the walk and write a book can know what it's all about.
Guys, don't quit please. We need new and creative authors. Please.
I’m sorry, I just can’t, I’m giving up the only decent skill I have.
I pretty much write at a professional rate atm, though I'm really just a hobby writer. I do at least 1-2k words per day, have a set time and write every single day, whether I hate it or not.
I'm hoping to get something good enough done this year, but who knows?
Wow, good job being so motivated :)!!
I've decided a long time ago that I just don't get to give up. I'm gonna make it, whatever it takes, I am. And I try to keep that attitude as motivation because writing is really all I have and all I care about and I love it, even when it's hard (just like you said). I love all your videos and I always make notes because they're all so useful, thank you so much!
Just got really into reading and writing and can honestly say that great channels like this one have provided me so much encouragement and guidance. Just wanted to say thank you!
How do you know when it's time to let go of a story or when it's worth a fight and you have to continue ? Sometimes, we're just in love with an idea and suddenly, after some struggle, we're not anymore.
GRADITUDE for sharing some much needed honestly. You're perspective is just what the community needs... ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DON'T KNOW HOW BAD WE NEED THE TRUTH.
May your creative reservoir be in the perpetual path of the deluge!
Thank you so much Alexa! Every video of yours gives me so much motivation and excitement
This is so sad Alexa play despacito
I would say a huge chunk quit before even starting. Then after all the hard work you finish the first draft, and realize you only just started.
Ikr
Thankfully I’m quite fine with criticism
If one person doesn’t like your book, cool, there are probably, hopefully, ten more who love your book...
Hopefully
Love your videos Alexa!! ❤
Great video!
Great advice.
I decided long ago that regardless of whether I can sell my book or not, I'll write it anyway. Because it's fun, and I've wanted to write it for so long! :) But not being rejected would be nice of course. XD
Yes to this so many things you hit the nail on the head
I think people give up writing because their only goal is publication or money, rather than saying something with their writing/having a deeper purpose for writing what they write.
Great video! Everything mentioned is so true.
Totally unrelated: For once I’m super early!🥳
Thanks for the video Alexa! :)
Ah the rejection :') I recently made a decision to step back from pursuing writing beyond hobby writing because I realized I didn't care enough about publication to put myself through that endless stream of rejection. I love writing and it's always been very important to me, and I plan to continue writing for my own pleasure, but my main career is in another artistic field that also features a lot of rejection, and I decided I need an outlet that isn't going to put me through the same thing hahah.
That makes complete sense to me! We can only take so much rejection in one area of our lives. I don't think I could manage more than one creative pursuit, with rejection on both ends. And, honestly, hobbyist writing is wonderful. I was deep in the fanfic world for a long time :)
"Writing is actually re-writing"....yes! Thank you for expressing this!
I needed this today. Thank you.
Wow the idea behind this video is fantastic !
I was inspired by Reddit lol.
It’s like owning your own small business !
Thank you
It is.
Hey Alexa I am an aspiring author and I just wanted to say I luv u for the content you upload.
Every aspiring writer should have to watch this video. Such great points made, and really gives clarity to the opportunities. Thanks for sharing!
I am currently writing a novel at the moment. After writing I understand this, my brain is literally jello. It is hard to find a balance of everything. And yes I want to be a professional. I have started some stuff. But never finished but you have to finish push through, you don’t realize how much stuff goes into all of it. Thanks Alexa, you have inspired me. I thought I didn’t have the write to write because I was young but you made me realize that I can do it. It will be hard but it is possible.
Iris? My worst habit when I began typing my first draft for my most recent sci-fi manuscript was that I would keep plucking away at the keyboard until I was barely awake and when my words on the computer screen began to stop making sense. I was also sleeping less hours than I normally did. Not because I had chronic insomnia, but simply because I hated sleeping after I started typing up the first draft for this novel. I was that enthusiastic to get this thing done. Writing the first draft of the entire book is the easy part. Getting it into final form is the long and difficult journey.
I am writing my first novel. I have been writing poetry for over twenty years, and I have had some of that published. However, I have had an idea for a novel for around five years now, and I finally decided to just do it. It is hard at times to write, but I also really enjoy the process. If you hate the process then you might as well quit. I work full time, and I give myself three years to finish my book. There is no rush at all. Why would there be for me? I very much enjoy your videos!
You know why I click “like” on your videos? I am trying to write a book now myself, (originally I tried screenwriting, but usually got rejected, mostly because I didn’t have an agent) I know you give good honest advice. It’s not sugar coded in anyway. One reason why I like & keep coming back to your channel so often. As for giving up on writing myself. For the long run, it’s due to lack of self confidence. I know that. Plus, just last year I lost my Dad who died at the age of 90, only while he would encourage me a& be my rock either about my art or writing, now that he is not here, his advice still helps me. How? Simple. I write an online journal (in private)& not only it shows me I can write, yet it makes me want to write something. I think I will get through this book, I just need to figure out some stuff first. I always tend to feel dry whenever I return to doing anything after taking a break! Yet, thanks to watching your videos, I really want to see this book through, even if it sucks, because like art, with writing I learn from my mistakes & hopefully that will improve my next story ..........hopefully!
My favorite quote since I was a kid has always been. "Never give up, never surrender." I wish I knew the name of the movie. I plan on writing and publishing at some point. I may not become a full time writer but as long as I get a book out and into the world then I'm happy about it.
Galaxy Quest inspired by Winston Churchill while parodying Star Trek.
These days I've been thinking about quitting writing. Because of my depression I barely write, and when I do I don't get any joy from it, quite the contrary. Not sure what to do. u
If you write most days or have been working on one project for a long time you may need a break. I got back to writing today (slow going) after taking a week and a half off when I realised I wanted to kill all my characters off. I've been working on this one book for years. I've already planned some more breaks when as I finish big chunks of rewrites, hopefully this will help. Depression sucks.
Your eye makeup is fab
A reason why to quit writing: Health. Not just speaking from experience about personal health but writing can take a toll on a person. Not only do you have to worry about your own health but you have to consider the health of your family. Mental, physical, and psychological health can take a toll when through ignoring the warning signs of failing health or even pushing and cramming to make deadlines when your body just cannot handle it.
Health is definitely a valid reason to quit writing. You need to take care of yourself.
I agree with you. It has been 8 years since i started writing and in most cases i try to continue but i got bored. At first I thought of myself as being too lazy but i try harder and finally, after editing my novel today and missing, that one chapter, i will have this story finally over so i can start with the i been wanting to write for a long time now.
I'm kinda working through this right now. For me, the reason isn't the work, not the commitment, not the fear of rejection, and definitely not the concern over enough money, though it'd be damn nice to make the money. I've written on various mediums and forums, (as well as created/built other things in other places for a community audience) and all over for years and years, as a hobby. I started this project because I wanted to tell a story, and hopefully one that even a handful of people would enjoy and take something from. But then the last few days happened. I had been passively aware of how badly I used FILTER WORDS but didn't become actively aware of it(and their impact) until I was 220k+ words, probably a few days of combined time world-building, and 6 months into what I want to be a multi-book story. This week I learned about those naughty words I wish I would have learned about in high school, and the effect they have on a story. In no small part to your video on the subject(with a couple others). I found myself staring the concept of having to take ALL of what I'd built back apart and replace all pieces connecting everything together(the filter words) in the face. Yeah, there's been a couple days of only lightly touching my world as it's been pretty rough staring that monster in the face. I'm not gonna quit though. I didn't start this project to quit. If I were to add a #6 to this video, it would be: Because they get too far into a project and then have to make major changes, and overcome the difficulty of doing that. Still, thanks for the video :) You've gained a +1 on the sub button this week.
I didn't really quit writing.
I am on what could be called a 'hiatus'. Basically a really long time off from it.
I've written so much stuff now (35k word novella, 54k word novel plus a bazillion drafts) that I can't bear the thought of starting a new project or revising old projects.
I'm burnt out from it and need some time to 'reprogram' my mind.
I'm not sure how long this 'hiatus' will last.
I've tried to give up writing a few times, but I can never manage to quit for very long.
I've seen a lot of people quit after getting stuck in outline limbo. They spend years and years building their world, developing complex character backstories, choreographing fight scenes for the page -- all without putting a single word of it into anything that resembles a story. So the story keeps changing because the writer changes as a person. They grow, their values shift, their taste changes. In the five+ years since they started outlining, the story morphed and mutated because they didn't pin it down on the page.
I'm currently trying to rescue a friend from outline limbo. :'3
I took a break from it. I've written 6 books, all shitty. Some go to 12 before they get the magical "it." I'm on a spiritual journey. When I write, I do exercises to discipline myself, like read or do math problems beforehand. If I'm in agony, I take an over the counter pain med.
Hi Alexa! I’m loving your videos and I’ve been feeling a lot better about my writing since I started listening to your advice :) I have a question though, and I’m not sure if you’ve commented on it, but it’s one of my random fears - and the only reason I would quit writing: YA novels - particularly the successful novels - seem to have a lot more sex in them than they used to, and I’m ace. My stories aren’t really romantic, to me, but I know that my world view is not the same as many people’s and I’m afraid I might have to write a scene I’m not comfortable with. Should I actually be worried about this?
I've nearly given up so many times that i've lost count. But then I listen to my kids talk about their goals and dreams and tell them they can do whatever they want as long as they don't give up and what kind of role model would I be to my kids if I gave up at the first sign of struggle. So here I am. Querying my first book and crossing my fingers for the best.
I know the feeling.:-)
Alexa Donne, you're a wise lady. I've watched several of your videos and they are exactly what I've needed to hear. Pretty much "Get on with it"! Thanks...
This is motivating me to finish, thank you.
If I quit writing, I don't know what my life purpose is. Even though I can procrastinate and busy from life, I still make my time to write. I remember someone blatantly called my writing "not interesting", that I should scrap my idea because I didn't write fast like Stephen King and by 3 months that idea became stale, that two people rejected my writing as "not for everyone" and "for college students only". Admittedly, I had panic attacks over the Stephen King comment until my poet friend dusted me and gave me the courage to continue writing. Somehow these rejections led me to join a very small yet supportive writing group (only 3 people + me) and a beta reader who writes the same genre. I'd say my persistence ultimately saved me and my stories
This is super interesting for me because I'm both a writer and a musician and I went ahead and did a music degree but ended up washing out of music because I couldn't take rejection in that field, however, in the case of writing I'm thoroughly unperturbed by negative feedback. If the negative feedback is constructive I engage with it, if it isnt its like it never happened. I think because my music is so specifically personal l its intolerable to have it judged because its like judging my life. Writing, on the other hand almost feels like an extended version of playing pretend
How do you tell if something is a somewhat personalized rejection vs. auto rejection?
Personalized rejections say specific things about your book--so they mention character names, plot points, details. Auto-rejections are more generalized, like "just didn't connect," "not right for my list," "your writing is strong and I'm sure another agent will feel another way." That last one is interesting b/c it is worth noting that many agents have two levels of form rejections--ones that are truly generic, and those they send when they do actually feel you're a good writer but it's just not for them. The latter are pretty genuine; if they choose to send you that kind of rejection, it's a good sign!
Never give up. NEVER give up. NEVER GIVE UP.
4:23 Ah you think rejection is your ally? You merely adopted rejection. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see appreciation until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!
I am a wanna be writer and I want to quit writing, but I have talked about it, written about it, and studied about it for so long that the mere idea of quitting makes me sick, disheartened and lost, all the reasons here qualify me to quit, I never wrote anything complete but some poems in moments of inspiration, I have tons of outlines remaining to be fulfilled, It is indeed super hard, now knowing what elements go into making a novel and reading tons of novels myself I understand the size of the challenge, it having no financial reward as well is devastating in proportion to how much time i wasted on this, I don't fear rejection because I have publishers willing to publish my stupid story and they confirm that i will gain nothing out of it, but come publish anyway they say, I am also going mad with dreams of a grand book and a grand style that will immortalize me, something more like music than words, all this is piling up and the sane answer is to quit, why not quit?, why can't I quit it? I have had so much riding on this dream and it came crashing down and i still want to get these ideas out there for some reason, maybe a supernaturally silly hope is behind this, I have no idea, no idea what to do. I am at a stalemate, I can't quit and I can't write, and I can't afford a psychiatrist at the moment.
Ahh, this so much. #3. Yup. 👏 Say it again for the people in the back! 👏
I have not written in a while, because writing damned near ruined my life. It adversely affected my relationships, my health, my self-esteem, you name it. Whatever I am or ever aspired to be, writing took a chunk out of it. I only have so many chunks. I am nearly 68 years old and still cannot get published after decades of trying. Thousands of pages, hundreds of characters, dozens of short stories, and two novels. Even a poem and a song or two. Nothing. Absolutely nothing to show for it, and now the sun lowers on the horizon. All those years and all the people who have read what I have written would fit on a school bus. Writing is a thread of failure running my otherwise moderately successful life. The cover of my books must be as heavy as the Titanic. I have yet to meet the human being who can lift one. I do not know for sure if I have quit. I am trying my best to quit, but I am not even sure I can. If I have there is only one reason: Nobody reads it.
I feel you. "If it doesn't build belief in yourself, your business, or your bank account, let it go." I finally let go of my lifelong dream of writing too. Now that the weight is off my shoulders it feels like it had been haunting me for so long. Which is sad to say, because it was such a huge passion of mine. But I can say with certainty that I gave it my best shot, and I could never have let go if I wasn't sure of that. The publishing world in the internet age isn't the same as it once was in the days of Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts, and the ebook world is sure a unique animal. The industry has changed so much since I first fell in love with it growing up in the 90s and in several years AI is probably going to completely take over (there's concern about it among screenwriters at the moment. It's not at the same level of creativity as human writers yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if one day sooner or later it will be.) All that to say, hopefully you can rest assured that you gave your dream your best, and it's not necessarily anything you did wrong.
That's true when you say that writing is hard. I've struggled writing a book myself that it took a long time. I will never quit writing because I love what I do.
Hey comments section! I have been doing a lot of my own research about writing and one thing a lot of people mention is what the "market" is after, but I can't find a good place to see what is "heavy in the market" or what is marketable at any given moment. Is it more a feeling that people have simply by looking at what is already selling around or are there some resources I could use to get a better idea about this stuff? Thank you to anyone who responds! Happy writing!
I’m not completely sure, I suppose you look at books coming out in your genre at any given time. However, then you have to write and edit and either pay an editor and edit and market and self publish or query and query and edit and edit and market wait until your traditional publisher releases it. It could take a year or more to write and edit, and sometimes as much as two years to publish once your book has been bought by a publisher. By then, the market will have changed significantly.
Yep, you can see what's "heavy in the market" by looking at new releases and bestseller-lists. If you can find any patterns, that's what's marketable. This could be YA romances starring vampires, dystopian, children's fiction with female pirates, love triangles... anything in terms of genres, tropes, overarching elements etc.
Thank you both!
@JAMation. Like musicbyella indicated, the public taste changes from year to year. Nevertheless, it's good that you ask and find out what you can.
Yep. This applies to almost the entire creative field. Photography, art, etc. There are SO many of us out there, and so much good work, that unless you're *lucky*, so extraordinary you can't be ignored, you have connections, you have the intestinal fortitude to keep pushing long after everyone else has given up...you're going to crash and burn eventually.
As far as I can tell, from working in the arts community for a while, the great wall that separates paid working pros from everyone trying to get paid is: persistence. Persistence + time seems to be the key. Be really good. Make a lot of work. Do it over a long period of time.
You took the words right out of my mouth, Nicole. You got to love what you're doing if you want to be a successful writer. However, that's how it is with anything that involves following your passion.
@@consumerwarrior1267 Agreed!
I've been working on my current WIP for about 9 years now. It would just be so easy to quit but writing is my passion so the time and effort is worth it to me. When you have to write part time it can be hard but I think it's worth it.
This sounds like a random, yet stupid question, my first draft is a mess and I'm not done writing it. I'm a little over half way through and I have issues with the story that I'm writing. Would it be a bad idea to scrap it and restart at zero or should I keep writing to find more issues.
We can’t really tell you if you should scrap your work due to “issues” because we don’t know what they are… some issues have relatively minor fixes whereas other issues might point to a flaw in your basic idea. I would suggest to you to talk about it (in detail and depth) with people whose opinion you can trust. Also, remember that first drafts are not supposed to be flawless. That’s why they’re first drafts, so you can fix all the issues.
Do you wanna discourage writers?
Good luck with that. However, that's gonna be a hard task, mind you. We writers are strong!!
Well, the way I see it, if a writer can be easily discouraged by basic fact, and the regular knocks of writing, then they're not cut out for it anyway. My channel and my advice *is* encouragement to writers who are serious, committed, and want to be prepared for everything. Most writers (because everyone thinks they can write) *do* give up. Most *serious* writers, do not, because they are serious writers, who are passionate and committed to writing. So.
Also, not related to the video but I hope you don’t mind my saying you are really pretty! I love your hair colour.
Just finished first draft of first novel last night. Two hours later I had the first four pages of my next novel done. Once I got in the groove I was addicted to writing. Get in the habit!
I need a suggestion from you guys.
Yesterday, I entered a writing contest, and after submission, I saw I had forgot to correct a thing. It was the following line : "That night, I dreamed of standing on the top of a golden pyramid-like design." By 'pyramid-like design', I clearly wanted to mean 'pyramid-like object'. Do you think it will be counted as a major mistake, and may increase the odds of disqualification? Is it accepted to use the word 'design' the way I did?
Thank you in advance.
I wouldn't sweat over it. The use of "design" works for me in this sentence. No one is in your head and knows that you MEANT to use ONE different word. So chances are, it won't even be noticed.
The second point where she described all the things abt writing, I felt butterflies in my stomach. Gosh, that’s just so fun. I mean, it’s hard as heck, but when you reach every milestone, the satisfaction is worth everything
I'm writing my 8th chapter right now and I stopped writing this book 5 years ago because I had other ideas or I didn't feel like it.
I lost the first 100 or so pages of my first draft when my computer broke (I know, i know, I should have had it backed up) and it’s been hard to get the motivation to go through it all again. I feel as though everything I write is missing the spark of my lost draft.
My heart goes out to you. When I was 19 years old, I took a creative writing course at my local community college and this older man told the class that he had lost all the pages of his manuscript and the notes to it. Everything was handwritten too on his part. Nothing was on computer. He looked as though he was going to cry. I felt as though I was going to cry after he told the class, even though I wasn't the one that this tragedy happened to.
Stephen King once had a similar issue then when he eventually restarted the new version ended up being much better 🤞 good luck
What do you think of writers who are hobbyist writers but always work on their lore and never their intended novel.
My friend has been working on his novel for almost a a decade and he has about only 20 pages while the rest is lore.
As an illustrator trying to become a writer this is some hard truth for me. I know just the insane amount of time it took me to learn to draw, I don’t know if I can do that again with another hobby. Luckily, I just want to make graphic novels so I don’t need the actual prose down, but figuring out a plot? Character development? Story beats? Damn, it’s really hard
Ideas are cheap... yes and I get tired of people saying I have a great idea you could write. I have ideas... I just have to kick myself a few months and finish something.
Yes, I experience that frustration all the time. Wannabe writers really think it's just about the idea. I want to scream sometimes, but I know at the end of the day they can't hack it lol.
I have a writing app on my phone so I can write when I work, I just some times lose motivation to write. I start thinking who's really going to read this anyway. What can I do to not have those thoughts in my head?
I would say adjust your expectations. Chances are that your book won’t be read by millions of people--and that’s OK. That’s why you have to write and put out a book that YOU are happy with. Do you love your story enough that you will still be happy you wrote it, even if only 100 people ever read it? (Even 100 people investing hours and hours of their life is not little, btw.) Also remember that if you put in the work to polish your writing, don’t take any shortcuts and do some marketing, there is most likely a market for your book.
Plotting is what trips me up
6 novels in - mostly 5 stars on Amazon, movie deal (stalled), writing is easy... very very very easy for me.... it's just impossible marketing - I'm hating that. Right at the edge of quitting.
Writing is work. Writing is a job . . .
I agree. I think that's the big one that a lot of beginners may know, logically, but they blow past the reality of it. If you don't write it, it doesn't get written, so you do need to park your butt in that chair and do the job . . . even when you'd much rather be sitting on YT watching Alexa, daydreaming about your bestseller :PP
I want to quit writing because of: my incompetence, and no one appreciating my work, and my lack of ideas.
“Fewer social engagements”
PERFECT
Writing is someone hard, but that's not my problem as I just don't feel like I can breathe sometimes... Not sure it I can get a job where I'll get a lot, so some extra money isn't bad... though... I need to find another genre for me to ever succeed (doesn't fit the local market, as local fantasy is rare as hell).