Getting a Good Idea

Glacierflower · Post by **Glacierflower** » 11 Feb 2015, 23:35

I am 11 and an ok writer. Sometimes, I'll be in the middle of class when an idea comes to me, and all I want to do, is write it down in my notebook and start polishing the idea. Sometimes, I'll be looking over a bleak landscape when an unexpected idea comes to me. My problem, well, I have quite a few of those, but the first one, is writers block. Have you ever tried, and tried, and tried, AND TRIED to write something that won't work. There have been many times where I re-wrote a bunch of different books for various reasons. From unaccording plots, to overwhelming detail, or violent and mean content. Sometimes, the words just won't flow. Can anyone help me?

Another problem, have do I transfer from writing short stories to a multiple chapter story, it's complicated. Whenever I try, I can't do it. It's hard for me to transition, If anyone has any tips, please help me out. Thanks!

LisaDeAnn · Post by **LisaDeAnn** » 12 Feb 2015, 00:13

Writer's block is something that, I'm sorry to tell you, will always be apart of your life. I'm 21 and it is the hardest thing ever. But I have done research on it myself and the best advice I got from it all is that if you want to write something, do not wait for inspiration to come before diving into your writing. You just kind of have to do it. I myself light a candle and write until that candle is burned out. Maybe you can find something similar. Also, keep a journal with you at all times. When you get an idea for something, write it down in there, if your suddenly inspired, take advantage of that and write. But pay attention in school too!

icerose92 · Post by **icerose92** » 12 Feb 2015, 14:06

I agree with Lisa. Keep a journal handy, or if it can't be a journal or little notebook, at least make sure you have access to some way to get your ideas down. I have an app on my tablet that I use quite frequently when there is no paper available. As for transitioning from short stories to multichapters, it gets easier the longer you write. I'm 22, and I started writing when I was around your age, and I just started writing multichapters in the last couple of years. When I get an idea for a multichapter story, I let the idea brew for a few weeks or even months, jotting down ideas for it as they come to you.

Also, Lisa is right; pay attention in school! School is important, but it's also not a conducive environment for writing, usually. Whenever I tried to write in school, my stories always came out as a mess; it's difficult to write your stories and attempt to pay attention to your teachers, too.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 12 Feb 2015, 17:46

Do you take notes in class? If so, you can quickly jot down your writing ideas in the margin, if it doesn't interfere with what the teacher's saying. Maybe just write a few key words, like, "Dog park kite," that will remind you later.

You're an amazing writer already! You're in the advance program, aren't you? Here are my thoughts--if you're having writer's block, you might be trying to go against the flow--to paddle up the creek instead of down it. It might mean you're trying to write about the wrong thing. If/when you have nothing in your mind to make up, then write about something that happened in your life today, but turn it into a story. Not like a diary, exactly; more like you're fictionalizing what happens to you. It's GREAT practice, there's never any writer's block (because life is always interesting, right?), and it will teach you how to create a scene with description and dialogue and characters. I did that for years growing up, and I seriously think it's one of the things that helped me the most. I never tried fiction at your age--I just wrote about everything around me. Trust me, this will enable you to write multiple chapters in a little while.

CataclysmicKnight · Post by **CataclysmicKnight** » 13 Feb 2015, 20:29

Writers block is definitely common, and in fact something I don't think anyone can totally avoid. It's such a weird thing, though, both writer's block and inspiration come at the most random times, and you should totally be prepared for both. The suggestions are great - you can sometimes overcome writer's block simply by writing and hoping it breaks you free of it.

The only suggestion I can give, other than the great stuff others have said, is to ALWAYS have a small notebook with you (in a pocket if at all possible), and then keep it beside your bed and reachable from in the shower even if you can. There's nothing like trying to sleep and coming up with an idea, or waking up with one, promising yourself you'll remember it when you wake up, and then not remembering it...

And, finally, being an "ok writer" at 11 is totally normal! Everyone is just okay when they start out (or much worse!) and like everything, it just takes lots of practice. Keep it up!

KS Crooks · Post by **KS Crooks** » 13 Feb 2015, 23:06

For writer's block it helps me to have a brief outline of what I want to happen in your story. Knowing where I want my characters to begin (mentally and physically), what four or five major plot points are going to be, and where I want your characters to end up (mentally and physically). Once I start writing anytime I'm stuck I skip ahead to a point where I do know what I want to write. While I am doing that part my head will subconsciously figure out the part I skipped.

Think about times when you are trying to think of something, such as a person's or song's name, that you know for sure but can't remember at that moment. For me the best way to remember is to stop thinking about it. After a short time it will come to me. You should think of what works best for you in a similar situation and see if it will also work for your writing.

Another option is to ask someone what think would happen next in your story. My final point would be to always be ready for ideas. I have a pen and paper around me at all times so if an idea comes to me it gets recorded immediately. Hope this sparks a few ideas.

StarLight365 · Post by **StarLight365** » 13 Feb 2015, 23:18

Writing is a talent. If we try or put more efforts, then the ideas will never come.
What is needed is to sit down in a relaxed manner and just not make any effort Just sit down silently in front of the book and holding a pen in hand. The ideas will flow spontaneously.

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 14 Feb 2015, 01:01

I know precisely what you are getting at. Great story ideas feel like a gift you receive from some divine otherworldly force, and as soon as you get it, the need to write it down can overwhelm you. As for the length of the "Great-Idea"? You as writer don't get to choose how long the story is, that, my friend, like the idea itself, chooses you. Have you ever read Stephen King's On Writing? If you haven't, please take a look at it. It'll explain all this in great detail, and you'll never think of writer's block the same way again. Remember, On Writing!

Glacierflower · Post by **Glacierflower** » 14 Feb 2015, 21:23

Thank you everybody for all your suggestions! They really help. I difinetly do pay attention in class though.

Ps. I keep about 3 notebooks handy in school and near my bed

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 14 Feb 2015, 21:26

You're welcome! Keep us posted!!

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 19 Feb 2015, 07:31

I don't think I have ever had a good idea in my life, so there is no way I can help out in this area.

CataclysmicKnight · Post by **CataclysmicKnight** » 19 Feb 2015, 21:07

Glacierflower wrote:Thank you everybody for all your suggestions! They really help. I difinetly do pay attention in class though.

Ps. I keep about 3 notebooks handy in school and near my bed

3 is a good start

and good! Oddly enough, paying attention in class can lead to some awesome ideas too. You can always challenge yourself to come up with an idea from one of your classes each day. Bonus points if it's in math class