my dream his hobby

[wolfgirl]

I dont know if i have posted this in the right place but if not sorry
Since the age of about 16 i have wanted to write a novel it is one of my major dreams.
I have started seriously writing about 2 years ago, but i seem to get caught up in research so i have only writen the first 2 chapters. I keep going back to them and adding and removing stuff.
I told my dad last year about my book and he said i have always wanted to do that too, so he started writing a book.
Just last week i went through to visit with my family and he told me he had finished his novel. I was a bit dismayed at this as he had only started a year ago. What really upset me was that he had told my sister it was the best hobby he had ever had. To me this is not a hobby i take it very seriously.
The other thing that worries me is if his book is published before mine will i always be know as that authors daughter having a shot.
this would really upset me.
I am happy for my dad dont get me wrong i just feel he has stolen my dream and that i wont be take seriously once his book is published.
thanks for listening

[Carmy]

I think you're being much too sensitive. You don't have a monopoly on dreams.

If your father works full time to support his family, then writing is a hobby -- as it is for many writers. Most of us have to work to pay the bills, and writing is what we do in our spare time. Anything we do in our spare time is a hobby, even if we're published occasionally.

I applaud your father. His hobby could be going to the pub and drinking himself silly every night.

[ChaosTitan]

Is your dad even trying to get published? Or did he write a book, as you say, as a hobby? Not everyone who writes is in it for publication. The only person who can really make you feel better about this is your father, so I suggest speaking with him.

Also, two chapters in two years? Part of writing professionally is having the discipline to sit down and put words to the page. At that rate, you'll finish your first draft somewhere in the year 2018. Don't let yourself get caught up in research (it's really easy to do!). Don't let your dad's manuscript deter you from yours.

Butt In Chair. Good luck. :)

[Richard Martin]

I dont have any advice but you have the stuff of a real good book right there in that fascinating situation you just described.

[Karen Duvall]

Have you read The World According to Garp by John Irving? Fab book. See the movie. The situation you're in sounds similar to Garp's.

[JeanneTGC]

So...your dream inspired a dream in your father. And, he took said dream and ran with it and has a finished MS in a year. And instead of being all proud of him and what you sparked in him, you're jealous and resentful that he's farther ahead than you? He put in the focus, you haven't. Tinkering with the first 2 chapters isn't going to complete a book -- and your father's proof of that.

You could be proudly trumpeting how you inspired your dad and you're going to be a family of writers. Instead, you're complaining that your father might be successful at this faster than you. Maybe if you spent this time and energy writing, say, chapter 3, instead of being resentful of your father, you two could both be proudly holding completed manuscripts.

[bethany]

Stephen King's son wrote a book. I haven't read it, but the title is fabulous. He published it under a pseudonym, and even though people figured it out, I kinda doubt your father will be more famous than Stephen King.

Maybe this is the motivation you need to get your butt in gear and actually finish something.

[wolfgirl]

hi you are all so right i am being resentful when i should be happy i do feel bad for feeling this way.
I am going to put some serious work in on my novel and ask if i can read his as we are writing in different styles hes writing a book about bent coppers and im writing a book about child hood fears coming true so we are completely different in our styles.
thanks for all the advice

[FOTSGreg]

Consider this - in the 2 years that you've been writing those 2 chapters, there have been at least 20 thousand other books published. Are you jealous or worried about all of those other authors?

So, why worry about your father and his potential success? Be proud of him as he will be of you.

I've written a novel, published 2 short stories, written a dozen others, started 3 novels, and rewritten my first novel 5 more times in that 2 years. The first draft of my book was done in 35 writing days (the research required 55 days, but to be honest most of those days I was working full-time and only spent a few hours doing actual research). My first draft was immensely detailed in it's scientific detail and much of that detail was info-dumping and had to be cut & rearranged. How much research do you really need to put into your book? I'd say it's not 2 years worth so I'd say you enjoy the research more than you do the writing. That's okay though. Contrary to popular opinion everyone does not have a book in them.

Writing can be fun & enjoyable simply as a hobby, but writing is not fun when you let yourself become worried or jealous over someone else's accomplishments.

I'm also of the opinion, being a 48-year old curmudgeon, that writers need to have some life experience before they really can write. We've all heard the wild success stories of the guy who sold his first novel at 16 or 18 or become a millionaire before he was 21. Those are, for the most part, urban myths or miracles of success. For every 16-year old novelist success there are at least a million others unsuccessful.

Let me dispell another myth - it's likely neither you nor your father are going to be able to quit your day jobs to become a writer full-time. It just isn't going to happen. For every successful J.K. Rowling there's a million John Smith's who keep working and churning out a book a year at the same time, unrecognized, underpaid, and undersold. Chances are very, very high you're not going to get rich through your writing.

Now, with that said, it can be safely said that those million John Smith's are quite happy and reasonably well off doing what they do. They've gone to school (or back to school), learned a trade, have a home and family, a car, enough money to take a vacation every now and then, and they still find the time to write. What counts is that they're happy.

Do what makes you happy - not what you think will make you happy. There's a big difference and the grass is always greener somewhere else. If doing the research makes you happier than actually writing your book, hey, I think you found something you can do, and do very well, that makes you happy. You could do a lot worse and, guess what, you can make a buck off of doing research for other people or becoming an expert in that particular field.

I think your father will be proud of you no matter what.

[veinglory]

Perhaps this can be your impetus to turn from being serious about writing to doing some serious writing.

[Mumut]

Just last week i went through to visit with my family and he told me he had finished his novel.

Isn't that the best incentive to get stuck into your writing and get published. Stop fiddling about with the little bit you've done. Just keep writing and do the editing/re-writing later. Good luck.

[czjaba]

I agree with the others that you should be happy and proud of your father. And look at it this way, he obviously has respect for you because he actually listened to what you were telling him about writing and thought your idea was so great that he actually spent 2 years working on it. Maybe he is trying to make you proud of him.
I've had lots of different business interests that I've tried to communicate with my parents about. They didn't understand how me and Hubby could make enough money to support our family by starting our own business that we could quit our day jobs. I've tried to discuss this with them and gave them all the educational videos, tapes, books, and even offered to help them structure their own stuff, but they've never taken an interest in what I was doing. Finally after 6 years, they've stopped asking me when I was going to get a 'real' job.
Maybe this is his way of having something in common with you. Maybe this will give the 2 of you a connection that no one else in your family can grasp.
If either of my parents started writing, or anything that I've had a mild interest in, I'd be on cloud 9.

[MicheleLee]

It sounds to me like you're too uptight. Not just with jealousy and such, as others have pointed out, but in your whole approach to writing. It seems to me like you're so stressed about getting your book perfect that you can't even get it done.

So embrace this: We all start out with a dream and next to no skills. The first step is finishing a novel, then you worry about making it (or the next one) a good novel. Allow yourself to completely suck. Allow your first novel to be nothing more than a thinly veiled "If I won the lottery" tale disguised as an urban fantasy story (no, not me, I never did that :/) One step at a time.

I do not know of one author, not one, who lets their rough drafts out even to their first readers. I don't let anyone see it until my third draft. The first draft is supposed to be loaded with cliches and typos and horribly grammar. The other drafts are meant to fix that.

As for your father... everyone is different. It's one of the hardest things to embrace on the writing path. You absolutely cannot compare your career (or dreams) to anyone else's because not even they understand how exactly things came together to get them that sale. Writing is a combination of skill, hard work (which earns you that skill) and sheer luck. Any author will tell you that.

As other people pointed out, maybe your dad has no intention of ever publishing his novel (or even letting it see the light of day). And maybe it sucks so bad no one will ever want it and he'll give up. But that shouldn't matter to you. You should have the warm squishies because he was inspired by you. You have in a small way been a role model for him. That's an honor and I think you'll discover as you head into your adult years that someone you love and admire so much being inspired by you is more valuable than a publishing contract.

[Nateskate]

Hi and congrats on what you've done. It sounds like you have some kind of family dynamic that may not have anything to do with the fact you are both writing.

We want an identity apart from our parents. But I think it's actually pretty special when we can share dreams rather than compete. If he does get there first, that could also open doors for you. But then again, he'd have to be a pretty good writer to hit it big on the first shot, and if that's the case, you can feel good that you helped him discover an ability he may not have known about.

Either way, I hope you both find your dreams.

Nate

[J C Coy]

Don't worry about what your father is doing and don't worry about editing those two chapers yet. Plant your butt in a chair and write something. One chapter a year isn't going to cut it. Writers write, you aren't doing that, you're doing everything except writing.

[zornhau]

Bugging, isn't it? But where do you get your story-telling urge from? If your father isn't the source, perhaps he shares one with you, e.g. your gran/his mum. If he doesnt take it seriously; well, that's probably a generational/culture thing.

On a practical level, your father probably has more time than you to write - retired? - and the life experience to help himn complete the project.

Most of all though, if you're still stuck on 2 chapters after so many years, then, probably, a lack of basic technical skills is stopping you realise your vision. Humbly suggest you read:
“Techniques of the Selling Writer” Dwight Swain
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806111917/qid=1092309558/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_11_4/202-8852299-9557438http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.45/t.gif (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806111917/qid=1092309558/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_11_4/202-8852299-9557438)
An old book, recommended to me by Janny Wurtz. Basically it’s Pulp Writing 101. Covers everything, from extreme basics to advanced. Swain was a very successful mid 20th century pulp writer. However, you can see the techniques at work in more refined fiction.
A longer list of useful resources here (http://zornhau.livejournal.com/971.html).

[qwerty]

wolfgirl, be proud of your dad and appreciate the fact that you have a common interest you can share and talk about.

My children are now adults, but it wasn't until I was past forty that I had the time and freedom to write. I'd love it if one of my kids shared my interest/hobby/dream - call it what you choose. Anyone who has the dedication to complete a book has a true love of writing. Your father just had to wait until he had the opportunity to follow his dream, but that doesn't make it any less important than your own dream.

[NeuroFizz]

In seconding the opinions above, I'd like to address the "hobby" statement. This word is sometimes used to downplay the importance of an activity, either by the person practicing the activity or by others in response to the person's dedication. Sometimes it is used as a catch-all phrase by people who have a full-time day job--to highlight their other interests. To assume the word "hobby" implies less dedication or seriousness to the activity is a horrible generalization. I have known people whose dedication to and seriousness toward their hobbies were total (obsessive in some cases) and dwarfed their motivation for the activities that put food on their tables*.


*This is not a negative reflection on their competence in their day jobs.

[J C Coy]

In seconding the opinions above, I'd like to address the "hobby" statement. This word is sometimes used to downplay the importance of an activity, either by the person practicing the activity or by others in response to the person's dedication. Sometimes it is used as a catch-all phrase by people who have a full-time day job--to highlight their other interests. To assume the word "hobby" implies less dedication or seriousness to the activity is a horrible generalization. I have known people whose dedication to and seriousness toward their hobbies were total (obsessive in some cases) and dwarfed their motivation for the activities that put food on their tables*.


*This is not a negative reflection on their competence in their day jobs.
Thank you.

Writing is not a hobby for me, and I get quite steamed when my hub says my writing is a hobby.

[L M Ashton]

Personally, I find it really cool that writing is an interest/passion/hobby that the two of you share. Not everyone has that with other family members, and it's something that can bring the two of you closer if you let it. Plus it can be fun. :)

My husband is a writer (science fiction/fantasy as well as freelancing), as is my niece (science fiction/fantasy), in addition to me (science fiction/fantasy in addition to freelancing). None of us is published yet, but it's still cool. It's fun to toss ideas around and, more importantly, to have people who are important to me who actually understand what I'm talking about. :)

Plus we're all in the same genres, which just beats all. :D The husband and I play in the same universes, with some of the same characters. the husband and I helped my niece with some of her character/world building/plot development. I ran with another idea my niece had (with her complete permission, of course - it was a GREAT idea that she wasn't going to use). It's FUN to do this sort of thing. :D

So, you know, my advice would be to learn how to enjoy this. It could be great. :)

[KTC]

So...your dream inspired a dream in your father. And, he took said dream and ran with it and has a finished MS in a year. And instead of being all proud of him and what you sparked in him, you're jealous and resentful that he's farther ahead than you? He put in the focus, you haven't. Tinkering with the first 2 chapters isn't going to complete a book -- and your father's proof of that.

You could be proudly trumpeting how you inspired your dad and you're going to be a family of writers. Instead, you're complaining that your father might be successful at this faster than you. Maybe if you spent this time and energy writing, say, chapter 3, instead of being resentful of your father, you two could both be proudly holding completed manuscripts.

Thank you for saying what I was thinking. I'm sensing much bitterness that is uncalled for. I don't like it at all. It's rather ugly.

[KTC]

hi you are all so right i am being resentful when i should be happy i do feel bad for feeling this way.
I am going to put some serious work in on my novel and ask if i can read his as we are writing in different styles hes writing a book about bent coppers and im writing a book about child hood fears coming true so we are completely different in our styles.
thanks for all the advice


It's childhood. One word.

[Susan Lanigan]

Thank you for saying what I was thinking. I'm sensing much bitterness that is uncalled for. I don't like it at all. It's rather ugly.

My broadband broke while I was in the middle of my initial response. Argh. Just to say here: I don't think preaching is necessarily all that helpful. Jealousy is notoriously difficult to dislodge and won't respond to the Moral High Ground.

Part of the writing experience is finding that other people outstrip us and if we value this craft at all, that makes us jealous. I know because it's happened to me. The cure for jealousy is increasing confidence and raising one's game. In a way, the OP's father is showing the way and in fairness to him is raising the stakes for her to catch up with him. His drive is a model she should follow.

To the OP - raise your game and kick Dad's ass :D

[KTC]

And had she come on here and said, "My dad pisses me off so much. I told him I was writing a book and he went and wrote one and finished his before me. I'm going to show him. I'm going to sit down and write the hell out of a book and get it done." I may not have suggested the petty ugliness.

To the OP...what you have to do is WRITE. There are thousands--millions--of people out there writing books. Just sit down and write the thing and pay no attention to what your father--or anyone else--is doing. It's not a race. What you DO have to do is just write it and leave those two chapters alone. Just write the entire first draft and then worry about tinkering with it. Maybe that's what you should take from your father--his ability to write it down. You're stopping yourself from moving forward. He's not stopping you.

[Maine2]

I have always wanted to write a novel as well. From the time I was able to write I have written short stories that I never even considered publishing. It has always been a hobby for me, even now I just write when I have the time because I have a family I have to support. It wasn't until last year that I decided to write an actual novel that I could send in and try to get published. Before I began writing I did my research on facts I thought I might use then I did research for tips given by other writers on how to get that project finished. One thing I learned is that you need to write a little everyday if possible. Also, that if you think of something you want to change, make note of it and wait until you are finished with the manuscript to go back and change it, because if you keep going back to change things and add things what happens is that two years later you are barely on chapter two. I finished the first draft on my manuscript in one year and I am still learning what to do once it is finished. As, far as what your father has done. If it bothers you that much pick up you game and get that book finished, because it takes time to get it published, if that is indeed what he intends to do. Good Luck.

[Layla Nahar]

I think you are not overreacting - you are reacting. The feelings you feel tell you something about yourself & your relationship with your father. Those feelings are legit. If you feel your father has stolen your dream, then he has.

To me this sound like one of the things people do (not necessarily consciously) to undermine those near them who might be achieving goal. Like the husband who says "c'mon do you really think you can lose all that weight? - have another slice of pie - I made it special" after after his wife has been on a diet. Here is something you are struggling with, and your dad just - does it - and THEN calls it his 'hobby'. How dismissive is that of your struggle?

Nevertheless, I think everyone here is correct in that, the best thing you can do is - find somewhere in your heart to be glad for your dad. It is one of the best ways that those of us who suffer from being easily thrown off the path of things that we love to keep those things as inalienable parts of ourselves - let him have his 'hobby' - you keep forging ahead with your dream - and keep it to yourself*. That way noone can steal it from you.

*until you publish, at least.

[JeanneTGC]

I think you are not overreacting - you are reacting. The feelings you feel tell you something about yourself & your relationship with your father. Those feelings are legit. If you feel your father has stolen your dream, then he has.

To me this sound like one of the things people do (not necessarily consciously) to undermine those near them who might be achieving goal. Like the husband who says "c'mon do you really think you can lose all that weight? - have another slice of pie - I made it special" after after his wife has been on a diet. Here is something you are struggling with, and your dad just - does it - and THEN calls it his 'hobby'. How dismissive is that of your struggle?

Nevertheless, I think everyone here is correct in that, the best thing you can do is - find somewhere in your heart to be glad for your dad. It is one of the best ways that those of us who suffer from being easily thrown off the path of things that we love to keep those things as inalienable parts of ourselves - let him have his 'hobby' - you keep forging ahead with your dream - and keep it to yourself*. That way noone can steal it from you.

*until you publish, at least.
How in the WORLD could this girl's father have stolen her dream? I mean, seriously. He's not trying to undermine her. No one has the freaking right to tell another person they can't aim for the same goal. He's not waving his MS in front of her going "nyah, nyah, nyah". He said to someone that it was a hobby giving him great joy -- how is THAT stealing ANYthing from ANYone other than a resentful, petulant child who wanted to whine about the unfairness of it all and is too immature to be able to put things into perspective?

He's done what she hasn't, she's resentful. Period. We ALL go through similar with our children in some way, shape or form. That's not something to excuse away with "oh, if you feel it, it must be so". Wolfgirl sounds quite young to me, so do you. Some advice to both of you: Grow up.

[sadron]

I wouldn't contest with my father on writing novels. I go my own way and space.
Just ignore what your daddy says, you will be fine.

[NeuroFizz]

I agree with Jeanne. And to inject a little reality into the original poster's comments--finishing a novel is a long way from getting it published. You father faces long odds of being successful (as will you when/if you finish yours). Even if he is, a first novel likely won't have any impact on a first novel of a relative. All that is such a minute likelihood, you shouldn't be concerned with it in the least.

A far larger problem for you is writing two chapters in two years. Your problem is not your father. To be blunt, your problem is you. You are worrying about your father's impact on a non-existent novel of yours. Until you can complete a novel, you have no need to worry about the impact of any of the writers out there who are finishing, shopping and publishing their novels.

Use this whole event as motivation. Finish something. That's the only way to make a dream a reality. You do not have an exclusive license on the writing dream, and you should not begrudge anyone else for seeking it and making it a reality. Nor should you be jealous of anyone who flies past you when you are keeping such a snail's pace. Step it up. Show the world what you can do. We are not just writers, we are readers. And we love good stories. Write one for us.

[wolfgirl]

i know that i sound like a petulant child and i have no right to be angry or jealous i am trying my hardest to stop feeling like this.
Thank you for all your advice it made me take a look at myself and i now see that am my own worst enemy.
You are right i need to stop worrying about my dad and get on with my own work so that is what i am going to do.
thanks again for all the advice it really did help

[KTC]

I wish you the best of luck, wolfgirl. Even beyond this thing with your father, I think you need to allow yourself to just plow forward. You can always edit after you get to the end. You have to allow yourself to write absolute crap. FIRST DRAFT UGLY. Good luck!

[Deccydiva]

When I was 17-18 (oddly enough I was living in Scotland then but that's irrelevant) my father, who had a great love of English, had a letter published in a well-known Yachting magazine. As he didn't sail, I was surprised that he had done it but also felt he had set me a challenge. Some months later, I achieved the same. Like you I had dabbled a bit but my head was in the clouds. Seeing his name in print really spurred me on and started what has also become a life-long love of written English in several forms. It spurred me on to produce stuff, not think about it, and was the best kick ITA I ever had.
RIP Daddy.

[veinglory]

I would also say we can't control what we feel. I sometime look at other people being successful and think 'bitch'. But what I say to them is 'congratulations' and try very hard to mean it. Our emotions are our first repsonse, not our correct response.

[Maine2]

How in the WORLD could this girl's father have stolen her dream? I mean, seriously. He's not trying to undermine her. No one has the freaking right to tell another person they can't aim for the same goal. He's not waving his MS in front of her going "nyah, nyah, nyah". He said to someone that it was a hobby giving him great joy -- how is THAT stealing ANYthing from ANYone other than a resentful, petulant child who wanted to whine about the unfairness of it all and is too immature to be able to put things into perspective?

He's done what she hasn't, she's resentful. Period. We ALL go through similar with our children in some way, shape or form. That's not something to excuse away with "oh, if you feel it, it must be so". Wolfgirl sounds quite young to me, so do you. Some advice to both of you: Grow up.


I like what you said :) I'm young also, and I can't speak for anyone else but my parents are wonderful. They are supportive and help me any why possible. They also work way to much. If my father had time for a hobby I would be thrilled and so happy for him. I would do everything I could to help him. And like I said if it bothers her so much then she needs to not tell her father and make him feel bad. She just needs pick up her game write and finish her book. I hope if nothing else these comments will motivate you to finish your book and pursue your dream.

[qwerty]

i know that i sound like a petulant child and i have no right to be angry or jealous i am trying my hardest to stop feeling like this.
Thank you for all your advice it made me take a look at myself and i now see that am my own worst enemy.
You are right i need to stop worrying about my dad and get on with my own work so that is what i am going to do.
thanks again for all the advice it really did help

That was a gracious post, wolfgirl. You've recognised that people are here to help you, not just with your writing, but with your take on life. We were all young once, and we all needed to learn. Coming to terms with life is all part of the necessary experience which goes towards making a mature writer.

I wish you well with your writing, but above all, enjoy it. And share it with your dad, okay?

[shebitme]

no offense but you are being selfish, jealous, and mean spirited.

be HAPPY for your father. he put in the effort and finished it. Here's some tough love: he takes it more seriously than you, because he finished his book, and you didnt.
I'm not trying to offend you, i'm trying to call you out on your BS. Dont rain on your dad's parade by belittling his effort.

also, it's doubtful that you will always be in his shadow. It's doubtful that he'll become so famous that you'll be known as his daughter (as opposed to your own famous author, IF you're good enough and IF you ever finish the book).

so stop worrying about what other people are doing, stop being jealous of other people, and focus on your own novel.

like i said, not trying to offend you, but this is exactly what my mom would say to me if i were acting like you were: she taught me not to be petty and spoiled. Change your attitude and you will be a better author and a better daughter. Best wishes.

[KTC]

no offense but you are being selfish, jealous, and mean spirited.

be HAPPY for your father. he put in the effort and finished it. Here's some tough love: he takes it more seriously than you, because he finished his book, and you didnt.
I'm not trying to offend you, i'm trying to call you out on your BS. Dont rain on your dad's parade by belittling his effort.

also, it's doubtful that you will always be in his shadow. It's doubtful that he'll become so famous that you'll be known as his daughter (as opposed to your own famous author, IF you're good enough and IF you ever finish the book).

so stop worrying about what other people are doing, stop being jealous of other people, and focus on your own novel.

like i said, not trying to offend you, but this is exactly what my mom would say to me if i were acting like you were: she taught me not to be petty and spoiled. Change your attitude and you will be a better author and a better daughter. Best wishes.


She has already posted that she knew she was being selfish. Read her last post...she is going to attempt to change AND finish her book. POST #30

[Richard Martin]

Wolfgirl, I've read that writers are always a little bit mad.

I teach elementary school. I'm friendly. I'm kind-hearted. Deep down, I'm always a little bit mad, too. That means I have something to say. It means I have to say it...it burns a hole through me if I don't.

Do you have something to say? Are you a little bit mad? Say it, Wolfgirl. Forget those two chapters. Sit down and say it, write fast and furious and get it all out. If you can, and you find you're at page 300 sometime later...a month, six months, a year...you're a writer.

If not, maybe you don't have that little burning flame in you that MUST write.

Does that statement make you mad? Good. Write it out. :)

Yep. A writer can kill a source of tremendous energy & creativity inside by trying to fix every "wrong" or "bad" feeling & thought. Use the power & truth of those feelings and thoughts as propellant to drive your story. If some event/situation is that upsetting in so many ways, and so close to home, and therefore intriguing, maybe don't try to fix the thing but plant it deep in your characters and write it forth.

[Birol]

Wolfgirl has received some very excellent advice on dealing with her emotions in relationship to her father, how her behavior is perceived, and where her focus needs to be. I know many writers, in the beginnings of their careers, tended to write the same chapters over and over again trying to get them "right," and because of that, never reaching the end. It's a common problem. So, those of you who have experienced it, can you shed any insight on why you might have been stuck in that rut or offer advice on how she can move beyond that and reach The End of her own novel so she and her father might celebrate together?

[JeanneTGC]

Wolfgirl has received some very excellent advice on dealing with her emotions in relationship to her father, how her behavior is perceived, and where her focus needs to be. I know many writers, in the beginnings of their careers, tended to write the same chapters over and over again trying to get them "right," and because of that, never reaching the end. It's a common problem. So, those of you who have experienced it, can you shed any insight on why you might have been stuck in that rut or offer advice on how she can move beyond that and reach The End of her own novel so she and her father might celebrate together?
Start another book, another short, another piece of writing.

I'm not in the "finish it no matter what" school of writing thought. I'm of the "write and keep on writing and if you have a lot of WIPs that gives you the freedom to work on whichever one you want to at the time" school of thought.

Everyone's different and everyone approaches what I'd call writer's block, based on Wolfgirl's description, differently. Working on multiple projects works for me and always kicks me out of the rut. And I do go back and finish those "abandonded"...when they're ready for me and I'm ready for them. Could be worth a shot, since being stuck is usually no fun. ;)

[Birol]

I'm not talking about a rut, or so-called writer's block, but learning to move forward on a work. There's a difference between an experienced writer in a rut and an inexperienced one learning how to move past the beginning.

[JeanneTGC]

I'm not talking about a rut, or so-called writer's block, but learning to move forward on a work. There's a difference between an experienced writer in a rut and an inexperienced one learning how to move past the beginning.
And, when I was an inexperienced writer, that's still what I did to move past something that stopped me -- I worked on something else. Or I forced myself to just do it and write whatever came out and worry about it later. But most of the time, I went to another WIP and worked on that. The ones that flowed, flowed. The ones that didn't are still there for me to work on another time.

As I said, that's what works for me. Everyone's different.

[steveg144]

Your father probably brought two characteristics to writing his novel that are (more often than not) a function of reaching a certain age: focus, and a strong work ethic. In my experience, these are two characteristics that (more often than not) new young writers lack. Maybe your father got it done faster because he worked harder and more focused to get it done?

[hammerklavier]

First of all, some people take hobbies very seriously. Second, you should be very happy for your dad if his book is published, and should ask him for a recommendation. Third, you can use a pen name to avoid any connections if they are distasteful to you.