Afraid to finish...

EFCollins said:

Ambrosia,

Hi. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've had portions of books I have written get stuck in just the way you describe. What worked for me may not work for you, but it might be worth a shot.

I bought a cheap little RCA digital voice recorder and actually told myself the scenes I had trouble with, recording as I talked. Then, I just played them back a couple of hours later and transcribed them over to my ms. It's not rocket science, but it worked for me. Several times, in fact. I did have to pause while I caught up with myself, but it got did.

~Ellen

Click to expand...

That is an interesting idea, Ellen. Thank you.

Thanks, everyone. I have really appreciated everyone's input and am trying different things to try to get this work flowing again. You all have been wonderful to take your time and try to help.

MetalDog said:

Changing the medium usually works for me when I get like that (and I get like that almost every damn time when I hit the 70% mark). I switch to notepad and pen. I tend to write more rubbish that way, but at least stuff gets written and I do a lot of cutting when I transfer it to the PC. Nearly always works, though.

Click to expand...

In that case I would have to switch to computer because I do all of my creation by paper and pen, then enter it into the computer to edit it.

You are right. It might shake things up a bit to try to force myself to create on the computer. And I have a laptop sitting here waiting for me to use it... I could take it to a restaurant, have a cup of coffee and just write. It is a good idea.

Oh, thanks for letting me know you go through this at the 70% mark. It helps to know I am not alone.

RunawayScribe said:

You just have to sit down and do it. This seems like an obvious statement, but if you never do it, it'll never get done.

Click to expand...

It is, indeed, an obvious statement.

My problem is not just sitting down and doing it. I wish it were that simple. My problem is in not being able to write once I sit down to do it. Nothing, nada, zip, not one piece of one word, not one thought, nothing. Totally blank. That is the problem I am having. The problem I have to get beyond. I can not get what is in my head to the point of exploding out of my head and onto paper.

But currently I have lost my reading glasses. So another twist in the plot as I need them for writing as well. Lost them a couple days ago. Went today to try to get new ones. Stupid store wants $250 for a new pair and that is after discounts. I can't afford it. I am ready to just commit seppuku and call it a day.

Sorry folks. I had to take a break yesterday cause I was getting seriously depressed. I am much better after getting some sleep.

scarletpeaches said:

Well, I just read a great quote from Jim Rohn: "You can't hire someone else to do your push-ups for you."

Click to expand...

It would be nice if I could though. I hate push-ups.

It's-Magic! said:

I'm only a teenager, but out of my own experience, I find it easiest to sketch out things that appear in my mind: scenery, creatures, characters, you know the rest...
It gives me inspiration and helps me find ways to describe what I see. Then I write out a description about the pics. It doesn't matter if you're not a good artist, `cause it's all still in your mind.
You could give it a go.

Click to expand...

Thanks for this idea. The only thing I draw really well is trees. But I like your suggestion. I do doodle when I am stuck thinking about things. Putting the doodling to work might help.

RunawayScribe said:

Sitting down is good. But you still have to do the writing part

Put one sentence on the page. One word, even. Build it up in tiny blocks. You *can* do it. It might be tough, but you definitely can. Saying you can't will only hold you back.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I know, my internal dialogue sucks at times. It helps to be reminded to watch myself.

ccarver30 said:

I have the same problem and posted about it.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124565

Click to expand...

Wow. Thank you. To say 'thank you' seems so inadequate. Critical hump indeed. Though this is not a sex scene. I already wrote the seduction scene and know it sucks and will have to be rewritten later.

This scene coming up sets the stage for book two. Without it working, the opening of the second book won't work. And the following conflicts in this WIP won't matter. And, I am going to be killing off a couple characters, one that I have really grown fond of. Hahahaahahaha. Put all of that with my fear of finishing and no wonder I am stuck.

With this knowledge I should be able to free myself from this trap. Again, thank you ever so much.