The Difference Between 'If' And 'When' - Knowing What You Want To Do

Aka. Making The Decision To Write The Darn Book.

Today I'm going to address a problem that has plagued me ever since I decided I liked making up stories and writing them down. I'd always start something and never finish it, despite thinking towards the beginning that I was going to turn it into a book at some point.

This could happen for a number of reasons:

• writers' block (which I could never be bothered to get over when I was younger),
• lack of time for writing (still a problem even now - but a less substantial one),
• losing confidence in the story (a frequent problem),
• not actually having an idea for an ending (believe me you need one or you'll just end up floundering around until you run out of steam)
• or just running out of ideas.

The main one however was the lack of drive that I had. OK, I'd thought I may make a novel out of it and I always initially thought my ideas were good ones, but I never just said to myself "Right. No more mucking around; I am actually going to make a good go of this and get this thing finished." This was the problem: because if you're not sure if you're really going to do it, then no-one else can take that step for you.
I had this problem even up until less than a year ago: I had an idea and I was thinking "Yeah, I'm not a child any more, maybe I could make a go of this." but I never truly made the decision to take it seriously and that project failed like all the others.

It's no use going over in your head what could happen if you do publish it, because that's all it will be: just vague imaginings. However, if you think in terms of what could happen when you get it published; it means there is no uncertainty in your own head and though the thoughts of what could happen are still just ramblings of your creative mind, they are still a whole lot more likely to happen than when you're thinking in terms of ifs.

I know I can already see the difference between this project and the others.
Most of the others I never got much past starting chapter one or two and and having a vague idea of what's going to happen next.
This time I have nearly two chapters finished and several more on the go, plus pages and pages of planning, background and character profiles, not to mention several different notebooks all for different purposes - be them name ideas or just jotting random things down.
And another project (a fanfiction if you must know) done in a similar way to this now has eighteen completed chapters and the next close to completion, and with a definite plan of what's to come.

As you can see: much better.


So, how about you? Do you know this is definitely what is going to happen? Will you finish it, get it published and never look back?

Now, everything I've said here may not apply to you at all and you may be able to rattle off a book without really thinking about without even realising it's happening- and if you can please can you tell me your secret - but I think for, most of us, we all need to have that drive and know what we want to do.
Thoughts?


Well, that's my rant for today over with.
Hope it was enjoyed
W-O xxx