Hello Story Nurse,I want to write a novel. But I'm stuck. I have previously published non-fiction work in thesis, publication, monograph and script format. To me this kind of writing is, if not easy, intuitive. Pitching what I'm writing to the right audience is my particular strength. I've written for experts in my field and … Continue reading #123: Writer’s Mind, Beginner’s Mind
starting a project
#115: Getting Started Writing Original Fiction
You're asking me about how, but my questions back to you are about why. If you can grab hold of why you're focusing on writing original fiction and confirm that you really do want to be doing it, a lot of these pieces will fall into place.
#113: Getting Beyond the Beginning
What I don't recommend is beginning at the beginning. Since you need an ending to work toward, begin with that ending.
#99: Developing a Supporting Cast
Just as protagonists in some ways embody the Big Idea of your story, supporting characters are often avatars of its themes.
#97: Blocked on Book Two
You may need to spend more time with your other book and find closure of some kind with it before you embark on a new project. You may need to develop some kind of parting ritual that frees you to move on.
#86: Getting Started in a New Genre
It's hard to push forward through the doubt and tempting to try to wait until you feel more confident, but the way to get more confident is to do the thing; confidence comes with experience.
#83: Feeling Unworthy of Your Ideas
Surely you can write one word, even if it's "The" or "If" or "A". And if you've written one word, surely you can write another.
#67: New Ideas Stop Me from Finishing Anything
Today is the fifth Tuesday of the month, which means that my answer to this heartfelt letter is available exclusively to my Patreon patrons.
#21: Stopping and Starting
Nothing gets in your way more than a creative writing degree and a lot of practice doing other kinds of writing, both of which fill your head with all sorts of ideas about what writing should be like.
#8: You Are Not Your Work
If no one reads your stories about queer girls in space, that's not a judgment on you. And if everyone loves your stories about queer girls in space, that's not a judgment on you. The work is the work.
Story Hospital 