Writing 

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Writing&nbsp

Writing

 

I hope that this is the right forum for this. I have two problems when writing:

1. Titles. How do you guys get good titles????

2. I never finish my stories!! AH!

So suggestions? Do you have the same problems? 

submitted by Elizabeth M , age 11, Germany
(February 1, 2011 - 10:56 am)

back to the Inkwell

No worries. You've come to the right place.

1. When seeking titles, I often use alliteration (the repetition of beginning sounds) or a play on words, such as the time I named a shorter story of mine Keeping Faith. I called it that because the main character wanted to bring his mother back from the dead, and her name was Faith. I hope that helped a little.

As for 2, I have the same problem. If you find yourself drifting away from your story and writing less and less, maybe just write one page, one paragraph, or even just one sentence. Anything to keep writing. And if you can't find the inspiration to do that, maybe just read over what you have written already. If its on a computer, keep it open on the desktop and work around it. If its hand-written, keep it someplace nearby your bed or computer to keep reminding you. Again, I hope that was helpful.

submitted by Katie, age 13, outside looking
(February 1, 2011 - 12:38 pm)

Thanks! I write with a pen and a notebook... Does making a plan before you write help? I kind of just let everything flow. 

submitted by Elizabeth M , age 11, Germany
(February 2, 2011 - 1:02 pm)

*giggles for no reason*

1) Titles? Oh heck. Hmmm...all my stories are in the making, so I don't worry about titles. Cross that bridge when I come to it! ;)

2) None of my stories are finished except one tht's only two pages long and one that needs serious editing.  Soo....I guess I don't worry about that either!

submitted by Mattie, who may change
(February 28, 2011 - 10:43 am)

1. I rarely name my story until after I've finished it.  Usually it has something to do with the characters or what happens in the book (i.e. my story Wolf Call was based off what the wolves used to put the plan into action).

2. When I'm having writer's block, I either go back and edit/write an older story or start a new one.  Eventually I will come back to it, though it may take a while.  I have several unfinished stories, but I just picked up one that had been sitting around for several months and am totally into it now.

submitted by Charlotte/Cocheta, age almost 13, Lost in my mind
(February 2, 2011 - 10:24 pm)

I have given up on another story. *groans* Oh and feel free to ask your own questions. Otherwise the thread is just about me and that seems self centered... 

submitted by Elizabeth M , age 11, Germany
(February 3, 2011 - 10:21 am)

My problem is that I don't know how to get started. I have good ideas, but I have trouble pinnng them down on paper.

submitted by Jassiana, age 13
(February 3, 2011 - 8:13 pm)

I think you should just get a starting sentence in your head and then start writing. That may help.

submitted by Elizabeth M , age 11, Germany
(February 4, 2011 - 12:51 am)

1.  Just wait until the book is finished, if you ever finish a book, and then brainstorm for ten minutes and write down every possible on a sheet of paper.  Pick the best.

 

2.  I'm the same way.  There's nothing wrong with not finishing a story!  Maybe you'll come back to it in a few years and make it wayyyyy better (which has happened to me.)  I have, I think, four or five scenes written out.  they vary from a paragraph to a couple pages long.  I don't know how the story will start or anything else, but I wrote down the scenes that came to mind!  :)

submitted by R~D~, age 14
(February 4, 2011 - 1:19 pm)

Hey there! 

For #1, I have never actually found a good name for any of my stories.  My main advice is for #2.

For #2, hang on to something.  I might go overboard here.  

I had the same exact problem, and probably still do.  What happened for me was that I signed up for NaNo.  I failed miserably, but I got far more done than ever before, and I learned how to push through writer's block.  Even afterwards, I kept working on the story so I could give it away as a present to my family for Christmas.  And I actually finished it!  It's not even close to 50,00, but it was a first for me.  So my main advice- work through it.  The feeling I got when I finished that rough draft was amazing.  I felt like doing flips on the spot!  Whenever you get inspiration, don't let go of it and pin it to a piece of paper before you forget it.  When you're stuck, keep trying.  Don't let your story die just because you've lost interest or inspiration.

I want to write more, but I have to leave.  Hope I helped!

submitted by Megan, age 15, The Realms of H
(February 16, 2011 - 5:55 pm)

I totally know how you feel! Right now I am writing a novel that doesn't have a title...:)

I like to usually just go ahead and write without a plan, but sometimes that doesn't work out and I end up rambling. What I have been doing is kind of writing out a simple play-by-play of the scene. To give me a guideline of what is going to happen.

 

submitted by Emily J., age 12, here
(February 22, 2011 - 10:07 pm)

Thanks so much, all of you! I really want to finish all my unfinished stories but I sadly lost interest... I'll go back to them though... 

@ Megan-- What's a nano? 

submitted by Elizabeth M , age 11, Germany
(February 23, 2011 - 1:21 pm)