I have no excuse. I got stuck thinking on what should be the Chapter 2 or the next thing that will happen to my story. When I started writing, I muttered to myself, This does not make any sense. Well, I got disappointed and left the document. I ended up doing more movie reviews instead, which was also fun.
Something is holding back. My story is about adventure and fantasy. Unfortunately, I have only read the Harry Potter Series regarding the genre. Also, I have only started reading books. My reading experience is a bit raw. So my question is do I need to read hundreds of books about the genre before I should write?
What do you suggest?
Magic of Ice Cream 
No, but you have to believe in your story or it won’t work.
Thanks. I’ll note that. I have to believe in my story.
I second what Patricia said. I’d also suggest not worrying about genre. Tell the story you want to tell and read books that inspire and inform you. Here’s to your success in the coming week.
I wouldn’t worry about genre either. Reading anything helps, but you don’t have to pause writing while you do that. Getting words down is the best practice.
I’d say that you’re not feeling it because your subconscious reckons you’re writing yourself into a corner – or at least that’s how it works for me. Maybe think about outlining/reoutlining the next few chapters and see what happens. Sometimes just talking through the story with someone else is helpful. That’s what works for me.
Best of luck next week!
Oh of course. Outlining. Thanks for this.
I don’t think you have to read hundreds of books in a genre, but reading similar style books can’t hurt and since you obviously love the genre, it would be something enjoyable. Good luck in the coming week!
You don’t need to read tons of books in the genre you’re writing. I just wrote a contemporary romance, and I’ve only read … less than ten contemporary romance books. But I have read other romances, I’ve seen romantic movies, and I have friends who have lived the romanticly charmed life. In a lot of ways I looked at these other sources and asked myself: how can this inspire my story?
What OTHER forms of adventure and fantasy have you watched? Think about movies with lots of adventure or fantasy elements to them, and ask yourself the question “what if?” I go off on a lot of wild hares when I ask myself that dangerous question.
Two other things you could try. 1) Rereading what you have written and finding the spot where you begin to lose interest or feel something is off. Don’t delete everything after that, just start from that point and write new, exciting stuff! 2) Talk out the story with someone you trust. Sometimes a verbal vomit helps to brainstorm.
Ho-kay, that was a lot! Sorry *sheepish smile*
Thanks for reminding me that I can also use movies for other sources. And since that I have watched hundreds of movies, I guess I know what I’m up to now.
Yes, definitely read more. Both in your genre and out. Make regular reading a part of your goals. Review them like the movies. What worked? What didn’t? If you were writing the story, how could you make it better? And speaking of movies, they are a great way to learn about storytelling, so those reviews you did? Time well spent. You might even want to try writing a short story. Just keep writing and feeding your brain. You’ll get there!
Good advice from Patricia and Ben! Worrying about anything but the story is a great way to block yourself. Just let the words flow. Sometimes, stories don’t reveal themselves in chronological order. Drop your worries and keep going! 🙂
just write your story – you’ll know what extra reading you need to do as it progresses – its your world – you will need to get the world building right but go for it
Every story, no matter what the genre, needs an architecture to follow. I would suggest (as well as reading voraciously in ANY genre) learning basic plot structure around which to craft your story, as this will help you determine what should happen when. It will also help you recognize the same elements in what you’re reading.
The good news is the first draft is all about discovery-feel free to play with it and keep what you need later. It’s all a learning process whether you’re a newbie or a veteran.
You don’t have to read one hundred books, but reading a lot more books in your genre will help you. The story is important first, but so is knowing what works and doesn’t work in your genre.
Good luck!
I find that it usually works better for me if I just keep writing without going back to review or question what I’ve already done. There will be plenty of time for that when you do the editing! It also helps for me to have at least a rough outline so I know where I want to go with the story. Otherwise I get bogged down trying to figure out where to go with it!
Write down a list of scenes you want to right or things you want to take place in the story. Also give this a try – sit down and just write the first thing that comes to mind without editing and just keep going until you just can’t go on anymore. I hand write because my brain freezes in the front of the computer. Good luck!
Doubt is a scary thing. I agree with the above posters, don’t worry about genre. You at least know what genre you are in and you know how it works. I think sitting down and reading hundreds of fantasy books may seem like it’s helping, but in the end it’s only keeping you from writing.
Not that it would be a bad thing generally to go and read them, but if you decide to do that now you’ll just being using the reading to avoid the writing.
Long comment is a long comment. You can do it. 🙂
Thirded! I also like to repeat to myself “the first draft doesn’t have to make sense, the first draft doesn’t have to make sense, the first draft…”
Well, you get my point. Tell the story. Make sense later.
Yes, I guess you’re right. I’m trying to perfect the first draft and I ended up doing nothing because I am scared if my draft will be okay or not.
First draft doesn’t make sense. Thanks for this.
I agree with Claire about outlining. If you take some time to figure out what the next chapters should be about, it should hopefully prevent you from getting stuck.
I think reading in your genre is helpful so you can see how other people did it, but don’t stop writing to do it.
Good luck!
Uh… No haha
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Everyone has given great advice so far, so I’ll just say that if you’re interested in some great well-plotted fantasy, check out Brandon Sanderson’s Elantris and Warbreaker. Both books are fantastic.
Plan a bit. Not a lot. Sit down and write, whatever comes into your mind. Don’t analyse. Go on writing.. Revise or edit only later, much later. Dont think of anelaborate plot. Build on what you have started. Let your story and the dramatis personae emerge and evolve. Dont be blocked out by thewriter’s block. Go on writing. Something. But always.
Take a step back and relax. Writers’ Block hits everyone from time to time. You’ll be fine.