Becoming a Writer

Becoming a writer is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I'm not one to shy away from hard work. I simply enjoy my time more when I put off the hard work until the last possible minute. You might call me a bit of a procrastinator. But I love to read and I love to write. The problem? I can't finish what I start.

I see the beginnings of a story in my mind. A scrap of something, really. Not much of anything, but it wiggles it's way into my skull and consumes all my thoughts forcing me to work it out. The plot fits together like pieces of a broken puzzle and I'm the only one who can see the big picture. I outline and characterize and subplot my ass off until *click* it all falls into place. The story. Maybe it's a novella, maybe it's a trilogy, but I figured out what motivates my characters. I know their strengths and weaknesses. I picture the settings clearly and I see the romance and adventure unfold.

In my head these scenes play out like clips from an upcoming film. The trailer for my magnificent masterpiece. I love every bit of the world and story arc I just designed, but therein lies the problem. I write but am all out of words to say. The details and descriptions elude me. I'm stuck with this sensational story but re-telling it doesn't do it justice. It's hard work for a perfectionist like me to describe every piece of the picture I see in my head. I write and revise and edit and scratch it all out in the end.

I was so proud of myself for achieving 23k words-about 1/3rd of my planned novella penned-when boredom betrayed me. How could I make this story more interesting? By setting it up with a 2nd, 3rd, and even a 4th book. I put aside my rough draft and began planning the sequels. Stupid, huh? Once again, I figured out all the secrets of my story and continuing was no longer fun. It was just difficult.

Inspiration struck again and 3 days and 18k words later, I was 2 chapters and 3/4 outlined into a new story. Something completely different. Within two weeks, I was stuck again. I can't call it writer's block if I know what I want to say. I just don't know how to say it. How can I convey the emotions my characters make me feel? How do I describe the mundane settings as magical? How do I sustain a reader's interest if I lose interest myself after only a few weeks?

I have read a book a day for the past 9 days desperately seeking an answer. What makes it possible for one person to complete their story, but not another? It isn't for lack of ideas, it's lack of talent. Am I a writer because I write? Or should the title be bestowed on only those with completed works? At what point does a writer become an author?