How to NOT get distracted from your current WIP in creative writing
So, I've been going around on tumblr a lot and I've seen so many people getting distracted from their WIPs which used to happen to me a lot too but is more of a rare occurrence now.
So, I'm going to be sharing tips on how to actually FINISH your WIP without getting distracted much. Here's what I learned.
First things first, what IS a WIP?
Ans. WIP is simply an abbreviation of Work In Progress. Here, we will be referring to fiction writing.
Now, how I learned to NOT get distracted from a WIP. This can apply to both, a fanfiction writer or an original author, I speak from the side of an original author who has finished one book and is currently working on the second one.
The following are the major reasons we tend to leave a WIP while its still a WIP:
1. We get another idea we cannot wait to note down.
2. We hit a writer's block.
3. Social Media
And now, I'm going to be sharing how I fought these at a better rate than most writers I see.
1. It's okay to get another idea while still working on the 1st one
In fact, it happens to me all the time. I have only completed one book and am going to send it for publishing this week while there are 8 other ideas that I can make beautiful stories out of.
The key here is to SET GOALS and set them ONE AT A TIME.
The second thing that you should do is VENT the idea somewhere. For me, whenever I get a new idea, I note the summary down on a word file and share the entire thing in detail with my sibling. That gives me the satisfaction of having shared the idea with somebody. Story telling takes like roughly three days. And it assures me that the idea is safe and I can come back to it a while later and it will still be in my mind.
Here are what my standard goals look like in general:
a. Write down the 1st draft of idea one
b. Take a two day break
c. Write down the first draft of idea two
d. Take a two day break
e. Edit the first draft of idea one
f. Take a small break
g. Edit the first draft of idea two
h. Take a small break
i. Polish idea one
j. Send idea one to beta reader/editor/publisher
k. Polish idea two
l. Send idea two to beta reader/editor/publisher
m. Take a break
n. Make necessary changes
o. Publish both books
p. Work on the rest of the ideas the same way
You could use the breaks to think about your other ideas or conduct research on them or you could just use them to relax and not think about writing at all. I tend to do the first one.
2. Motivation
I know, you hear this one everywhere, but, here it is with a twist.
Have you ever heard 'It's easier to write down a story when you base your characters on real life actors'?
Of course you have, we all have. This is because that provides you with a base and you don't have to start from scratch. You just have to work on the plot. The personality of the characters will write itself as you go.
When you edit, you can make changes to the character to make them better suited for your plot.
Wait does this ring a bell? Ding, ding, ding!
I just described what its like to write a fanfiction!
Start all your ideas as FANFICTIONS!
It motivates you up to amazing levels, no lie.
All of my ideas, are fanfictions originally. I just come up with a very good fanfiction and then my brain is like 'Oh wow, if you just change the names and personalities a bit, you've got yourself an original book!'
And I do. Nine of 'em.
Just try this, it helps.
The second way to do this is anticipate a particular scene that you particularly are looking forward to writing and just for that one awesome scene, carefully tread the rest of your work there, because the more careful you are with the plot, the more it'll be worth when you're writing that ONE scene.
3. DO NOT publish a semi-finished work!
I cannot stress this one enough!
This one is to all those who publish online, whether it be original fiction or fanfiction.
Most authors who leave there WIPs unattended do so because they publish a semi-finished work.
Here's what happens:
They love the story and are super passionate about it and boom, publish the 1st, 2nd, 3rd chapter of the story. Then the story either gets backlash or the writer hits a writer's block and the story just stays there.
Always start the one-by-one publishing after you are 100% positive that your 1st draft is complete. Never before that.
This also applies to published authors who have sequels for their books planned.
4. Writer's block
You've hit it, I've hit it, we've all hit it.
But how to fight it?
Read and watch.
Watch movies on the topic you're writing, read books on that same topic from authors you love and look up to.
Maybe you'll get an idea from there that your beautiful mind will change a bit and make it your own.
It's all about inspiration.
And when you surround yourself with things like that, it actually motivates you to make your own mark in that field.
'Oh, I'm gonna be so much better than (insert author name) when I write in (genre name)'
'Oh Goodness, imagine Finn Wolfhard acting in my book'
'Imagine Kim Taehyung acting as the awesome East Asian in my book'
Yes, I actually say this to myself for further motivation. And my suggestion is that you should too.
5. Discuss your idea with people who are interested, NO ONE else
I know a gal who loves horror-suspense-thrillers so whenever I get an idea related to any of those genres, she's my person to run to.
The point of this is, this person is gonna get excited about your book and pretty much force you to publish it, since they wanna see their favorite story in print.
But make sure its someone who is just interested in reading, not writing. We can't trust anybody in the wretched world of today.
6. Actually conduct research
Whenever you feel like the WIP isn't writing itself, look it up extensively.
And even before you start, look up what your character's cultural backgrounds are like (even if you think you know, look it up), their foods, festivals, everything. Look up the locations your book is taking place in until you have generalized map of them memorized by heart. The schools there, the restaurants, the housing areas, every damn thing.
Writing is all about writing what you know.
And the more you know, the more you'll want to write. DO NOT look up any other idea while writing the 1st one.
7. Do not avoid social media
I've noticed that when I avoid it, I'm less productive. Instead, limit your use of it.
Use social media to your advantage.
If you're into memes, look up memes related to your book or memes related to writing, they always put me in the mood for getting my work done.
If you're into celebrity gossip, look up how some of your favorite authors had it rough in the industry.
If you're into videos, look up tips on how to write, tips that you'll probably never use but still it's good to know them.
8. Picture what you want to achieve
Is it to be the author of a bestseller novel?
Is it to be famous?
Is it to win a Pulitzer Prize?
Is it to be recognized by your idol?
Is it to be recognized for your talent?
Is it to write something you want to read but can't find a book on?
Is it for money?
Is it to be the best, a writing legend?
Whatever it's for, picture yourself at that destination and then slowly work your way backwards until you've reached actually writing the piece.
Always works for me.
9. Don't share your goal with anybody
If your goal is to get the work done in two months, don't share it.
If people ask, say 'sooner or later'.
If there's an agent pushing you, make sure he has your schedule memorized so that he knows when to expect each target you've set accomplished, instead of bugging you.
Writing is a natural process and only the editing process goes well under pressure, nothing else.
10. Keep just one person in mind
Whenever you write, keep only one person in mind.
Think, 'I have to write this book because no one else will and (insert family member or friend) can only read it if I write it'.
And if no one close to you is interested, imagine a loyal reader you've never met, patiently waiting for what you have to offer.
11. Believe in yourself
I know that your first book probably sucks.
But your second one will suck too if you don't publish your first one and let it suck instead.
The point of publishing a bad work you tried your best with is to write a less bad work afterwards.
Your first book will always suck if you keep ditching ideas because you don't like them and can't tell what's wrong with them.
Let your audience decide that.
Hope this helped! If you have any additional tips, feel free to share them or if you're confused, my asks are open!
And remember to spread the message by reblogging! Tell me if this helps!
Love ya and remember, squeeze that 1st draft out of yourself, cuz no one else will!
