How to Get back on the Saddle?

[Pixytokisaki14]

So it's been a few months since I left my story in Hiatus. I think my writing skills have drastically deteriorated to the point that I can't push myself to start writing again. Over that large period though, I did research and learned more about the story in question that is in hiatus. Just need to know how to finally get back to writing.

So, I need some tips on how to get back on the saddle and writing again.

 

[AutumnPlunkett]

Maybe you could practice by writing a few short stories and edit the work that's on hiatus to refamiliarize yourself with it? That could help you feel more confident so you can start off on the right foot.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

Reread and edit your story. It should flow back to you as you do so. If not, move on to other stories and return when you feel like it!

 

[Tim_Saian]

I agree. Rereading and editing the story will make you remember a lot of what excited you about it as well as plans you had for it. Just make sure that once you do remember, you sit down for like 30mins and write something, even if it's incomplete. Goodluck.

 

[NotaNuffian]

 

[Premier]

Just start. Don't go back, don't rewrite. Catch up on the story if you forgot it then write. Putting words down is all you need to do.

 

[LORD_SHAXX]

I would just start writing and publishing again. I took a year break to focus on finishing university. I came back and just started writing and publishing again. For me the best way of getting back in the saddle was getting back in the saddle

 

[RepresentingEnvy]

Write something completely unconnected to your story. Write a short story. Write poems. Read a story that inspired you to write in the first place.

There are many things you can do to gain back that inspiration, but in the end, you have to just do it!

 

[owotrucked]

Dont take your meds and remember the basics of writing techniques through poignant flashbacks of your dead fictional elderly master as he forced you into a training arc during your origin story

 

[K5Rakitan]

Use condom.

 

[RepresentingEnvy]

Use condom.

You can't keep getting away with this!

 

[lambenttyto]

Just start. Don't go back, don't rewrite. Catch up on the story if you forgot it then write. Putting words down is all you need to do.

This, and if you don't like what you write, cut it and "redraft."

 

[TheEldritchGod]

So it's been a few months since I left my story in Hiatus. I think my writing skills have drastically deteriorated to the point that I can't push myself to start writing again. Over that large period though, I did research and learned more about the story in question that is in hiatus. Just need to know how to finally get back to writing.

So, I need some tips on how to get back on the saddle and writing again.

1. Your mistake was stopping. Even if you are taking a break from publishing, you need to keep writing. I don't care if it's 500 words a day, you write SOMETHING. I'm taking a break but I'm still writing something. If you want to get gud, the solution is to write three times what you need, throw out half, and then slowly pare down to the bare minimum. Writing is, was, and shall ever be a numbers game. Half of what you write will be below average, by sheer mathematical certainty. So use that to your advantage.

Write three times what you need, knowing it doesn't HAVE to be good. Relax. Let go of the need to have every word be the best.


2. Get help - If you get in the habit of writing more then you need, then getting rid of the shit and paring it down to the absolute bare minimum, then you should next look to getting an editor. Find someone, ANYONE who has a halfway decent writing style, and ask them to help with the story. You get it into a rough draft situation, then ask the other person to review it and make any changes they think would help. They send it back and you get to rewrite what they send you.

Even if you hate everything they do, that's okay, it'll force you to rewrite what you did and I promise you, your rewrite will ALWAYS be better then the first draft. If you can't find anyone, do what I do, feed your story into ChatGPT one paragraph at a time and ask for a rephrasing. Use V3. Why? Because v3 is TERRIBLE. That's the POINT. The whacky way it rewrites things is great for making you look at your story sideways.

3. Watch this video:

and then listen to this playlist: Blue Turtle

If you are really screwed and need a second pair of eyes, let me know. 'm taking a break from publishing myself while I sort out a dozen or so RL issues.

 

[wresch]

I think breaks have value. The world moves on, you move on, you learn and grow. Your story will be richer for what you have encountered. If your story has value to you, you will reflect on today's insights and rethink your characters and plot. You might even change your ending.

Historical example - Huck Finn. Twain wrote the first half, then stopped. Scholars see that first half as akin to Tom Sawyer - just fun. A kid's book. When he came back to the story, he was much more mature. Ready to take on slavery. The story went off in a whole new direction - a direction that made the book a classic.

 

[melchi]

If you are really screwed and need a second pair of eyes, let me know. 'm taking a break from publishing myself while I sort out a dozen or so RL issues.

That is very generous :D

 

[KonoKei]

Write it bad then read it over and fix it later. I've been stuck for days on a single sentence before realizing that even if that part sucks I can just go back and fix it after I write the parts that I know will be good.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

1. Your mistake was stopping. Even if you are taking a break from publishing, you need to keep writing. I don't care if it's 500 words a day, you write SOMETHING. I'm taking a break but I'm still writing something. If you want to get gud, the solution is to write three times what you need, throw out half, and then slowly pare down to the bare minimum. Writing is, was, and shall ever be a numbers game. Half of what you write will be below average, by sheer mathematical certainty. So use that to your advantage.

Write three times what you need, knowing it doesn't HAVE to be good. Relax. Let go of the need to have every word be the best.


2. Get help - If you get in the habit of writing more then you need, then getting rid of the shit and paring it down to the absolute bare minimum, then you should next look to getting an editor. Find someone, ANYONE who has a halfway decent writing style, and ask them to help with the story. You get it into a rough draft situation, then ask the other person to review it and make any changes they think would help. They send it back and you get to rewrite what they send you.

Even if you hate everything they do, that's okay, it'll force you to rewrite what you did and I promise you, your rewrite will ALWAYS be better then the first draft. If you can't find anyone, do what I do, feed your story into ChatGPT one paragraph at a time and ask for a rephrasing. Use V3. Why? Because v3 is TERRIBLE. That's the POINT. The whacky way it rewrites things is great for making you look at your story sideways.

3. Watch this video:

and then listen to this playlist: Blue Turtle

If you are really screwed and need a second pair of eyes, let me know. 'm taking a break from publishing myself while I sort out a dozen or so RL issues.

Taking a break is good for you. As a person in burnout I can tell you that we are not machines. Please be kinder to yourself and to others