Writing a book

United States
July 9, 2007 6:00pm CST
Did anyone on here ever start writing a book and just stopped and never finished? Let me know if so.
3 people like this
11 responses
@LAWise520 (275)
• United States
10 Jul 07
A million times. Okay, not really. But it seems that I have trouble with endings. Some people recommend doing the ending first and then doing the rest of the book. I've never tried it because I never really plan out my books (I write fantasy). I never really have a goal in mind, I write because I love it.
2 people like this
• United States
10 Jul 07
Maybe you could do a search on the internet and get some ideas about endings. You made it this far so I know you can finish it. Get to now....make it happen...it's all in your hands!
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 07
Very true. Thanks for the idea.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jul 07
LOL. Yeah that's happened to me two or three times. Right now i'm starting yet another book and so far it's going pretty good. Although I haven't written in quite a while. But I have gotten farther than the other books I started before. Hopefully i don't stop with this one. As soon as I'm finished I'm hoping to get it published. Which will be pretty hard 'cause I don't know the first part of getting it published.
2 people like this
• United States
10 Jul 07
You make sure to finish your book! Sounds like you enjoy writing so make your dream happen. And as for publishing you can do some research because something will come up for you. There is a place I recommend for you and it is called Infinity Publishing. infinitypublishing.com Go to their website and they will send you free material and a free book called "Become a Published Author" tells you all about it and it's free. So, don't put your pen down and keep your thoughts rolling because you are a writer and the world is waiting to read your books, okay??? :)
2 people like this
• United States
10 Jul 07
Music to my ears. Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. My mother laughs everytime I tell her I'm going to get a book published even though I haven't even finished one. I'm going to check out the link right now and yes I am going to pick that book and finish it. If I have to buy a whole box of red bull and just sit there and write, write, write I'll do it. Thanks for everything. ^_^
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I started a couple that I haven't finished, but I might work on them again - sometime before I die. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 07
Do you like writing? Pull them out tonight, keep the material in your view and finish those books! You started so that is awesome now keep it up...come on you deserve that,,don't you think? I am not trying to be bossy but I love to see people happy for accomplishments. I am proud of you and hurry up so I can read them!!! :)
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
10 Jul 07
I started a book a long time ago and once I had a child I had to stop. That story is still lying around somewhere. Then I joined a writing group and was motivated to do better. I took an old story I had written and rewrote it. It is finished but sitting on the shelf waiting for some major editing. I will get back to it once I am finished the one I am working on now. Since joining the writing group I have learned a lot and that is why the book I am writing now, I believe, is my best and am putting everything I can into it right now. I will not work on another story until I finish this one. I want to get this one out into the hands of some agents. I believe it is worthy of publication. After that I will go back and use my new found wisdom to work on my first two stories.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
10 Jul 07
Thanks for your vote of confidence. I will do it!
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 07
Awesome!!!!!!!! I love to hear that. I like how you said that you will not work on another story until you finish the one you have already started. Just do me a favor okay? Finish it, get in the hands of some agents, pray, you will succeed!!!! I am all for ya!!!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
11 Jul 07
I think that all writers have at least one unfinished book moldening in their files someplace. Heaven knows that I have a few. Most of them are not worth the effort to salvage, or at least mine are not. Bottom line, I am a much better writer today than twenty years ago. Onwards and upwards.
1 person likes this
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I got going on a story but never got finished. Either I ran out of what to write or what I was thinking along with the story wasn't making sense. This time I probably will 'cause I got an interesting idea. Hopefully I can get it done and eventually get it published and such.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jul 07
Not sure when it will be done. The story I'm writing or attempting to is going to be the 1st of possibly a series if I get a good reception with it. I have the title worked out and as far as cover, that'll be the tough part. I hope to have it done before the year is over. That is what I'm shooting for.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 07
You will get it done and you will get it published and I am proud of you and of your future accomplishment when it is in the stores out for sale!!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I am a great person for starting projects I never finish, whether that's writing or something else. Fear of failure? Fear of success? Just a perfectionist? Not sure, but I think it's a pretty common phenomenon.
• United States
11 Jul 07
Thanks for your positive comments to everyone. I just finished a great book on writing called "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott that I highly recommend to every writer. The title comes from a story about her brother. He was about 10 and had to write a paper for school about birds. He got to the final day before it was due (although he had all semester to do the paper). He was frantic about finishing it, but got himself so worked up that he just didn't know where to begin. So the writer's father (also an author) told him, just do it "bird by bird." Hence the title of the book. There is a lot of good practical advice for getting unstuck, approaching writer's block, beginning, negative feelings, jealousy, the whole range of writerly emotions and how to cope and keep on writing. I got pretty jazzed up about writing again after finishing this book.
• United States
10 Jul 07
What's the ole saying, "There is nothing to fear but fear itself". You must tell yourself you are a good writer, you can do great things, nothing will stop me, final answer! It is a common phenomenon and I am here for proof as well. I am changing that also myself. Life is too short to let someone else live my dream or my idea or whatever it is. You are great and you do things great and don't let Nothing stop you.....Ever....k?
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
10 Jul 07
Yes I started to write a book, got as far as the sixth draft, and then I saw this writing exercise about writing a dungeons and dragons game. I decided to stop the first book, and started on the one I am writing now. I also have a couple of unfinished books in the works that are only half-finished.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
11 Jul 07
sure, i have a couple of books started and havent finished them. right now i dont have the time or perhaps it is because i dont have the inspiration at the moment, i am not sure...
@faraza (159)
• Malaysia
12 Jul 07
i've drafted so many books but most of it doesn't even have the first word. the most i've written before is until the 2nd chapter. i'm the type who cannot stop while doing something, i will loose interest and totally forget about it. so right now, i just write in myLot.
• United States
13 Jul 07
TONS of times! I have 4 "books" right now thet are unfinished. I'm activly working on one, but I always worry I'll stop that one too and start another. I work on the other 3 every now and then, when I get bored but...I don't know if I'll ever finish them! I still love them all and like their plots, but, I don't know why I can't ever keep going.