Anyone here trying to write a novel?

I've wanted to write and author a book since I was in elementary school. Throughout middle and high school and I did write quite a few short stories that all of my English teachers said were rather impressive but all of my novel-writing attempts have bombed. I'll starting writing the story and by the time I get to the first major conflict I find my inspiration just sort of fizzles out. I actually haven't written anything other than blogs in about 5 yrs (gasp!) but I still sign up for and plan to attempt NaNoWriMo each year. Nothing ever comes of it but I am determined to make it work for me one year! I actually found a site this year that's kind of like NaNoWriMo but it isn't limited to a single month-it stretches over all twelve.

I know exactly what you mean (well I think I do anyway!) I, too, can't seem to get past plots and characters. When I try to actually write it just falls flat. I don't know if I really am a terrible writer or if I just expect a complete story to flow from my fingertips from start to finish. I did actually finish a book, once, in junior high, but it was terrible. It didn't have much of a plot, more episodic, like a tv show, and when I ran out of ideas, it was finished.

I wish you luck in writing your novel. I did recently finish writing my first novel land I am just in the process of editing it. Then I want and need to get an agent so that I can get it published. Maybe you should start writing something else? And then the ideas will flow for this new thing you start on. That's happened to me before and I just start writing something completely new. Good luck!

Just finishing my second novel. Have one published book, magazine articles and one multi-author book.

I began writing a story before I went to college, thinking it would help hone my writing skills. It did, and I had it posted on the web and a big fan base. Then the website decided it was not going to give free sites anymore, and I had a short time to move it. It was exam time, papers were due, etc. The worst possible time for this to happen. I did not care about that, I had to study and complete assignments for grades. so I had to let it go. I copied it, then that summer I put it on another website, but I have never been able to get back to it and complete it. I guess the best thing to do is just start from scratch. I am very stuck on what to do with this next part for 2 years now. :D

i did, and just when i thought i am on my way to finishing my first ever novel, that i got stuck... now, it's buried deep on my files and still thinking how to re-do it and finish it... :(

my advice to you is not to be so hard on yourself. i think writers are the hardest critics on themselves! take a break, read a book! go do something else and then ideas will just flow back to you when you are a little bit more easier on yourself! honest!

Maybe your blogs can be your novel? They have come from so many places, I have heard. I have long wanted to write a book about my life, but haven't made an attempt except for some notes of what I would want to include. I once had a psychic tell me that I would have a second career as an author! Wish I would get started before I get too old!! It's never too late to start.......don't give up.

Dear friend, I am planning to write my own life after my marriage, how it broke up and those Indian law without justice. It is long tragic story. May be only thing I lack is time and my mental strength to rewind all those memories. May be it takes time and if God permits I could publish it. It would be a real life story novel...

eileenleyva hi Ihave written one novel four years ago and its still gathering dust. Sent chapters out and synopsis but no buyers. Now i am slowly working on my autobiography and do not really care whether 'or not I sell it, its just sort of emotional therapy for me.

Hi Eileen, I think of writing as a job. You sit down at a specified time each day and you write until you are done with the specified time interval that you have decided upon. It is the only way for me to get anything on paper. Then, once I am writing, I try to follow the flow of the words as they come to me. Try writing for yourself and see what comes of it. It could be that you really like the shorter genre---hope this is somewhat helpful.

Hi, eileenleyva. I am working on a novel of sorts. It's taking longer than I had hoped and like a mouse nipping on food, I go back to my story every so often. I have about 40,000 words so I have a long way to go. I'd say keep up with your novel dream. It might just take time. I also have two book manuscripts I have to finish. I've been working on one manuscript for ten years and it has to be finished, hopefully before I leave this world.

I too write the novel in my college days it is a amazing feeling and I think you also should realize that same feeling.I will also stick to the blogosphere

Hi Eileenleyva, I've been promising myself for years that I will start a novel. I even found a few characters and the basics of a plot. That's as far as I got. However, things are changing. About five weeks ago I joined a local writers group. Every week someone different runs the group. We all do a little writing exercise and then people read them out if they want to. These people are so inspiring. I fell like the new girl. The good thing is they are encouraging and they tell me that they were in the same place as me when they joined the group. The second thing I did was to actually sign up for a short course. I had to pay. The course starts tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm really keen to get involved with like minded people. Sometimes it's good to have people to bounce ideas off. I find they often take my ideas to places I didn't even know existed. Maybe its time for you to get yourself some people who will help you to develop ideas. How about me?

I have not tried to write long pieces. I have some poems, and a children's Christmas story in rhyme that needs illustrated. Lots of stuff on my mind, but I will probably not write anything longer. I keep busy doing freelance work for others right now. Good luck with whatever you write. It is not as easy as some people will make it out to be. My daughter tries her hand at short stories, I think. Or maybe longer stories and novellas.

well.. maybe novels aren't your thing. you should try your luck with short stories.. rhymes or even bed time stories.. explore and achieve.. enjoy mylotting..:)

Novel!no way i dont have that much patience.I think its a most difficult job to do.I have never dram for anything my entire life and i know thats not gong to happen in future too. I love reading and i enjoy reading different books on different subject.But writing a novel ! no way!

Sorry for such a late response but I was browsing through some of your posts after you replied to one of mine. I was curious because you struck me as such an accomplished writer. Your writing style caught my eye and I was browsing to see what else you had written and came across this post. So I reckon you should go for it. You write really well which is half the battle. Get stuck into that novel. Best of luck.