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[Acanthus117]

But I have a problem.

I never seem to get past the 'brainstorming' stage.

I scribble down ideas, but I just can't get myself to actually, y'know, stick with an idea long enough. Eventually, any idea will become, in my eyes at least, boring and I ditch it for another. It's been bugging me for so long, and I intend to pursue a career in creative writing one day.

HELP

[GamerKnight]

Try the Storybook program. Very useful, sorry I don't have a link to it, so you're going to have to search google.

[clockout1]

I've got the same problem.

My solution- Drop everything, turn off any distractions, and just write.

[GamerKnight]

I find the Storybook program helps me when I have those bits of inspiration. When I've had a lot of inspiration it helps stick it all together.

[fqllve]

I had the same problem for a long time, and what I think it was was that when you lose interest in an idea you need to raise the stakes again. Interesting ideas propel the story forward, and I usually find I'm most bored with a story is when the story is the most boring. The easiest way to keep it interesting is to raise the stakes. The outline only gives you the goal posts, feel free to add whatever is necessary to the story between them. And what's necessary is what keeps the story enjoyable to write, because if not, why are you even writing it?

There are other ways too of course. Introducing another character—introducing a new character, connecting two hitherto unconnected plot elements, changing sets, changing scenes, and I personally enjoy description of scenery.

But yes

just write.

[lordnincompoop]

I often have ideas/visions for scenes, and not coherent plots.

What I learned to do is write snippets for each scene, find a good plot later, then merge them into the greater story.

[Megaman]

Start with short few paragraph stories. Evolve from there when you can focus on a single idea

[Digital Hellhound]

Hey, that Storybook program looks useful, thanks for the link.

My problem is generally getting somewhere in a story - I'll usually get an idea, write a bit down, think up a basic plot, but then get stuck connecting the scenes to eachother.

[Willfor]

Practice connecting scenes. Read books where people connect scenes, and watch how they do it.

Alternatively, write all the scenes that you already know, see how they might fit together, and write a second draft with those connecting tissues incorporated.

Writing is a skill like any other, and you get better at it the more you do it while trying to improve it.

If you really intend to try to make a living at it (even professional authors are often only attempting to make a living off of it on their best days...) read books by competent authors*, and don't start imitating them. Instead, look at how they structure their stories, structure their sentences, structure their scenes.

Just writing is the best way to get things done, and I heartily recommend it.

* I am trying to be a fantasy author, so the genre I know is fantasy. If you have another genre you like, find the competent authors in its field, and read those.

[Ignus]

Also, read what writers you admire say about writing. You will be surprised at what lazy, miserable, poor bastards they invariably are.

Here is a smattering of useful links:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/09/16/writing-find-the-time-or-dont/ (most practical)
http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/essays/chuck-palahniuk
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anis-shivani/new-rules-for-writers_b_808558.html (most honest)

Unrelated, kinda, but this entire website was my lecturer's favorite. Has loads of writing prompts and other bits and bobs. I don't use it much, but it's pretty cool: http://www.languageisavirus.com/

Also, if you plan on doing it professionally, prepare to be poor. Really poor.

Have fun!

[fqllve]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anis-shivani/new-rules-for-writers_b_808558.html (most honest)

Vindication is to be savored when it comes, and it has come here.

The only thing I disagreed with is converse only with the classics. You should read whatever you can get your hands on because everything will teach you. Even things that are awful, even things that you hate.

And maybe think small. I'm not content to rely on the scraps left over from the greats, I want to forge my own path, tell my own stories.

but it's pretty cool: http://www.languageisavirus.com/

Burroughs.