I see, I see.
So how'd you do the whole, you know, 'writing' part? Particularly without giving up after a few halfhearted pages or in the labyrinthine stages of planning plots and characters and places? Which is my problem as a writer. How do you get past the crushing despair and introspective questioning of your lifes purpose part?
I don't actually plan that much. I have the main points of the plot in my head, the central characters etc. Usually some opening scene I have in my head. That's about it. Then I start writing and things go from there. The details work themselves out as the characters find their way towards the end of the story. Smaller ideas pop-up as the story progresses so there always seems to be something the characters are headed towards. Not sure it's the best way or whether the lack of planning shows in the story(example, the whole side story at the end of Guardian Spirit that didn't involve Nala, I had not planned that at all. It just seemed like an interesting addition when it came to me, which was about the time I had written Nala departing for her own storyline.)
Also, the New Years promise I made really helped. Previously I'd just written when ever I felt like it, which made for some very bumpy progress. Could take two months for a new chapter to work itself out. So I promised myself I'd write a certain amount every single day. In my case I set the bar at 1000 words/day. Usually takes me 1-2 hours each day to do that. As a result, I've written over 100 000 words this year(and the story with Elwar is closing in on 20 000 words in length).
The biggest benefit of it is that you get a sense of progress and everything stays relatively fresh in your mind so it's fairly easy to jump back in every day(of course, there are bad days too). Once I'm done with the days writing my mind goes to work on what I'll write tomorrow. There are times where I know where the chapter ends so I just write that and then work out the middle part that was giving me problems. Just have to push through the tough parts even if the first thing you write isn't that good.
Also crucial is that I don't edit that much when I write. When I write, I just write. Then usually on Saturdays I edit the next chapter to be made available so it isn't all terrible. Fix typos, logic errors I spot etc. Doesn't mean there won't be any left, though
I've also got my little ritual of watching an episode of
Foodwishes on Youtube before starting my writing. They just set the mood
