: Re: How do I finish my stories although I have both ideas and titles for them? Almost every day I come up with new titles and rough ideas for new books to write. I e-mail them to myself, happy

@Kevin153

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Usually, writer's block is a result of your inner editor overpowering your inner writer. This is a very common problem that can especially affect experienced writers, critics, and others with a large amount of knowledge about good writing, because they can't help judging their work as they write it. (There is even a well-known book and movie called Wonderboys about an author who is paralyzed by the pressure of trying to live up to his successful first novel.)

You'll probably do better if you write freely and without judgment first, and then edit and judge only after you are all finished. Of course this can be easier said than done, but there are many techniques to help. One I've found very effective is to write at a time of day when you are naturally sleepy. Another is to "prime" yourself with several pages of complete nonsense first. Some writers self-medicate (NOT recommended).

You may also want to let go of the goal state, and just enjoy the process more. I imagine when you wrote your previous books, you enjoyed the writing. Now, however, you are making it a job for yourself, and focusing entirely on the goal of publishing. I've had similar issues myself, and I've learned that being too goal-focused can be counterproductive. Earlier you were writing for yourself, and a publisher loved it. Now you are trying to write for a publisher, and it is throttling your voice. Your next book may or may not be a success --or even publishable --and either way is OK.

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