How many times have you tried to stop writing your story and failed?

[HisDivineShadow]

I’d really love to hear your stories. I’m going through yet another burnout. I’ve tried to quit writing these books four or five times already. But every time I say I’m done I end up writing even more. Is this normal, or am I just losing it?
I’d love to hear from both new and seasoned writers does this obsession ever get easier?

 

[Alfir]

I am on my 21st streak of novels, I dropped out of the blue. It's a riot.

 

[Bishop_Quarter]

It was easy for me maybe. Before I start writing again two months ago, I was on hiatus for 2 years. Then again, I guess this time I tried to be serious enough, so hopefully I could answer your question next time.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

If I ever get another full time job with paid time off, I may take a break from writing fiction to go back and write game stuff, but that's a big if. Have taken a few year-long hiatuses from writing in general, but never really stopped since I learned how.

 

[Corty]

From burnout? Never. From a lack of interest/growth? Four times, I stopped a story short and ended it early.

 

[RainyLiquid]

A lot.

 

[Kara_dija]

Countless of times but because of executive dysfunction. When I'm burnt out I push myself even more because to me unable to do smth = yer a failure. So, yeah ended up writing 3k words in a single night. Stayed up till dawn even.

 

[Zagaroth]

Almost three years in, I have yet to try stopping.

But I also have a definitive end point for this series, and it provides the kick off point for my next series. And it is fun. :)

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I’d really love to hear your stories. I’m going through yet another burnout. I’ve tried to quit writing these books four or five times already. But every time I say I’m done I end up writing even more. Is this normal, or am I just losing it?
I’d love to hear from both new and seasoned writers does this obsession ever get easier?

I stopped writing earlier this year, mainly because I lost focus of my personal goals why I write. And really, I lost trust of people I look up to when I write stuff.

Now, I came back to writing, though refocused on my personal goals to finish what I started, instead of trying to please the audience. A few friends have been trying to offer me to beta read my novels, but I refused since these are something I wrote for my enjoyment. I can't see the benefit of submitting it for criticism when I have no plans to monetize it.

Sure, 'development' as others say. But as I've already been saturated by toxicity since last year, I had no desire to take up more poison for my mind. My work will be uploaded online, yes, though once I did, I will forget about it for my sanity. Lol

I mean, I can't stop writing, even when I suck at it. So, I will continue to write, though without a care to the audience.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I deleted stories I didn't like and moved on to new ones several times.

 

[Bald-san]

I’d really love to hear your stories. I’m going through yet another burnout. I’ve tried to quit writing these books four or five times already. But every time I say I’m done I end up writing even more. Is this normal, or am I just losing it?
I’d love to hear from both new and seasoned writers does this obsession ever get easier?

Well, I'm currently writing a not-in-demand sequel because I want to, so I can say that I also can't stop writing and will always end up writing even more, so for me, it's normal

 

[Rhaps]

I deleted stories I didn't like and moved on to new ones several times.

I have a reading list specifically for your deleted stories. Do I read them? Sometimes, vampires aren't my thing.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Procreate, and then you'll have no more time to write.

 

[Alfir]

Procreate

I thought I read Procrastinate... Man, something must have been wrong with my eyes.

 

[HisDivineShadow]

I thought I read Procrastinate... Man, something must have been wrong with my eyes.

Me too

 

[qualeshia3]

Oof! I can't even count but it has been many years. I managed to finished the novel last week.

 

[HisDivineShadow]

I’m drowning in my main story again. Last night I could barely fall asleep and when I did, I was writing the story in my sleep. And Evan was standing over my shoulder, giving commentary. This is fu€king insane.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

• Jack Diamond: Started twice, once in the 80s. Finished the first book, started the second, haven't gotten back to it.
• Strange Awakening: Started about eight years ago, picked it up again last year, finished the first book ,started the second, haven't gotten back to it.
• The Gray Files: Made it to about chapter five, lost everything in hard drive crash, back up to CH3
• Stranded: Write about one chapter ever six months, like clockwork
• True Blue: Started four times. Finished the first arc last year, 1/3 of the way through the second of about twelve planned arcs
• Between Worlds - started last year, still going. About 60% through book one, in the 80s
• Hunter's Moon - started twice in the 90s, never got past chapter one. Got through eight chapters in two months about 2018. Lost files in hard drive crash, can't quite find it in me to start over.
• Other Story - did have a title and everything but just kind of fizzled out around chapter eight. May revisit because I liked the time-worn concept of "Boy meets Girl. Girl finds out boy is her favorite C&W singer, Aliens attack. Boy is half human and finds out girl runs company that makes the gear he uses to fight the aliens in his top-secret day job" story. Happens every day, right?
• Assassin King: Started in high school and never finished. Restarted last month, on CH 2.
• The Blonde Bet - romance novel. Kind of stuck at CH 30.
• Digital Cowboy - Started last year, still going, will post Ch 92 tomorrow to PocketFM
• Out of Time: Concept thought out in the 90s but nothing written. Started writing once last year, stopped, restarted from scratch two months later. Middle of chapter 3
• "Frankenstein's Creature" story - rough idea bouncing around for 20 years, never really developed beyond character names.

Green stories share a universe.
Blue stories Share a universe.
Red stories are set partially or fully on Pyrroth.

 

[HisDivineShadow]

• Jack Diamond: Started twice, once in the 80s. Finished the first book, started the second, haven't gotten back to it.
• Strange Awakening: Started about eight years ago, picked it up again last year, finished the first book ,started the second, haven't gotten back to it.
• The Gray Files: Made it to about chapter five, lost everything in hard drive crash, back up to CH3
• Stranded: Write about one chapter ever six months, like clockwork
• True Blue: Started four times. Finished the first arc last year, 1/3 of the way through the second of about twelve planned arcs
• Between Worlds - started last year, still going. About 60% through book one, in the 80s
• Hunter's Moon - started twice in the 90s, never got past chapter one. Got through eight chapters in two months about 2018. Lost files in hard drive crash, can't quite find it in me to start over.
• Other Story - did have a title and everything but just kind of fizzled out around chapter eight. May revisit because I liked the time-worn concept of "Boy meets Girl. Girl finds out boy is her favorite C&W singer, Aliens attack. Boy is half human and finds out girl runs company that makes the gear he uses to fight the aliens in his top-secret day job" story. Happens every day, right?
• Assassin King: Started in high school and never finished. Restarted last month, on CH 2.
• The Blonde Bet - romance novel. Kind of stuck at CH 30.
• Digital Cowboy - Started last year, still going, will post Ch 92 tomorrow to PocketFM
• Out of Time: Concept thought out in the 90s but nothing written. Started writing once last year, stopped, restarted from scratch two months later. Middle of chapter 3
• "Frankenstein's Creature" story - rough idea bouncing around for 20 years, never really developed beyond character names.

Green stories share a universe.
Blue stories Share a universe.
Red stories are set partially or fully on Pyrroth.

Oh wow! That’s quite an impressive list.
By the way, how’s it going with Digital Cowboy?
Did you get your contract?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Oh wow! That’s quite an impressive list.
By the way, how’s it going with Digital Cowboy?
Did you get your contract?

Last I saw my contracts for Digital Cowboy Dane and Between Earth and Pyrroth were "Under Review, Usually takes two business days" - it's been 10 for Between and 30 for Cowboy. Sent a query Thursday with no answer.