Expert: Susan Rand - 1/24/2006

Question
Hello...
I have a big dream of becoming a great novelist and I have big ideas for stories...I am not in the publishing stage yet...currently, I'm only writing ot get better...
The problem is that my urge to write is controlled by my shifty muse...
I write daily reflections more often than not to keep myself going but I cannot seem to work on a certain fictional project for a satisfactory period of time...the only time I've ever finished a long project of, I think, thirty chapters, was when I was writing a Harry Potter fan fiction. While, I do enjoy the work, I just can't keep myself chugging.
I fear that I will not get anything done at this pace...and I am someone who hates to watching time ticking by without achieving something.
Is this something I should be worrying about? Should I be controlling this? If so, how?

Thank you very much

Answer
Hello Maram:

If you wait for your muse to appear before you write, you will likely never complete your book. The best and most prolific writers have little to do with muses; instead they treat writing as a job, where you appear at the same time every day, do your work, then go home. They may not feel like doing it, but they do it anyway, because they have disciplined themselves to do it. In other words, they are professionals.

In order to see a book clear through to the end, you must have a deep, deep commitment to it. You must believe that what you have to say is important, that the world needs to hear it, and that only you can write it. Writing is lonely work, there is little or no support or encouragement when you get stuck; you have no one to depend upon but yourself to keep the motivation going. This is something that must be learned. How are you at motivating yourself? What motivates you - fame, money, glamour? Very few writers achieve those things.

If after all this you are still determined to write a book, you may have one thing going for you: perserverence. That is more important than anything else in helping you write. You must make a commitment to the book and to yourself: I will write this, and I will finish it.

The right subject in the hands of the right writer compels the book to be written. It will grab you and shake you and demand to be written. Perhaps you have not found your subject yet. While you are waiting, try to discipline yourself to write on a regular basis, and write short pieces, short stories or bits from your novel. Make sure you finish what you start, and stick with a schedule you make for yourself.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high score over 600 questions.

And good luck with your writing!