I've found one of my biggest difficulties in terms of fiction writing is coming up with an idea that holds my interest for a long period of time. It seems like I often begin stories fully intent on completing them, only to have my interest quickly falter. So my question to other writers is, do you feel like you have this same kind of problem? Or does finding an idea that holds your interest for a long time seem easier than this? And if readers have any opinions, feel free to voice them.

Note: Put this in the Fan Fiction section because it's about writing, but mods can move it if need be.

Most definitely. I've started at least two different fictions and never completed them because I lost motivation. Motivation comes in spurts for me; I've made entire characters, from the conceptual stage to a finished sheet in one night, yet other times I flounder to even put together a single coherent paragraph.

For me, though, there also is the fact that I am, admittedly, a perfectionist bastard. As such, I have had what others call a perfectly good chapter but failed to actually start a thread because it didn't look just so to me. I see flaws but no solution or fix, I get frustrated, I give up. Not sure if that's a factor for you, Nova, but I know it gets under my feet a lot; I swear that I click Preview Post at least four times before it hit Add Reply when just making an RP post to tweak it to my satisfaction, and then I still usually make an edit or two after. Imagine that on a novel-sized scale.. :banghead:

Motivation is my situation. But I am hell bent on making a series, so I dont give myself a choice starting today. I will finish ever fiction I start from here on out.

yes. But it doesnt matter, because the more detached you become the easier it is to take constructive critique that actualy helps you finish it. I've been writing this one book since i was 14, i've been going back and re-writing alot of it and its a hell of alot better now that i've gone back to it than it was before, because after leaving something and going back to it with a fresh mind, you see things that should be there but arent, so you can add them, and take things away that shouldnt be there to improve the story.

I believe I understand what you mean. I had the same problem with my first attempts at writing fiction, this was back in 05 I believe. After that though I decided I would only really put an effort into something if the idea was far enough to actually allow me to be almost entirely certain I would finish what I started. I've also made a change in that previously I posted some chapters of a story but never finished it, now I only post the story after the entire thing is finished. I did this with Morrowind, and I'm doing the same thing with the one I'm currently writing.

So if you're looking for tips, I can only recommend what works for me. Getting an idea, and then expanding it in your mind, expanding it to the point where the idea alone would fill several pages of notes, and even starting a basic plot outline for the character(s) per chapter. And only then start writing.

I don't know though, it might be unconventional or even seen as bad advice by writers more skilled then I. And I'm sure there are many of those here

Planning helps your ideas stay with you. If people write right out of their heads, the urge to write disipates quickly.

I often lose motivation, which is something that occurred with Cyber-Lycan, and the story will flop. It also occurred with Blood of the Elders.

Basically, at some point down the road the glamor of the idea just dies away and writing it becomes a chore, not an entertaining pleasure. Manic Dementia is startling different because while there are parts that feel like chores to write, but then new sections of it arise that rekindle my creative spirit. (such as when Siena reaches Crucible. That one should be fun to write!)

Yeah, I totally know what you're feeling, Nova. I have the same problem constantly, hence why I hardly ever finish a story. And even when I put a "TO BE CONTINUED" at the end of the story, it's just a cheap copout without me having to say I quit. :shrug:

Planning before you start a story is a good thing, but in can be a bad thing as well. You don't want to plan EVERYTHING, or else the story will sound clunky and robotic. Perhaps you could at least plan the shell of your story and then go from there?

Yes. I think it's doubly hard with fanfiction, because you don't always get the outside motivation for it (some stories go unnoticed because of the sheer volume of material on the net for readers to wade through). And of course, there is no living to be made from it. But that can also be a good thing - it isn't a sin to leave pieces unfinished. Sometimes ideas run their course, and you just have to move on and not beat yourself up about it. After all, most of us do this as a hobby. There are no deadlines involved.

But equally, you may find that you get re-inspired for pieces that you thought you'd never complete. That's happened with me this year. I was all ready to abandon something I'd been practically feverish about for three years, but funnily enough, my interest in it sparked up again this year and now I know for sure it will be finished in the near future. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a breather.

I know this sounds weird, but I don't plan anything. At all. No character sheets, no outline or anything. I think that its a waste of time, as you'll probably come up with something better by the time that you get there. Or maybe I'm just lazy?

Not that crazy, I've never created a character sheet in my life, not for a game nor for a story. I don't see the point in putting all that effort into something you likely already know by heart, besides with such a character sheet I would think it would e less fun to write about someone, because you might be tempted to glance at the sheet constantly to make sure you're following it to the letter. Nah, notes yes, things as detailed as sheets, nope.