[Hresvelgr]

Well, it's been a while since I even bothered trying to write this book I had in mind ever since Eragon first came out. I think I was 14 then, and although the ideas have changed my drive didn't until relatively recently, when because of a mix of being busy and a load of personal problems I just stopped. I even stopped coming here for about a year. But now the nostalgic side of me just wants to get back to that, like to prove to myself that I can get more than 5 chapters done without turning back and redoing everything. Miraculously, I remember all my ideas and plans and motifs and whatnot for my book. I used to have the longest version here actually, but I'm sure it's long gone and I doubt anybody remembers it. Which is actually a good thing. Even I'm too scared to go back and read what I did put down, as I'm sure it's horrible. But anyways, down to the matter at hand, do any of y'all have advice for writers trying to get back in the habit after countless ages?

[Arthryn]

I've been trying to do the same thing, after a fairly dry period during most of college, and getting back into the habit is pretty tough, but made worse for me by the fact that I'm innately lazy and have a hard time getting myself motivated. So I'd say just try to add some time to your routine to sit down and write.

As for the story you're working on, you should totally go with the concept if you're latched to it and it's good and you've already spent a good deal of time building on it, but since you've been out of the game so long, don't be afraid to trash what you had and start fresh. I'm also doing this, and it feels good to overwrite all your crappy old writing with stuff that's new and reflects your current ideas and ability.

[Bagenbaggage]

Yay! Um, my advice if you want to get back into it is just get the routine of writing. It doesn't matter what at first ya know? Snippits here and there till your ready to get back into it. Also I recall reading some of your stuff on here before hand, wasn't half bad. If you decide to post some new writing i'll be on the look out for it.

[Hresvelgr]

Yay! Um, my advice if you want to get back into it is just get the routine of writing. It doesn't matter what at first ya know? Snippits here and there till your ready to get back into it. Also I recall reading some of your stuff on here before hand, wasn't half bad. If you decide to post some new writing i'll be on the look out for it.

You actually do remember some of my stuff? Huh, you might remember more than I do. Only story I have left on here is an Eragon parody, which isn't at all bad compared to other stuff I spawned. Anyways, I'll be sure to try to get back, maybe by organizing my ideas somewhere... can't keep 'em all in my head forever.

[Bagenbaggage]

O_O I thought i've read some of your stuff on here a long time back. Organizing thoughts is good, and the whole writing five chapter thing isn't bad. It just means you are kind of second drafting before the first is done, revising as long as it isn't too excessive isn't bad.

[Hresvelgr]

My problem was that I always changed my mind or decided something was just terrible pretty quickly. Helped when I started, but when I got closer to the current incarnation of my story it's been more of a burden.

[Bagenbaggage]

Hmm. When that happens to me I start to write a new story at the same time, so ideas don't over lap and get weird. Or I write multiple versions of the same story.

[dragonking555]

I have advice for you. Just do it, don't over think it. If you want to get back into writing all you have to do is sit yourself down in a chair, get a pen or computer and fire away. Do this enough regularly and all the pieces will fall into place and your writing will just become a habit.

[Behave Yourself]

Here's the best way to start writing:

Write.

Is there more to it?

James

[Spinner]

First of all, Hres, good to have you back =)

To add on to what James, Allison and DK said, yeah. Write. It really is like a cold pool. Once you jump in, you warm up pretty fast =)

Some good tips: prompts, being easy on yourself in general, do not start a new book until you feel comfortable with words again, manymany short stories.

Best of luck!

Ben

[Behave Yourself]

Oh, and remember, Hres - don't over-think it. You should never go, "WHAT DO I WRITE? IT'S GOTTA BE GUD!!1". Some of my best writing, ever, has been from just sitting down and writing whatever came out of my head.

In fact, I've made the over-planning mistake many times, but mostly with Revelations. The most important thing you can do is just to sit down and start writing - pre-planning can kill the buzz and the feeling of newness of your writing, which is essential, at least for me, towards continuation.

James

[Hoof Hearted]

Imitation of another's style can sometimes be a good way to get your feet wet.