Current Events > I'm meant to be starting my new book tomorrow. However, there is a problem.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Obviously, starting a new writing project is a pretty big thing. Writing a book, whether it be a short story collection or novel, can be a very complex, demanding task. You need to be confident when starting, which I usually (more or less) am.

Sadly, in this case, people on CE have largely destroyed my confidence. Sunhawk, you can't write a book about German, you don't live there. Sunhawk, you've spent 6 months researching the country through YouTube, Wikipedia and non-fiction books, and you still know almost nothing at all about the place - be realistic!

I dunno. I think I'm going to start it tomorrow, but CE does tend to put the whammy on you, sometimes. In this case, with me writing something. Making you believe you have no fucking idea what you're doing, and going ahead with something anyway is a complete waste of time and effort.

CE has quite a few unsavoury people on it, it really does. ;_;

---

So in other words, you have no idea how to even begin writing a book, so you're blaming CE because it makes you feel better about your inability to do so?
---

Lol. That isn't what I said, and I'm pretty sure you understood that.

I've never been this unsure of myself, before I started writing a book. It's just...I dunno. The more confident you are, the better things will be. I dunno.

---

Literally just dont post here if that is the problem.

If its interfering with your hobby/livelihood...
---

@Ambience
---

If you want to write a book than start writing. Open up a word program and start writing. That's literally all it takes. I wrote about 35 pages of notes on mine, and over this past weekend I started the actual writing. It's not that hard. Just do it.
---

But i mean, its your time, you don't have a job so you can spend your time doing whatever on your leisure. Its not like you writing professionally and getting paid for it.

Not sure why you keep coming here. At some point the onus is on you to leave if its such a problem for you.

Sounds to me like you stay so you have an excuse to not work on any of your novels
---

Stop lying about your fake book, the only people who believe you are the ones who don't know about your previous fake books
---

Sunhawk, you can't write a book about German, you don't live there.
---

I've spent about 6 months planning it, and researching it. But...people have criticised the project on CE so much, I'm not sure about it. I might feel like everything I'm writing makes no sense at all.

But that's what certain people on CE want. They want you to think the stuff you do / want to do is worthless, and that you're just some horrible loser. I guess you can't let them get inside your head and destroy your confidence...I guess.

o_o

@teepan95
@TarElessar
@Alpha218

---

JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter having been through depression, dude

Adversity breeds greatness
---

I must be one of the truly great people of the 21st century, then.
---

Sunhawk posted...

I've spent about 6 months planning it, and researching it. But...people have criticised the project on CE so much, I'm not sure about it. I might feel like everything I'm writing makes no sense at all.

But that's what certain people on CE want. They want you to think the stuff you do / want to do is worthless, and that you're just some horrible loser. I guess you can't let them get inside your head and destroy your confidence...I guess.

o_o

@teepan95
@TarElessar
@Alpha218

Then what the fuck you doing here if it kills your confidence? Close your browser and get writing
---

Only if you have something to show for it

Say, a book
---

Ray_Dorset posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I've spent about 6 months planning it, and researching it. But...people have criticised the project on CE so much, I'm not sure about it. I might feel like everything I'm writing makes no sense at all.

But that's what certain people on CE want. They want you to think the stuff you do / want to do is worthless, and that you're just some horrible loser. I guess you can't let them get inside your head and destroy your confidence...I guess.

o_o

@teepan95
@TarElessar
@Alpha218

Then what the fuck you doing here if it kills your confidence? Close your browser and get writing

I think people are really having trouble understanding the stuff I've said in this topic. People on CE haven't generally damaged by writing confidence, they're just really damaged it with this book.

Although, after 16 year of insulting me and telling me I'm not good enough, I suppose they have damaged my general confidence plenty. So, that's good.

---

As a writer/unpublished author, I'll say if you've done your research and been thorough, then just start writing. However, please consider these questions:

Do you have an outline of events?
Do you have characters, or an idea of characters?
Do you have a plot? Is it just for fun? Or is there a theme or message you want to portray in your piece?

If you want to talk about writing in a non-toxic way or need someone to bounce ideas off of, feel free to message or @ me. Don't let others get you down, if there's a story to be told in you then it's best to let it out.
---

What is the goal in your writing? Do you want a unique and authentic representation of Germany? If so you will fail. Is it just the setting of your book and you just want it to be familiar enough to the reader that they don't call BS? If so you'll probably be fine. At the end of the day your writing will be a distillation of other people's thoughts and nothing more though since you won't have any first hand experience to give a unique view.
---

I've planned the book in quite a lot of detail. I've had 6 months.

But several people on CE have told me that the book will be worthless, so I guess they got to me.

---

Do you want a unique and authentic representation of Germany? If so you will fail.

Thanks.

You see, Juhanor? This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. I've been attacked quite a lot about this, and it's had a pretty bad effect on me. Every person thinks they know what they're talking about, how my book will be worthless / non-sensical / stupid / bad.

---

Sunhawk posted...

Ray_Dorset posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I've spent about 6 months planning it, and researching it. But...people have criticised the project on CE so much, I'm not sure about it. I might feel like everything I'm writing makes no sense at all.

But that's what certain people on CE want. They want you to think the stuff you do / want to do is worthless, and that you're just some horrible loser. I guess you can't let them get inside your head and destroy your confidence...I guess.

o_o

@teepan95
@TarElessar
@Alpha218

Then what the fuck you doing here if it kills your confidence? Close your browser and get writing

I think people are really having trouble understanding the stuff I've said in this topic. People on CE haven't generally damaged by writing confidence, they're just really damaged it with this book.

Although, after 16 year of insulting me and telling me I'm not good enough, I suppose they have damaged my general confidence plenty. So, that's good.

Buddy, I mean this sincerely, if you're serious about writing than that's what you gotta do. Take a break from CE and just write
---

Sunhawk posted...

ow my book will be worthless / non-sensical / stupid / bad.

It will be none of those things, because the book doesn't exist.
---

Sunhawk posted...

Do you want a unique and authentic representation of Germany? If so you will fail.

Thanks.

You see, Juhanor? This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. I've been attacked quite a lot about this, and it's had a pretty bad effect on me. Every person thinks they know what they're talking about, how my book will be worthless / non-sensical / stupid / bad.

I'm not saying it will be worthless, it is all about what you are wanting to capture. All I'm saying is that everything you know about Germany is filtered through someone else's eyes. A story set in Germany, I'm sure you could have it work. But it doesn't sound like that is what you are writing, it sounds more like the story is about Germany itself.

The average American writer could probably write a story set in UK without any real big issues. But if an American write who has never been to the UK tried to write about the UK and all the various class struggles and the social aspect that are at play there, do you think they could capture the nuance or would it be just a caricature?
---

I mean, if you're already looking to pin blame and excuses onto others in the event of you failing in your creative endeavor BEFORE YOU EVEN START IT then you probably aren't ready to write a book.

In any creative endeavor you either persevere through the hard times and ultimately succeed in creating a finished product or you take the easier option and quit when it gets tough. This is not CE's choice, this is yours and yours alone to make.

Juhanor posted...

As a writer/unpublished author, I'll say if you've done your research and been thorough, then just start writing. However, please consider these questions:

Do you have an outline of events?
Do you have characters, or an idea of characters?
Do you have a plot? Is it just for fun? Or is there a theme or message you want to portray in your piece?

If you want to talk about writing in a non-toxic way or need someone to bounce ideas off of, feel free to message or @ me. Don't let others get you down, if there's a story to be told in you then it's best to let it out.

Sunhawk treats Wikipedia like its on the same the same level as primary sources and has told literally every German that says his idea of Germany and German life is completely wrong that they have no idea what theyre talking about
---

Have you ever written about about Britain? You have a great venue for primary sources in the Heritage Center...
---

Fuck the Heritage Centre. The Heritage Center is no good, and filled with jerks.
---

I wrote a book. It starts out hard and really slow but gets easier. You need to make it a habit until you realise you woefully underplanned and have to start again.

I tend to plan a lot. At least, the last 5 years or so.

It helps.

Anyway, planning is often more fun than actual writing. Go figure. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be published.

---

Sunhawk posted...

I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be published.

you'd have to write a book and show it to people first
---

Hey look, this guy's thumbing his own ass.
---

Sunhawk posted...

I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be published.

I mean, it's up to you. You either work hard to try and achieve it or let your own fear of failure derail it. The ones that succeed knuckle down and do the work.

Sunhawk is like the male joestarr.
---

Alright.

This is the basic plan for my short story collection, as worked out over the last few months.

A few stories set in Nazi Germany; a few stories set in East and West Germany; a couple of stories set in modern Germany; one story set in the Weimar Republic; one story set in the Germany Empire. I haven't decided on the exact order, although I've been trying to figure it out. As you might imagine, the book is planned to jump backward and forward in time, and will hopefully be set in a few different German locations. The stories are gonna be between about 20 and 40 pages. Overall length will be something like 350+ pages. Stories will cover groups of characters such as family units, groups of friends, etc.

What do you think? I've been working on this for quite a while, and am pretty happy with what I've decided. As you might imagine, however, these things could change. Like I said, I don't know exactly what I want the order to be.
---

heyo, just start writing. Getting started is the hardest part especially because you'll have huge expectations before jumping into something. You can always go back and edit your work so it's not like anything you write has to be permanent.

Just starting to write, setting goals for how much you want to do each day, etc will all help. Finding the write words/series of events is kinda like finding a needle in a haystack - all of your practice/writing throughout however long drafting takes will be the haystack and it's up to you to find the "spark" that gets you going (needle).

Your book will NEVER be completed if you don't start writing it at some point and then continue to write. Even if your outline/whatever basis you have makes it overwhelming you still have to start somewhere so maybe start during the second or third chapter/act?

Also, if you're writing about Germany but don't necessarily feel knowledgeable enough to have an accurate representation then why not make an alternate version of the USA (or wherever you live) with aspects of Germany/German culture that you picked up during your research? Unless, of course, you're aiming for a literal representation of Germany, then idk.
---

dude, just give them a spaghetti german western.....they'll love it
---

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

If only I could go back a few years in time. Like in the Terminator films. But nobody would die, Sunhawk would just convince Sunhawk not to become a writer. That'd be good.

---

Your book will NEVER be completed if you don't start writing it at some point and then continue to write.

This is important. Writing something that isn't perfect is not failing, you can refine it later. Not writing at all is failing.

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

You're as much of a writer as I am tbh, and I've only ever written shitty reviews for a couple of PSP games on this site
---

MC_BatCommander posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

You're as much of a writer as I am tbh, and I've only ever written shitty reviews for a couple of PSP games on this site

Why didn't you write for a console that people actually care about, Mac boatcommander?

---

Sunhawk posted...

MC_BatCommander posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

You're as much of a writer as I am tbh, and I've only ever written shitty reviews for a couple of PSP games on this site

Why didn't you write for a console that people actually care about, Mac boatcommander?

\_()_/
---

I worry about you sometimes, and the choices you probably go and make in life. I mean, what do you even do? Apart from make rude, unpleasant comments to me on CE?
---

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

If only I could go back a few years in time. Like in the Terminator films. But nobody would die, Sunhawk would just convince Sunhawk not to become a writer. That'd be good.

Im of the opinion that adversity breeds some of the best writing

So clearly you use all of this negative feedback youve received on CE to write a masterpiece, then you dedicate the book to all of us
---

TC, all art will have critics. Always. Even if you finished the book, published it, and it becomes a success. There will still be people who trash it.

You can't internalize it. You will never do something that will silence all naysayers, no matter how well done it is.

No one on CE matters. To you anyway. Just get offline and start writing.
---

Alpha218 posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

If only I could go back a few years in time. Like in the Terminator films. But nobody would die, Sunhawk would just convince Sunhawk not to become a writer. That'd be good.

Im of the opinion that adversity breeds some of the best writing

So clearly you use all of this negative feedback youve received on CE to write a masterpiece, then you dedicate the book to all of us

Alpha, I also worry about you. What is your job? What is your level of education?

---

Sunhawk posted...

Although, after 16 year of insulting me and telling me I'm not good enough, I suppose they have damaged my general confidence plenty. So, that's good.

damn you have been in CE for 16 years?

Sunhawk posted...

Alright.

This is the basic plan for my short story collection, as worked out over the last few months.

A few stories set in Nazi Germany; a few stories set in East and West Germany; a couple of stories set in modern Germany; one story set in the Weimar Republic; one story set in the Germany Empire. I haven't decided on the exact order, although I've been trying to figure it out. As you might imagine, the book is planned to jump backward and forward in time, and will hopefully be set in a few different German locations. The stories are gonna be between about 20 and 40 pages. Overall length will be something like 350+ pages. Stories will cover groups of characters such as family units, groups of friends, etc.

What do you think? I've been working on this for quite a while, and am pretty happy with what I've decided. As you might imagine, however, these things could change. Like I said, I don't know exactly what I want the order to be.

That could work fine, it sounds more like it is character driven story with common geographical location.
---

Look at TC blaming others for writing the book for him
---

Alpha218 posted...

@Sunhawk...

I'm coming into the situation blind, but if you're writing about Germany and you have German users willing to inform you with first-hand accounts, please take advantage of this avenue. Wikipedia is fine for general information but it should only be treated as a stepping stone to other, more in-depth resources.

What is your novel about specifically? Is it non-fiction about the life/country/history or are you writing a fiction piece set in Germany?

Edit: Ninja'd. Hold on a moment.
---

Sunhawk posted...

Alpha218 posted...

Sunhawk posted...

I can't believe I decided to be a writer.

If only I could go back a few years in time. Like in the Terminator films. But nobody would die, Sunhawk would just convince Sunhawk not to become a writer. That'd be good.

Im of the opinion that adversity breeds some of the best writing

So clearly you use all of this negative feedback youve received on CE to write a masterpiece, then you dedicate the book to all of us

Alpha, I also worry about you. What is your job? What is your level of education?

Worry about getting yourself an education and a job first, dog
---