Write for yourself, don't write for other people. Your work will find its audience, that's what grand dad said. If you're writing a scene that's boring and it's making the process difficult, step back, rethink your ideas, and approach it in a different way. Your first, second, or third idea for a scene isn't the only way it has to be. Whatever is exciting or interesting for you is right, not what you think other people will like.

Thinking like this helps when you're working every day. Writing can be hard for a thousand reasons, it can often be difficult and it can feel physically and emotionally exhausting. You don't need to force yourself to do something you don't enjoy on top of that, it only leads to burn out faster.

In my conversations with authors, 2k words a day is a good, healthy, and achievable goal. If you do more, great! If you do less, don't worry about it. A scene is done when it's done. If it's only 1,500 words, fine.

Don't do write what you don't want to, don't write more than you need to.

Generally speaking, if the chapter is boring what happens in it is as obvious to the reader as to you--skip it.

    Arkinslize It depends on what type of writer you are. Personally, outlining is not my thing. I would rather plan out basic goals in my head for my story and let the words come out on a page. Yes, this means I have to switch from a creative writing session to an editing one, but I find it helpful when trying to get through tough chapters. Chances are its boring because you have already outlined it to death. It might be easier to just write straight to the interesting part to get the chapter out.

    Being bored during a chapter just means that you would not read that. It's ok to be a different writer then what you would read yourself. As long as your keeping the same quality through chapters you will make it.

      So far I just make each chapter interesting in itself, if that makes sense? Each is like a little story and is usually based around an element I am interested in writing about. If you have to get your story from A to C, then just make up something cool for B to make the writing easier.
      Your readers will thank you for it!

      Thanks for all your answers. It helps a lot.

      I will first try to write when i'm not stressed. I realized it parasitizes my writing when i have the wrong mindset.

      Indeed the fact that my story is clearly outlined had killed a part of the fun for me. The creative moments are always the best. Trying to add a few twists in there to keep the fun could be a solution.

        Arkinslize

        That sounds unlikely. The aspects that you enjoy about your novel are what should draw readers, each writer has a style or in different words a taste. Some write what many consider smut, but others would consider them works of art.

        But do you really find those chapters boring? Or are you worried your readers will? Because those are two different things. I find it hard to create something I abhore unless it's my intent in doing do.

        Be true to the story, the narrator and to your own heart. What works for others won't work for you and the reverse is also true. Some writers like to isolate themselves, another might write in public. Some write for an hour and then watch a tv show before writing for another hour.

        We are all different and work in different ways. Experiment and find the best way for you.

        Don't like this post thanks <3

            Arkinslize

            1. I took a peek at your story. It's Sci-fi, so that story requires a lot of imagination for the world-building, and it might probably tire you. That's why you are feeling bored because it becomes a chore.

            Or, you probably wrote a non-engaging section of your story, (filler parts, conversation, side characters, a pointless action scene, world-building, background, or so on), which might explain why you felt bored when you wrote that. In long stories, authors will experience it eventually, including me.

            1. Others have already advised you about author's instinct, so I won't comment on that. But in the case that the boring part was necessary for your story, I have a suggestion.

            For getting back on your feet or getting your motivation back, connect the boring parts with the main story in your outlines, or go back to your outlines and add that section into the big picture. Make it influence a decision of your characters or events in the future as if they were a foreshadow of something. That way, you subconsciously interact with your own story, and you will have fun as you write.

            If it doesn't help, add comedy. Have fun trolling readers with some of your silly jokes. UwU

            1. As for 1500 words a day, it depends on your writing style, experience, and your flow in your story. Sometimes, you planned an outline for 1,500 words, but you can only write 1,000 words. Then, the word management gets tough.

            There are many ways to correct this, though. Try to write everything you have planned and finish it first. If the word count is not enough, you can bypass it by adding a description of the environment, thoughts of characters, background noise, or expression of the characters to fill in the quota. If they are too long, it's up to you if you want to cut it to parts or reward readers with a long chapter.

            1. Lastly, be careful when you are pushing through your author's block. Sometimes, you come up with something similar to a nightmare to readers if you write something unplanned. I experienced this first-handed, and I don't want new authors to follow my footsteps.

            Take it slow and don't push it too hard. Control the pace and remember that you're writing for what purpose, for readers? for money? for yourself? The answer will give you a different result since it changes your stories and your plots. WN readers like wish-fullfiling stories. Romance makes the most money. Anything else takes time and effort to be recognized.

                DamnPlotArmor

                Thanks for your good advices.

                Paradoxically, the world-building is not the hard part for me. Making it interesting is.

                Another aspect that can tire me is that english is not my native language. If i just write, i will keep doing the same mistakes. So generally, i read and analyze chapters from native writers before or learn a few grammar rules or word usages i'm not familiar with. So, if you add my day at work to this, sometimes i'm already tired or stressed before even beginning to write.

                It can be frustrating when I'm confident that I could write at a professional level in my main language whereas i can lose readers here because of mistakes not even a high school student would do. But it is meaningful, as i can see real improvements day by day.

                    Arkinslize No plan survives encounter with the enemy. Some writers do better with detailed outlines and thought-through plans. I think through the whole story in one pass, get a grasp of the emotional arc, and then render it in more detail along the way. In my opinion, writing is like jungle warfare, low visibility and crowded by ideas like trees. Expect ambushes, expect resistance; know when to power through and when to use the terrain.

                    My novel uses some advanced techniques in both its structure and prose. If you're looking for ideas you can always stop by, and if you ever want specific help with something, such as a synonym or turn of phrase, I'm often available to lend a hand with crafting. Talking shop is one of my favorite activities.

                        Write a Reply...
                        Web Novel Novel Ask